Old timer at the hardware store told me to use a potato for a stripped screw

I had this brass screw on a hinge that was totally stripped out and spinning in place. Some retired contractor named Gary at Ace Hardware said to jam a raw potato on the screw and back it out. I honestly thought he was messing with me but I tried it and it worked on the first try, the starch gave it just enough grip. Has anyone else had that weird trick actually work for them or did I just get lucky with a shallow screw?

3 comments

3 Comments

abby_robinson582d ago

Read that trick in a magazine years ago, actually works pretty well.

zara_hill462d ago

Tbh @abby_robinson58, did you use a russet or a sweet potato for that?

-1

aaron7081d ago

Lol @zara_hill46, that's basically asking if you want a sweet potato for the meal or a sad dry potato for the disappointing leftovers the next day.