The Tool Kit Essential That Makes Removing Rusty Bolts A Breeze

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Sometimes it can feel like life is a video game, just a series of challenges we're required to master before we can move on to the next level. Loosening rusty bolts can feel like one of those challenges. If you ever run up against a stubborn rusty bolt in one of your mechanical or DIY projects, it may seem harmless at first. Soon enough, though, you realize that removing it is going to be one of the real boss battles, testing every tool in your box. But when you upgrade your tool arsenal with a bolt extractor, you can easily remove stubborn rusty bolts.

Bolt extractors, also called screw extractors and tap extractors, are one of the best tools to remove rusted bolts — and getting a whole kit may be a good idea. Whether you have a stripped fastener, one that's seized up, or a rounded or broken head, there are specialty tools in bolt extractor kits to deal with every scenario. Bolt extractor sets typically contain anything from sockets that bite into the heads of rounded bolts to left-handed drill bits with counter-clockwise flutes that help loosen fasteners.

Priced at about $55, one of the most frequently purchased bolt extractor sets on Amazon is the NEIKO Master Screw, Nut, & Bolt Extractor Set. There are multiple models and types of kits to choose from; however, based on reviews, this 36-piece bolt extractor set is usually enough for most homeowners.

When you're trying to extract a rusty bolt, you may need a bolt extractor socket that bites into the head or a tap extractor that drills into the bolt itself. However, if you want to remove a small stripped screw, you need a different tool, like a left-handed drill bit that unscrews fasteners as it bores. While you can buy these tools individually, the bolt extractor toolkits generally have everything you need, saving you multiple trips to the hardware store.

To use a bolt extractor, drill a hole in the top of the bolt with a regular drill bit, then insert the extractor bit and turn it counter-clockwise. Another method is to place an extractor socket over the bolt head and twist it off. How long it takes to remove a rusty bolt depends on everything from how large it is to how much access you have to it. But even if you have to drill into the entire length of the bolt to get a tap extractor in, it could take less than 15 minutes with the right tool. Without it, you could spend hours, as prying and drilling into a broken bolt takes time and patience. Also, using the proper tool can reduce thread damage, allowing you to replace the broken bolt with a new one.

Meeting up with a rusty bolt can stop your project in its tracks. Although it may not be considered a must-have tool for homeowners, it could be worth it to have a bolt extractor set around the house for the next rusty bolt boss-battle you face.