It is an amazing day to work. You go in the backyard and you start on the work that you have been thinking of for a long time, and you start to drill. Out of the blue, your screw snaps off, how frustrating right!? Now, you lost all the motivation and you’re sitting down worrying about how to remove a broken drill bit. BUT no worries! Because we have got your back.
We can drill into a lot of materials and that means the chances of it getting snapped is higher, here you will know all of the amazing methods to remove that stubborn bit in no time. One important thing you have to keep in mind is that while drilling if the bit is stuck, DON’T force it out! Or doing so will burn out the motor of the drill!
And if that’s not the case, few tools and a few easy instructions will help you complete the job. So let’s not keep you hanging and begin the journey.
Quick Overview
Method-1: Using the Lock plier
This method is first as this method is easy and can be used for Steel, Metal, and also hard Aluminum.
For a bit that is sticking out:
Step-1:
First of all, wipe the bit with a clean cloth as it might have some kind of lubrication, either from factory WD-40, oil, or from previous jobs.
Which might be difficult to work with as you won’t be able to have a proper grip.
Step-2:
Take the locking pliers, which are also known as vise grips. Then grab the bit and as it locks in position then rotate it in a counterclockwise motion and as it pops up a little, grab it and pull it out.
Tip: Don’t hold the bit extremely hard or it will snap off.
For a bit that is not sticking out:
Step-1:
Make a small hole with the help of a chisel just enough, so that you can reach the bit with the pliers.
Step-2:
Take a Lock plier or a Needle Nose plier, then grab the bit and rotate it in a counter-clockwise motion.
If that doesn’t do the trick then just wobble it around a little or just turn it in counterclockwise rotation again and as it loosens you can simply pull it out.
Method-2: Using the Screw Extractor
Now, you might be thinking, without using the Lock Plier method how to remove a broken drill bit. That’s where the Screw Extractor method comes in handy. Although, a relatively fair amount of tools are required to do this procedure and it is also effective for Steel, Metal, and hard Aluminum.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS-
Safety is the number one priority, so make sure to wear a pair of hefty safety goggles to protect your only pair of eyes from dust and particles of bits.
Also, make sure the safety goggles fit you properly as there might be tiny specs of metal hovering at immense speeds all around you. Also, use gloves for protecting your hands.
For using this method you will need a few tools which are listed below.
- Safety goggles
- Chisel
- Center punch
- Hammer
- An extra bit (smaller in diameter than the broken one)
- Cutting oil (optional but preferable)
- Drill
- Screw extractor
- Wrench
Let’s begin the procedure
Step-1:
With the help of a chisel (a cutting tool used for shaping) smoothen out any rough end of a broken drill bit.
Tip: Try to make it smooth, the smoother the better as it will be a whole lot easier to work with it!
Step-2:
Place the end of a center punch (special punch tool used for creating a shallow hole) positioned in the centre of the broken bit.
Strike the center punch hard with the help of a hammer to make a hole. It will help the drill stay stable.
Step-3:
Measure the diameter of the broken drill bit. And according to that choose a smaller drill bit in diameter and adjust it in the drill.
Tip: Apply a few drops of cutting oil to the tip of the drill bit. Lubricating the drill bit will make it easier to pierce the broken drill bit.
Step-4:
Take the drill and place it at the end of the hole made by the center punch and start drilling slowly across the broken bit. Make sure you drill straight into it so that there is a straight line.
Start drilling slowly and work your way up by increasing your speed. At the same time put in pressure at the drill (you know how you normally drill). Also don’t move it around as you are drilling for a straight line.
Tip: If possible try to make another hole close to the other one which sometimes, reduces the pressure of the bit.
Step-5:
Take a screw extractor (a tool used for removing broken screws) and put it in the hole you made with the drill. Lock it in position and hit the extractor with the help of a hammer to tighten it completely.
Tip: Make sure the extractor fits the hollow space that you made with the drill.
Step-6:
It’s almost done. Now take a wrench that fits the top of the extractor. Lock it in and start turning it in a counterclockwise rotation. Keep on turning it, until it comes out of the place it was stuck in. First, it will be difficult then soon enough it will be easier.
Tip: To make it easier put in a little bit of cutting oil to lubricate it and in on time it will be off your back.
Method-3: The All-Purpose Remover Method
This is method is mentioned last as we keep the best for the last. We call it an All-Purpose Remover because it can remove most of the elements like wood, stone, steel, metal, concrete, hard aluminum, brick, and bamboo.
For a bit sticking out
Step-1:
With the help of a blower or canned air, blow air into the hole. Which will loosen the bit. Also, removes the unwanted dust which is all around the drill bit, making a clear way for us to work with it.
