How to Use Easy Out Set? | Extract Broken Fasteners

If you need to know how to use an easy out set, the basic process takes just a few steps: center-punch the broken fastener, drill a hole at the right size, tap in the extractor, and turn it counterclockwise. The reverse-threaded design grips tighter as you turn left, pulling the stuck screw or bolt out. An easy out set is one of those tools you hope you never need — but when a bolt head snaps off flush with the surface, it’s exactly what saves the job.

What an Easy Out Set Does and How It Works

An easy out set — also called a screw extractor set — is designed for damaged, stripped, broken, or seized metal fasteners. A typical set includes left-hand drill bits and spiral-fluted extractors, sometimes with a tap handle or wrench adapter. The left-hand bits earn their keep on their own: because they spin in reverse, they sometimes grab a broken fastener and back it out before you reach for an extractor at all.

The extractor’s reverse-thread design is the core of the system. When you turn it counterclockwise, the threads bite into the hole you drilled and force the fastener to follow. Each extractor size is matched to a specific drill bit size, and getting the pairing right matters. Milwaukee Tool’s extractor set documentation stresses using the correct matched pair for each fastener size. Use the wrong bit and the extractor won’t grip, leaving you with a broken fastener and a ruined hole.

These sets work on metal fasteners only. They are not guaranteed on every fastener — hardened steel bolts and fasteners rusted through their full length can defeat even the best technique.

How to Use an Easy Out Set Step by Step

The procedure rewards careful preparation. Follow this order for the best chance of success:

1. File or grind the broken surface flat so the center punch has something solid to bite into.
2. Put on safety glasses and place paper or a rag underneath to catch metal shavings and debris.
3. Center-punch the exact center of the broken fastener. This step is not optional — an off-center punch sends the drill bit into the surrounding material and ruins the hole.
4. Drill a hole using the matching drill bit from the set, running the drill in reverse at low speed. The left-hand bit’s reverse rotation can sometimes back the fastener out without an extractor.
5. Insert the extractor into the hole and tap it gently with a hammer until it seats firmly.
6. Turn the extractor counterclockwise with a wrench or tap handle. The extractor tightens as you turn left, and the fastener should follow it out.

When it works, you’ll feel the fastener release and start turning. If the extractor just spins, the hole may be too shallow or the extractor too small for that fastener. For stubborn fasteners, apply penetrating oil and let it sit 15–20 minutes before trying again. Heat from a small torch can also break the bond on rusted threads — keep it away from fuel lines, wiring, or anything flammable.

If you’re looking for a reliable set, our tested roundup of the best easy out sets covers which kits offer the most useful size range and the best build quality for typical shop and garage work.

Common Mistakes and When an Easy Out Won’t Work

Most easy-out failures trace back to one of these errors:

• Off-center drilling — the most common problem. A misaligned hole leaves no room for the extractor to grip.
• Drilling too fast — high speed generates heat that hardens the broken fastener, making it nearly impossible to drill further.
• Using a power drill instead of a hand wrench for the final turn. Extractor sets are designed for manual tools; a power drill usually snaps the extractor off inside the hole.
• Drilling too deep — you only need enough depth for the extractor to bite. Going deeper risks damaging the threads in the surrounding material.
• Skipping the center punch — without a punch mark, the drill bit wanders on a slick broken surface.
• Using the wrong extractor-drill pair — every extractor has one matching drill bit; mixing them up guarantees failure.

Even with perfect technique, an easy out set has limits. It may not work on hardened steel fasteners (such as grade 8 bolts), fasteners rusted through their full length, or fasteners in holes where the surrounding threads have already stripped. In those cases, drilling out the entire fastener and re-tapping the hole is the next option.

FAQs

Can you use an easy out set with an impact driver?

Most extractor sets are designed for manual turning only and can snap if used with an impact driver. Some manufacturers now offer impact-rated extractors — check the packaging or documentation before using one on a power tool.

What size drill bit do you use with an easy out?

Each easy out set provides matched drill bit and extractor pairs. There is no single universal size — you use the bit that comes with that specific extractor in the kit. Mixing bits and extractors from different sets usually leads to poor grip or a broken extractor.