What is the first step to removing a screw and why is it important?

The first step to removing a screw involves using a center punch, which is crucial for preventing drill wandering when you begin to drill into the screw head. When screws become stuck or stripped, it's important to create a precise starting point for the drill bit. The center punch creates a small indentation, allowing the drill bit to remain stable and accurately aligned with the screw. This step helps ensure that the drilling process is efficient and reduces the risk of damaging the surrounding material or misaligning the screw extraction. By preventing drill wandering, you maintain control during the removal process, making it significantly easier to successfully extract the screw without causing further complications.