Screw extractor - Pilot hole size and which size extractor to use

[mickyd]

I was just watching a contractor install hinges on a wooden door jamb in my office. He used THE EXACT TOOL I needed to find the centers of those #%^&#%^% screws that were snapped off. It is called a "self centering hinge bit". They look like this:

http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/MS-4050/Self-Centering-Hinge-Bit-Set--5-pc

They are used in applications where you need to find the exact center when you have a countersunk hole to pilot off from, just like the ER's fence guide bar that mounts over the snapped screws.
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The end of the tool self centers then drills the hole. It would have made a perfect centering tool!! :mad: I wouldn't have spent $60 for a set but may have considered $35 thru Amazon.

Any of you woodworkers have these for installing hinges, tracks etc.??

[Ed in Tampa]

I have a set of the self centering bits. Again I would have never thought to use them this way.
You can get them at Sears, set of three fairly cheap. Woodcraft, Rockler, Lee Valley most any good wood working store.

Some are made to come apart and others just allow you to change the bit. I'm not sure which is the best.

Again congratulations I would have ordered the tables probably.

[dusty]

Are these self centering bits appropriate for use on metal? I have three different sizes but I would never have thought to use them for this task.

Maybe the bits are no different than my collection of HSS twist bits which I use on metal without a second thought.

I'll have to catalog this one. I might sacrifice a self centering bit to avoid what Mike has just gone through.

[dusty]

Well I'll be darned. My self centering hinge bits have replaceable twist bits. Thank you, Mike. This has been a lesson learned for me.

[mickyd]

Well I'll be darned. My self centering hinge bits have replaceable twist bits. Thank you, Mike. This has been a lesson learned for me.
Your very welcome. That's why were all here dusty. Share, share, share....