Left handed drill bits
- Thread starter pi_guy
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Handy for removing bolts.toolaholic
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I do for bolt/screw extraction.
bwringer
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I need them waaaaaaay too often. They're a necessity when dealing with vintage motorcycles.
Believe it or not, Harbor Freight sells a very high-quality set for, like, ten bucks. No idea how or why -- their regular right-handed drill bits are awful, but the lefties work great. Must be made in different factories or something.
I've also ordered them from McMaster-Carr.
Believe it or not, Harbor Freight sells a very high-quality set for, like, ten bucks. No idea how or why -- their regular right-handed drill bits are awful, but the lefties work great. Must be made in different factories or something.
I've also ordered them from McMaster-Carr.
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dbabicky
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)Outlawmws
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I bought one for a bolt we broke on my mom's car, and it zipped the broken stub right out...
As long as that HF set is ABC, I'll pick it up!
As long as that HF set is ABC, I'll pick it up!
Super Sport
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I've used them a few times, and they usually work great! I got a set of Irwin-Hansons, with screw extractors, for around $40.
Holzarbeiter
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IMO it's a must have
Karl_B
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I have a basic set of left handed drill bits for bolt removal, too. Extremely handy for that bolt that stretched and snapped. Expect to use other methods for ones rusted in place.
If you are asking why anyone would need to drill a hole with a left handed bit, that I do not know.
If you are asking why anyone would need to drill a hole with a left handed bit, that I do not know.
Jbizzle
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I remove lots of screws on airplane panels so they are a must. Bought a set of Irwin like someone else mentioned above. Rarely actually need the extractor.
Erampu
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So, where does find a left handed drill to put the left handed bits into?
MN4x4
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You have to order one from Australia or New Zealand...
mailpup
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I also use them for extracting broken bolts. Mine are Snap-on brand that I bought years ago when I had a Snap-on dealer.
justme-
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Been using them for years - always on a broken bolt. I have a NIT 5 pc set, same as Snap-on's set which is also the same as Irwin.
I've got a cheap set from HF about 15 years ago - meh. Next ones will likely be Norseman through my local Fastenal.
I've got a cheap set from HF about 15 years ago - meh. Next ones will likely be Norseman through my local Fastenal.
ovilla
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LH drill bits can be bought individually from the snap on truck and are fairly reasonably priced ($6-15) or so, depending on size needed. Anyway, I use mine all the time to extract broken exhaust bolts.
Stuey
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Nope, not yet. I typically encounter stripped screws and not bolts, and so extractors work good enough. At least so far.
chris142
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they dont work in hand tightened chucks or keyless chucks.they loosen up
greasemonkey44
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I have a couple in my most needed sizes; they work great
I think I bought them from epstiens
I think I bought them from epstiens
My DeWalt does not loosen up running left handed, I often flip my ski waxing brush on left handed mode to change the load on the brush.
Years ago it was a problem to find left handed drills, now most drills sold have fwd and rev modes.
It is one of the questions I ask my interns, what do you use a left handed drill bit for?
& I asked this question to get away from the HF snappy debate but it seems where you get it is more important than the use.
Years ago it was a problem to find left handed drills, now most drills sold have fwd and rev modes.
It is one of the questions I ask my interns, what do you use a left handed drill bit for?
& I asked this question to get away from the HF snappy debate but it seems where you get it is more important than the use.
jfcasey
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I use them a lot. They are awesome for stripped/ **** filled torx and Phillips screws. They will drill a little them usually dig in and zip the screws right out.
Tronyadorable
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Drill bits ? Here's your guy.
http://www.wintersdrillbitcity.com/
http://www.wintersdrillbitcity.com/
rslaback
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I have one actually. It is a cheap Black and Decker corded drill that I picked up in an emergency at a Walmart. The reversing switch is opposite every other drill I have ever used. I'm always setting the damn thing backwards.
Outlawmws
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Stuey, you don't know what you are missing! 
Crown Imperial
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I find this statement a bit too generic. I've never had a problem with left hand drll bits coming lose in standard keyless chucks.
