Stubborn screws

[Bobc]

Have a lattice fence with 90mm treated pine posts. Wish to retain posts and remove screws holding lattice frame. Current bugle screws, hex head will not move despite reverse drill, whack and try again, allen key and extension handle. Any hints on loosening screws? Only guess left is hack saw blade between timber post and frame. 60 screws. Not likely! Would a bigger heavier drill work?

[BobL]

See if you can borrow an impact driver. In reverse of course.

Also try alternating between briefly fwd and then reverse.

[apple8]

BobL’s suggestion is probably the way to go and if they don’t want to screw out they may shear off below the surface of the post. Otherwise if it comes down to hacksawing use a reciprocating saw with a metal cutting blade.

[Beardy]

There is a good chance they have corroded themselves in and may need cutting. A standard pistol drill will not have the torque to remove them if they are stubborn. You can try a impact driver or 18v battery drill on low gear as they have more grunt than a driver

[BEM]

When I had a screw in my thicknesser that I couldn't remove I ended up filing two sides flat and I used a spanner to unscrew it. You can get much more torque that way. It works.

Lyndon

[BobL]

When I had a screw in my thicknesser that I couldn't remove I ended up filing two sides flat and I used a spanner to unscrew it. You can get much more torque that way. It works.

Works for a few but the OP has 60 to extract so I think he will need something a little quicker.

If the OP decides to go via the reciprocating saw method it might need more than a metal cutting blade (usually bimetal) as some of these bulge screws can be as hard as Hardened Tek screws - it that case you might need a carbide tipped blade.

[skot]

Have you looked at Easy Outs...I have a couple in my shed.
Here is a link to Super Auto Set of 5
SCA Screw Extractor Set 5 Piece | Supercheap Auto
1) Drill a hole in top of stuck screw at a diameter that match the Easy Out
2) Use a chorded drill which has plenty of torque. These are designed to pull and undo the screw anti clockwise while you have your drill on forward.

[Chris Parks]

If you have access to a compressor use a pneumatic rattle gun, they will either come out or break. You could hire the gun and compressor if you wanted to go that way. Whatever way you go make sure the bit is in very good condition because it is easy to spin it in the head then nothing gets it out. I have done a lot of these into treated pine and I always use air tools.

[Mobyturns]

Have a lattice fence with 90mm treated pine posts. Wish to retain posts and remove screws holding lattice frame. Current bugle screws, hex head will not move despite reverse drill, whack and try again, allen key and extension handle. Any hints on loosening screws? Only guess left is hack saw blade between timber post and frame. 60 screws. Not likely! Would a bigger heavier drill work?

Its surprising the hex socket is holding up.

Try tightening them first using a high torque driver/drill or rattle gun, then unscrew. If that doesn't work brute force to shear the screw shaft.

IF you are not saving the lattice frame, cut either side of the post then split the remaining portion of the frame with a chisel. Once the bugle head screw shaft is accessible use some stilsons or heavy mulit-grips to grip the shaft and apply brute force.

[Bobc]

See if you can borrow an impact driver. In reverse of course.

Also try alternating between briefly fwd and then reverse.

Used an impact driver in reverse. (Kennards hire do great job) Managed to remove 60/64 and hacksawed the rest. Thanks all for your advice.