Heat for rusty or difficult bolts

[Tommie38]

Home mechanic, so sadly no access to welding gear or a compressor. In years gone by I have relied on a combination of Plusgas, breaker bars and a battery powered impact to loosen rusty or difficult bolts.

I see a lot of mechanics online using heat. What is the mot convenient source of heat in a home garage? Butane canister with an valved handle of some kind?

Would be good to know what others do.

[Rich1973]

A quick and dirty Google shows you can get an induction coil for less than £40. Temu mind so who knows if it's any good.

[RustyNissanPrairie]

Rothenberger superfire plumbers torch and a MAP gas cylinder.

Get the fastener red hot then quench with Wurth Rost off (freezing spray) or equivilent. Will loosen pretty much anything.

[E-bmw]

I have a map gas torch which works pretty well, I have even silver-soldered with it.

Cheap as chips.

ETA.
Just found it after posting.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/GoSystem-Torch-Black-Buta...

Edited by E-bmw on Friday 30th January 15:44

[Belle427]

RustyNissanPrairie said:

Rothenberger superfire plumbers torch and a MAP gas cylinder.

Get the fastener red hot then quench with Wurth Rost off (freezing spray) or equivilent. Will loosen pretty much anything.

I would agree, initial outlay is high for the torch but used one for years. Not tried the spray though.

[Richard-D]

E-bmw said:

I have a map gas torch which works pretty well, I have even silver-soldered with it.

Cheap as chips.

ETA.
Just found it after posting.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/GoSystem-Torch-Black-Buta...

That's not MAPP gas, that's propane/butane.

The clue is the big writing on the side that says propane/butane

[Lefty]

I use one of these





You can get electric induction heaters now that are meant to be great but I’ve never used one

[eltax91]

Lefty said:

I use one of these





You can get electric induction heaters now that are meant to be great but I ve never used one

Have this setup too. Works well. Heat up. Drown in plugs gas and hit it with the impact. Managed to get two particularly difficult pinch bolts out my boxster yesterday.

I’ve not yet gone to the expense of the induction heater yet. Maybe one day when a good one isn’t hundreds

[InitialDave]

I have a MAPP gas blowtorch and an induction heater.

The induction heater's main advantage is not having to worry about what else is in the firing line when using it, so good for very localised heating of a bolt head in situ when there's plastics and rubber etc nearby.

Not so helpful when taking a break for a contemplative cigar however.

[InitialDave]

eltax91 said:

Have this setup too. Works well. Heat up. Drown in plugs gas and hit it with the impact.

Yes, I mainly use PBlaster, but same approach. Smokes a lot, but effective.

[vw_99]

Dunno if it has been luck or not. But the little kitchen blowtorch things have worked. Smaller flame but more accurate. Then heat and cool with wd40 etc a few times has always worked.

[E-bmw]

Richard-D said:

E-bmw said:

I have a map gas torch which works pretty well, I have even silver-soldered with it.

Cheap as chips.

ETA.
Just found it after posting.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/GoSystem-Torch-Black-Buta...

That's not MAPP gas, that's propane/butane.

The clue is the big writing on the side that says propane/butane

Slip of the finger.... OOOO ERRR!

[Tommie38]

Looks like a can of butane and a screw on handle is the way to play it as a starter.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[eltax91]

Tommie38 said:

Looks like a can of butane and a screw on handle is the way to play it as a starter.

Thanks for the suggestions.

No. Don’t waste your time with butane unless you’re making crème brûlée or starting the log burner.

MAPP and a plumbers torch.

[kestral]

One of these. The addition of the oxgen increases the temp.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235505572243?_trksid=p4...