All,
Being some what anally retentive I have a tool-care question. I have some spade bits that came w/ a kit that have a removeable point in the middle of the bit. It may be removed by using a hex wrench. I took the points out but now the hollow shaft which the point sets in is filled w/ wood and I would like to get it out. I am contemplating soaking the head of the bit in water for awhile to loosen the wood but before I take any action I wanted to post my problem here.
If anyone has encountered this problem and has a solution I am all ears.
Thanks in advance,
dlb
“I am not suprized by what I see, only by what I don’t”
Replies
Soaking certainly does soften most woods. Couldn't hurt. Might even swell up enough to push some of the wood out.
I think I would have a go at it with a piece of wire heated red hot with a torch. It would be hot enough to char the would, but wouldn't contain enough heat to affect the hardness of the bit. It would probably take many applications.
Another possibility would be to take a piece of fairly stiff wire, mutilate the end of the with pliers or something so it's got sharp points on it and use it in a drill with left hand rotation. The bits of wood will have some tendency to unscrew themselves out of the hole.
You've probably already figured this out, but if you want to use this bit without the point, put a setscrew in the hole.
You need some termites my friend.
Never seen the like but I wouldn't soak it in water. The fibres would swell and pack tighter, IMHO. If you place it over the gas flame on the stove, it'll turn to ash and you can shake the ash out.
Turn a screw in that is smaller than the screw point, this will push the wood out when the screw bottoms out.This usually works, if not pull the screw out with a claw hammer and most of the wood will come out.