Get Broken Screws & Bolts Out of the Way

A broken screw or bolt can turn a straightforward repair into a frustrating job.

When the fastener can no longer be removed normally, P&N Screw Extractors give you a purpose-built option for getting the damaged fastener out so the repair can move forward.

P&N offers a 5-piece Screw Extractor Set covering 3–18mm plus a separate 6-piece Projects Screw Extractor Set. Whether you're dealing with workshop maintenance, machinery repairs, fabrication work or the occasional stubborn fastener, choosing the right set starts with the failure in front of you.

For the drilling gear used around repair work, explore Drill & Driver Accessories. If the thread needs attention once the broken fastener is removed, P&N Taps & Dies can help with the next stage of the job.

► Broken screw removal
► Broken bolt removal
► 5-piece P&N set covering 3–18mm
► 6-piece P&N Projects set
► #1 through #5 extractors in the Projects set
► #2 X-OUT included in the Projects set
► Options for workshop, maintenance plus metalworking jobs

Two P&N Screw Extractor Sets for Different Repair Needs

P&N currently offers two distinct options:

► Screw Extractor Set 3–18mm 5pc P&N
► Screw Extractor Set Projects 6pc P&N

The five-piece set provides a published 3–18mm range, while the Projects set gives you six individual extractor pieces.

Rather than choosing by piece count alone, consider the broken fastener, its size, its position plus how much working room you have around it.

A Five-Piece Set Covering 3–18mm

P&N identifies its standard Screw Extractor Set as a 5-piece set covering 3–18mm.

That makes it a practical option to keep available for broken-fastener jobs across a useful spread of sizes.

Before starting work, inspect the damaged fastener plus surrounding component. Knowing what has broken, where it has broken plus how much access remains will help you approach the repair more carefully.

Six Pieces in the P&N Projects Set

The P&N Projects Screw Extractor Set contains:

► #1 Screw Extractor
► #2 Screw Extractor
► #3 Screw Extractor
► #4 Screw Extractor
► #5 Screw Extractor
► #2 X-OUT

The additional #2 X-OUT is what takes this set beyond the five standard numbered extractors.

P&N places this set within its Projects family of specialised tools for metalworking applications.

Built for the Jobs That Don't Go to Plan

Nobody reaches for a screw extractor because the fastener came out easily.

These tools become useful when a broken screw or bolt prevents disassembly, servicing or another stage of the repair.

Common situations can include:

► Workshop maintenance
► Machinery repairs
► Fabrication work
► Equipment servicing
► Broken fasteners during disassembly
► Repairs where the failed fastener must come out before work can continue

For useful hand tools around repair plus maintenance work, browse Hand Tools – Built for the Worksite, Trusted by Tradies.

Screw Extraction & Thread Repair Are Two Different Jobs

Removing a broken fastener does not automatically repair the thread around it.

A screw extractor deals with the failed fastener itself.

A tap is used for applicable internal thread cutting or restoration.

A die is used for applicable external thread cutting or restoration.

If part of a screw or bolt is still lodged in the component, getting that obstruction out comes first. Once it has been removed, you can properly inspect what remains.

Check What the Broken Fastener Left Behind

Getting the damaged screw or bolt out is an important step, but it is not necessarily the end of the repair.

Inspect the surrounding area before installing another fastener.

Look at:

► The condition of the existing thread
► Any visible damage around the hole
► Whether the original thread remains usable
► The replacement fastener required
► Whether further thread repair is needed

If you're identifying replacement hardware or working through different fastening types, Fastener Guide Bolts Screws Anchors is worth keeping handy.

Start With the Fastener That's Actually Broken

A screw extractor should not become the tool used to guess what you're dealing with.

Before choosing your approach, inspect the failed fastener as closely as the job allows.

Consider:

► Approximate fastener size
► Where the break has occurred
► How much of the fastener remains accessible
► Clearance around the work area
► Condition of the surrounding component
► Which P&N extractor set suits the repair

Taking a minute to assess the failure can save considerably more time once the work begins.

Access Can Decide How Straightforward the Repair Becomes

A broken bolt in an open component is a very different job from one buried deep inside machinery.

Check the working space before starting.

