Screw extractors (often called Easy out's) have limited success when being used to removed sheared off studs or bolts- sometimes they work and sometimes they do not. Before trying to use the screw extractor you could also try Remove a broken bolt using a left handed drill bit or Remove a broken bolt using a welder

 

screw extractors

This is a set of screw extractors/easyout's. Your success with these extractors depends on a few factors but in some instances they will work. Screw extractors have a left hand thread on them, so when turned anti-clockwise they grip the bolt and remove it.

metal shaft

Here we have a sheared bolt in the end of a shaft. Try and get the end of the bolt as flat as possible by either filing it or grinding it flat.

centre punch

Centre punch the middle of the bolt as this will stop the drill bit from wandering.

drill bolt

Now drill a hole in the dead centre of the bolt. The hole size depends on the size of the screw extractor. You should always use the largest screw extractor that you can, but the drilled hole needs to be smaller than the screw extractor for it to bite.

screw extractor

This is the screw extractor that we will be using, the hole drilled in the bolt is slightly smaller than the size of the screw extractor. Push the extractor into the hole and tap with an hammer.

extract broken bolt

Using a suitable wrench turn the screw extractor anti-clockwise and if you are lucky the broken bolt will be removed. Be extremely careful as a broken screw extractor or drill bit is even more difficult to remove.

If you still can't remove the broken bolt the only option may be to drill out and tap the hole -

Drilling Metal | Tap Metal

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