Drilling out stainless steel bolts.

[ChasB]

A quick thanks for all the tips.

It took well over an hour and I ruined a whole set of titanium tipped drill bits to drill out one bolt! But it's done.

Two problems: stopping the drill veering off to the side (virtually impossible); and avoiding damaging the cleat already there (I had to drill through it).

 

[rogerthebodger]

To help stop the drill veering off to the side, take a thick piece of steel (thickness same as drill dia) drill a hole in it the sane dia as drill bit you wish to use, align it above the stud/bolt to be drilled out, clamp it in place and use to guide the drill.

Trick always with stainless is slow speed and lots of pressure.