We've all done it. You've tightened up a screw, straightened up your back, and bam - the head of your screw is stripped. If the joint is meant to be permanent, who cares? But if you want to retract it later on, you're going to have a pretty darn hard time getting that out - unless you happen to see this Instructable! In this Instructable, I'll show you how to extract a stripped screw

Step 1: Rubber Band

In this approach, grab a thick rubber band and, using a screwdriver a size bigger than the screw, push the screwdriver on top of the rubber band, on top of the screw. Apply firm pressure and turn gently. Remember, righty-tighty, lefty-loosey!

Step 2: Nosing Around

One of the simplest methods is to grasp the head of the screw with needle-nose pliers. This only works if there is a fair amount of the screw sticking out. Once you've grabbed the screw's head, forcefully twist it around.

Step 3: Gluing

This is pretty much a universal way to remove a pesky little screw. Fill the stripped head of the screw with a glue (such as epoxy, but hot-melt glue is quick and works very well) and stick the screwdriver in. Wait for the glue to dry or cool, and then apply even pressure as you rotate the screw.

Step 4: Special Screws

The last way is for flat-blade screws only. Using a Dremel with an abrasive cutting blade (or a hacksaw, for that matter), carefully cut a groove perpendicular to the stripped part. Then, you can unscrew your screw perfectly!