Thomson stem- what drill bits should I buy from Halfords? Any tips etc?

I tried using an existing one last night and it just rounded the end of the bit. 😐

Stainless bolts?

HSS bits, low speed high pressure, cutting paste if you have any.

Hora – if you can get a hacksaw into the gap gut the bolt to relive the tension and then you should be easily able to unscrew using a bit of pressure

Not the right thing to do but I’ve had success using tile cutting bits. I’m guessing that any HSS bit you find in Halfords / B&Q will be rubbish.

if you can get a hacksaw into the gap gut the bolt to relive the tension and then you should be easily able to unscrew using a bit of pressure

Hands of steel hora ensured there is no gap 🙁

Can you hammer in a torx bit. That sometimes works

Drill from the opposite side – that way the drill is also trying to unscrew the bolt.

Assuming the bolt is stuck in there due to a rounded Head? Try undoing the bolt with a similar sized torx bit maybe inserted with the help of a hammer. If the thread is seized give it a dose of plus-gas and try again.

If you do have to drill, with the bolt being obviously much tougher than the surrounding stem body the drill will likely wander and I suspect you will need to re-tap the hole at a larger size if you want to re-use the stem.

+1 Ben Cooper, works a treat. Also, possible to do the other stem bolt up tight or tighter than the rounded one?zee

Can you hammer in a torx bit. That sometimes works

+1

A lot less faff then drilling it out

Super glue in a torx key, unscrew

bencooper – Member

Drill from the opposite side – that way the drill is also trying to unscrew the bolt.

Or if drilling from the reverse side is not possible, left handed drill bits have the same effect.

What length is it, as I’ve a 90mm you can have for next-to-nothing.

Left handed drill bits sound like the sort of thing you’d send the new boy off to find on his first day but they do exist 😉 but yeah in this case try the other end of the bolt.

Torq should be first point of call though. I’m assuming it’s the steerer bolt not the faceplate? Is it stuck in a bike currently? If not chucking it in a jar of diesel for a day or so for Ultimate Unseizing could help. Drilling a bolt out is generally harder than just removing it.

I don’t know how you’ve managed to round it off. I mean, its not like you’re constantly removing, replacing, swapping stuff around and constantly dicking around with things, is it really? 😆

Torq should be first point of call though.

To ensure you have the energy to undertake the work? 😉

I’d be trying with a torx, or going in from the back. Matron.

This is why I have a set of these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/trend-pro-grabit-screw-and-bolt-remover-2-pieces/21391

work a treat to fix my ham fistedness

Is this the stem / steerer interface, or the stem / handlebar one?

njee20 – Member

To ensure you have the energy to undertake the work?

Well played!

Centre punch if drilling 😛

Hacksaw a slot in the top and use a screwdriver to ease out. If its rusted in heat it up first with a blowtorch.

If it’s the faceplate bolts then stop if there is any risk of damaging the stem body and consider cutting up the faceplate. You may well have damaged it now anyway if you’ve done it up that tight (it’s not an Easton top lock!) and they are only cheap.

If the bolt is proud then dremel or saw a slot into it, as Fantombiker suggests. If it’s recessed then drill an extra hole and use extractors, like Vanman says.

Drilling it out all the way without damaging the stem is tremendously difficult.

Don’t listen to any of these fannies! What you need is an oxy-acetylene cutter! 😀

Thermal Lance or GTFO.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI5whCBV0bk[/video]

Plenty of options above to try. I take it Hora got hold on a Heckler in the end, or am I already a frame behind?

Pic?

Impact driver, & cold chiseld slot, or torx bit jammed in or anything to get a bit of purchase… But the impact driver is the key to it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-PIECE-PCE-DAMGED-SCREW-EXTRACTOR-CASE-BOLT-SCREW-STUD-REMOVER-EASY-OUT-/160832214896?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item257258d770

It took Evans all of 30secs to extract.

But you’re grateful of all the replies obviously… 😉

Evans ? is he your helpful Welsh friend ?

Evans cycles (National cycle centre Manchester) as with the other Manchester stores has very good and capable mechanics.

^thanks for the above. I called them and they said pop in now? With the extra screw it bobbed out very quickly. 🙂