Dust Devil
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agree
The beauty of the left hand drill bit is that in drilling the hole for the extractor, you often back out the stuck fastener.
purplezr2
Well-known member
I just picked up a set of Harbor Freight lh bits they are junk consistent with the rest of the products.
If you happen to have a set look at the way they are sharpened it is flat not a radius like a good jobbers drill. A few of mine like they were sharpened on a belt sander with 100 grit paper.
I did pick up a welding blanket, as I need to weld a railing in my house I just hope it does not burst into flames.
Outlawmws
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What was the COO?
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
I am 3/8 Norwegian and left handed.... I'm game for a set,, but may go a little bigger than 3/8
The empty sleeve is all that remains of my SnapOn set.. They definitely got used..
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Outlawmws
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COO = Country Of Origin
bcradio
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OccupantRJ
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We use them quite often on screw machines in the factory, so I have a decent selection to choose from for broken bolt removal.
Outlawmws
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Where's your pumpkin?
Soon! I got really busy the past couple of days, and am still getting stuff moved onto my new Ltop... (Old one blue screened and died...)Not yet. But with all the good press I have read in GJ threads on lefties, I'd like to see about buying a set for home use. Any additional recommendations that were not previously posted in this thread? I'm not feeling warm and fuzzy with the conflicting evaluations of the Harbor Freight bits.
Used rarely for broken bolts when they are encountered, but when you need them you must have a quality set. I have the snapon extractor set (Irwin) and a Norseman 19 PC set of all drill bits. The Norseman is far superior and make some of the best bits out there. I got in on a buy as someone else mentioned and they are very affordable. Irwin used to be good, now almost everything they make is trash.
Shadowdog500
Well-known member
Yes I do use them. And I agree the HF ones are really first rate. The quality reminds me of my HF colbolt drill bit set.
When a bolt breaks flush from over tightening, first thing I try is using the bolt head to back the bolt out. (You would be surprised how often this works.) Then I soak it with Kroil and try to work the bolt out with a small center pinch. (This works more often than you would think). If it still won't come out I use a left handed center bit from an old extractor kit that I never use, to get a centered hole started, then I try a left handed drill. If the drill don't catch I step the drill size up until I drill the center of the bolt out to the thread minor diameter and remove the threads. After a little practice and patience this isn't difficult at all, but I sometimes cheat with a small needle file or chainsaw file when getting close to the minor diameter of the bolt. If the threads of the bolt come out in pieces, I'll run a tap down the thread to clean all the **** out.
Never found one that I couldn't get out cleanly, but it does take time. It could take me 20 minutes or more to go through all of my steps above to get a stubborn bolt out. I've had several salt water boats. Getting broken bolts out is almost expected on any project on a salt water boat.
Oh, if the flush broken bolt is a through bolt(like in a car frame) use a regular drill bit, because you want to push the clean threads that are I the hole into the frame instead of trying to pull the rusty threads from the other side of the hole through the hole.
Chris
Here are bolts I removed from the bottom of my wife's car.
When a bolt breaks flush from over tightening, first thing I try is using the bolt head to back the bolt out. (You would be surprised how often this works.) Then I soak it with Kroil and try to work the bolt out with a small center pinch. (This works more often than you would think). If it still won't come out I use a left handed center bit from an old extractor kit that I never use, to get a centered hole started, then I try a left handed drill. If the drill don't catch I step the drill size up until I drill the center of the bolt out to the thread minor diameter and remove the threads. After a little practice and patience this isn't difficult at all, but I sometimes cheat with a small needle file or chainsaw file when getting close to the minor diameter of the bolt. If the threads of the bolt come out in pieces, I'll run a tap down the thread to clean all the **** out.
Never found one that I couldn't get out cleanly, but it does take time. It could take me 20 minutes or more to go through all of my steps above to get a stubborn bolt out. I've had several salt water boats. Getting broken bolts out is almost expected on any project on a salt water boat.
Oh, if the flush broken bolt is a through bolt(like in a car frame) use a regular drill bit, because you want to push the clean threads that are I the hole into the frame instead of trying to pull the rusty threads from the other side of the hole through the hole.
Chris
Here are bolts I removed from the bottom of my wife's car.
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