Brute Force, Ignorance and Left-Handed Drill Bits

[Downeaster]

That is what's left of the inlet needle seat in a Marvel-Schebler carb on a 78 year old Ford Tractor.

Bought a full kit as it was running like crap. Started with a screwdriver, cammed out the slots. Cut the slots a little deeper, got a bigger screwdriver and snapped the top off of it. Ungentlemanly words were said.

Two options left: Drill it out and hope I can save/rescue the threads in the cast iron bowl (brass vs. cast being the original culprit) or try an easy out (probably the most egregiously mis-named tool on the planet. Nothing "easy" about it.)

Well, as tight as that sucker was, the easy out just shredded the brass. Poop.

Really, REALLY didn't want to drill it out as I don't have a suitable tap to clean out the threads. Decided to try the next size up lefty drill for easy outs, thinking maybe I could get it thin enough to peel it out of the threads. Just as I was reaching the bottom, the bit fetched up and started turning it out. By gently burping the drill at low speed to keep it from drilling completely through, I was able to back it out all the way.

 

[Mailman]

Well that was a happy ending! My usual luck is the drill bit walks off center and wrecks whatever I’m working on.

 

[Jan_P]

try an easy out (probably the most egregiously mis-named tool on the planet. Nothing "easy" about it.)

Nothing easy and Nothing out either I don't remember any Success

 

[Downeaster]

Well that was a happy ending! My usual luck is the drill bit walks off center and wrecks whatever I’m working on.

You too? I've lost track of how many things I've had to drill out to the next size and re-thread or throw a helicoil in.

Or break the drill off in the hole.

 

[RC4MAN]

As it's said DE, "I'd rather be lucky than good"

 

[Downeaster]

As it's said DE, "I'd rather be lucky than good"

Abso-damn-lutely!

 

[Wordman]

Drilling out broken bolts, etc., is an art form. Learning to make good center punch dimples, have good, centered, sharp bits, learning to use enough pressure to keep the bit cutting and not burning, working the nub of the bolt with a chisel or punch for an hour to get it to back out, making a jig to keep the bit centered, etc., etc.. Done all of these (had a great teacher).

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Ya done good!