You may need to account for:

► Clearance around the damaged fastener
► Visibility of the broken surface
► Access for the tools required
► Nearby parts that could restrict movement
► Condition of the surrounding material

For powered drilling equipment used across workshop repair jobs, explore Drills & Drivers.

Don't Reach for More Force Just Because the Fastener Won't Move

Once a screw or bolt has broken, applying more force without understanding the failure can make the repair harder.

The better approach is to work out what remains, what access you have plus which extraction tool is appropriate.

A useful check before continuing is:

Fastener → Break → Access → Extractor → Removal → Inspection

That keeps the job focused on recovering the failed component rather than escalating the damage around it.

The 5-Piece & 6-Piece Sets Aren't the Same

The two P&N options are worth comparing individually.

5 Piece Set

► Five-piece configuration
► Published 3–18mm range
► Dedicated screw-extraction set

Projects 6 Piece Set

► #1 Screw Extractor
► #2 Screw Extractor
► #3 Screw Extractor
► #4 Screw Extractor
► #5 Screw Extractor
► #2 X-OUT

The right choice comes down to the type of failed fasteners you expect to encounter plus the tooling you want ready in the workshop.

The #2 X-OUT Makes the Projects Set Different

The sixth piece in P&N's Projects set is a #2 X-OUT.

It sits alongside the #1 through #5 Screw Extractors.

That gives the Projects set a different configuration from the standard five-piece option, so check which set you're buying rather than assuming the contents are interchangeable.

Drilling Gear May Still Be Part of the Repair Kit

Broken-fastener jobs often sit alongside drilling, fastening plus thread-repair work.

Keeping those tools organised makes it easier to move from one stage of the repair to the next without searching through loose accessories.

For broader P&N drilling gear, browse P&N Drill Bits.

The important point is to use each tool for the job it is intended to perform rather than treating a screw extractor as another general drilling accessory.

Keep the Set Together Between Jobs

Screw extractors can spend plenty of time in the toolbox before suddenly becoming exactly what you need.

Keep the set complete.

► Return each piece after use
► Keep identification readable
► Separate damaged tooling
► Store the set where repair gear can be found quickly
► Check the set before relying on it for the next job

If loose accessories have started taking over the toolbox, Tool Storage & Organisation can help keep the smaller gear under control.

Build the Repair Around the Failure

A broken fastener changes the job.

Instead of thinking about what normally removes the screw or bolt, work from what remains.

What broke?

Where did it break?

How much access remains?

Which extractor option suits the job?

What condition will the thread be in afterwards?

Answering those questions gives you a much more useful starting point than simply reaching for the first extractor in the box.

Don't Forget the Repair After the Extraction

Once the failed fastener is removed, clean up the job before installing its replacement.

Inspect the thread plus surrounding area.

If the thread is still serviceable, move on with the appropriate replacement fastener.

If it needs attention, deal with that separately before forcing another fastener into place.

That final inspection can be the difference between completing the repair properly plus repeating the same problem later.

Keep Recovery Tools Ready Before Something Breaks

Screw extractors are contingency tools.

You might not use them every day, but when a broken fastener stops disassembly, having the right recovery gear nearby becomes considerably more valuable.

For apprentices building a practical kit around real workshop jobs, The Apprentice's First Tool Kit: What You Actually Need provides useful guidance on building out the essentials.

Check the Gear Around the Job Too

The extractor is only one part of the repair setup.

Before starting, check the condition of any other equipment the job will rely on. That is particularly worthwhile when workshop drills plus other powered tools see regular use.

If something feels wrong before the repair begins, dealing with it early is usually better than discovering it halfway through.

For common warning signs, read 7 Signs Your Power Tool Needs a Service Before It Fails on Site.

A Simple Way to Approach a Broken Fastener

When a screw or bolt snaps, work through the problem in order:

► Identify — work out what has failed
► Assess — check its size, position plus available access
► Compare — look at the P&N 5-piece plus Projects 6-piece options
► Choose — select the extractor set suited to the repair
► Use — follow the instructions applicable to the tool
► Inspect — check the component plus thread after removal

The goal is not to attack the broken fastener harder.

It is to get it out cleanly enough for the repair to continue.