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Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking,alt.home.repair
Oren Oren is offline
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Default Extracting broken bolt / screw

On Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:18:19 -0500, wrote:

Any tool for extraction will work but it's the setup that counts.

For the highest success rate it is beset to follow this procedure,
especially when removing a hard bolt from a softer surrounding
material like aluminum.

1. If broken bolt is above surface grab it with vise grips, use a
engraving tool to buzz it out, or turn it with a sharp punch.

2. If this doesn't work grind the surface perpendicular to the
bolt.

3. With a magnifying glass if you need one, punch the
exact center of the bolt. Re-punch if you are off a bit.

4. Take a small drill and carefully without breaking the bit, drill
a pilot hole.

5. Step up to a larger drill that you feel you will not break
and adjust the drill location if necessary to make the
hole exactly in the center. Drill all the way through the
bolt if possible.

6. Now pick the correct size left hand drill, or drill/EZ out
combination.

If the bolt is bellow surface and uneven use steps three through
six. Pay great attention to step three, four and five.


Good post. I've never heard of the engraving tool trick.

By "buzz it out", do you mean the vibration helps the bolt to turn
easier?
Oren
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