Drill bit broke in hole..Now what?

[chuck hahn]

It eventually had to happen and its my first with this. I was drilling down the center of a 6MM bolt so i could collapes it into itself and remove the broken part from the hole. The drill bit broke off in the hole and i need to get it out so i can finish drilling thru the bolt. I tried a left hand bit thinking it may grab the broke bit and get it out but that didnt work. Any suggestions on this one?? It was broke off just below the surface area, so welding a nut to it was out of the question, so i went with the drill and collapse method. Unfortunately the bit had other ideas.

[7981GS]

The only way that I have done it, was with a straight #2 torch tip and blasting the sucker out QUICK!!!
Since your bolt is so small, try a #1 tip. Good luck and don't forget to shield yourself and everything around you as the slag coming out is extremely HOT!
Others may have other ideas but that works.

Eric

[chuck hahn]

Eric...I dont have a torch set. Anything else???

[Seana23]

Hi babes.
Confusus say...... Bend like the willow......


Softly softly catchy monkey....

Try working it loose with a couple ov darning/sowing needles.... Or tweezers.
And then grab it.

.....worked for me.
Xxx

[chuck hahn]

This is only 3/32 ( 2 MM ) ish sized hole I have to work with here. I will tryn picking but its a long shot in a space that confined to be able to work it from side to side i would think. But i will give that a go along withn any other suggestions.

[7981GS]

If you cannot fit a nut flush with the surface and start welding inside and work your way out, that is about it.
Try using a slightly larger nut before welding.
I didn't suggest welding as you said that you could not earlier.

Eric

[chuck hahn]

Eric..I have a MIG welder..thing is the stud is maybe 1/8 inch below the surface. And theres no way an EZ out is going in there!!! Only thing i have for heat is a propane torch.

[sedelen]

Will a superhardened diamond drill bit drill that bit out?

[7981GS]

Start welding deep into the hole.
I have had success dozens of times.
If you work fast, the only thing that gets welded is the broken screw/bolt and the nut that you are welding to.
It may take up to 5-6 tries but, it will work.

Eric

[chuck hahn]

Dont know...thats why i am asking advice. fastenal might have one but i want as many fixes as i can to make an informed decision here..its a one time deal and i want to get it right.

[chuck hahn]

Eric..do ya think that doing a series of tacks and building it out so a nut can be welded to it will work. Case is aluminum so the welds wont stick to that..

[7981GS]

Eric..do ya think that doing a series of tacks and building it out so a nut can be welded to it will work. Case is aluminum so the welds wont stick to that..

Yes and yes.
That is what I was saying about building the weld out.
It may just take several tries as you are trying to not melt too much of the aluminum.
Same with blowing it out with a torch. Super heat and then hit the O2, POW! out with the HOT slag!
Both methods work.

Eric

[Octain]

Although not as small a hole as you're dealing with I have busted the hardened bit with a good punch. Removed it in pieces.
Can ya get in there with a good center punch?
Just a thought..

[chuck hahn]

I dont have any punches Todd..but harbor freights just 10 minutes away. If itm hadnt broken off down in the hole i could just grab it and twist it out but Murphys law always dictates that its never gonna be that easy!!

[Octain]

I dont have any punches !!

Neither did I till I bought some