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Author Message   newtoallthis Citizen Username: Newtoallthis Post Number: 54 Registered: 2-2003 Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 1:12 pm:        I want to replace our old cheap doorbell cover. Problem is, the screws that hold it in are rusted and stripped. How can I remove it? Do I have to somehow hammer a wedge into the top of the screw and then attempt to use a screwdriver again?   bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 3432 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 2:05 pm:        Ah, the joys of old house ownership. First, be careful not to destroy the screw head trying to remove it. This makes the job a lot harder. Next, try WD40. Spray some on the screws and wait a couple of days before trying to remove the screws. If this doesn’t work then: Buy a screw extractor at HD or a hardware store, put it in your drill and see if this works. Personally I have never had any success with this method. Then try drilling the screw out using a larger bit to destroy the head. An alternative is to use a Dremel tool, if you have one, to cut the head off. This should work but may result in some damage to the case and possibly the inner workings of the bell, which it appears you want to save. Next try to twist the cover off so more of the screw is exposed and then use vice grips to engage the screw and unscrew it or at worst break off the screw. If all of the above fails a small quantity of dynamite will work, but be warned there will be collateral damage.   barbara wilhelm Citizen Username: Bartist Post Number: 51 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 2:17 pm:        Remove a small area around the screw head. Attach a small needle nose vice grip around the head of the screw. The vice grip will bite into the screw head. Turn to unscrew. I have had success with this method.   newtoallthis Citizen Username: Newtoallthis Post Number: 55 Registered: 2-2003 Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 4:30 pm:        Thanks for all the advice. Will let u know if we have to use dynamite (though you'll probably hear it!)   HS Citizen Username: Pseudoah2 Post Number: 55 Registered: 5-2003 Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - 5:04 pm:        OK... I know nothing about the DIY advice given above... but we found a wonderful selection of doorbell covers at Restoration Hardware. Our removal process of the old cheapie cover was a bit easier though. Good luck !!