Just like treblig said....the easy-out is hardened steel. I had the same thing happen to me. I took a thin punch to it and it shattered. Then was able to drill out the rest
If he does try the pointed punch on the easy out I can't stress enough to use a face shield. One time I was doing this with safety goggles and I hit the easy out with the punch and a small piece of metal pierced a hole thru my ear lobe. It felt like someone had punched me in the face (lots of impact). I had to pull the piece of metal out of the backside of my ear lobe because it was sticking out and wouldn't go back the way it came in.
Same goes with the carbide burr on a die grinder. The extremely hard carbide burr can and will break off at high speed and bury itself in a place you may not enjoy!!!!
LESSON LEARNED!!!
