The Simplest things are hard...

Bardo · #1 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007

Well, this may sound stupid, but....Anyone have a good trick for getting the *%*$#^& nut off of the **^((* bolt? I am removing stanchions for deck refinishing and on three separate base plates there is one stinking nut that I cannot break loose. I am setting vice grips on the nut below and honking on the screw head with the biggest screw driver the slot will take. I have applied WD-40 to the nuts. I wire brushed them in case there was some kind of corrosion holding them. No Joy. My next thought is a sawzall. Any other ideas before I get powered up?
Thanks,
Freeman

TrueBlue · #2 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007

I bought a set of Nut-Busters a few years ago - worth their weight in gold.

AjariBonten · #3 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007

Probably nut, errrr not.

Sounds like Sawz-All might be it.............

sailingfool · #4 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007

See Cameraderie's post in this thread http://www.sailnet.com/forums/catalina/37916-frozen-deck-fitting.html

SimonV · #5 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007

Your can heat it (not to much), Loctite has a new product in a can to freeze the nut, if all else fails invest in a nut spliter there not expensive. Good luck.

rheaton · #6 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007

I believe there is a tool called a nut cracker. You put this over the nut and tighten down. It will cut through the nut. You should fine this at a good hardware or automotive store. You could also tap the side of the nut with a chisel. Both approaches would destroy the nut. A saws all would work, but you could damage something else if you slip. Good luck.

thekeip · #7 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007

Sometimes the vicegrips can get a nice hold on the screw head as well as the nut...and are much more effective than a screwdriver.
Howard Keiper
Berkeley

TrueBlue · #8 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007

This pair of nut splitters only cost 8.00 - anyone ever use one?

At times when side access would damage adjacent finishes, or spaces are too tight, I've had to resort to drilling through the screwhead with a high speed bit slightly larger than the shank.

Bardo · #9 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007

Access to these nuts, while acceptable for normal remove/replace, is tight. Would the nut splitter work at at angle? It might be up to about a 30 degree angle off the flat, so only about half of the wedge would contact the nut initially.

Freesail99 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007

I never really understood the use of large screws on the stanchions rather then bolts.