Bolt drilling

[voodoo]

Can anyone recommend (lend me :P) any useful tools for drilling through a bolt? Needed to remove my wing mirrors today and the bolt head has sheered through so I can't get the f@!*&%g thing out >:( The damn thing is countersunk into the mirror arm so I can't get anything to grip onto it :(

[voodoo]

And before anyone says use a drill, I have snapped many a drillbit trying already ::)

[Mitch9128]

Get a small cobalt bit, and some easy outs?

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-cobalt-drill-and-easy-out-set-prod462398/?src=froogle

[Wes]

Any good drillbit should be ok, we use the gold colored ones from screwfix, the key is to use cutting fluid or paste.

[Dan505]

left hand die, screw new bolt in and as it 'bites' it should unscrew the old bolt

[spudgun]

left hand die, screw new bolt in and as it 'bites' it should unscrew the old bolt

I think you mean a Tap instead of Die, which you would still need to drill a hole, so may as well just drill the old one out and run the corret Tap down the hole to clear the existing thread ;)

Other option is to mig a nut onto the old bolt and turn it out - but can't see why a drill wouldn't do the job - just for sanity, you are using a drill bit suitable for metal and not a wood one?

[voodoo]

thanks for the help guys [smiley=thumbsup.gif] got myself some left handed extractors, no joy yet but will keep trying...


you are using a drill bit suitable for metal and not a wood one?
yeah I am but as I'm having to use thin drill bits they keep snapping due to the stress

[goz1960]

Sounds to me like you need to invest in some better quality drill bits?.

[Jon_W]

Use Dormer drills. Don't bother with Carbide or colbalt, HSS will do fine. plenty or cutting paste and patience is the key. Keep the drill straight and level. Have someone else to keep you lined up on the hole.

[SupeRDel]

Never said which side the mirror is. Some mirrors are left and right hand threads so easy outs would be no good.

Did it shear because you were tightening it when you thought you were loosening it

[voodoo]

I wondered about that but it's a pivot bolt used on a universally-sided (if that's a word :-?) mount so it's normal thread. I'll be investing in some better drill bits now I'm back to the real world after the holiday

[mick_benson]

i've got some easy-out's you could use once you have drilled hole if that helps,
got drill's too if you want to pop over could have a go

[voodoo]

thanks for the offer essex, much appreciated. I'll be having another go in the week so I'll be in touch

[wheelers]

take it steady as too much frce might crack or snap off the casting. progressivly open out the hole until you can pick out the thread