eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

Search
Now in the UK!
  1. Home »
  2. Hobbies, Games & Toys »
  3. Crafts »
  4. Jewelry Making »
  5. How to Dissolve a Broken Drill Bit
More Articles Like This
More by This Author
How To

How to Dissolve a Broken Drill Bit

Member
By geltdesigns
User-Submitted Article
(1 Ratings)

So you are drilling a hole while fabricating your art jewelry and the bit broke. Now the bit is stuck in your precious metal jewelry. Relax. The bit can easily be dissolved using alum, a household item sold in the grocery store as a pickling spice.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • pyrex container
  • alum
  1. Step 1
     

    Gather the alum and a pyrex dish that is large enough to hold the jewelry piece that contains the broken bit. Measuring cups work particularly well for this purpose. Fill the dish with warm water.

  2. Step 2
     

    Dissolve one tablespoon of alum per 1/4 cup of water. So if you need a whole cup of water to cover the piece add 4 tablespoons of alum.

  3. Step 3
     

    Allow the piece to soak. The alum solution dissolves ferrous metal. Thus, the solution will eat away at the steel bit without harming the non-ferrous metal, but be aware it may take hours for the bit to be completely dissolved.

Tips & Warnings
  • The warmer the solution the faster the steel will dissolve. You can hasten the process by simmering the solution on a hot plate using Pyrex. You can also suspend the glass jar in an ultrasonic cleaner to hasten the dissolution process.
  • Never use a metal pot with alum, it can damage the pot. use glass only.
  • Never use the alum solution in a piece that contains stones, as it will harm the stones.
  • Alum can be used with non-ferrous metals only (such as gold, silver, brass and copper).
  • Although alum is a pickling spice, it can cause harm if ingested in great quantity. Call poison control if eaten by children or pets.
  • Pots and pans used for jewelry production should not be returned to household use after being used for fabrication.
Resources
Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • See How Others Did It
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Tags
Get Free Hobbies, Games & Toys Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use † and Privacy Policy †.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. † requires javascript

Partner Sites
eHow Home and Garden
eHow_eHow Home and Garden