Bolt Question - Sticky nuts problem

[zzsprade]

I am having a particular problem undoing a whole series of bolts holding my cabinet together.

First off they have probably not been undone in nearly 20 years.

As a result the nut seems to be 'stuck' on each of the bolts

The problem is that the bolt itself is a round head type and as a result can not provide a counter leverage to get it undone. If you grip the nut itself and try to hold the end of the bolt it just keeps spinning around and around.

I have tried WD-40 and other lubricants to try to unseize it.

My concern is that there are so many in the cabinet I need to find an effective way to take each of them off.

Any ideas?


-Alex

[whynotpizza]

How about trying to use a metal-cutting grinding wheel/stone to CUT off the NUT side completely?

Although this might be tricky if the bolts are flush against the inside of the cabinet.

A dremel tool with the wheel bit might work best, or maybe a wheel which attaches to a hand drill might also be good.

Make sure to wear safety glasses.

Good luck.

   David

[fatfingers]

You said sticky nuts!!   

[NightGod]

Instead of cutting them off, buy a nut splitter. It's a device designed to break the nuts off of bolts, definately alot safer than attacking it with a Dremel.

[johnm160]

If the bolt sticks out past the nut anwhere near as far as in your illustration you can grab the back end with a pair of vice grips. I will screw up the back couple of thread where you clamp on but by that time you will usually just be able to snap them off with a back and forth rocking motion pretty easily.

[londonbabe]

Or try adding a couple of nuts on the end to lock against each other, giving you something to apply counter-force to when you undo the one at the top.

[spystyle]

Using a dremmel with cutting disk -

Try cutting a slot into the top of the carriage bolt - this will turn it into a "flathead screw" instead of a carriage bolt. Then you can use a large flathead screwdriver to hold it while you back the nut off.

I use this method to remove phillips head wood screws that have become stripped. (Wood screws strip so easily, that's why I love drywall screws)

Cheers,
Craig

[fatfingers]

Using a dremmel with cutting disk -

Try cutting a slot into the top of the carriage bolt - this will turn it into a "flathead screw" instead of a carriage bolt. Then you can use a large flathead screwdriver to hold it while you back the nut off.

I use this method to remove phillips head wood screws that have become stripped. (Wood screws strip so easily, that's why I love drywall screws)

Cheers,
Craig

Now if this isn't one of the smartest ideas I've ever heard of...

[spystyle]

thx :)

[severdhed]

Using a dremmel with cutting disk -

Try cutting a slot into the top of the carriage bolt - this will turn it into a "flathead screw" instead of a carriage bolt. Then you can use a large flathead screwdriver to hold it while you back the nut off.

I use this method to remove phillips head wood screws that have become stripped. (Wood screws strip so easily, that's why I love drywall screws)

Cheers,
Craig

another vote for this method.  My marquee retainer was held in with those security torx screws that require the hollow torx bits, i just used a dremmel and made then slotted screws, works fine every time.

[GoPodular.com]

Or try adding a couple of nuts on the end to lock against each other, giving you something to apply counter-force to when you undo the one at the top.

That how I'd do it.

Tighten the red and blue nuts together, then put a wrench on the red and the yellow.

[CheffoJeffo]

Using a dremmel with cutting disk -

Try cutting a slot into the top of the carriage bolt - this will turn it into a "flathead screw" instead of a carriage bolt. Then you can use a large flathead screwdriver to hold it while you back the nut off.

I use this method to remove phillips head wood screws that have become stripped. (Wood screws strip so easily, that's why I love drywall screws)

Cheers,
Craig

Now if this isn't one of the smartest ideas I've ever heard of...

Although the square neck of a carrage bolt may pose a problem in turning the bolt.

Cheers.

[spystyle]

I wasn't telling him to turn the bolt, I was telling him to hold the bolt with a flathead screwdriver and turn the nut

[CheffoJeffo]

Yep, you did ... -1 on my reading comprehension skills.  Mea Culpa.



Cheers.

[spystyle]

Groovy good buddy :)

[zzsprade]

You guys seriously amaze me with how ingenius some of the ways you come up to do things.

I am sorry I haven't responded sooner... I was a little caught up with something this week.

Tomorrow I will sit down and have a go at some of everyone's suggestions to see how they work. Fingers crossed.

It was also suggested to me this week to try an Ezy Out if anyone has ever heard of them. That may be the Australian name but essentially a pilot hole is drilled into the head of a bolt and the ezy out is 'gently screwed inside'. As it features a reverse thread you can just screw the bolt out. A bit of an overkill if you ask me compared to some of the ways you guys have come up with.

[shardian]

You guys seriously amaze me with how ingenius some of the ways you come up to do things.

I am sorry I haven't responded sooner... I was a little caught up with something this week.

Tomorrow I will sit down and have a go at some of everyone's suggestions to see how they work. Fingers crossed.

It was also suggested to me this week to try an Ezy Out if anyone has ever heard of them. That may be the Australian name but essentially a pilot hole is drilled into the head of a bolt and the ezy out is 'gently screwed inside'. As it features a reverse thread you can just screw the bolt out. A bit of an overkill if you ask me compared to some of the ways you guys have come up with.

I don't think those will work in this specific case. Either way, EZ-outs aren't exactly cheap.

[NightGod]

A $8 nut splitter would take 1/3rd the time and have none of the risk and frustration of all the other suggestions, but feel free to ice skate uphill if ya feel the need to...

[spystyle]

I've never heard of that, but I found one for less than $8 shipped

http://www.graveyardmall.com/3pcdascrenut.html

But if he has the means to use one of the mentioned methods it would be quicker than going out and buying a nut splitter.

I speak on behalf of the microwave generation, we want it in 2 mins!

Cheers,
Craig

[shardian]

I've never heard of that, but I found one for less than $8 shipped

http://www.graveyardmall.com/3pcdascrenut.html

But if he has the means to use one of the mentioned methods it would be quicker than going out and buying a nut splitter.

I speak on behalf of the microwave generation, we want it in 2 mins!

Cheers,
Craig

Very interesting. I've never seen standard screwdriver type screw removers. Unfortunately, shipping would be $6.99, and it would still take 8 days at that price. Not so fast, my friend!