Restoring antique plow - need to remove rusted nuts/bolts - how much heat?

[RickB]

The idea behind heating something is to expand it enough to move it. More heat may not help. You do want the nut warmed and expanded, before the bolt can. Does that make sense?

More BTU's is always helpful. That's how the nut gets heated and expands before the bolt. The longer you screw around with low heat the hotter the bolt gets along with the nut.

 

[fried1765]

Have you tried soaking with penetrating oil? Kano Kroil is a good one, soak it, come back and soak it again, and then again, over several days. Once you break the bolt or nut loose you can usually spin it the rest of the way off by hand. Great stuff.

Kano Kroil -- only!
The others are not as good!

 

[Phil Timmons]

Sometimes a Cold Chisel and hammer is just faster and easier.
You just split the nut, or even take it right off.
Not like you can really re-use the Bolt and Nut, anyway.
WEAR GOGGLES AND GLOVES for this.

 

[CalG]

I use the propane torch all the time for rusted nuts on bolts.
Sufficient heat to drive off the chemically bound water in the rust. Red heat is not needed, but close.
When propane doesn't work, is when the heat is being carried off either by too much structure around, or air flow. I keep a few fire bricks and some heavy duty aluminum foil handy to help out.

Often enough, The O/A torch needs to come out. Saves a lot of time . "Soaking with kroil" just takes too long.

 

[bcp]

if you are replacing the bolts and can get a good grip on both ends, use long wrenches and break the bolt.

Bruce

 

[rangerfredbob]

some penetrating oil and heat (one or two propane torches) has been enough on most of the farm stuff I've worked on, the rust on that isn't as bad as on rusty cars, if it is the bolts just break so get new ones...

 

[K5lwq]

As my good buddy that past use to say this is some good S**t! It really is some of the best stuff I ever have used. I always have a can handy.

If this does not work, hammer and chisel.

 

[Doughknob]

A propane torch won't get the bolt hot enough to do any good. If penetrating oil and / or an impact wrench won't do the job, shear off the nut or bolt head with a chisel and punch out the bolt. Use care not to damage the surface.

But i have used my propane torch many times where it Did help?

 

[4570Man]

If an impact won’t work cut them off with a torch. If you don’t have a torch use a grinder.

 

[fried1765]

I use the propane torch all the time for rusted nuts on bolts.
Sufficient heat to drive off the chemically bound water in the rust. Red heat is not needed, but close.
When propane doesn't work, is when the heat is being carried off either by too much structure around, or air flow. I keep a few fire bricks and some heavy duty aluminum foil handy to help out.

Often enough, The O/A torch needs to come out. Saves a lot of time . "Soaking with kroil" just takes too long.

"Soaking with Kroil".... takes just the right amount of time,.... if the rusted nut is near a flammable liquid like gasoline, or a gasoline hose!