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Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? #158240
10/25/08 02:10 PM
10/25/08 02:10 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,224
Roanoke Island ,N.C.
Team_Cat_Fever Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
Team_Cat_Fever  Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,224
Roanoke Island ,N.C.
It ain't "Drill,baby,drill" but I've gotta get a broken beam bolt out of the hull. Beam is off ,so I've got access. I got about 3/8" into the bolt and now ,my progress has slowed dramatically. Easy outs can't seem to get enough bite and round out,plus I'm deathly afraid of breaking one off in the hull. Any pearls of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Tawd


"I said, now, I said ,pay attention boy!"

The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea
Isak Dinesen
If a man is to be obsessed by something.... I suppose a boat is as good as anything... perhaps a bit better than most.
E. B. White
-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: Team_Cat_Fever] #158243
10/25/08 02:32 PM
10/25/08 02:32 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 199
Constanta, Romania
isvflorin Offline
member
isvflorin  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 199
Constanta, Romania
Never used a bolt extractor before but... it should do the job fine if used from the begining, curious if others used bolt extractors.

http://homerepair.about.com/od/interiorhomerepair/ss/screw_extractor.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drill_bit#Screw_extractor

Regards,

Last edited by isvflorin; 10/25/08 02:34 PM.

Florin
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: Team_Cat_Fever] #158244
10/25/08 03:56 PM
10/25/08 03:56 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Mugrace72 Offline
old hand
Mugrace72  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Originally Posted by Team_Cat_Fever
I got about 3/8" into the bolt and now ,my progress has slowed dramatically. Easy outs can't seem to get enough bite and round out,plus I'm deathly afraid of breaking one off in the hull. Any pearls of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Tawd


Todd,

Having many years of expience with race cars and mechanical stuff in general....easy-outs usually only work when the bolt is not very tight in its hole.

Keep in mind that the extractor is usually smaller in diameter than the bolt that is stuck and that broke off to start with.

Once the extractor breaks, you are in much deeper s..t!

There are several techniques that might work. All are risky.

My first choice would be to make sure you have brand new drill bits. Try to get a small hole started dead center in the old bolt.

It is best to drill all the way though and then keep drilling larger and larger holes until you get to the minimum diameter of the theaded hole.

Usually by then, you can get a proper tap started and rethread the hole.

Another method that sometime works is to drill a pilot hole and the get a left-hand bit that is slightly smaller than the bolt minimum thead diameter. Often before you get too far the old bolt comes right out.

Left hand drill bits are available from the Snap-On or other tool trucks and certain hardware specialty stores. Also on line.

Once out, if the threads are damaged, you can repair the hole with a HeliCoil insert.

The key is to go slow and keep the drill centered and lubricated.....and SHARP.

We've all been there boy!


Last edited by Mugrace72; 10/25/08 03:57 PM.

Jack Woehrle
Hobie Wave #100, Tiger Shark III
HCA-NA 5022-1
USSailing 654799E
Alachua FL/Put-In-Bay
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: Mugrace72] #158249
10/25/08 04:41 PM
10/25/08 04:41 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 266
UK
Cheshirecatman Offline
enthusiast
Cheshirecatman  Offline
enthusiast

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 266
UK
Only thing to add is I've always found cobalt steel drill bits to be better with stainless.

Cheshirecatman

Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: Cheshirecatman] #158252
10/25/08 05:05 PM
10/25/08 05:05 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 168
San Diego
H
hokie Offline
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hokie  Offline
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H

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 168
San Diego
Just whatever you do, don't break off the bit halfway through the bolt, it is very difficult to drill through a broken drill bit!




Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: hokie] #158258
10/25/08 05:28 PM
10/25/08 05:28 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 976
France
pepin Offline
old hand
pepin  Offline
old hand

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 976
France
Find yourself a brand new set of good quality left-handed drills. Start with a small diameter, go all the way through the bolt (lubricate! Go slow! Stay centered! Don't break the drill!). Repeat with a slightly larger diameter, and then larger. Do not go larger than half the diameter of the bolt.

At some point the bolt is going to unscrew itself under the action of the drill. If it does not, it's then time to put a bolt extractor in the hole, taping it a few times with a hammer to make it bite and then turning it slowly counter clockwise. Using a bolt extractor is a tricky business, those tools are really strong but brittle, so *go slow*, take your time.

