Removing a very small sheared off bolt

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Astute Observer

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So - I done f'd up. I have a very small (like 2 or 3 mm? Not sure exactly) sheared off bolt in a threaded hole. It's about 4mm down.

Any advice on getting that out?

I just bought these on amazon...

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00004YOBF

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B088WMYNY2

Hoping there's something in there that will do the trick.

Do you guys think I should lube the threads? I'd be concerned about not getting the bit to bite in the stuck bolt shaft
 
But tape off around the area when you drill, so not to damage the finish. A good center punch to make a dimple to start the drill. Wonder if it was locktite in? Hence why the bolt sheared? I would heat the area up.
 
Have the threads bottomed out?
Sometimes a dental pick might work iff'in yer payshint 'nuff.
Depends how tight they are in there.

Some mention reverse twist drill bits.
Might also work.
 
Your success will depend on why the bolt sheared off to start with... if it bottomed out first I think you will have to drill it out and pick at the remaining threads if you want to use that same size threaded hole. You may have to use a tap as well.

If the bolt sheared off due to pulling apart from the threads stretching it is possible the portion remaining in the hole is actually loose in the threads... This would be the best case scenario. Then drilling a hole in the center and using a tool may work... I have had success by first drilling a small hole and then using a larger left hand twist drill... jam it down with a bit of force... and the threaded stub just backs right out...
 
Like OK suggested a well place center punch is a must. But heat it up first to loosen any locktite.
2-3 mm extractors aren't the easiest to use. If it's a nice rifle and you haven't worked with very small ez outs before.
Might be thinking of hitting up your Local gunsmith.
 
Thanks guntech, that's exactly what I did. Drilled it out with a left hand bit just slightly narrower than the lands on the threading. Then got in there with a sewing needle and pulled out the junk remaining. got it cleaned up, prob don't need to re-tap, the threads were 90% still, so I just turned a steel bolt with the correct threading in there (aluminium body of object) and it went in great.

It's just a button for a low strain part (mag release), so it shouldn't be under much stress. Not like it's for a stock or something that resists recoil.

Anyways it's fixed now. I was the idiot in the first place that tried to install am after market part without checking the length of the bolt, and bottomed it out then sheared it off by continuing to turn with too much force.
 
I didn't know that!!! Thank you.

The steel bolt was only to "cut" back into the threads, I took it back out again. I'll re-clean those threads again. Have to be replaced with another bolt when I can find a replacement part to the one I f'd up (a bar part of a mag release)
 
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