Best tool for removing broken bolts?

The best way to deal with broken bolts is to prevent them of course :)

I always found WD40 to be a good solution.
Try to spray as much of as possible it between the bolt and the hole, and wait for a couple of minutes. Then apply some more WD40 and try to unbolt the bolt

If the bolt is wide enough, maybe you could drill a hole in it, thread it with left winding thread, and insert a left threaded piece of steel. I know you can buy threaded rods in all sizes, and they are not too expensive.

Then lock the rod in an electric screwdriver / drill and have it rotate left. Gently build up the torque because otherwise you will damage the threads.
Also apply lots of WD40 in advance.

Can we assume access to both ends of the bolt or not?

You can consider Walton extractors for larger bolts. Unfortunately I haven't found any other extractors worth using. Maybe some left-threaded taps would work?

You can find Walton's at http://www.wttool.com/category-exec/category_id/15711 and http://www.wttool.com/category-exec/category_id/15712. Hope this helps.

I was checking out the Acklands-Grainger catalogue for work and found some fairly high end screw extractor kits in their paper catalogue. I know they are owned by a US company, so you may look at their parent company's catalogue.
http://www.acklandsgrainger.com/AGIP...do?language=en
Found 2 sets that may be of interest to you:
Alden Corporation -- standard design extractors
adn4017p (4 pieces)
adn7017p (7pc)
adn4507p (4pc)

Irwin (head grippers)
Bolt grip irw394001

The model numbers come from the AG catalogue but they probably correspond to the manufacturers' model numbers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruno

The best way to deal with broken bolts is to prevent them of course :)

I always found WD40 to be a good solution.
Try to spray as much of as possible it between the bolt and the hole, and wait for a couple of minutes. Then apply some more WD40 and try to unbolt the bolt

If the bolt is wide enough, maybe you could drill a hole in it, thread it with left winding thread, and insert a left threaded piece of steel. I know you can buy threaded rods in all sizes, and they are not too expensive.

Then lock the rod in an electric screwdriver / drill and have it rotate left. Gently build up the torque because otherwise you will damage the threads.
Also apply lots of WD40 in advance.

Can we assume access to both ends of the bolt or not?

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In my line of work you can't assume anything and have to be ready for any eventuality! All advice is appreciated! I have, however picked up two different styles of easyouts from a Snap-on truck I chased down the other day! I rarely use Snap-on, but they have a superb reputation so I thought I would give it a shot!

Thanks everyone!

A small shaped charge usually does the trick for me...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

I was checking out the Acklands-Grainger catalogue for work and found some fairly high end screw extractor kits in their paper catalogue. I know they are owned by a US company, so you may look at their parent company's catalogue.
http://www.acklandsgrainger.com/AGIP...do?language=en
Found 2 sets that may be of interest to you:
Alden Corporation -- standard design extractors
adn4017p (4 pieces)
adn7017p (7pc)
adn4507p (4pc)

Irwin (head grippers)
Bolt grip irw394001

The model numbers come from the AG catalogue but they probably correspond to the manufacturers' model numbers.

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Thanks! I use Grainger all the time! and own a set of the Irwin that you mention!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kasperitis

A small shaped charge usually does the trick for me...

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You mean explosives? A lot of the equipment some of my customers expect me to fix would definitely benifit from this approach!:w

Yeh. Finding a reliable source can be tricky at times, though.

You also have to be mindful of the "cone of danger" as I refer to it. Don't let small children or animals near that area. It doesn't turn out well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JMS

In my line of work you can't assume anything and have to be ready for any eventuality! All advice is appreciated! I have, however picked up two different styles of easyouts from a Snap-on truck I chased down the other day! I rarely use Snap-on, but they have a superb reputation so I thought I would give it a shot!

Thanks everyone!

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DAM!!!

I was going to suggest Snap-On :(

PuFF

snap on is good stuff !!!:tu