Hi jch403,

Yes, I do know how, but I'm not sure it's worth it. Can't you either nail/tap them in further, and then compound up the hole, and then drill new ones about 1/2" away? I'm not sure of your setup but I can do it in my main bath because the Holder is mounted on the side of a vanity. And if I had to move it, the side-mounts would actually cover the old holes over.

If you have no choice, you need a Tap Set. Just go to your local Home Center and visit the Tool Corral. Just tell them you want the 'kit' that let you back out stripped screws. You'll need to pre-drill the screw a little so buy yourself a new, sharp drill bit that's small enough to make a hole in the screw for you. BEFORE you drill, 'tap' the screw with a nice, pointy nail a few times VERY lightly. This way, when you put the head of the drill bit on the screw, it won't 'dance' off of the screw. Tapping the nail into the screw will create a 'depression' just enough for the drill bit to stay on. Center the nail, and get it right the first time.

My best to ya and hope this helps.

Jay J -Moderator

If you've got time and patience, you might try this:
Use a TINY DROP of krazy glue to glue something to the head of the screw that won't come out. When it dries, you'll have something you can get ahold of to remove the troublesome screw.
The thing to watch out for is getting glue on the TP holder. If that happens, the old screw will be glued in place and then you'll be worse off than when you started.
An old screwdriver or a screwdriver bit might be the thing to glue to the screw.
One more thing: are you sure the problem isn't that the screws are actually toggle bolts? The symptom would be the same, and in that case, the "glue" fix would probably work as well as anything.

[This message has been edited by rpxlpx (edited August 29, 2001).]

One way that we do it at work...

We have a dremel rotary tool with a cutting blade on it. If enough of the head is showing on it, use the tool and cut it perpendicularly, cutting a small slot across the head. Then use a straight head screw driver and back the screw out.

If you can't do that, try the other suggestions. As a last result you could drill out the screw.