A screwdriver is one of the most important tools you must have in your toolbox. They come in different patterns and shapes. Screwdrivers are available from a wide range of suppliers.
The proper screwdriver comes in various sizes and shapes to match the various types of screws. They may come in different shapes and sizes, but a standard and large or tiny Phillips screwdriver is the most common.
We can see them in every household because we use screws in our cabinets, faucets, or anything that holds things together. However, at some point, they may not be available. Because of this, it pushes us to look for alternatives that can be found in our homes or work. But don’t worry because we have tips on how to unscrew a screw without a screwdriver. (Learn How To Remove A Stripped Hex Nut)
1. Use a Butter Knife
A kitchen butter knife can be used similarly to coins. To unscrew the screw head, insert the end of the butter knife into the more extended groove and turn counterclockwise.
If your butter knife is of poor quality and strength or you have tighter screws, you should bend it rather than unscrewing it. Be wary of the possibility of harm caused by the knife.
2. Use a Coin
In a pinch, your pocket loose coins can be used to replace a cross-tip screwdriver. Smaller coins, such as dimes or pennies, will function better like a screwdriver, but they will certainly only fit in a giant screw and not on a small screw or tiny screw, where the rounded edge will have a greater grip.
Try turning the screw head with a small coin inserted into the more extended groove to unscrew the screw. This method works best with dimes and cents. This works typically with larger screws to make them loose, not extremely little ones, smaller screws.
Turn the coin counterclockwise in the larger groove.
3. Make Use of Your Thumbnail
Your thumbnail will work like a screwdriver if the screw is relatively loose on the surface. Turn counterclockwise after inserting your nail into the more extended groove. If the screw is somewhat loose, it should come out quickly; but if the screw is tight, this method is unlikely to work.
4. Try to Use An Old Compact Disc (CD)
Turn counterclockwise after inserting the flat edge of an old CD into the more extended groove. This may cause the old CD to be damaged or broken, so use an old one that you don’t mind ruining. This method may work similar to a screwdriver and may not work well if the screw is exceptionally tight.
5. Look for a Toothbrush Made of Plastic
Make a fire with a lighter or another heat source, lightly melt the end of a plastic toothbrush. After the plastic has softened, place it in the head of the screw and let it solidify again. When it becomes difficult to unscrew the screw, try turning it counterclockwise.
This typically only works with screws that aren’t very tight and aren’t too difficult to turn. To avoid accidents, be very careful when using the lighter, and melt the toothbrush gently so you can watch on the melting and prevent a puddle of melted plastic.
6. Make Use of a Card
Turn the screw head with a card, such as a plastic credit card. To unscrew the screw, insert the edge of the card into the long groove and turn counterclockwise. Ensure that the card is sturdy and old, as it may be damaged throughout the process.
7. Give a Rubber Band a Try
Apply a counterclockwise force to the screw by placing the rubber band over it and pressing down on it with your finger or a complex tool. The rubber’s traction against the screw is frequently sufficient to turn it.
8. Use the Ring Pull of a Can
You may also make a handy homemade screwdriver out of a beverages can’s ring pull. Bend the ring pull forwards and backward a few times once you’ve drunk the drink, and it should ultimately fall off. However, be cautious because the remaining ring pull and the drink’s opening are frequently sharp.
Start with removing the ring of a soda can and placing it in the groove on the flat head screw’s head to start this procedure. Unscrew the screw by turning the head counterclockwise.
Because ring pulls are constructed of aluminum, they are remarkably sturdy, so they should be more than capable.
9. Use a Nail File
Insert the tip of a metal nail file into the top of the screw head’s groove. Turn the screw in a counterclockwise manner similar to how you turn the screwdriver; be cautious not to harm the screw head.
10. Try Using Nail
The tip of some nails has a burr that allows them to grab the slot’s inside. To turn the nail, use pliers to hold it in place. The grip of the pliers may be improved by tapping the nail into the screw with a hammer.
11. You May Use Scissors
There are many household items found inside our home. Scissors are a popular household item found in kitchen drawers; almost everyone owns at least one pair. They can be used for various jobs and can be used in place of a flathead screwdriver. If you’re in a hurry, scissors work well as a screwdriver replacement.
They’re strong, and you can use them to turn screws quickly like a screwdriver. Just make sure you’re appropriately turning the screws with them! Don’t worry if you’re unsure which way to crank the screw.
You can use a trick to ensure you get it right every time. If you’re turning a screw clockwise, make sure you’re cutting it with your right hand, and if you’re turning it counterclockwise, make sure you’re cutting it with your left.
However, very tiny screws or small screws are difficult to open with blunt scissors. (Read Tri Point Screwdriver Guide)
12. Try Using Tweezers
You can also use tweezers with a pointed tip. It should be inserted into the screw head’s groove and turned counterclockwise. To be correctly inserted into the groove, the end of the tweezers must be sharp.
13. Washer
You can use a washer instead of a flathead screwdriver if you have one on hand. You have to make sure it’s not too big or too small. It may not fit onto the head of the screw if it is too slack. It’s possible that if it’s too tight, the screw will be damaged.
14. Use Pliers
This function will only function if the screw head is slightly lifted above the surrounding surface. Grab the edges of the screw head with pliers or vice grips and twist the screw out counterclockwise. Needle nose pliers are more effective than ordinary pliers.
Note that pliers will not function on countersunk screws with a fully encased head. Even if the head is just slightly exposed, you should usually avoid them because the plier’s teeth will inevitably cause more significant damage to the wall or furniture where the screw has been utilized in these cases.
15. Use a Hacksaw
If the head of your screw is raised above the surface, you can use a hacksaw to remove it, then make a flat head screw-like groove. To make a groove, hold the hacksaw vertically and slowly cut the end of the screw.
Make sure you don’t cut the wood or the flat surface area to which the screw is attached.
16. Use an Extractor
Drill a 1/4-inch deep hole in the head screw with a drill bit, and then replace the drill bit with a conical screw extractor. Place the extractor in the hole and turn the drill backward until it removes screws.
17. Try Can Opener
Some flathead screwdrivers are nothing more than little can openers. You can use one of these to turn small screws if you have one. A full-sized can opener can also be used to replace a Phillips head screwdriver.
Just make sure it’s a manual opener rather than one that uses electricity.
18. Vegetable Peeler
You’re in luck if you have a metal vegetable peeler. Many peelers have flathead screwdriver heads which are good alternatives. Simply use a solid peeler with a long handle. If you have a wrench on hand, you can use it as a replacement.
In a pinch, a crescent wrench will suffice. Ensure that the wrench you’re using is the correct size for the screw you’re turning.
If you have a flat-edged tool or utensil and don’t know what to do with it, you probably have a big or small flathead screwdriver alternative. A cutting board, for example, can be used to replace it. Simply ensure that the cutting board is both robust and flat.
So, what’s the most acceptable flathead screwdriver substitute? A tiny knife or a kitchen knife is the most excellent alternative. It’s cheap, versatile, and may be used in a variety of scenarios.
It’s best to utilize what you have on hand for most flathead screwdriver replacements. If you must get something, a Swiss Army knife is a good option as it’s not a low-quality knife, and follow one of the tips above on how to unscrew a screw without a screwdriver.
Finding alternatives is much recommended and your last resort rather than buying a screwdriver and driving miles away from your home. Most alternatives are sharp things like a small knife, so you must be careful to avoid harming yourself. (Read How To Unscrew Triangle Screws Without Screwdriver)
Thankfully, we have tips and options for you to screw without a screwdriver, including sharp things, recycled materials, and even a coin. Now, you don’t have to worry about finding some alternative tool, one screwdriver.
