Drill bit won't grab metal screw

[4ap79ztl]

Hi all

New member as of today, so hi

My problem, is most probably a simple one, but it isn't, when you don't know....

Basically i have a bmw, i am trying to remove a torx screw from the door card.

The screw has been bent, by the electric window mechanism, inside the door.

So i am trying to drill the screw out.

I have an hss addax 3mm drill bit, and a 500w hammer drill.

The drill just keeps on spinning, not grabbing the metal. And the tip of the drill bit has turned brown.

Regards

[big-all]

heeelllooo and welcome 4ap79ztl

drilling a screw out is a last resort especialy in a confined space like a door is there nothing to get a bit into or grab onto to unscrew!!

[Simon Site Manager]

Hi and

Go and buy a 1mm bit and drill slowly, then get a brand new 3mm bit and drill through the same hole as the 1mm bit made. The bits are burning because the drill speed is too fast, you shouldn't need much pressure to drill the holes.

Let us know how you get on.

S

[4ap79ztl]

hi big-all

Thanks for reply

No nothing, basically i originally tried to remove with the correct torx t20 bit, but the screw kept tightening, whether you went clockwise or anticlockwise.
So i managed to just get my hand in to see what was happening at the back of the screw.

This was when i noticed the back of the screw was bent 65 degrees or so.

It is very tight to get anything at the back of the screw. So i made the decision to drill through the screw, with a bit the same diameter as the screw.

Also i cannot use the torx to undo as the front of the screw has now been removed. So i will have to try and remove the screw via drilling.

Do you think i centre punch would help in this situation, or is that just to keep your drill bit from moving. Or whether a carbide drill would help.

Do you think it is my technique, equipment or both.

Thanks

[Simon Site Manager]

Hi,

Read my previous post! Do not hit it with anything!

S

[4ap79ztl]

Cobalt drills are often better for drilling out screws etc-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.org/video/t ... drills.php

Also make sure the drill is in a forwards gear and not reverse!

I once worked for a firm and this guy came to me and said the drill was not working, so I went and watched him. He was trying to drill steel in reverse

[Hitch]

Id say a bit of both.
You are probably running your drill a bit too fast. Get a new bit and try pulling the trigger in and out to get the speed down. When you buy the new bit, try and get a decent quality one. If you have one from a cheap set or something, it will be next to useless.


Centre punch it if your drill bit is wandering around, sometimes it does help get a start.

[Simon Site Manager]

I say again, don't hit it! The force needed to dint a torx screw will damage and crease the metal on the door!

S

[big-all]

my concernes are if you remove the head the threaded part will remain
if you remove the whole screw including shank you will have a round hole with no thread

now removing the head may just solve your problem as in the threads on the shaft are suffice to hold it anyway

do not use a centre punch as doors are failry soft and hammering may shatter the glass bend componants or dent the door panel

have you got a close up and picture from about 18"

[Hitch]

I say again, don't hit it! The force needed to dint a torx screw will damage and crease the metal on the door!

S

I think some sense is required as to how hard to hit it. A nice sharp centre punch and a light sharp tap, with a dolly on the back to knock against.

[4ap79ztl]

my concernes are if you remove the head the threaded part will remain
if you remove the whole screw including shank you will have a round hole with no thread

now removing the head may just solve your problem as in the threads on the shaft are suffice to hold it anyway

do not use a centre punch as doors are failry soft and hammering may shatter the glass bend componants or dent the door panel

have you got a close up and picture from about 18"

Picture impossible as screw is six inches inside door.............

[Hitch]

You say the head has gone now, have you got the door card off?
If not, c/p with a dolly like i suggested wont be possible

[4ap79ztl]

You say the head has gone now, have you got the door card off?
If not, c/p with a dolly like i suggested wont be possible

Hi no the head is still on the screw, what i meant was that the torx pattern from the screw has been drilled away.

The screw is bent and also jammed at the rear, so even if i managed to remove head, i guess the main part would still be jammed behind, that was the reason why i decided to try and drill right through the screw.

Door card still attached......

[Simon Site Manager]

Just why are you taking off the door card? Why has the window mech bent the bolt?

S

[4ap79ztl]

Yes the window mechanism has bent the bolt, this is why i am trying to remove the card to find out

Basically i am going to buy a 1mm drill bit, make a hole then use 3-4mm bit.

Drill as far as i can through the bolt, hopefully removing the head and weakening the remainder.

Thanks all for your advice, great forum.........