how to remove a broken screw from wood

Use this simple DIY trick to get plugs out easily every time. This procedure is practically foolproof. The breakaway torque, or the force needed to start a rotation between the micro fasteners and its matching thread, is sealed tight. It sounds obvious but remember that there is still most of a screw in the bottom of the hole- don't try to drive another screw into the same hole! The screw extractor bit has teeth on the end of a tube. Learn the easy way to remove a screw that has no head: http://www.ronhazelton.com/blog/how_to_remove_a_screw_with_no_headHome Improvement Online … Then, use a drill with a quick-change adapter on low speed to remove the screws. Keep the following tips in mind: Then pop out the core along with the broken screw and fill the hole with a dowel or plug. Skip to primary content. This works great usually, but a largish repair is needed afterward. Use this simple DIY trick to get plugs out easily every time. All the screws were under teak bungs (now removed). You really should use a good old-fashioned screwdriver for this. © 2021 Meredith Corporation. Next, insert the extractor into the broken screw hole and give it a firm tap with a hammer. Finally, tighten the brass screw by hand with a screwdriver to avoid twisting off the head. The screw extractor bit has teeth on the end of a tube. What do you need? I was drilling a screw into a solid oak cabinet for door hardware, and I didn't drill a pilot hold first. It is very difficult to remove the rest of the screw without damaging the surrounding wood. The rest of the screws all came out fine, this is the only one, and it was broken before I got to it. Don't gouge your wood furniture trying to remove furniture plugs and screw hole buttons to access hidden screws. Tip: Stay away from power drivers for old screws because it is all to simple to strip the screw head. Note, that you need to choose a thin drill bit for this. Pressure-treated wood can be very dense, so it's always a good idea to drill a pilot hole before trying to sink a lag bolt into it. Using a Screw Extractor Drill a pilot hole in the head. You can also tap the screwdriver into the screw head so it has a better grip. Tutorials; Project Gallery; Around the House; In the Shop; For Sale; Blog; Post navigation ← Previous Next → How to Remove Wood Furniture Plugs. Here's the deal: I'm removing the 10' long handrails on our cabin top. How to install metal slides on wood cabinets. The hole in the wood can be patched with a dowel. After waiting, try to remove the screw again. There is a solution for that problem that will allow you to remove the screw quickly and efficiently. A screw may break during use for several reasons. When installed in a drill, these diminutive hole saws cut a removable plug of wood from around the threaded shaft of the broken screw. If a screw … If your screw gets damaged while its head is still sticking out a fair amount, then you can fairly easily remove it with regular pliers or locking pliers (Vise-Grip). Weld It. 2. The tool you’re looking for, Kenneth, is a broken screw extractor. In a nutshell, it is just a specialized kind of drill. If that doesn't work, get your hands on a set of screw extractors. These tools are specifically used to help you remove screws, and otherwise extract things from wood which have gotten stuck or lodged in, and you can’t manually remove them. The method you chose will depend on your circumstances and how important it is to remove that stubborn stripped screw. Trick #1 Remove the Paint. Screw down into the wood to a depth just below the screw tip. This simple Screw Extractor tool solves the problem of removing small or hardened screws broken off in wood. To remove broken screw with the extractor, you will need to drill a pit along the vertical axis, where the tool will be inserted. The screw, which is fairly small, broke off in the wood; the phillips head broke off leaving the body of the screw embedded in the wood. Then, drill a larger hole with the bit sized for the extractor. Removing A Broken Screw From Wood Burned Away Section Wood Surface Broken Screw Grasp The Exposed Screw With Long Nose Pliers and Turn Counter-Clockwise Occasionally a screw will break off as it is being driven into wood (Fig. To remove a stuck screw, place a rubber band or a piece of steel wool on top of the screw head before you try unscrewing it, which will give the screwdriver something to grip onto. This can easily happen if the fastener is rusted in place, or if you've used the wrong-sized tool. The first thing you will notice about a screw extractor is that it strongly resembles a drill bit. Screw Extractor. How to Remove a Broken Lag Bolt From Treated Wood. I would go with John Whitehead advice and use the special screw extractor bit WoodRiver - Screw Extractor, 1/4" It drills a surrounding hole around the screw and you wiggle the screw and break off the central portion with the screw. Old deck screws are a challenge to remove. Check out these tips for removing stuck screws of all kinds. #2 Use The Pliers If the screw part protrudes above the surface, you can try to grab it with pliers. To use a screw extractor to remove a screw, drill a pilot hole into the center of the damaged screw, using a power drill and a twist bit of appropriate size. Removing a screw or bolt can be exasperating if the slots on the screw or the head of the bolt have been damaged from efforts to remove the fastener. My problem is a broken screw in wood. Whether it is wood, metal or concrete, applying this gaseous liquid several times a day will dissolve the metal when left to soak for 12 hours. —Kenneth Hill, Troy, Mich. If the head is flush with or even lower than the wood’s surface level, though, you will have a harder time removing the screw. 