Snapped screw head, is there a tool?

[Brad_bb]

I had to remove some skirt boards from my mom's high end deck the other day to do an irrigation repair.  The deck is Ipe (hard tropical wood).  The screws are #8 X 2.25", stainless square drive. I got the boards off but some of the screw heads had snapped off and two I had to drill the heads off to get the board off.  So these stainless screws with no head are now exposed with about 1/2 to 3/4 inch of screw shank sticking out of the wood.  Is there a tool, besides a vice grip, that would help me to try to grab onto the shanks to unscrew them?
Thanks, Brad

[Doug_D]

If some of the shaft is sticking out, vise grips would be one of my first choices.  If they are really stuck in there, I may take the time to file one or two sides flat before locking on the vise grips.  If that did not work, I would cut them level with the joist and then pre-drill those holes before putting back on the decking.  If you really need to get them out, you can try a barrel screw extractor.  They basically take a plug out larger than the screw itself.  I've never used one, so no idea if they work well or not.  Woodcraft sells them. 

http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2000983/Screw-Extractors.aspx

[Radar67]

I was going to suggest cutting them off, but I see someone else beat me to it.

[D._Frederick]

If the head is missing and you have at least 3/8 inch shank sticking up, use an electric drill to spin it out.

[metalspinner]

Stainless is so soft you probably will no get the screw out.  Snip them off level and move on...

[Brad_bb]

I'd like to, but screws have to go back in the same place.  I'll try to get them out and if I can't, I'll cut them.  I guess I'll just have to drill next to them at a slight angle so I go through the hole of the exterior board, and then into the new pre-drilled hole.  I'll try using wax on the new stainless screws too.  The screws originally used were stainless, and the they were fine thread wood screws, unlike most you find in the box store which are a much more aggressive taller thread screw.  I'll have to get the replacement from McFeely's or wherever I can find the right ones.  This Ipe is very hard stuff to screw into.  It doesn't give like many other woods.  I could almost use a tap and tap machine threads into it 

[LeeB]

I vote for using the plug cutter type extractor and gluing in a plug to fill the hole. You can make your own with a small piece of tubing and a good file if you can't find one local.