If the bolt extractor doesn't work, continue to drill larger and larger until you can get a tap in to rethread the hole


Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: Mugrace72] #158260
10/25/08 06:18 PM
10/25/08 06:18 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,224
Roanoke Island ,N.C.
Team_Cat_Fever Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
Team_Cat_Fever  Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,224
Roanoke Island ,N.C.
Thanks for the replies. I tackled it before I got to get back to the post. I must have been on the right track, cuz I did pretty much what everybody advised,especially Jack's(must be the car racin' mindset) including breaking a smaller bit off in the hole. Got it cleaned out and bought some ACE hardware cobalt bits and tried again, the bits were round in about 45 seconds,they suck don't buy them(that's all we have within 30 miles). Eventually with all the frappin' and banging and drillin' and easy outin' the backing plate came loose from the hull. Solved the stuck bolt problem but now I had to pop the foredeck (I-20)lid off. Got that accomplished with a few chips of the gel-coat at the edges. I got out the backing plate, put the bolt stump in a vise and got my backing plate free. Re-tapped it, 5200'ed it in it's former spot and clamped it with a bolt. I'll glass it tomorrow or monday.What a P.I.T.A. Aluminum backing plate and a stainless bolt. I put anti-corrosion spray and never seize on them when installed, but apparently it didn't last. It'll be tef-gel this time around.
Here's a couple of pics.

Attached Files
DSCN0032 (Small).JPG (253 downloads)
DSCN0036 (Small).JPG (250 downloads)
DSCN0038 (Small).JPG (247 downloads)

"I said, now, I said ,pay attention boy!"

The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea
Isak Dinesen
If a man is to be obsessed by something.... I suppose a boat is as good as anything... perhaps a bit better than most.
E. B. White
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: Team_Cat_Fever] #158262
10/25/08 06:22 PM
10/25/08 06:22 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,224
Roanoke Island ,N.C.
Team_Cat_Fever Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
Team_Cat_Fever  Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,224
Roanoke Island ,N.C.
Here's some pics of forward in the hull, including flotation crazy.

Attached Files
DSCN0034 (Small).JPG (239 downloads)
DSCN0041 (Small).JPG (238 downloads)
DSCN0039 (Small).JPG (238 downloads)

"I said, now, I said ,pay attention boy!"

The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea
Isak Dinesen
If a man is to be obsessed by something.... I suppose a boat is as good as anything... perhaps a bit better than most.
E. B. White
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: Team_Cat_Fever] #158263
10/25/08 06:29 PM
10/25/08 06:29 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Mugrace72 Offline
old hand
Mugrace72  Offline
old hand

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Originally Posted by Team_Cat_Fever
I got out the backing plate, put the bolt stump in a vise and got my backing plate free. Re-tapped it, 5200'ed it in it's former spot and clamped it with a bolt. I'll glass it tomorrow or monday.What a P.I.T.A.
Here's a couple of pics.


Jeeze...you did good. You don't need no stinkin' advice.


Jack Woehrle
Hobie Wave #100, Tiger Shark III
HCA-NA 5022-1
USSailing 654799E
Alachua FL/Put-In-Bay
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: Mugrace72] #158265
10/25/08 06:34 PM
10/25/08 06:34 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,224
Roanoke Island ,N.C.
Team_Cat_Fever Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
Team_Cat_Fever  Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,224
Roanoke Island ,N.C.
I'm always up for input.
What lubricant should be used for the drill bit, and should you go real slow or medium? Seems like everytime I oil up a drill bit it stops getting any bite and just spins. I was using Kroil.


"I said, now, I said ,pay attention boy!"

The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea
Isak Dinesen
If a man is to be obsessed by something.... I suppose a boat is as good as anything... perhaps a bit better than most.
E. B. White
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: Team_Cat_Fever] #158266
10/25/08 06:42 PM
10/25/08 06:42 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Mugrace72 Offline
old hand
Mugrace72  Offline
old hand

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Originally Posted by Team_Cat_Fever
I'm always up for input.
What lubricant should be used for the drill bit, and should you go real slow or medium? Seems like everytime I oil up a drill bit it stops getting any bite and just spins. I was using Kroil.


Every bit and material has an ideal speed and pressure. I know none of them.

Lube is the same way. Some materials cut like butter with a little lube. Others just stop cutting.

It is FM, Todd...F..kin' Majic!

They have books.....


Jack Woehrle
Hobie Wave #100, Tiger Shark III
HCA-NA 5022-1
USSailing 654799E
Alachua FL/Put-In-Bay
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: Mugrace72] #158267
10/25/08 06:44 PM
10/25/08 06:44 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,224
Roanoke Island ,N.C.
Team_Cat_Fever Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
Team_Cat_Fever  Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,224
Roanoke Island ,N.C.
"They have books....."
That'd take too long. But contrary to what alot o' people think I read real good.

p.s. See ya at Steeplechase.