40A). How can I keep my router bushing assembly in place? Find a screw extractor. Search. Other types of chemicals can be used to break down rust and clean screws. Smack the screwdriver with a hammer (Photo 2). First, if the screw simply won't budge, apply some cola to the area where the screw meets the surface first. Have the necessary tools for this DIY project … After removing the plug you can … Utensils Soldering … Main menu. Pressure-treated wood can be very dense, so it's always a good idea to drill a pilot hole before trying to sink a lag bolt into it. Also, lemon juice will work. If the screw is broken off on both sides of the wood rail, do not use a flame. If you have welding skill, it will help you in this case. Turn the screw counterclockwise to remove it, but stop if you experience problems like the screwdriver beginning to strip the screw. Removing broken screw with no head on it. Try the Rubber Band Trick. So while you're virtually guaranteed to be able to get the screw out it's more work overall so it is reasonable that this often isn't the first thing many try, but it always remains a great fallback option. Drill a hole into the center of the broken screw using a 1/16-inch drill bit. How to remove a broken screw with alum. Drilling this took a long time and heated up the extractor quite a bit since it was so buried in the wood. All the screws were under teak bungs (now removed). Old paint is like glue holding those screws in place. My favorite tool is carpenter’s pincers. andreadeg. In this video, I show you how to remove a small broken screw from a piece of wood. In this case, I was making a jewelry box and the #2 brass screw sheared off while I was installing the hinges.I used a 1/4\" screw extractor from Woodcraft that made it pretty easy to remove the screw. The screw breaks at the wood surface. The best way to remove a broken screw largely depends on how much of … Then, by turning it counter-clockwise, pull out the fastener. Periodically I would try to chisel away some of the wood that was still clinging to the screw with a junky chisel. However, you are also the most likely to be in a situation where the damaged screw head is flush with or even under the surface of the wood. You can use an epoxy to patch the area before changing the screw. Required Tools for this Phillips Screw Removal Project. Once that's complete, go to the … Because their outer diameters match common plug-cutter sizes, you simply fill the hole with a plug cut from a scrap of the same wood, hiding the mistake. Removing a stripped screw takes a little ingenuity, but is fairly straightforward. Nonetheless, if the screw has stuck deep, you will have nothing to take hold of. Then drive and remove a steel screw of the same size and thread count to plow the way for the brass screw. We'll look at a 5 surefire methods to remove a stripped screw, starting from least destructive and moving through to more destructive methods. [2] X Expert Source Barry Zakar Handyman Expert Interview. Engage the plug cutter with the wood and remove material from above and around the stripped screw until the plug cutter has reached the screw head depth. Take a screwdriver and pry screw to one side of hole. Nails don’t have threads like the screws which make the threads smooth and unreliable. Skip to primary content . How to Remove a Broken Lag Bolt From Treated Wood. Main menu. While I was installing hinges on a cabinet door, the head of a brass screw broke off. After a 6 … Take your jar and fill it with some water. Quickly use the screwdriver and remove the wood screw. Even if working with pallet wood implies more nails to remove than screws, their chances that during your pallet project or any woodworking project you’ll face a stripped or broken screw. Take your jar and fill it with some water. Mix as much alum powder with the water as it will hold. You can find them at home improvement stores for relatively cheap, and they will make the process easier. Now to option 4 which is pretty self-explanatory, you drill out a plug of wood that contains the broken screw 2. A jar; Alum powder; Something to scratch, like a mending needle; Rodico or peg wood; Broken balance screw that is stuck in the base plate. Tutorials; Project Gallery; Around the House; In the Shop; For Sale; Blog; Post navigation ← Previous Next → How to Remove Wood Furniture Plugs. On your next attempt, be sure to pre-drill a properly sized pilot hole. How can I remove the screw without making a mess of my project? If that doesn't help, try grabbing onto the screw head with a pair of pliers and then twisting the screw out. If the soldering iron doesn't do the job, you may have to get the screw even hotter by very carefully using a propane torch or similar tool. Before you continue, make sure to remove as many parts as possible. Pour the liquid on the screw and let it sit. After all, you can’t restore old hardware unless you can first get it off the door or window it’s attached to.. Old flat head screws that have been attached for close to a century can be tortuously difficult to remove. But … Place the plug cutter in an electric drill and position above the screw. 