Colorado Model
Engineering Society
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Removing a broken drill
or tap in
nonferrus metals (brass - aluminum, etc.)
At most any grocery store, buy a box of alum. Select a
glass or ceramic container (made for stove top use) or an aluminum
pot large enough to place your part in so it can be submerged
in water. Remove the part and bring the water up to just below
the boiling point of the water. Add alum until no more will disolve,
then place your part in the solution. Keep the solution at a simmer
and you will soon observe a trail of tiny bubbles coming from
the broken drill/tap. Keep the solution at a simmer and add water
as needed as long as the trail of bubbles continue. When the bubbles
stop, remove the part and let cool for inspection. You should
discover that the steel drill or tap has turned to a rusty mud
which is easily removed from the hole.
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