"I said, now, I said ,pay attention boy!"

The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea
Isak Dinesen
If a man is to be obsessed by something.... I suppose a boat is as good as anything... perhaps a bit better than most.
E. B. White
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: Team_Cat_Fever] #158269
10/25/08 07:23 PM
10/25/08 07:23 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Mugrace72 Offline
old hand
Mugrace72  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921
Alachua, FL
Originally Posted by Team_Cat_Fever


p.s. See ya at Steeplechase.


We are the only boat entered.


Jack Woehrle
Hobie Wave #100, Tiger Shark III
HCA-NA 5022-1
USSailing 654799E
Alachua FL/Put-In-Bay
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: Team_Cat_Fever] #158270
10/25/08 07:24 PM
10/25/08 07:24 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,658
Florida Suncoast, Dunedin Caus...
catman Offline
Pooh-Bah
catman  Offline
Pooh-Bah

Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,658
Florida Suncoast, Dunedin Caus...
Originally Posted by Team_Cat_Fever
I'm always up for input.
What lubricant should be used for the drill bit, and should you go real slow or medium? Seems like everytime I oil up a drill bit it stops getting any bite and just spins. I was using Kroil.


If you have the tef-gel use that for drill lube. Works great.


Have Fun
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: isvflorin] #158273
10/25/08 08:20 PM
10/25/08 08:20 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,310
South Carolina
Jake Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Jake  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,310
South Carolina
yeah, screw extractors / easy out = same thing. That sucks Todd! Good luck with it.


Jake Kohl
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: Team_Cat_Fever] #158274
10/25/08 10:41 PM
10/25/08 10:41 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 757
japan
erice Offline
old hand
erice  Offline
old hand

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 757
japan
not enough time to read all replies before my laptop battery dies

had similar problem with broken brake caliper bolt on my motorbike

very carefully drilled out bolt stub with various sizes of drills until could just see the threads showing on the side my drill hole was closest too, drilling dead center very tricky

then used a dremel type tool with tiny diamond bits to take out even more material until threads could be seen all round

then after soaking in kero over night, used a sharp point to break out the remaining threads, if they wouldn't come a little more dremel etc etc

best bit was that the diamond bits were bought at the $1 shop!


eric e
1982 nacra 5.2 - 2158
2009 weta tri - 294
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: Team_Cat_Fever] #158277
10/26/08 04:30 AM
10/26/08 04:30 AM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 199
Constanta, Romania
isvflorin Offline
member
isvflorin  Offline
member

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 199
Constanta, Romania
[quote= should you go real slow or medium? Seems like everytime I oil up a drill bit it stops getting any bite and just spins. I was using Kroil. [/quote]

When I got cobalt drill bits they recommended slow speed for stainless, also they said it's not a good idea to cool them in liquid if they get very hot.


Florin
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: isvflorin] #158293
10/26/08 10:37 AM
10/26/08 10:37 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 531
Lake Murray SC
FasterDamnit Offline
addict
FasterDamnit  Offline
addict

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 531
Lake Murray SC
Craftsman GP Cutting Fluid works well.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952329000P?vName=Tools&cName=HandTools,GeneralPurpose&sName=Bolt-Out,%20Taps%20&%20Dies&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a


I regularly have to cut out stainless bolts on the medical equipment I work on. It is bleached daily so corrosion is inevitable.


BUY LEFT HAND THREAD DRILL BITS!


Race cheap, race faster, Damnit!

E-Scow
24' ULDB

18HT hulls plus Gcat 5.7 rig = 18GT!
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: FasterDamnit] #158334
10/26/08 11:50 PM
10/26/08 11:50 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 291
J
JACKFLASH Offline
enthusiast
JACKFLASH  Offline
enthusiast
J

Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 291
As a rule of thumb the harder the material you are drilling, the slower speed you should use.


Collin Casey
Infusion Platform + C2 rig and rags = one fast cookie
Re: Any tips for drilling out a broken beam bolt??? [Re: isvflorin] #158729
10/30/08 12:21 PM
10/30/08 12:21 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 805
Gainesville, FL 32607 USA
dacarls Offline
old hand
dacarls  Offline
old hand

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 805
Gainesville, FL 32607 USA
www.electroarc.com
Here is a serious guaranteed solution.
Melt your way through the bolt with an electric arc!
Note this may be good if your ship is made of stainless steel.
If fiberglass or carbon is nearby-- not so much! WHoooosh!


Dacarls:
A-class USA 196, USA 21, H18, H16
"Nothing that's any good works by itself. You got to make the damn thing work"- Thomas Edison
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