Drill bit Breakage

[RCRNR]

I am new to owning a wsr business in the past I worked for a wsr and did approx. 2-3 k windshields. The only problem I had with them was once a drill bit broke in the windshield. If not accessible with needle nose how can one remove the broken bit just in case this ever happens again.

[screenman]

Sometimes you cannot remove it, just make sure it never happens.

[Nomad]

You can try a magnet.

[Brent Deines]

You can also drill down beside it, just a little at the surface, which will often allow you to wiggle it around a bit and get hold of it with your needle nose pliers or tweezers. The result is a larger hole but it will still look better than leaving the bur in place and will allow you to properly complete the repair.

If you leave it in the hold you cannot fill the hole with resin, it will not look good at all, and it may stick up high enough to catch on the windshield wiper. It really needs to come out.

Most importantly, so you know why it broke? Often it has to do with poor technique, a dull bur, or both, but most of the time is is because you drilled too deep, fully penetrating the first layer of glass. When that happens the bur bids up in the hole, just as when you are drilling through a piece of steel.

If you are using a ball end bur you can drill straight in but if you are using a tapered bur, which drills faster and lasts longer, I recommend you wobble the drill around a bit as you are drilling in and always use a sharp bur. If you have to press hard it's probably time to change your bur.

[screenman]

You could upsell it as a steel reinforced repair, only kidding.

[Brent Deines]

Why didn't I think of that...you're a genius!

[screenman]

I know