Tool Review: GripEdge Tools 14-pc G-FORS Broken Bolt Extractor Set, No. BBX14S

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Q: How did the tool/equipment function as far as saving you time?

A: Whenever you have a bolt or stud broken off in a hole, any tool that will efficiently remove the bolt without damaging the threads in the hole can save you a huge amount of time. If you can’t remove the broken bolt, you have to spend a lot of time drilling out the bolt and re-tapping the threads to hold a new bolt. This tool set did a very good job of removing broken bolts and, therefore, saving time.  

Q: What kind of setup was involved before using the product?

A: There is no setup involved. You simply take the bits and extractors out of the package that they came in and put them to work. 

Q: How easy was it to use?

A: It’s actually very easy to use. The set came with seven different-sized extractors and seven matching-sized left-hand drill bits. You simply find the size extractor that is a little smaller than the bolt that you are trying to remove. You then center punch the broken bolt and drill the correct size hole with the left-hand drill bits. You start with the smaller drill bits and work your way up. After you have the hole drilled to a sufficient depth, you hammer the extractor into the hole and remove the broken bolt. The extractors are bidirectional so that you can work the bolt back and forth to loosen it up. After the bolt is removed, the extractor is equipped with a threaded sleeve that you use to push the remains of the bolt off the extractor. 

Q: How was its packaging? Did it come with any accessories?

A: The packaging is actually very nice. It comes in a hard plastic case with a custom fit liner. There are numbered slots for every extractor and the corresponding left-hand drill bit. Everything is well labeled and securely held in place. There are no accessories included, just the extractors and drill bits. 

Q: Was there a manual included?

A: There is a small manual included as well as a QR Code, which leads to a video on how to use the tools when you scan it. 

Q: What features did you like?

A: This extractor set is very unique compared to others that I’ve used. The flutes on the portion of the extractors that you drive into the hole that you have drilled are straight. They are not tapered, and they are not twisted. Both of these features are very helpful. Being straight, they don’t tend to swell the broken bolt and make it stick even tighter, and it also allows you to twist the bolt both directions to help work it loose. There is also a threaded sleeve on the extractor. After you have the bolt removed from the hole, you turn the sleeve to push the remains of the bolt off the extractor.

Q: What types of jobs/repairs did you use this tool for?

A: I used the extractors to remove broken bolts from cylinder heads, intake manifolds, and axle housings. I even used them to remove a broken-off small pipe in a plumbing project.  

Q: Have you used a previous version of this tool?

A: I have used various bolt extractors before. Most of the ones that I have used have been tapered and/or one-directional. This is a unique approach to the problem. 

Q: Is there any way you could think to improve or add to this tool?    

A: Having additional larger sizes could be useful sometimes. The extractors themselves are warranted, but the drill bits aren’t. Having two drill bits of each size included in the kit could easily save a lot of frustration if one were to break in the middle of a job. 

Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool overall? Why?

A: Probably a solid nine. They are very nice, and definitely something different from what I have ever used before. They are definitely a time saver in the right situation, and unfortunately, we all know that we’re going to run into a broken bolt sometime. If you can get that broken bolt out in a reasonable length of time without too much frustration, it definitely helps the day go better.