Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #21
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    Default Re: Broken a Drill Bit Off in an Aluminium Lower

    If the lower isn't anodized, boiling it in a solution of water and aluminum sulfate (alum) will dissolve the drill bit. Unfortunately, it will remove anodizing. Don't use a steel pot, as it will dissolve that too.
    Boy, I say boy, you're reaching the limits of my medication!

  2. #22
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    Default Re: Broken a Drill Bit Off in an Aluminium Lower

    Sonofabitch! THAT ^^^ would have made this thread WAY more interesting than "Hey guys, I got it out."

    I called to check my ZIP CODE!....DY-NO-MITE!!!

  3. #23
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    Default Re: Broken a Drill Bit Off in an Aluminium Lower

    Quote Originally Posted by Gripsafety View Post
    If the lower isn't anodized, boiling it in a solution of water and aluminum sulfate (alum) will dissolve the drill bit. Unfortunately, it will remove anodizing. Don't use a steel pot, as it will dissolve that too.
    How it is on body parts? Asking for a friend, of course.
    Gender confusion is a mental illness

  4. #24
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    Default Re: Broken a Drill Bit Off in an Aluminium Lower

    Quote Originally Posted by Walleye Hunter View Post
    How it is on body parts? Asking for a friend, of course.
    I'm not sure what concentration of sulfuric acid can be obtained this way, but you don't want it on your skin.
    Boy, I say boy, you're reaching the limits of my medication!

  5. #25
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    Lanc County, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: Broken a Drill Bit Off in an Aluminium Lower

    Did the OP ever fix this issue? I'll have to HIGHLY advise against any acid soaks. Also, the person who suggested soaking in alum (aluminum sulfate) is completely wrong. That won't do anything as aluminum is much more reactive than iron/steel. There's really no acid that's going to eat the drill and not the receiver. Best option is to find an EDM or waterjet cutter.

    If the OP reads this and still has it, PM me, I'm working on an EDM.

  6. #26
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    Default Re: Broken a Drill Bit Off in an Aluminium Lower

    Quote Originally Posted by tankman1989 View Post
    Did the OP ever fix this issue? I'll have to HIGHLY advise against any acid soaks. Also, the person who suggested soaking in alum (aluminum sulfate) is completely wrong. That won't do anything as aluminum is much more reactive than iron/steel. There's really no acid that's going to eat the drill and not the receiver. Best option is to find an EDM or waterjet cutter.

    If the OP reads this and still has it, PM me, I'm working on an EDM.
    He solved it WAAYYYYY back on page two of this extensive, three page thread.

    I called to check my ZIP CODE!....DY-NO-MITE!!!

  7. #27
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    Default Re: Broken a Drill Bit Off in an Aluminium Lower

    Quote Originally Posted by tankman1989 View Post
    Did the OP ever fix this issue? I'll have to HIGHLY advise against any acid soaks. Also, the person who suggested soaking in alum (aluminum sulfate) is completely wrong. That won't do anything as aluminum is much more reactive than iron/steel. There's really no acid that's going to eat the drill and not the receiver. Best option is to find an EDM or waterjet cutter.

    If the OP reads this and still has it, PM me, I'm working on an EDM.
    If you do a little searching, you'll find a lot of people reporting on the internet that they've used this method and it works.

  8. #28
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    Default Re: Broken a Drill Bit Off in an Aluminium Lower

    Quote Originally Posted by t1066 View Post
    If you do a little searching, you'll find a lot of people reporting on the internet that they've used this method and it works.
    I've successfully used it, and have also used nitric acid to loosen up broken taps in mild steel. Our machine shop foreman always had a small bottle of nitric acid in a locked cabinet.
    Boy, I say boy, you're reaching the limits of my medication!

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