How do I drill out stainless steel?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 5
How do I drill out stainless steel?
I overtightened a stainless screw on one of my billet side spears; So the screw is embedded and I need to drill it and then retap it.
I don't have a drill press, so I'm going to do it the barbaric way using a vice grip and press the drill by hand. What drill tip will cut through stainless with little efforT?
I don't have a drill press, so I'm going to do it the barbaric way using a vice grip and press the drill by hand. What drill tip will cut through stainless with little efforT?
Last edited by vectorz; Nov 15, 2005 at 04:43 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
Cobalt or better yet carbide drills will work but... you might want to invest in an 'ez out' kit. Made to do what you are wanting to do without drilling it out -it's a lot tougher drilling than you think - especially without the right tools. An ez out bites into whatever is left of the head and backs it out. Find it at a hardware or Lowe's store or probably Sears. Much better way to go in my opinion.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
Good Luck and be careful!
If / when you get the screw out, I'd run the same size tap into the hole to 'straighten out' the threads. Going oversize can be a problem with cross threading. If the threads are not too bad when you get done it should work okay.
Sure you don't want to recon - hell it's your part - have at it!
If / when you get the screw out, I'd run the same size tap into the hole to 'straighten out' the threads. Going oversize can be a problem with cross threading. If the threads are not too bad when you get done it should work okay.
Sure you don't want to recon - hell it's your part - have at it!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 84
From: St. Joseph MO
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
If possible make the face of the broken bolt as flat as possible. Also try and center punch the whole smack dab in the middle. The low speed and decent amount of pressure. TAKE YOUR TIME! Good Luck 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 4
From: granville mass
I don't know what a billet side spear is, or how much it's worth, but if the bolt is broken, and you can't get it with an easy out because there is too much drag on the threads, have it EDMd (electro discharge machining) out. I'm in the aerospace business, and this is a common problem. You can propably find someone in the yellow pages.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 4
From: granville mass
I'm sure you'd spend more than $85 because they'll have to machine the tool they use to burn out the broken part specific for the job. Didn't know if you were talking about an engine or tranny part that was big $.
good luck, easy out is the best advice that is reasonably priced (<$10)
good luck, easy out is the best advice that is reasonably priced (<$10)
