You're Stripping Your IKEA Screws By Using The Wrong Screwdriver

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Puzzling together furniture from stores like IKEA can already be a confusing and frustrating experience, and the tools you use may be making it even more difficult. If you have accidentally stripped screws while trying to put together IKEA furniture, you are not alone. Stripped screws are ones whose heads have been damaged or scratched at the slots where the screwdriver fits, making it hard to tighten or remove them because the screwdriver cannot grab onto the scre head like it is meant to. There are a few possible explanations for why you keep stripping screws, such as improper technique, over-tightening, using low-quality tools, choosing the wrong screwdriver size, and accidental slips of the screwdriver. The most likely reason, especially if you are experiencing this issue with IKEA screws specifically, though, is that you are using the wrong type of screwdriver.

Although IKEA screws may look like they are designed for a Phillips screwdriver, they are actually Pozidriv screws and are intended to be used with Pozidriv screwdrivers. Phillips screws have a cross-shaped slot that looks similar to a Pozidriv screw from a quick glance, but Pozidriv screws actually have four more notches than a Phillips screw. The extra notches are small and sit between each extension of the cross-shaped slots present on Phillips screws. While Phillips screwdrivers can technically be used on Pozidriv screws, they are much more likely to strip the screw, and it is generally not recommended for this reason. With precise technique, you can make it work, but if you are frequently assembling IKEA furniture, it may be best to purchase a Pozidriv screwdriver.

Pozidriv screws and screwdrivers reduce the likelihood of the screwdriver slipping out while turning, but this benefit is lost when you use a Phillips screwdriver with a Pozidriv screw. If you only have a Phillips screwdriver to use, though, make sure that you use the correct size and avoid tightening beyond snugness to avoid stripping the screws. A Phillips screwdriver should be fine for an IKEA project or two, but to make things easier, you may want to invest in a Pozidriv screwdriver. A single Roc Pozidriv Screwdriver can be purchased for about $9, but you may need to get a set containing multiple sizes to complete your IKEA project. While it may not seem like a worthwhile buy for  a one-time project, you will likely reuse the screwdriver to tighten screws from time to time to maintain the stability of your furniture. Besides, it is convenient to have several types of screwdrivers that are good for any DIY project.

If, despite your best efforts, you strip a screw and cannot tighten it completely, you will need to remove it. Since the slots are damaged and do not allow the screwdriver to get a grip, stripped screws are tough to remove. You can try to grab the screw with pliers and twist it out, or you can test out one of the many other unique strategies, such as the easy duct tape hack that makes removing a stripped screw easier. Once the stripped screw is removed, determine what caused the problem the first time before trying again with a new screw.