removing baton screws from hardwood

[Stockyard]

Hello, I have just finished a timber bridge which has hardwood treads screwed down to ex telegraph poles (hardwood). They have been screwed down with 14g 100mm baton screws, but my problem is that I am wanting to undo some screws but they don't seem to want to come out. The trusty cordless isn't up to it, nor is an allen key tapped with a hammer. I even went out and bought a hex head socket set but still to no avail. They rae well and truly fixed! Any suggestions?? I don't have power where the bridge is but can get a generator again if someone thinks a reversible electric drill would work. Any help would be much appreciated.

[mic-d]

I have had great success with a brace in this situation. You can generate more torque than a cordless - enough to snap batten screw heads off. I'd give that a go after perhaps giving each a good soak with oil or wd40 the day before.

Cheers
Michael

[Planned LScape]

haha... those batten screw certainly hold very well...I blew up a power drill last year trying to remove one

Must be the wood swelling around the thread

[DJ’s Timber]

Try driving the screw in a whisker first then immediately back out, have managed to shift screws this way in the past.

[Stockyard]

I have had great success with a brace in this situation. You can generate more torque than a cordless
Cheers
Michael
Thanks for the suggestion Michael, but I wasn't sure what you meant by a brace?

[Fuzzie]

But I think the trick would be finding a bit that matches the screw head.

[mic-d]

But I think the trick would be finding a bit that matches the screw head.

Thanks Fuzzie for the photo. The standard batten screw tip is held neatly in the chuck no problems.

Cheers
Michael

ps. DJ's idea of squeaking it up a little tighter before backing it out helps a lot too.