A bolt i can't get out

hi all

problem is that one of the bolts stedmark put in to the armour to keep it on was in so tight it started to wear my alan key down slightly. so i tried to drill it out that hasnt worked yet either. any suggestions??

any help welcomed
alex

Use a pair of mole grips maybe?

Drill from the other side or get a left hand drill. WD 40 helps too.

alex, are you going for a competition to get the most new started threads LOL

its a countersunk bolt, and the other side is box section. im going to ring stedmark up in a few days about a few other bits ill see what they say

why adrian am i winning???

http://www.jeepfan.com/tech/siezed.htmhttp://www.jeepfan.com/tech/siezed.htm

how far did you get with the drilling out?

As John said, a left handed drill is probably your best bet. That or a screw extractor:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/18643/Drill-Bits/Specialist-Drill-Bits/Screw-Extractor-Sethttp://www.screwfix.com/prods/18643/...ts/Screw-Extra ctor-Set

For the future make sure you have a decent quality Allen key.

IMHO Screw extractors are a waste of time for stuck or siezed bolts.

Now that youve started Id continue with your attempt to drill the head off.

or, get a dremel, slice a slot in the top of the head, spray the thread with WD40 and use a screwdriver to get it out.

ill just keep going with drilling, ill try the pillar drill see if it needs more pressure than what my arm can offer

and i am soon investing in some individual allen keys not ones from sets

by the way mark i think i may just be nearly there but doesnt seem to want to go anymore

thanks for the help, as always very helpful

When you drill steel sometimes the slower the drill rotates the better it cuts, increased pressure usually increases temperature and burns the drill bit out. Try using a smaller drill diameter to drill a pilot hole and then next drill the size you want also use oil at the drilling face 3 in 1 will do.

can you buy allen key attachments for drills?

yes they come with sets or on there own

try these
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?TabID=1&ModuleNo=34154&doy=2m1http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...=34154&doy=2m1

If you can get to the underside of the bolt, drill it from there. Drilling from below has the same effect as a left hand drill and will will spin the stuck bolt out.

does a left hand drill just mean a drill in reverse?

yes

but drilling in reverse with a normal ll bit wont work as the edges wont dig in, thats hy it might be worth a try from behind. Does it stick out behind very much?

its always worth trying from behind!

not at all, it goes into box section, no way of seeing it at all

Not just easier to grind it flat, fit another ?

sorry i dont quite follow grind what flat, the bolt is contersunk and the other side you cant get to??

alex

When I have a problem bolt like this the normal solution is to either drill it out or weld another bolt onto the head.

Why cant you drill it out?

Grind it back flat to your chasis and fit another bolt to secure the armour. A pic of your problem may bring some ideas.

well im trying to drill it out i have got so far but no further, ill upload a picture to my site if i our internet will let me, perphaps im not describing it well

thanks alex

well i cant get onto the website so ill just email some of you it instead
alex

pic on profile maybe? Sounds to me like your drill bits knakered if you cant drill it out any further.

i cant do pic on profile thing because one it wont let me (internet) and 2 my pics are always to big

i have sent email to, Grant, Simon anfd Kane hope you dont mind

if anyone else wants to have a look i would be happy to pass the email on

also i phoned stedmark today and im going on monday to see what they say about it and few other things

however your ideas are still very welcome

thanks alex

looks to me like theres a good amount of head left on. Do you have a good centre punch? If it was mine and i really couldnt drill the head off id centre punch the edge of the head, then tilt the punch and try hammering it round. Make sure to punch a deep groove in the head otherwise the punch will just slip. You drill bits must be blunt if they havnt drilled in vey far.

The centre punch idea looks sensible. Or why not buy a couple of new drill bits, a 2 mm or so for the pilot hole and one almost as big as the bolt for the main hole, put some oil on them, and have another go at drilling it out. Sharp bits make a real difference. And if you can drill through from the back side of the box section then the drill will probably spin the bolt out.

Pic never arrived but I get the idea now. You could if you have room grind a grove one one side of the head, put a cold chisel in at an angle and give it a wack. Centre punch idea with a bit more umph !!!!
BUT beware either idea could easily give you knuckle rash !!!!

well i sharpened my drill bits again recently, ill try the above idea tommorw if i have no joy stedmark said they will be able to sort it out

DONE IT!

finally its out! i drilled a pilot with a 2.5mm dril bit then carried on with a 3mm. best thing is it hasnt damaged the thread

thanks for help

alex

WELL DONE :proud:

Well done im glad the pilot drill idea worked:)