The Craftsman Easy Out set I bought broke! The extractor tip broke off inside my bolt. What should I do now? Can I drill though the "heat treated alloy steel"? Is that even possible? I have some reall good metal bits I bought not too long ago. Will this work?

I just had the same problem, nothing I could find could drill through the hardend part.. I just drilled it out from behind till I reached the other end of the easy out and hammered it out like a nail... but that will only work if you can get to the other side! which isnt very likely

Cobalt/tungsten drillbit will work... Although it'll take a pounding, and they are TERRIBLY expensive

It helps to heat the the easy-out a few times first that helps soften the metal somewhat (heat as hot as possible, allow to cool, then repeat). Then go at it with a Dremel and a small grinding bit. You should at least be able to get it ground down so you can center a cobalt drill bit in the hole. Whenever I have to do this, I usually have to repair the threads with a Helicoil. Good luck.

I haven't done it myself but I've heard of people breaking them into small pieces with a chisel and then it falls out. If that doesn't work, I'd try what Scott said... getting it red hot and letting it cool normally should soften it some anyway.

I've had success busting them out with a pointed air chisel.

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"Its a Fiero thing... Heck, even I don't understand!"

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It's happened to me before too, as was said see if you can break the extractor apart with a cold chisel or something. They tend to be quite brittle in this respect, although I guess you already know that, hehe

When I did that, I went to the store and bought 6 of the red cone grinding stones for my dremel tool. I just ground out the Easy-Out. Took about 20 minutes and 4 bits. (Don't buy the blue ones they only last about a minute.)

Sounds like some of yall had hard time with the easy outs too. I never have been able to drill through one of them boogers. But I have broken them out and also one more thing. I have taken a washer and placed it over the broken bolt and weld the washer to the bolt avoiding the surrounding metal then weld an old bolt or something to use as a handle to the washer and screw the bolt out. Wish you the best as those broken bolts can be a ***** .

Thanks for all the help so far. Would one of those nail punch things work to break the eay out apart?

Thanks

quote Originally posted by Butter: I have taken a washer and placed it over the broken bolt and weld the washer to the bolt avoiding the surrounding metal then weld an old bolt or something to use as a handle to the washer and screw the bolt out. Wish you the best as those broken bolts can be a ***** .

Hey Butter, sounds like we use similiar methods to extract broken bolts.

I just weld a bead directly to the broken bolt, build it up enough to grab it with a good set of vise grips, and turn away.

Defenitely beats the drill / easy out method, and theres a 100% sucess rate of extracting bolts an such without ruining the treads.

I use a Mig welder, what do you use?

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You can try a concrete nail,I did once many years ago.

Well I guess it didn't work for you either.
Since the broken easy-out is made from hardened metal,you have to shatter it and remove the pieces.This can be done with a good center punch.
Good luck.

I have tried for 2 days to get that damn thing out! I tried everything you guys said but to no avail. I just bit the bullet and took it to a machine shop. He is only going to charge $20.00 to get it out.(I was quoted much higher in other places) Any way, the craftman set that broke was $20.00 so I returned that and paid the bill. It all worked out fine.

thanks