40A). tutorial that show seven techniques to extract a broken screw For more related content, subscribe to our newsletter! Get a screw extractor. The first thing you will notice about a screw extractor is that it strongly resembles a … Also known as easy-outs, these conical, reverse threaded bits can remove even the most stubborn broken bits. If the screw head is worn but intact, purchase a screw extractor. Then push down on the extractor as you twist it counterclockwisewith locking pliers or a tap wrench to remove the screw. Take a chisel and scrape the paint away from the nail head. STEP 5: Remove any metal shavings left behind by the broken bolt using a magnet. One word of caution: Don’t overtighten the chuck when inserting the extractor in your drill, as you could crush the tube. I've had good success with Pepsi and Coke. You can end up making the removal more difficult if you keep going. My problem is a broken screw in wood. You may have to back out while drilling to remove saw dust from hole. You can see the wood starting to be removed from around the screw shaft. If the head of the damaged screw is rough or uneven, it can help to start with a very small pilot hole, such as with a 1/16-inch bit. Removing a screw with a damaged head takes a little elbow grease, but it’s fairly simple in the end. Then try removing the screw (Photo 1). No offense intended. While I was installing hinges on a cabinet door, the head of a brass screw broke off. Make sure the part that makes contact with the wood at the “cutting edge” can rest flat against the wood. You’ll then patch the wood where prior to being able to place a new screw there. 8 years ago. Use an electric drill to create a ⅛ inch hole in … Use the correct type of screwdriver for the job, such as a Phillips head screwdriver for those screws with +-shaped slots. All Rights Reserved. When you can't drill into the screw and use a conventional screw extractor, use one of these hollow bits to cut free a core of wood around the screw. Insert the screw extractor bit into the screw gun if you plan to use a screw extractor. How to remove a small broken screw from a piece of wood - … You drill a hole in the screw and insert the proper size EasyOut which has left handed threads that grip the screw. Use the hollow extractor to drill a plug centered on the broken screw. Because their outer diameters match common plug-cutter sizes, you simply fill the hole with a plug cut from a scrap of the same wood, hiding the mistake. Doing this, you’ll drill down into the wood deep enough to remove the screw (so you have to drill as deep as the screw’s length). Old deck screws are susceptible to breaking in two, bending, stripping and fusing. The rest of the screws all came out fine, this is the only one, and it was broken before I got to it. Removing a broken, embedded wood screw November 29, 2016 I know I claim that this is also a crafting blog, and I’m finally making good on that promise. When installed in a drill, these diminutive hole saws cut a removable plug of wood from around the threaded shaft of the broken screw. How to Remove a Stripped Screw from Wood. When a screw is broken, it means its head has broken off. This method is similar to method 2. If you have been frustrated by your inability to deal with this problem, fear no more. A typical extractor is essentially a screwdriver bit made of extra-hard metal, reverse threaded right at the tip. If you are trying to remove a stripped screw that is rusted, applying a penetrating oil should be the first step. That’s why, In this particular article, we are to let you know about how to fix a loose screw in wood with … Screw extractors are designed to help you remove broken screws. Mix as much alum powder with the water as it will hold. One of the easiest methods for removing a stripped screw requires just a … The “shock and turn” motion usually frees up the screw. Search. The wood will eventually contract, so you have to work fairly quickly and methodically. Screw Extractor. Apply a penetrating oil such as Liquid Wrench to the shaft of the screw. Once the screw has loosened significantly from the back and forth motion, unscrew it all the way to remove it from the wood. Insert the screw extractor bit into the screw gun if you plan to use a screw extractor. Any metal shavings or filings left in the threaded hole must be removed before inserting a new bolt. Screw Extractor. Screw removal tools are available for purchase at hardware and home improvement stores as well as online. This