Left hand drill bits?

[george4]

Going to update my collection of Easy Out stuff. Left hand drill bits make sense to me but I have never used them. Any preferences or issues?

 

[OldCarGuy]

Left Handed drill bits are great for removing broken studs or pipes. Use a drill bit a tad bit smaller in diameter than the minor diameter of the broken bolt. Once you’re drilled most of the way through the bolt, it’ll catch on the drill bit and unscrew itself out… You don’t even need an extractor.

 

[rsanter]

left hander are great
squirt a little oil on it and start drilling
the heat and the left spin will often let the drill grab the screw and back it out

bob

 

[george4]

Thanks for the feedback. I ordered an Irwin 10 pc set (11119) with left hand drill bits. FWIW, appears to be the same set as the SO 10 pc set (EXDL10).

 

[Danglerb]

I just bought set of Alden Grabit extractors, left hand drill bit on one end, extractor on the other end, both very short. Obvious downside of course is that break either end and the tool is kinda toast, but how it works in actual practice is supposed to be pretty good.

 

[Powerband]

At the risk of a flame - Are the lefty bits available from Sears?.. I thought I saw them in a Christmas sales flyer but my son couldn't find anyone at Sears who knew what the was talking about when I sent him there. He had a a stuck Torx screw on his Sno'bile.

PB

 

[Jbullfrog]

I have not seen a set of LH bits or individuals at Sears. I have a full set in an index that I use with my magnetic drill press when needed (yes, it is reversable!) I also have a set of Mac short LH bits in my toolbox and truck.

 

[Uncle Buck]

At the risk of a flame - Are the lefty bits available from Sears?.. I thought I saw them in a Christmas sales flyer but my son couldn't find anyone at Sears who knew what the was talking about when I sent him there. He had a a stuck Torx screw on his Sno'bile.

PB

I do not ever recall seeing leftys sold in stores, or for that matter advertised in the tool catalog either, ever!

 

[Crossthread]

Have never seen them in Sears, but then again never really looked there. It's all been said above - they are the shiznit for removing broken bolts and studs.

 

[bobss396]

Left hand drills were generally made for screw machines, where work could be done on a part from both ends at the same time. It eliminated the need to stop the spindle.

Try MSC or McMaster-Carr for them. Screw machine drills are shorter than standard jobber length drills and are also available in right hand form. I use them quite a bit in my shop.

Bob

 

[Franz©]

LH cutting bits are known in the tool industry as screw machine bits.

You can find them fairly cheap from machine tool dealers and supply houses.
Try froogle.