light fixture screw stuck

This takes a bit of finesse, but I've had it work when nothing else would.Lastly, if you have a dremel and a cutoff wheel you might be able to make a slot to use a flathead screwdriver, but by that point you are pretty close to just drilling the screw out.

I'm having trouble trying to remove these screws. Put the stiffer, skinny blade between the wide blade and the fixture. *Gently More information or using proper terminology or supplying a photograph would be helpful and prevent us from guessing. Anybody have any ideas?Needle Nose vice grips can work, but I usually have the best luck with regular vice grips pointed straight at the screw and clamping as tight as possible.

When one method doesn't work, don't give up! I suspect that may have happened here, but I am hesitant to aggressively pry the fixture because it is so incredibly stuck. Home Improvement Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled Learn more about Stack Overflow the company I heard that mineral oil might work, but I am not sure if that is a good idea. Featured on Meta I haven't a clue what you call this but googled and think this is nearest. Detailed answers to any questions you might have I'm having trouble trying to remove these screws. Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us I'm afraid to damage things by using the wrong solvents.Looking at the geometry, it can only be paint holding it up. Uncoil the light cord, and tie the light out of the way. Just grip hard and dent the side of the bolt - now turn slowly.And spray the screws with WD40 or a similar penetrating oil..that should help ease them outLooks like they might be painted over Torx screws to me. If he is happy he may allow them to stay behind when you move out so you do not need to worry that much about damaging the fitting whilst removing it.Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! They are covering a light fixture outlet.I've tried allen wrenches to no avail. (Guess what happens if you use the prybar alone. Pry up slightly, all around the circumference of the fixture. They are covering a light fixture outlet.

Re: light switch screw stuck in electrical box Post by Shannon » Sat Nov 04, 2017 4:29 pm Can you get ahold of the back side with needle nose pliers or something and screw it right into the box till it comes out? I would add a second putty knife, with a stiff blade. Discuss the workings and policies of this site It seemed to work for them but I haven't tried it myself.I'll try anything at this point lol.

Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcutsCookies help us deliver our Services. I am afraid it might be attached to something other than the paint.My current plan is to get a putty knife and a variety of paint solvents, and try getting the paint off. It has 3 bulbs, and several screws to hold it on the ceiling. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Thanks for the putty knife tip! Ask me why I know :-O)Good plan by Christos regarding leaving the new fixture, though I believe you will succeed removing the original.One thing I do in removing lights switch covers etc is take a razor knife & cut around the edges then as I pull coveers away I don't ruin 6 inches of paint wallpaperUse a knife and pry around the outside of the light fixture in an attempt to loosen the fixture. I am guessing you are talking about a fluorescent tube, typically 4 feet long - but actually available in I washed my glass lamp holders and got one screw cap socket light bulb holder stuck in the wrong way and can't get them out. Then creating resistance and the screws would come out easy.I just saw someone on TV remove screws like this by putting a rubber band over the stripped screw end before putting the screw driver into it. Get in there with a knife point and start digging around until you get all the paint out and then put a proper phillips bit in place. Either way I cannot get a grip on the screws at all.