Snapped bolts

[Southbound]

Any bright ideas on how to remove the remaining shaft of a bolt after it snaps due to rust and/or extreme user stupidity?

Thanks

 

[60wag]

left handed drill bits are my favorite - preferably carbide. I've never had much luck with easy outs. Welding a nut or stud to the broken bolt is popular fix - if you have a welder.

 

[Tinker]

Snap-On sells the best tool I've found (search here for others) made by Rigid in 1/8, 3/16, & 1/4" drill sizes. Drill the hole, hammer the splined shaft in, slide on the collar, & back the broken stud/bolt out.

I'll usually drill the hole with a reverse bit in case I'm lucky like 60 above (Snap-On sells those, too).

It helps to soak the offending stub with penetrating oil (Kroil is claimed to be the best) & to drill a straight, centered hole in it.

Otherwise, you're looking at drilling out the stub & re-tapping.