That's an understatement!

I that it was in the van still...

-MB

On Tue, May 22, 2018 at 6:17 PM, thewestyman <zolo@foxinternet.net> wrote:

> Fortunately it was still on the engine stand, thank the Lord.
> Z
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Alistair Bell
> Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2018 1:44 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Success - Re: Trying to drill out bolt ...
>
> Hey Zoltan, knew you could do it.
>
> Drilling out old or broken fasteners is one of those hated jobs. Sometimes
> it goes so smoothly and other times, often, it goes south.
>
> And double hard if your doing it on the van.
>
> Cheers
>
> Alistair
>
> On May 22, 2018, at 8:14 AM, thewestyman <zolo@foxinternet.net> wrote:
>>
>> Yes, finally have drilled and tapped the project.
>> And it was an all day deal.
>> Fortunately at Home Depot I found a set of Bosch drills 1/4 to 5/16 which
>> was not for masonry but glass.  It had Tungsten tips and correctly ground
>> to sharp edge like ordinary drills.
>> It did slowly cut into the broken in bolt and with a lot of patience I
>> made it to the bottom end, with changing drill sizes as I progressed.  Had
>> to make sure, I don't slide off the center while it's progressing.
>> Tapping was a little slow, but it was going all the way.
>>
>> Thanks to all who gave encouragement for this, especially Alistair.
>>
>> Forever yours, The List,
>> Zoltan
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: Alistair Bell
>> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2018 10:35 AM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: Trying to drill out bolt ...
>>
>> Zoltan,
>>
>> Forgive me if I come across the wrong way here. You might already know
>> this but I’ll say it anyway.
>>
>> If the drill bit does not cut into hardened material ( in your case it’s
>> probably work hardened), ie no shavings right from the get go, then it
>> will not cut. Stop, don’t just try pushing harder, you’ll just burn up the
>> bit.
>>
>>
>> Same thing if you are drilling successfully and then it seems not to drill
>> , or requires more down force, stop.
>>
>> If the bit is at all dull, I mean not fresh out of the package or freshly
>> sharpened, then it’s going to heat up and dull very quickly on hard
>> material. It’s a progressive thing, slightly dull cutting edge makes
>> friction and heat which makes the edge duller which makes more heat , etc
>> etc.
>> If good and sharp then this progression is less likely to occur. And of
>> course cutting fluid really really helps.
>>
>> Cutting oil/fluid both cools and lubricates
>>
>> I’m going to assume you don’t sharpen your own bits , so if the bit don’t
>> bite, try another fresh one.
>> If indeed this bolt has been work hardened, once you penetrate that hard
>> layer it should drill  out fine.
>>
>> Use cutting oil. Almost any oil will do in a pinch. Even bacon fat is good
>> with steel. WD-40 or kerosene with aluminum.
>>
>> And here’s a bit of a last resort. To get thru any hard layer. Use a small
>> carbide tipped masonry bit. You know they type, they are everywhere.
>> Couple of brazed on carbide cutters on the end of a twist drill. Get a
>> small one and have at the bolt. It won’t be pretty but if might get you
>> going into the softer metal.
>>
>> Good luck
>>
>> Alistair
>>
>>
>>
>> On May 20, 2018, at 8:36 AM, thewestyman <zolo@foxinternet.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> Alistair,
>>>
>>> Yes, I could make a nice center punch hole, yet I can't even start a
>>> miniscule of shaving.  And I have tried several small drills, 1/8 sizes.
>>> Tried slow, fast.  Did not use any cutting oil though.  That might help
>>> to start it.
>>> I even heated it up, hoping that would make it softer.  Probably made it
>>> harder.
>>> Last week I drilled one out without any trouble.
>>> This cobalt drill does not have a grade written on it.
>>> I think, there are 35 and 42 grades.
>>> These are new drills, well ground, not pushing.
>>>
>>> Zoltan
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message----- From: Alistair Bell
>>> Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2018 9:18 PM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: Re: Trying to drill out bolt ...
>>>
>>> What bolt is this?
>>>
>>> There are drill bits and there are drill bits.
>>>
>>> Cobalt by itself means little unless backed up by some numbers and a good
>>> brand.
>>>
>>> If you can make a punch mark with a centre punch on the bolt, then you
>>> can drill it.
>>>
>>> Start with small drill bit, use cutting oil, plenty. Does it bite?
>>>
>>> Sometimes you can work harden what you are trying to drill. Usually
>>> that’s
>>> because of dull bit, too fast, no cutting fluid.
>>>
>>> It happens in stainless sometimes. Swap out bit, try again slower.
>>>
>>> Alistair
>>>
>>>
>>> On May 19, 2018, at 9:10 PM, thewestyman <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Yup, trying but I can’t even start it, so hard.
>>>> I have no idea what makes it hard like glass, but the cobalt drill won’t
>>>> even start any shaving.
>>>> This cobalt drill is from Home Depot.  Maybe there is one harder than
>>>> this.
>>>> Anyone has an idea what to do?
>>>> I have already installed the head, would not like to take it off.
>>>>
>>>> Best regards to the Great List,
>>>> Zoltan
>>>>
>>>
>>

-- 
________________________________________________________________________
Mark Belanger - mbelanger@gmail.com