My neighbor insisted I use a propane torch on a rusted bolt, and it actually worked after three tries

3 comments

3 Comments

Okay, but "patience is key"? Come on, Karenm49, it's a rusty bolt, not a peace treaty. You make it sound like we're doing open heart surgery with that heat and oil cycle. Sometimes a good whack with a hammer after it's hot does the same thing in half the time.

the_jennifer1d ago

Saw my buddy try the hammer method on a stuck caliper bolt last week. He ended up snapping the head clean off and had to drill it out. That extra cycle of oil and heat Karen mentioned would've saved him a whole weekend.

karenm4913d ago

Totally believe it. Heat makes the metal expand and break the rust's grip. The trick is getting it hot enough without wrecking the surrounding parts. I always follow up with a good penetrating oil while it's still cooling down, that sizzle means it's sucking the oil right in. Sometimes you gotta cycle between heat and oil a few times for really stubborn ones. Patience is key, but man it feels good when that bolt finally turns.

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