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If the set screw on your faucet handle is stripped, there are a few methods you can try to remove it. First, you can use a rubber band to get a better grip on the screw and try to unscrew it. If that doesn’t work, you can try using pliers or a wrench to carefully turn the screw counterclockwise. Another option is to use a drill to create a small hole in the center of the screw and then use a screw extractor tool to remove it. If all else fails, you may need to replace the entire faucet handle.
When you need to fix your faucets, it is often necessary to remove the faucet handles. The faucet stems and cartridges are located behind the faucet handles. Faucet handles are attached using set screws that go through the handles and into the cartridges or stems. The set screws are usually not tightened very tightly; however, you may find that you damage the head of a faucet set screw while trying to remove it from the handle if it has become stuck to the handle or other hardware. Removing a faucet handle when the set screw is damaged involves replacing the handle. Unlike most screws, faucet set screws are too soft for screw extractors.
Step 1
Insert a cobalt drill bit into your drill. Use a bit that has a diameter just big enough to fit in the original screw head slots. The set screw can be either a Phillips-head or Allen-head screw. The bit should be just large enough to fit inside the damaged head.
Step 2
Drill through the center of the head until the bit is slightly below the bottom of the screw head. Remove the bit from the screw and change the bit to one that has the same diameter as the screw head.
Step 3
Position the drill bit over the first hole and drill into the screw head. Drill just enough to reach the inside diameter of the handle. Remove the drill bit from the handle.
Step 4
Pull the faucet handle away from the faucet. You may have to wiggle the handle to loosen it from small pieces of the set screw. Grab the end of the remaining set screw with a pair of locking pliers and twist it out of the faucet.
