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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Greenvale
    Posts
    10

    Default removing connector bolts / cross dowels

    I am in the process of sanding down an old neglected outdoor jensen jarrah table setting I was given (table now looks fantastic!) and would also like to fix up some of the loose joinery on the chairs however some of the bolts are stuck fast and removing them creates two issues.

    1. The hex shape head starts stripping
    2. The pressure on the barrel bolt part is starting to split the timber.

    So far I have tried applying some penetrene and clamping the timber to stop splitting then gently tapping the alum key with a hammer as well as lots of wiggling back and forth but at this stage no success.

    Can anyone suggest any other approaches to undo them ? I dont want to damage the timber so havnt tried applying heat yet.

    thanks

    Chris
    ---------------------------
    Never sharpen a boomerang

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Munruben, Qld
    Age
    83
    Posts
    10,027

    Default

    Timber swells when wet so maybe worth wetting it to see if that might help. Seems like you have nothing to lose at this stage. Heat makes timber contract, might work but not sure if either method would free up the bolts or make them a tighter fit. Good luck with it. Others may come up with a solution. I can't think of any method that would not damage the timber.
    Reality is no background music.
    Cheers John

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Mackay
    Age
    75
    Posts
    94

    Smile

    Get yourself some 'easyouts' froma a car parts supplier,bore a hole in the top about 10mm insert reverse thread tool ,which looks like a backwards drill and soak the wood with WD40 before trying it
    Good lick!
    Keith

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    7,696

    Default

    If I understand the problem you need to use a hexagon socket not a multipoint one. If the bolts are seized in the nuts can you grind/cut the heads off and after getting it apart it might be easier to remove the leftover bolt or at least you will be closer to the problem.
    CHRIS

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Greenvale
    Posts
    10

    Default

    ok so I finally achieved sucess, first I used my dremel to cut a slot across the bolt to use a large screw drive to turn, then I also drilled the head of the barrell nut thing, which either freed it up or the heat generated by drilling it expanded it, either way they came out and I didnt damage the timber ! Now to buy a few new bolts

    Is electo plated brass really suitable for outdoor furniture ? maybe I will coat the new ones with penetrene or grease or something before they go in.
    ---------------------------
    Never sharpen a boomerang

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    7,696

    Default

    In a word, stainless steel.
    CHRIS

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