How do I get a stuck stripped screw out of a cabinet knob

[SW FL Dem]

I managed to replace 34 of the 35 cabinet knobs in my kitchen, the last one simply won't budge. The screw and the knob turn in the cabinet door. I've tried holding the knob with a pair of pliers while turning the screw, all that happens is that I strip the screw even more. I've also tried spraying the knob and screw with WD40 to no avail. I can't get a hacksaw between the screw and the cabinet door. Any suggestions??

[Stinky The Clown]

1. I assume from your description that the screw and the knob have ......

...... effectivelly become one. Grab the knob with a pliers and hold it firmly. Using an electric drill, drill through the head of the screw. You may want to start with a very small drill bit to drill a pilot hole (this will keep the larger drill you're about to use from 'walking' off the screw head when you start to drill). If the screw has a Phillips head, no need to bother with the smaller drill; the head will serve to keep the larger drill on course.

You want to use a drill that is close to, but slightly less than, the diameter of the screw's threads.

What will happen is you'll essentially hollow out the screw head and the upper part of the screw. If you did a good job of selecting a drill size, the screw head may literally come off on the drill as you go down through the head (and look for all the world like a washer around your spinning drill bit). If the drill was a bit too small and the head doesn't just fall off, no problem. Stop drilling and yank the head off with a pliers. There's very little metal holding it on to the shaft.

With the head of the screw now removed, removal of the cabinet knob will be obvious! :)

[SW FL Dem]

2. THANK YOU!!! It worked

One more part of the kitchen is finished. Now all I have to do is figure out my backsplash.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Wutcha doin' with yer backsplash?

Takin' it off? Puttin' a new one on?

[SW FL Dem]

4. Putting in a new one

We redid the counters and appliances earlier this year (documented in the cooking forum). I want some type of a tumbled marble backsplash but haven't decided which one yet. It took me 2 years to decide on the counters and 6 months to decide on the appliances. I'll get the backsplash done someday.