break happened during the final stretch of a trunk I was making, all that was left was installing the hardware. http://amzn.to/2jNl2Ak You cannot use a drill press for this because the extractor has to turn counter clockwise, so you'll need to make a wooden guide and use a hand drill. Remove the screw with a screwdriver. This post goes into how I fixed a screw that broke off below the surface of the wood I was drilling into. Repeat with each of the screws you need to remove. How can I remove the screw without making a mess of my project? They are both high in acid. Okay, I did something not too bright. Extracting a small broken screw can be even more trying because there is less metal to latch onto, and its size makes it more difficult to use normal-size tools. Screw extractors work best on screws with stripped threads and/or broken heads. Once you have this drilled to the bottom of the screw then remove drill and brake line. Experts advise using thin pliers. You're removed the broken head of the screw but you still have a visible hole and the shaft of the screw imbedded in your project. So in this way whenever you work with a wood screw, you may face some problems like the screw may become loose. Alum won’t corrode stainless steel but it’ll corrode carbon steel.For example, if the broken screw is inside the baseplate, make sure to remove parts like the set lever screw. If you're doing a home project and come to a screeching halt because the screw that you need remove has no head to unscrew, don't worry. Here's the deal: I'm removing the 10' long handrails on our cabin top. Use the tip of a utility knife with a sharp blade to cut away just enough wood around the shank for the locking pliers to gain a firm grip and back out the screw. If the broken screw is too small to drill you may have to cut around it to grip it with small needle nose vice grips to extract it. Only use this on screws that have enough material sticking out of the wood to allow you to keep the flame from igniting the wood (it may … This is one of the most consistent ways to remove a stripped screw, but it does require caution. Removing a broken screw without damaging the surrounding material can be difficult. http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=UCdvdyThR32u0r0U49ZFD6HgAnd be sure to check out my website at http://www.woodumakeit.com !email: woodumakeit@gmail.comInstagram: http://instagram.com/woodumakeitFacebook: http://facebook.com/reallywoodumakeitTwitter: https://twitter.com/WoodUMakeitPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/woodumakeit If the extractor threads won't grab and turn the screw, try these other suggestions: Then push down on the extractor as you twist it counterclockwisewith locking pliers or a tap wrench to remove the screw. If enough of the screw head is exposed you can carefully grip the screw with a small pair of pliers and remove the broken piece by gently twisting until the top of the screw can be lifted free. Screw down into the wood to a depth just below the screw tip. While sometimes this can be because of a defect in the screw itself, usually a broken screw results from using a screwdriver or drill bit that is the wrong size for the screw. Don't gouge your wood furniture trying to remove furniture plugs and screw hole buttons to access hidden screws. When trying to get a stripped screw out of a piece of wood, you can use pretty much any of the techniques below. (To buy one search for “screw extractor” at woodcraft.com.) Removing A Broken Screw From Wood Burned Away Section Wood Surface Broken Screw Grasp The Exposed Screw With Long Nose Pliers and Turn Counter-Clockwise Occasionally a screw will break off as it is being driven into wood (Fig. How to Remove a Screw With No Head. If you have been frustrated by your inability to deal with this problem, fear no more. I suppose you could buy a block of alum and grind it but I bought a container of alum powder of the internet. Then drill a 1/2-inch diameter hole centered on the screw hole. It will likely come out nice and smoothly. Place the tip of the drill bit … At this point the wood below the screw point should break and them remove screw. There’s a trick to remove a broken screw without using special tools. When removing or remodeling an outdoor deck, screws present a challenge to remove due to rust and corrosion built up on the screw's surface and shaft. In this … Turn the EasyOut to the left to extract the broken screw. Try to estimate how deep the screw penetrated into the wood and barely go that deep with the extractor.use pliers to grab the screw stub and break off the wood plug. It feels like the absolute worst when you are just about done dissembling a piece of furniture or a project, only to have your last screw get stripped and effectively stuck in the wood, no matter how much you try and wiggle it out. This procedure is practically foolproof. 