removing baton screws from hardwood

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.

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

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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mic-d

I have had great success with a brace in this situation. You can generate more torque than a cordless
Cheers
Michael

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Thanks for the suggestion Michael, but I wasn't sure what you meant by a brace?

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fuzzie

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

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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.