Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses for removing blind fasteners, portions of blind fasteners, and/or other fasteners from structural assemblies are described herein. In one embodiment, a blind fastener can have a core bolt extending through a passage in a body. One method for removing the blind fastener from a structural assembly in accordance with one aspect of the invention can include removing a head portion from the core bolt, and driving the remaining portion of the core bolt at least partially through the body in a first direction. The method can further include extracting the body from the bore in a second direction opposite to the first direction. In one embodiment, the body can be extracted from the bore by inserting a tool into the passage and engaging the body, and then pulling the body in the second direction with the tool.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses for removing blind fasteners, portions of blind fasteners, and/or other fasteners from structural assemblies are described herein. In one embodiment, a blind fastener can have a core bolt extending through a passage in a body. One method for removing the blind fastener from a structural assembly in accordance with one aspect of the invention can include removing a head portion from the core bolt, and driving the remaining portion of the core bolt at least partially through the body in a first direction. The method can further include extracting the body from the bore in a second direction opposite to the first direction. In one embodiment, the body can be extracted from the bore by inserting a tool into the passage and engaging the body, and then pulling the body in the second direction with the tool.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for locating and drilling pilot holes. Known systems are time-consuming and difficult to carry out and do not reliably result in straight and accurate pilot holes. The invention provides easy and accurate location and drilling and accurate alignment with an initial hole on an inaccessible surface. Clamp jaws (22, 50) are spring loaded into a closed position. Pliers (82) engage jaw (50) and head (64) of a shaft (60) extending through jaw (50) and attached to jaw (22). Pliers (82) are squeezed to move jaw (50) along shaft (60) away from jaw (22). Clamp (22, 50) is placed around a workpiece (10, 8, 15) with a pilot (38) carried by jaw (22) engaging a back surface pilot hole (16). Pliers (82) are released to allow spring (66) on shaft (60) to clamp jaws (22, 50) around workpiece (10, 8, 15). Drill bit (90) is introduced into a bushing (54) in jaw (50).