lionsandtigers Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 didnt even remember that i had this until jetsons and i just started talking about it. a few months ago i was drilling the lugs on my 1680 mbw case, and on the last hole, of course, the bit snapped and got lodged in the hole. i tried to get it out, as some of you guys may recall, but it would not budge. so now i still have this watch in pieces, ready to be put together, gen parts and all, if i can only get this damn bit out. any suggestions? thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfreeman420 Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 piece of drill bit stuck in lughole of my 1680 That is something you don't hear every day. Is there any sticking up above the hole to grab on to? If you can solder a longer handle on to it and twist it out that would do the trick. I have had a similiar situation on a screw but it was a much larger area. The other option is a smaller drill bit to drill the piece out, but if you're not carefull it will ruin the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 didnt even remember that i had this until jetsons and i just started talking about it. a few months ago i was drilling the lugs on my 1680 mbw case, and on the last hole, of course, the bit snapped and got lodged in the hole. i tried to get it out, as some of you guys may recall, but it would not budge. so now i still have this watch in pieces, ready to be put together, gen parts and all, if i can only get this damn bit out. any suggestions? thanks guys Get another bit and drill it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted April 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 tried that, didnt seem to work to well, just jammed it in more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 tried that, didnt seem to work to well, just jammed it in more Are you doing this freehand or with a press? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted April 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 freehand, but i suppose moving to a press would be a better idea. i havent touched it in months, so i can get a mini press and see what that does do i need snap on bits for this, or can i just get the bit in with a little sticking out as possible so it doesnt wobble? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest avitt Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 I think it will be very tough to drill out the bit. This isn't like drilling out a broken screw or bolt...Those are soft, in comparison to a hardened steel (or cobalt) drill bit. It will be very difficult to drill into the bit. It is more likely that your new bit will slide off to the side of the broken bit, into the softer case metal. First, I would try Repaustria's suggestion of driving the bit out from the opposite side. Try soaking the hole with lubricant first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 Definitely use lubricant. And I don't mean drill it out like a screw. I mean drill it out as in use the drill to dislodge it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest avitt Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 You can pick up a cheap set of hardened steel punches at Harbor Freight. Search for "pin punch". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olivia Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 Repaustria's suggestion + Lubricant + Heat on the lug; there will be a point in heating where the bit is colder than the lug; that is the only time you can push it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted April 5, 2007 Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 You can pick up a cheap set of hardened steel punches at Harbor Freight. Search for "pin punch". That's another idea.... And not a bad one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted April 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 what should i use to heat it, blowdryer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam1174 Posted April 5, 2007 Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 I don't think the punch idea will work unless the bit had already punched through the other side of the case, and I don't think you were clear on that point. If a little piece of the bit is stuck inside the lug hole, and the hole doesn't go all the way through, I think you need to drill from the opposite side. I drill press with a vice is a must, and you'll have to start the hole with a punch and a tiny bit. Then move up to larger bits to widen the hole. at some point you'll be able to insert a small punch from the outside and push out the broken bit. Then you can finish the hole from the inside. The hard part will be getting the hole from the outside lined up properly. make sure you take good measurements and mark your spot well. If I'm wrong about the hole not going all the way through, I apologize for the long post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted April 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 what happened, just to clear things up, is right as the bit was about to go through, all the way, a tiny point sticking out on the inside of the lug, it jammed and snapped off. now it is STUCK, and i mean stuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey Posted April 5, 2007 Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 You are never getting that out with regular tools! You are going to need to either super-cool it then warm it up, or heat up the lug to try and release the hardened steel bit.. Trouble is you'll probably discolour the case.. What kind of drill bit did you use? HSS, Cabide, Cobalt? etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dachshund Posted April 5, 2007 Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 Use a drill press with a rotary diamond covered bit, the kind you would use in a dremel tool. Make sure the bit has the diamond coating on the end of the bit as well, not just the sides. Line it up very carefully and go slowly with the grinding, it may take a couple of bits to wear thru the existing broken bit, but with patience, the diamond bit will grind the broken bit out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted April 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 cobalt bit is what i used. this is an old problem that i just let sit awhile. i have done tons of successful mods since, this one bit me in the ass though, and since i have basically the entiire watch just siting around in parts, would be nice to get this piece out so i can wear the f**kin thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey Posted April 5, 2007 Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 Let me guess you used a cobalt bit in a hand drill or at high speed? ooops! Cobalt is frickin hard but its brittle! the only option is to attempt to shatter the remains, (diamond wont touch it) or attempt to use another cobalt bit in a drill press and use pleanty of oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted April 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 yeah, again, this was probably about 8 months ago, and i didnt know what the hell i was doin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 Anything work yet, l&t ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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