How To Drill Out Set Screw?

[alexchen86]

What's the best way on extracting a rounded out set screw from the inside of a 5mm bore on an MIP or Junfac shaft?

I've heard people extracting screws and set screws by drilling through it with whatever drill bit can fit inside...is that all?

I remove rounded out regular screws with an ez-out bit but don't know how to do set screws.

Thanks!!

[meatmonkey]

You'll want a left hand drill bit so when it catches it'll take the setscrew with it.

You'll want whatever size doesn't quite fall into the allen drive portion.

If it was loc tited it's never a bad idea to heat it up a little with a soldering iron, or lighter, etc...

Good luck.

[dkf]

If the ez out is small enough to fit in the hole you can extract the set screw just like you would with a stud or bolt. The set screw you have is probably a cup point. You can use a drill that is a bit smaller than the tap drill size that the set screw is threaded. If the set screw is holding in a pin drilling down to the point will release the hold it has on the pin and allow removal. Left handed drills bits are nice because sometimes the screw works its way out when you are drilling it.

[rangercat23]

Ez out's don't usually work to well for small set screws... The problem lies in the lack of thickness between the hex and the threads, the usual outcome I encounter is the hex will bulge or crack causing further trouble. So I say drill it, that has always been the easiest and most effective.

[dirk379]

I had to drill through a mip set screw the other day when i was swapping in my vp housings, what a PITA

It takes for ever as well, only broke 1 bit in the process though

If you don't have a drill bit that small enough, and are impatient. Get a dremel, very carefully cut a slot in it, unscrew with a flat head. I've done that to a pinion or 2.

[C*H*U*D]

You don't have much luck with these do you?

Don't You Love Set Screws?!!

Sorry....I couldn't resist!

[BigSki]

I will take a thin cut off wheel for a Dremel and make a slot across the face of the set screw, then lightly tap a screw driver into the new slot and back it out.

[bigstu]

I used one of the craftsman screw extractor sets on one of the small 3mm setscrews that go in to the drive hex on one of my Axial rigs.
Worked pretty good too.
This was the kit I used.
Craftsman 7 pc. Drill-Out/Screw-Out Power Extractors - Tools - Hand Tools - Tap & Dies & Sets

[alexchen86]

Originally Posted by C*H*U*D

You don't have much luck with these do you?

Don't You Love Set Screws?!!

Sorry....I couldn't resist!

Lol...there's a fine line between having screws that are perfectly snug and tightened to the point of no return. Especially adding in worn out hex drivers and loctite.

Got myself a decent set of Losi drivers last month which solved part of the problem haha.

[C*H*U*D]

I keep my hex drivers sharp by filing the tip down a bit as they start to wear. I also don't like to reuse the set screws. I will in a pinch, but if I have to loosen it, I take it out and pitch it in the trash.

[dkf]

I saved a lot of headaches with stripped out set screws when I bought a good set of hex drivers with ground replaceable HSS tips.

[Postclanker]

Originally Posted by bigstu

I used one of the craftsman screw extractor sets on one of the small 3mm setscrews that go in to the drive hex on one of my Axial rigs.
Worked pretty good too.
This was the kit I used.
Craftsman 7 pc. Drill-Out/Screw-Out Power Extractors - Tools - Hand Tools - Tap & Dies & Sets

Nice Stu...been looking for just this thing....

[Twisted Nuts]

Those kits work REALLY well, but I would apply a little heat to the screw if using the 2-3mm extractor. They break Easily! Lol.

[Charlie-III]

Left hand bits are great, I usually have 3 sizes: 1/16", 1/8" & 1/4". Part of the goal is that the heat & vibration may free up the screw/bolt in the hole allowing the bit to spin it out.

Having full sets of metric & US allen wrenches can help. When you start to round a hex, the "other unit of measure" may "fit".

Also using some Crazy Glue/Zap to glue an allen wrench into the hex can work.

[Cave Dave]

I use a .125 carbide endmill.