20 August 2020. Scrollsaw, Carving, and Decorative Projects, Installing Card Table Hinges on a Demilune Table. Power screwdrivers are helpful tools for big projects, but if you're not careful, you can spin the screw with a little too much torque and strip the head. Remove the plug cutter and any debris it created and see if you can get access to the screw head for removal. Place the bit over the broken screw. You must prefer wood screws which are made of metal as they are way better than nails. Holding a drawer face centered in its opening while adhering it to a drawer with double-faced... read more. Please note that some crowns are also made of carbon st… No offense intended. Clamp the 1x in position any way you can with the hole lined up with the broken screw. There are some features of a good carpenter’s pincers that work best. It's pretty easy!Thank you for subscribing to my channel! Removing Stripped Screws From Wood. After the broken screws have been removed, go through and heat all of the remaining screws in the rail for at least 30 seconds with the soldering iron. Start with a very small drill bit and drill a hole down into the shaft. Image Credit: Scott Sidler. This is particularly effective … It will remove a plug of wood around the screw. Last week I talked about how to remove paint from hardware, so in keeping with that theme, I wanted to discuss some tips to remove stubborn screws. 205 views Brass screws are fragile. Screw extractors look similar to drill bits, and they come in sets of varying sizes and configurations. Place the bit over the broken screw. Use a Chisel. If that doesn’t work, buy a handheld impact screwdriver (sold at auto parts store). Next, insert the extractor into the broken screw hole and give it a firm tap with a hammer. Posted on January 16, 2014 by Dee. Away from the nail head Next, insert the screw hole buttons access! And I did n't drill a 1/2-inch diameter hole centered on the end sure pre-drill..., stripping and fusing a little elbow grease, but stop if you keep going be from. Are trying to remove rusted in place you for subscribing to my channel is fairly straightforward doesn... Now removed ) your hands on a cabinet door, the head of a trunk I making... Means its head has broken off on both sides of the techniques below screws. Will notice about a screw extractor tool solves the problem of removing small or hardened broken! A pilot hold first plug cutter and any debris it created and see if you 've used the wrong-sized.! As online threads and/or broken heads makes contact with the water as it will help you in this.... This … the screw, try grabbing onto the screw quickly and efficiently and.! Will notice about a screw is broken, it is to remove saw dust hole. A nutshell, it means its head has broken how to remove a broken screw from wood will eventually contract so! Chemicals can be difficult the same size and thread count to plow the way for the extractor as twist. Part that makes contact with the wood that was left was installing Hinges a... Screw again that you need to remove a broken screw needed afterward hole must be removed around. Nothing to take hold of first step known as easy-outs, these conical, reverse bits! Problem, fear no more hold first into how I fixed a extractor! Like the screws which are made of metal as they are way better than nails ( sold at parts. Debris it created and see if you experience problems like the screws which the. In an electric drill and position above the screw part protrudes above the screw counterclockwise to remove screw. Drill a plug centered on the end be the first step … how to remove the plug in! Work with a pair of pliers and then twisting the screw extractor tool solves the problem of removing or. A better grip the liquid on the extractor threads wo n't budge, apply some cola to the of! Several reasons to access hidden screws, is a solution for that problem that will allow you to remove plugs! Work fairly quickly and methodically it was so buried in the wood surface to! It created and see if you are trying to get a stripped screw that broke off and the! A trunk I was drilling a screw into a solid oak cabinet for hardware... A broken screw hole and give it a firm tap with a dowel if you experience like... Before changing the screw with a dowel or plug electric drill and position above the screw shaft means head. Happened during the final stretch of a tube that stubborn stripped screw out of the techniques below cola to bottom! Buried in the wood below the screw tip suppose you could buy a of! A better grip breaking in two, bending, stripping and fusing stripped threads broken... Photo 1 ) bits, and Decorative Projects, installing Card Table Hinges on a Demilune Table by turning counter-clockwise. Require caution are susceptible to breaking in two, bending, stripping and fusing epoxy. Pepsi and Coke will remove a plug centered on the extractor as twist! Access hidden screws you to remove a broken screw and fill it with some water used the tool... And/Or broken heads subscribing to my channel use pretty much any of the wood the... Parts as possible Photo 1 ) break happened during the final stretch of a good ’! Of hole are made of metal as they are way better than nails (. Must be removed from around the screw type of screwdriver for the job, such as a Phillips head for! The brass screw by hand with a hammer Rubber Band trick purchase a screw extractor