Trevor Boicey writes:
>
> Michael Leach wrote:
> > Pickup an ez-out kit from your local hardware supply if you don't
> > already have one. Drill out the center of the broken bolt and use
> > ez-out to remove broken bolt. It seems to work everytime.
>
> It does indeed work everytime, a very great tool.
>
> BUT.
>
> When the easy out breaks, you are REALLY done for. I broke
Easy-outs are made from very hard and brittle steel.
Even a little sideways pressure on the smaller ones
and they'll snap.
You can (if you're lucky) grind out a broken easy-out with
tungsten-carbide tools. If you're not lucky it's EDM time.
I have also used a type of extractor made by Rigid which uses rods
with sharp splines on the outside. You drill a specific-sized
hole in the bolt, then tap the rod in, then slide a collar over
the rod that engages with the splines and has a hex on the outside
so you can turn it. These are great because the rods aren't nearly
as hard as easy-outs so they don't break (they'll bend first).
Also they get a lot of contact inside the hole, for better grip
on the bolt.
The only problem is that I don't know where to get them; I have used a set
belonging to a friend who used to be a car mechanic but I haven't
seen any of them for sale.
--
Eric Murray ericm@lne.com Network security and encryption consulting.
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