ᐅ How can I remove damaged screws from IKEA PLATSA units?

Hello everyone, I have a problem with one of the shelves in my IKEA Platsa system: the screws seem to be damaged. They are either rusted tight or the inside of the screw head is so damaged that neither a screwdriver nor an Allen key can grip. Now I am faced with the challenge of removing these damaged screws without damaging the wood. Are there any proven methods or special tools that are particularly suitable for disassembling such screws in PLATSA? I look forward to tips that are both practical and gentle on the material.

For damaged screws, especially in furniture systems like IKEA PLATSA, I would proceed as follows: - First, carefully try to loosen the screw slightly using a narrow screwdriver or the appropriate Allen key, even if there is only minimal movement. - If the screw head is damaged, try using a screw extractor, which is designed specifically for stripped or damaged screw heads. - Alternatively, you can try gripping the slightly protruding part of the screw with small pliers (needle-nose pliers) and turn it that way. - It is important to apply as little pressure as possible to the wood to avoid damage. Another tip is to treat the screw with a rust remover or penetrating oil before working on it. Although this is not an immediate solution, it often helps a lot.

Try using a suitable screw extractor. Apply penetrating oil first, then turn with pliers. This often helps.

Sometimes force helps, but caution is advised here 😅: If the screw head is already so damaged that nothing grips anymore, you can try sawing a notch into it with a metal saw. This creates a groove where you can insert a flathead screwdriver—an improvised slot, basically. Then turn it carefully. And yes, a few drops of oil will be your friends here! Just keep at it, you’ll get it done.

chen67 schrieb:
Sometimes force can help, but you need to be careful here 😅: If the screw head is already so damaged that nothing grips, you can try cutting a notch into it with a metal saw.

This advice is generally useful, but it is important to consider whether the material of the PLATSA system can withstand such mechanical stress without damaging the surrounding joints. Repairing the screw connection is not always possible, especially if the wood has softened.

Additionally, you should take into account how critical the screw is for stability – it is better to try gentler methods first to avoid further damage.

nonvin schrieb:
They are either severely rusted or the inside of the screw head is so damaged that neither a screwdriver nor an Allen key can grip.

In this case, it is recommended to proceed systematically:

- First, apply penetrating oil or a rust remover and let it sit for about 15 to 30 minutes.
- Then, select a suitable screw extractor with the appropriate diameter.
- If the screw is protruding slightly, grip it carefully with flat-nose pliers or needle-nose pliers and turn gently while pulling.

For furniture components made of particleboard, it is important to avoid putting additional stress on the material edges. The existing IKEA PLATSA design usually uses particleboard with a melamine coating, which makes point loads problematic.

A pilot hole for the extractor should be drilled with a small drill bit to maintain stability.