How the remove the remnants of a bolt?

Question

I've drilled a bolt out as much as i dare, without damaging the threads of the hole, what is the best way to remove the slither of the bolt that still remains, I cannot afford to damage the threads of the hole, I dont really want to try to re-tap the hole,

Any advice?

I've already drilled out the bolt, all that is left is a thin slither with the threads of the bolt remaining in the threaded hole

Answer 1

Best method is to get a dental pick or similiar tool at a hardware or parts store. Use the pick to pry out any small slivers of metal still remaining. You may have no choice but to retap the hole if the slivers are too embedded or difficult to remove. Sometimes, it's necessary to cut or file a groove or slot across the remaining threads to allow the slivers to be removed...be careful not to distort the threads so that a new bolt may be threaded in...a slot will not harm the holding power of the bolt.

Answer 2

You can get a bolt or stud extractor which is really a reverse threaded screw that cuts threads and locks itself into the hole you drilled and screws the old bolt out.
I also suggest heating the area if possible to release the bolt since the stuck bolt will expand and contract at a different rate than the surrounding area and break it free.
Bolt extractors are pretty expensive for a one time use so you can also try finding a left hand threaded screw and see if that will do that job.
If you end up drilling out the threads and need to use the hole then consider getting some epoxy and bedding the bolt in that after you clean the hole out. I have used JB weld and Devcon. I once patched a marine diesel water jacket with JB Weld and it is still in service so that might be an option if you have to drill it out.
One other option is to cut or break off the shank of a drill bit so that the threads are reversed and use that as an extractor. A cheap drill bit is less expensive than an extractor.

Answer 3

You need an easy out The EASY-OUT or bolt extractor tool by design can be a very useful tool for the removal of broken bolts and studs "IF" conditions for its use are perfect and preparation procedure are followed exact. Put the easy out into a hand T NOT a drill Twist the easy out to the left a tiny bit at a time back and forth till it grabs then the teeth will grab hold good enough to sucessfully remove the bolt.