Why do we torture ourselves?

[Special K]

If you’ve ever turned a wrench, you’ve probably been here.

https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2019/08/22/9-circles-of-automotive-diy-hell

 

[soroush]

what really gets me is that one nut or bolt that just doesnt budge no matter what and turns a 30 minute project into a 5 hour fiasco!

 

[Special K]

Or when you get too excited, break the first bolt off, then calm down and work out the other 5 quickly and have to spend the rest of the afternoon extracting the first bolt you broke... I’ll never learn!

 

[centerpunch]

I bought one of the flameless bolt heaters a few years ago, and while I've only needed it a few times, it is definitely worth it!
.
http://www.theinductor.com/shop/mini-ductor-accessories/mini-ductor-ii-md-700

 

[soroush]

that is a great tool I need one in my arsenal...

 

[mmlcobra]

I need one as well!
Mark

 

[Specracer]

YOU DO, I got one this year and have used it quite a bit. You still need oxy acetylene for bigger stuff, but the induction is fantastic. No more burnt paint, rubber as the flame goes everywhere. Can even split the coils open to use on rusty brake lines.

 

[centerpunch]

Here's part of a video showing uses for larger items, like hubs.

This is a video from a different brand, but it shows them heating part of an iron block to remove a head bolt.

 

[Sinovac]

That’s pretty cool. Is there any danger of damaging aluminum parts with that?

 

[centerpunch]

I think the device has very little affect on non-ferrous metals. But if you heat a steel bolt that's threaded into an aluminum part to cherry red, I'm sure you could damage or even melt the aluminum.

Just like when using a torch, you want to use as little heat as possible. http://www.theinductor.com/inductio...s-heat-hot-tip-for-loosening-frozen-fasteners

You really shouldn't heat bolts until they're red to loosen them, but it does make for dramatic videos!

 

[Stef]

Definitely a great tool, I need one!

 

[2112]

Great tool. I love great tools.

 

[PeteK]

Don't forget the cooling part of the cycle. After heating the offending part(s), hit the inner part with some cold water or air to make it shrink relative to the outer part (focus only on the part, not the surrounding metal). That's what really loosens up the joint.

 

[2112]

Don't forget the cooling part of the cycle. After heating the offending part(s), hit the inner part with some cold water or air to make it shrink relative to the outer part (focus only on the part, not the surrounding metal). That's what really loosens up the joint.

Great suggestion.

Maybe spraying a cotton swab with compressed nitrogen and touching the inner part will help focus the cold directly into the bolt? Even those cans of compressed air for blowing out your computer case will freeze stuff after a few seconds.

 

[PeteK]

Either of those methods works, but a carefully directed water squirt or wet q-tip will work fine too. They might not be as cold as liquid nitrogen, but are much colder than the area you just heated.