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Drill bits keep breaking?

I have a stripped screw head and am trying to drill a hole in it so I can use a screw extractor. I've used a titanium and a cobalt drill bit, but both have broken. They don't seem to be making much of a hole. What am I doing wrong? What speed should I use?

13 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    A good cobalt bit should be the answer. As you start into the head the bit will want to catch on the lips of the screwhead (this is a phillips head? A bigger bit to get started then a smaller bit for the hole, may help.

    Source(s): Sign man, electrician, 20 yrs.
  • 1 decade ago

    Purchase a left hand drill bit and run your drill to turn counterclockwise. Once the drill will bite in the screw it should back itself out without the need for an extractor.

    Source(s): I have helped a technician. Found out he was drilling a right hand drill with the drill going in the wrong direction. After changing directions everything went fine.
  • 1 decade ago

    Yea these " titanium and "cobalt" drills are a rip off. Good high speed steel will cut through stainless and hardened steel with no problem. I don't think speed is the problem but the rule is the harder the metal the slower you drill.

  • renpen
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    I assume that it is a small drill bit. You have to turn it slow and keep it lubed. You have to let the bit do the work and not apply too much pressure. It can be tough and is easier if you can use a drill press.

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  • 1 decade ago

    You should start with a small bit, and then work up to the size you need. If the screw is stainless steel, it's going to take a while.

  • 1 decade ago

    go slow, use lubricant, and hold the drill steady... most drills (especially cobalt drills) break easily if bent even slightly sideways....and don't push.. this just wears out the tip, let the drill do the work....

  • 5 years ago

    You need bits with a lower angle. Steeper angled bits grab too fast for metals. I customize all of my bits with lower angles so I don't get the bit issues. You can also take flatten the cutting edges so they scrape more than they cut. A scraper bit setup is priceless at times.

  • ?
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    your drill either hat to much toque or not enough . is it a screw or a bolt . a screw is to small for an extractor . what are you doing .

  • 1 decade ago

    go to sears an buy the stripped screw adapter it will fit your cordless drill they also have them for nuts an bolts

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    if you have a dremel tool, cut a slot in the top of the screw and back it out with a slotted screwdriver...

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