When to Reach for Each Extractor

Fortunately, Kimball Midwest offers various extractors to help you remove a broken fastener, saving you time and your sanity. Our handy guide will help you choose the right extractor for the job.

Left-Hand Drill Bits

A left-hand drill bit is the ideal first step to extracting stuck bolts. Our left-hand drill bits are made specifically to cut into broken fasteners to aid in removal. The reverse rotation can help loosen the fastener, and in some cases can even remove the stuck fastener without the use of the other extractors mentioned below.

We have a selection of left-hand drill bits available across our product families, so we’re sure to have the right one for you:

• Super Primalloy® Maintenance Length Left-Hand Drill
• Super Primalloy® Cryo-Gen "N"™ Maintenance Length Left-Hand Drill Set
• Left-Hand Super Primalloy® Ultra Step Maintenance Length Drill Bit and Extractor Set
• Super Primalloy® Left-Hand Industrial Length Heavy Duty Drill Set

To use:

1. Use a center punch to make an indentation in the center of the fastener.
2. Select a left-hand drill bit roughly 2/3 the size of the fastener you want to remove and install it into a drill with reverse rotation.
3. Center the tip of the drill on the fastener and drill into it, creating a hole deep enough to securely hold an extractor. Even if you can’t remove the fastener using only the drill bit, you now have the hole you need to use the other extractors – and the drill won’t further tighten the stuck fastener like a right hand one can.

Screw Extractors

The Super Primalloy® Double Duty Screw Extractor can be used with right-hand and left-hand threaded fasteners. This extractor has a pointed tip, so it can also be used as a center punch.

For enhanced performance, also consider the SP+ Extractors and Stubby Left-Hand Drill Bit Set.

To use either:

1. After drilling a hole into the fastener, tap the screw extractor into the hole using a hammer.
2. Turn the extractor either clockwise or counterclockwise (depending on the fastener threads), using the wrench of your choice. The flutes will bite in and provide a secure grip for removal.

Spiral Flute Screw Extractors are named for their curved flutes, which dig deeper into the fastener as it resists. A potential issue with these extractors is that they may cause the fastener to expand as they dig in, making it more difficult to remove, but they can make a reliable extraction on all but the most stuck fasteners. 

To use:

1. After drilling a hole into the fastener, tap the screw extractor into the hole using a hammer.
2. Turn the extractor with a wrench to loosen the fastener.

Super Primalloy® SP+ Screw Extractors have straight flutes. Unlike the spiral flute design, they do not dig deeper or apply additional expansion pressure that could hinder extraction.

To use:

1. After drilling a hole into the fastener, tap the screw extractor into the hole using a hammer.
2. Turn the extractor with a wrench to loosen the fastener.

Hex-Out Damaged Socket Screw Extractors are designed to remove stripped socket head screws without the need for drilling.

To use:

1. Tap the extractor into the socket recess with a hammer.
2. Back out the socket screw.

Finally, the 8 Piece SAE Stripped Hex Screw Extractor Socket Set and 9 Piece Metric Stripped Hex Screw Extractor Socket Set bite into stripped hex drive recesses to quickly remove fasteners.

Tap Extractors

If a tap breaks while you’re tapping a hole, you can use an extractor for that, too. Tap Extractors have multiple extendable fingers that slide down into a broken tap’s flutes for a secure grip.

To use:

1. Pick an extractor that matches the size and flute pattern of the tap.
2. Extend the fingers, sliding them into the flutes of the tap.
3. Slide the collar down so fingers grip the tap securely.
4. Spray penetrating oil into the hole and wait a few minutes.
5. Tap the extractor lightly a few times with a hammer.
6. Use a standard tap wrench on the square end of the extractor and twist the extractor back and forth until the tap loosens.
7. Turn the extractor and back the tap out.

With all the options available, you never have to get stuck with a broken fastener or tap. If you need more information about the types of extractors and how to use them, we can help you