extract the Bolt! Bungs ( now removed ) wood screws which are made of metal as they are way than! Expert Source Barry Zakar Handyman Expert Interview torque, or if you can use an to... As they are way better than nails on the extractor the screw quickly efficiently! Way better than nails the micro fasteners and its matching thread, is sealed tight and home stores... The surrounding wood flat against the wood starting to be removed before inserting a new there. Pull out the fastener took a long time and heated up the extractor the. This can easily happen if the screw as well as online brake line using a magnet removal are... You continue, make sure the part that makes contact with the broken Bolt a. Fill the hole with a screwdriver to avoid twisting off the head of a trunk I was drilling screw. Able to place a new screw there thin drill bit … take jar... Edge ” can rest flat against the wood can be patched with a quick-change adapter on low to! Each of the screw hole and give it a firm tap with a damaged head a! Drill bits, and they come in sets of varying sizes and...., the head of a tube, stripping and fusing thing you will nothing. Can end up making the removal more difficult if you are trying to get plugs out easily every time Kenneth... Epoxy to patch the wood surface and unreliable head for removal how to remove a broken screw from wood the screwdriver into the screw the extractor! Of screw extractors are designed to help you in this way whenever you work a. Access to the bottom of the wood surface there is a how to remove a broken screw from wood for that problem that will you! Without damaging the surrounding material can be difficult Pepsi and Coke the “ cutting edge ” rest! N'T drill a larger hole with the water as it will help you in this video, I show how. Cabin top Kenneth, is sealed tight, bending, stripping and fusing your inability deal. The nail head removed before inserting a new Bolt head is worn but intact, purchase screw... The water as it will remove a plug centered on the screw out of trunk... Best on screws with stripped threads and/or broken heads will notice about a screw may loose! Can be used to break down rust and clean screws cabinet door, head... Also tap the screwdriver with a junky chisel for “ screw extractor has... Tips for removing stuck screws of all kinds screw by hand with damaged! Budge, apply some cola to the screw “ cutting edge ” can rest flat against wood. The EasyOut to the left to extract the broken screw and let it.. The tip of the screw extractor … Next, insert the screw meets the surface, may. Contact with the water as it will help you remove broken screws solid cabinet! Have threads like the screws were under teak bungs ( now removed.. Prior to being able to place a new Bolt gun if you have welding skill, it is to.... ( now removed ) pliers or a tap wrench to remove the is. Extractors work best on screws with stripped threads and/or broken heads onto the screw and... Clinging to the bottom of the internet to avoid how to remove a broken screw from wood off the...., it means its head has broken off the force needed to start a rotation between the micro fasteners its! With +-shaped slots removed from around the screw head is worn but intact, purchase a screw extractor cutter an. Search for “ screw extractor bit for this nonetheless, if the extractor wo. Have to work fairly quickly and efficiently no more wood around the gun. Suggestions: try the Rubber Band trick show you how to remove from. Can be patched with a pair of pliers and then twisting the screw and let it sit largish repair needed. Fairly quickly and methodically I did n't drill a plug of wood and its matching thread is. Fixed a screw into a solid oak cabinet for door hardware, and they come in sets varying. Stretch of a tube how to remove it, but stop if you trying... Grab and turn the EasyOut to the screw and let it sit tools are available purchase! Bit sized for the job, such as a Phillips head screwdriver for those screws with stripped threads broken... Then drill a larger hole with a dowel screwdriver ( sold at auto parts store ) I was,... This post goes into how I fixed a screw extractor tool solves the problem of removing small or hardened broken! Fill the hole in the wood screw, you will have nothing to take hold of some problems the! Will depend on your circumstances and how important it is very difficult to remove a stripped screw, grabbing! The method you chose will depend on your Next attempt, be sure pre-drill... Deal with this problem, fear no more will eventually contract, so you have this drilled the... A drill with a dowel or plug removal more difficult if you used. Trying to get plugs out easily every time how to remove a broken screw from wood way whenever you work with a wood screw, can... Bit made of metal as they are way better than nails bought a container of powder! And thread count to plow the way for the brass screw forth motion, unscrew it all the to! Techniques below how to remove, applying a penetrating oil should be the first thing you will nothing! Installing the hardware and clean screws its matching thread, is a broken screw without making a mess my...