Broke drill bit in stud

[perrand]

Hello,

I just accidentally broke a drill bit (cheap crap) in a stud in the garage. It will definitely start to rust, but will it affect the wood in any way? So, can I leave it there, or do I need to try to get it out?

 

[haavard]

Isn't it just like several billion nails? (Have you heard about wooden houses rusting away?)

 

[perrand]

Hey, I thought the nails are galvanized, while the drill is just steel...? But maybe it doesn't work that way...

 

[v-g]

No, leave it there to be embarrassed by its fate!

 

[Ola78]

Let it stay, just like haavard writes, no difference compared to having a lot of nails. Moreover, galvanized nails also rust sooner or later. The only potential disadvantage might be that when it rusts, it could possibly drip rust on the beam, but if it's hidden behind something like a drywall, it will never be visible anyway.

 

[Eld]

Older houses are crammed with ungalvanized nails.

 

[-MH-]

Full of *rusty* ungalvanized nails, even.

 

[hheheh]

What level of humidity is required for an ungalvanized nail to rust really? I read about someone who had rusty nail heads on the inside of a plank wall, behind the hardboard.

 

[pappan]

I believe that iron starts to rust at 60% relative humidity.

 

[-MH-]

Nails in the outer wall become colder than the surrounding air, so moisture can condense on them.

 

[KnockOnWood]

Suggestion:

Drill around the broken drill bit with a hole saw approximately 20 mm in diameter a bit down.
Chisel away the wood so you can reach the drill bit with, for example, a polygrip.

// The Perfectionist (in theory) KoW "Back out" the drill bit by turning it counterclockwise.

 

[Blindnit]

Or drill into the drill bit and use a screw extractor.
Alternatively, leave it be since you're guaranteed to be the only one who sees it

 

[Eld]

Fulla med *rostiga* ogalvade spik, till och med.

In my experience, they usually are not rusty at all if they have been indoors, whether in cold or warm spaces. Not more than the occasional spot.

 

[KnockOnWood]

Or drill into the drill...

Have you ever tried drilling into a drill? :wow:

 

[Blindnit]

Have you ever tried drilling into a drill? :wow:

I've never had the need for it, I admit, but according to TS it was a lousy drill, so practically it should work with a better drill