Doors and Windows - broken drill bit in window...

While trying to drill some small holes in my aluminum exterior windows to put some security pins in (we've had some burgularies recently), the drill bit broke inside the window and now I can neither remove the embedded bit nor open the window. Anybody had a similar issue and had any luck removing the bit?

Thanks.

What size bit is it?

Are you able get at it with a vise grip? If you can, twist it counterclockwise.

Thanks guys! The drill bit, if I remember is in the smaller range (9/64 or 1/8 I think). Also the drill bit buried in there, so the vise grip won't work...

Still, great idea, thanks for the attempt!

hmmm i would say get a new bit and redrill where it stuck itll probable fall out. Do you have a pic?

Doncha just love skinny bits?? sorry.... I can envision your situation but can't come up with any standard method of correcting it. You're gonna have to get creative - to remove the stuck bit without ruining the window frame (security pin installation, right?). Somehow - you've going to have to drill a hole big enough to reach inside of to remove the stuck bit - and do so without ruining the window frame/glass. Without seeing it in person - I can't make any specific recommendations. I'm guessing that you might (might?) be able to get a small hole saw (small enough not to ruin your frame/glass) and drill out enough of the frame to get a bite on the stuck bit to pull it out.

You might (again - might) be able to drill in from the other side in an attempt to find/remove the offending POS (I'm sure you've called it worse since it happened)..

Good luck --

I'll try taking a picture tonight and posting it. I'm not sure if it will be very helpful but it's worth a try. Thanks!

Here is where the real creativity sets in....... I assume you still have the other half of the broken bit in your possession (the part that was left in the drill after you finished cursing:mad: ). Look to find a piece of stiff tubing that will fit over the end of the bit snuggly. I am thinking off the top of my head of a piece of 1/4" OD copper tubing. You can pinch it to fit more snuggly and follow the natural groves in the bit to make a little custom wrench.

Drill a slightly larger hole in the window (big enough to fit the tubing in). Stick in a screw driver and "muscle" the bit side to side a bit. It is in an aluminum window, so chances are that you can loosen up the bit a tad by moving it side to side in the soft metal. Take your custom wrench and see of you can get a grip on the bit and back it out.

I would experiment with the other half of the bit first before making your larger hole. Look around the house, you may find other items than copper tubing that may work, such as on old ballpoint pen casing, etc.

Another thought, if only a little of the bit broke off, you may be able to take a nail set and pound the bit all the way into the other window frame enough to clear it and open the window up.

Keep up posted......

Here are a couple images:

http://idesygn.com/guest/FileTransfer/drillbit001.jpg

http://idesygn.com/guest/FileTransfer/drillbit_003.jpg

Thanks!

You may have another problem. That white plastic piece, sash guide, is used to retain the balance. You have drilled through it and it probably split or will in time.

Looks like from the picture that you may be able to grab the bit with needle nose pliers or maybe even needle nose vise grips.