[hairyapple]

I just can't sit by while certain members, who shall be nameless, besmirch the venerable easy out without defending it's vital role in removing a broken stud. I have been using them in all sorts of situations over the past 48+- years and have always found them to work well WHEN USED PROPERLY. If the stud in question was so rusted that the bolt head sheared off, why would anyone think that an ease out would somehow magically remove that same stud without first attempting to dissolve that bond. A few tips-use as big an ease out as you can, start the drilling process with a small pilot hole then move up to that max size. The removal of the core of the bolt will allow the threads to flex a bit making removal easier, try some "liquid wrench" first if available-if the area to be dismantled is accessible and the condition questionable (say you're about to remover the exhaust down pipe from the header), apply the l/w a few times in the days preceding the work as it will make a difference, heating with any torch should be done with great care especially if the surrounding area is cast iron-remember the friction from the act of drilling will produce quite a bit of heat anyway. And last of all BE PATIENT & use common sense. If an ease out is beginning to torque that's a clue that the tool is close to failing. Last of all, locate a heli-coil distributor in your area-just in case.