Induction Heater Flameless Tools

[StreetDragster]

Hi All,

I've come across a couple of garages now using induction heaters rather than torches for heating up stuck bolts and they seem like a really good idea.

I'm wary of online reviews, and not sure which tools are the best place for my mo0ney to go.

The go-to seems to be the mini-ductor by induction innovations, but thats some £650-£750 with the induction coils, and additional coils seem pricey at roughly £50 a piece.

then there is a whole host of other options, no name chinese ones, sealey ones, draper ones, some as low as £200, which is a big difference versus the mini ductor.

I'm a hobbist, so my use is expected to be quite light, my alternatives are a MAPP gas blow torch only, i do not have oxyacetelene or propane torches.

Anyone any experiance with these things? What would you recommend?

Thanks

Matt

[Ben_P1]

Personally I’d spend the money on a decent set of impact tools if you don’t already have them. I find these days the only things I end up having to heat are the things I can’t get a socket on such as track rod ends.

I’ll give you an example, recently I rebuilt the calipers on the shogun and the bleed nipples were stuck fast, properly rusted in place. Using a long spanner and applying ever more pressure with the caliper clamped in a vice was just going to snap them. Rather than use heat I hit it with my little Ryobi impact driver with an 8mm socket, light trigger pressure and after a couple of whacks it span undone with ease. This is a little 200nm driver designed for screws not car work but the sudden repeated impact does wonders for stuck bolts.

I have a mix of air and electric tools and while the air tools are more compact the electric ones are just as capable. For example I have a Dewalt DCH899H which is a bit big but every bit as useful as my 1600nm air impact gun. Probably over kill for general car work but great for suspension work on 4x4s.

If I was you I’d buy a decent torch for a can of yellow MAPP gas and spend the rest on impact tools. They’ll save you so much time and effort on every job you use them on.

[steveo3002]

until they get cheaper i will just struggle along , as a home user another hour on the job wont matter too much vs spending £700

[StreetDragster]

Morning chaps,

Alright have air impact tools, but some stuff just needs heat, and alot of it. RX8 lower wishbone rear bushes spring to mind!

Matt

[227bhp]

There was a thread on them not so long ago where someone bought a cheapo Chinese one and it failed, do a search for it.
The Mini Ductors have been copied by the Chinese so watch out. The genuine ones come up on Ebay now and again for good money, I got mine for about £340 brand new with a full set of coils, some guy was offloading quite a few for some reason.
I wouldn't be without it.