drilling out bolts...

[Archbish]

So.  I\'ve got my screwed bolt.  I\'ve got my extractor set.  but every drillbit I\'ve tried so far has destructed without getting more than 5mm into the bolt.

What the heck am I missing here...  Do I need a special type of bit (I\'ve been trying hss bits), do I need some sort of cutting compound, or do I need countless numbers of small metal drill bits...  Anyone??

WHat size bit should I be using to remove an M10 bolt?

[robedwards99]

Don\'t know about sizes, I guess the smaller the better but it all depends on the sive of your extractor I guess! but I think you need to drill fast with a sharp bit and plenty of water trickled on to keep the temp down.

[Adriansturgess]

Would have thought you want to pilot drill at a fairly small diameter ( 3mm ish) and then enlarge in easy stages. Keeping the drill bit cool with an oil/water mixture can help.

[grinder]

i have used WD40 to keep bits cool

if you have started the pilot hole then just keep going

i tried this though and had the SAME prob as you

got my mate to come and have a look - he just picked up a bit slightly smaller than the stud and drilled it out

so maybe try bigger bits

some things to consider

1 - keep the drill straight
2 - only drill a bit in , then come out , and back in
3 - keep it cool
4 - watch your fingers

Stu

[richard cash]

i had a similar problem with something but i got quite far in then then drill bit snapped, how the hell do you drill a drill bit??

[royal]

I had to drill one of the head bolts out of my first zed engine. It took me two hss bits before I went out and got a super hard one (much harder than hss, can\'t remember what it was now, about £10 for the one bit though). It still took me a day of serious elbow grease and constant coolling with oil to drill the head bolt out. I\'ll check later what the drill bit is made of.

[allstaruk]

What bolt are you trying to drill out?

[Archbish]

it\'s an 10mm mazda bolt that was used to hold a front wing on a car a pal is working on.  the thread is in the structure of the car, and slightly lower than the surrounding car.

[banned advertiser]

Look for a colbalt bit (very hard) or we used to use diamond bits when drilling porcelaine or tiles. Can you get to the bolt from below to use an extractor.

[royal]

Cobalt! thats what it was.

[cjr]

Fire general helps. Worse case put it in the oven ( someone had to)

[Alterboy]

Fire general helps. Worse case put it in the oven ( someone had to)

ohhaha. haha indeed.  I\'m putting all your stuff on a high shelf when I next come down there, mister.  

THAT\'ll learn yer.

[Archbish]

Fire general helps. Worse case put it in the oven ( someone had to)

ohhaha. haha indeed. I\'m putting all your stuff on a high shelf when I next come down there, mister.

THAT\'ll learn yer.

[Archbish]

Look for a colbalt bit (very hard) or we used to use diamond bits when drilling porcelaine or tiles. Can you get to the bolt from below to use an extractor.

I canna get to it from below...

has anyone used left hand drill bits??

[Adriansturgess]

^^^^No but I\'ve used a left handed screwdriver.....