Step-2:
If the bit is over the surface and is reachable, take a pair of locking pliers or a nose needle plier and grab the bit. And as the plier locks in turn the bit in counterclockwise rotation at the same time give a little pull, soon enough you will get that bit out in no time.
Tip: Blowing air in the hole will make it easier to pull out the bit.
For a bit not sticking out
Step-1:
Try to use a Needle Nose plier to pull out the bit and if it is not reachable. Measure the diameter broken bit and attach a slightly larger in diameter bit to the drill. Keep on drilling until you reach the end of the broken drill bit.
Step-2:
Blow air into the hole with canned air or a blower, to remove the dust. Grip the end of the broken drill bit with a Locking plier or a Needle Nose Plier. At once twist the plier in counterclockwise rotation and also pull it. And the broken bit will out of your hair in a flash.
How to remove a broken drill bit from wood?
I am mentioning wood separately because there is a whole new method.
Either you can use the lock plier method (which is mentioned above) or you can use another easy method.
Step-1:
Take a Hollow Screw Extractor which is larger in diameter than the broken bit and attach it to the drill.
Warning: While tightening with the chuck, make sure it is not that tight, or else it will break or crack.
Step-2:
Start the drill and you are ready to go. Moreover, make sure that the extractor doesn’t touch the drill bit while drilling the bit out or the extractor will shatter. Start the drill and put it in a perpendicular position and put the drill in reverse (counterclockwise).
Step-3:
Start drilling extremely slow then check whether you are drilling correctly then continue increasing your speed. Drill all the way through and take it out. The drill bit with a small piece of wood will come out. BUT, don’t worry! You will be able to fix it with the help of a plug or dowel.
How to remove a broken drill bit from brick?
If a bit breaks in brick simply make few holes near it. Extract the broken bit with pliers. You are now left with a lot of holes that can be easily filled back again. From there your brick will be normal.
Upcoming days!?
How can we let you go without us telling you how to refrain from breaking the bit in the upcoming days?
These are the few techniques to follow which will save you a fortune!
- Thin drill bits break faster than thick ones. Therefore, be extra careful while using a thinner one.
- Apply a drop of cutting oil, before using it. As it was mentioned earlier it will help you in making holes easy and also help the bit from snapping off while drilling into hard materials. Moreover, it will stop the drill from overheating.
- Remember, before installing the bit, slide the drill bit as far up high as you can. So that it is held firm and there won’t be much tightness or tension in the drill.
- But make sure not to push the limits and go till the flutes or the cutting tip of the bit or else it will damage the drill. Furthermore, tighten the chuck too!
- Make sure to change the drill bits regularly to avoid the bits from snapping. According to the statistics about 5800 injuries are caused due to power drills. Each year!
- While drilling into a surface start drilling slowly and gradually progress in increasing your speed. And in hard materials, if you start drilling at high speed from the beginning it might slip from you. And who knows you could be among the 5800 injured people.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1) Can you drill into a broken drill bit?
Ans: Yes, we can drill into a broken drill bit. We have to insert a smaller bit and apply cutting oil (for easy penetration) at the tip of the attached bit.
Take a center punch and aim it in the middle of the broken bit and strike it with the help of a hammer. Then slowly drill the broken bit in the place where it was center punched. There you go that’s how you drill into a broken bit.
Q2) Reasons for the drill bit getting hot while drilling?
Ans: It is usually because of friction. But, drilling at the wrong speed contributes too! Keeping it at moderate speed is the best way to utilize a drill.
Using the incorrect bit is also the motive for the heat Also, there should be enough pressure in the drill for it to perform its job. very little pressure will simply rub the surface.
Q3) How to prevent the drill bit from getting hot?
Ans: Give the drill a little rest after using it for a while. Make sure to use if are using the right bit. Use correct speeds (start slow then slowly increase your speed).
let the work take a little bit longer time than usual but your drill bit will last longer. And give enough pressure while drilling, but not too much that it snaps off.
Q4) The Best way to remove a broken drill bit?
Ans: The best way to remove a broken bit is by using the lock plier method or the All-purpose remover as the screw extraction method uses a reasonable amount of tools and also plenty of steps to follow.
Conclusion
A drill is one of the handiest power tools as they come. It’s very good for projects and simply to say anything related to wood
But that doesn’t make a stuck broken drill but any less frustrating and knowing how to get rid of it is important. Which we tried helping you with today.
So now you know how to remove a broken drill bit! After reading this, I am sure you can take care of a broken drill bit at any place at any time. That’s all for now. And until next time, goodbye!
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