Thread: Please help! Stuck bolt.

Originally Posted by nearnexus

If there's one thing farmers can't resist, it's some new form of MAGIC rust penetrator snake oil that the sales rep flashes out of the sample case

Given the amount of rusted up gear on farms it's no wonder.

My bro in law is an absolute sucker for this stuff.

Every time I see him he shows me some new rust debonder/eater/dissolver/destroyer/incapacitator ete. etc he's just bought - and it's never cheap.

Always have a chuckle when I hear what it can do. Some of it actually works.

Rob

Having been doing a lot of on-farm installation type work the last few years, I can report a new trend emerging.... everything now-a-days is stainless.... ( well the stuff I do is usually either hot dip galvanized or stainless, and a fair bit of Aluminium )

But talking about smart dogs and fences, I can vouch for the amazing acrobatic skills some sheep dogs have... then again I saw a sheep go through/under a wire fence that I'd have said was impossible if I hadn't seen it...

One of these days, I'm going to invent a self opening farm gate... ( and closing of course )

Regards
Ray

Originally Posted by nearnexus

I've done enough laps around paddocks cropping to know how farmers minds work.

What is the ratio of ATF to acetone for that brew ?

Rob

I just mix it 50/50 Rob. I have a bottle that had nail polish remover in it (acetone, I checked). It has a flip up lid like shampoo bottles where you press on one side, the other side of the flippy bit lifts up about 3mm. I keep the mix in this. It needs topping with acetone now and then cos it evaporates. Could use a better bottle I suppose but it is convenient. I had a metal tin of acetone that evaporated over time. Could not see any leaks. Just did not seal well enough despite the lid seal being intact. I bought a plastic bottle to replace it (Diggers) and it has not evaporated at all.

Dean

Originally Posted by RayG

Having been doing a lot of on-farm installation type work the last few years, I can report a new trend emerging.... everything now-a-days is stainless.... ( well the stuff I do is usually either hot dip galvanized or stainless, and a fair bit of Aluminium )

But talking about smart dogs and fences, I can vouch for the amazing acrobatic skills some sheep dogs have... then again I saw a sheep go through/under a wire fence that I'd have said was impossible if I hadn't seen it...

One of these days, I'm going to invent a self opening farm gate... ( and closing of course )

Regards
Ray

Seeing a sheep go thru yourself is an amazing thing to see as well.

A cow trying to go thru you while lifting you a foot in the air and then jamming you against a solid post is another amazing thing to see. Don't the ribs love it.

Nothing amazes me when it comes to stock and fences.

Self opening farm gate? Have a look in the farm supplies cat n dogs.

There is a lot of rusty stuff around these parts. Seems like nothing gets thrown out.

Dean

HI again what sort of trans fluid are you talking about for this one EW?
from what ive read on hear not all tyranny fluid is soluble in acetone.
aaron

Originally Posted by Ueee

For penetrant, you can't go past atf(auto transmission fluid) and acetone. Mix a bit up and brush it on. The acetone wicks the atf into any miniscule gaps and then dries out leaving behind the atf.

Cheers,
Ew

Originally Posted by azzrock

HI again what sort of trans fluid are you talking about for this one EW?
from what ive read on hear not all tyranny fluid is soluble in acetone.
aaron

I am not sure if the Tranny fluid (I'm leaving this alone) I use is actually dissolving in the acetone. It looks mixed when shaken but settles out afterwards. Had not thought of this. Very interesting.

Dean

Found this in my travels :

"I got the April/May edition of Machinist's Workshop magazine yesterday.
Another very talented Lloyd did an interesting test of penetrating oils where he measured the force required to loosen rusty test devices. Get the issue if you want to see how he did the test. But, I thought the results he reported interesting. Maybe you will, too?

Pentrating oil / Average load / Price perfluid ounce
None / 516 pounds /
WD-40 / 238 pounds / $0.25
PB Blaster / 214 pounds / $0.35
Liquid Wrench / 127 pounds / $0.21
Kano Kroil / 106 pounds / $0.75
ATF-Acetone mix / 53 pounds / $0.10

The ATF-Acetone mix was mixed 1 to 1 ratio."

Dexron 3 is quoted as being used.

Rob:

Originally Posted by azzrock

HI again what sort of trans fluid are you talking about for this one EW?
from what ive read on hear not all tyranny fluid is soluble in acetone.
aaron

Hi Aaron,
I just use the dexron 2 that my wife's care uses. I probably mix it a bit thinner than 1:1, more like 1 oil : 2 acetone. I don't measure it though.

Ew

thanks ew. I made some up with at3 i think its similar to dextron i tried one with acetone and one with metho.
just see if they work the same. i shock it up and they both form a emulsion that separates out with time.
easy done

Originally Posted by nearnexus

Found this in my travels :

"I got the April/May edition of Machinist's Workshop magazine yesterday.
Another very talented Lloyd did an interesting test of penetrating oils where he measured the force required to loosen rusty test devices. Get the issue if you want to see how he did the test. But, I thought the results he reported interesting. Maybe you will, too?

Pentrating oil / Average load / Price perfluid ounce
None / 516 pounds /
WD-40 / 238 pounds / $0.25
PB Blaster / 214 pounds / $0.35
Liquid Wrench / 127 pounds / $0.21
Kano Kroil / 106 pounds / $0.75
ATF-Acetone mix / 53 pounds / $0.10

The ATF-Acetone mix was mixed 1 to 1 ratio."

Dexron 3 is quoted as being used.

Rob:

Sounds very similar to the test I read. Stuck the devices to rust out in the open for X amount of time etc. I think this is the same test. The names are the same.

Aaron the reason for the acetone is twofold. It evaporates leaving the oil behind and it has a low surface tension which allows it to seep into small gaps. I have no idea what surface tension metho has. I am sure it can be looked up.

Dean

surface tension. i know there was more to it that just thinning the oil out.
thanks dean

Glad I can occasionally help out after all the assistance I have received from everyone on the forum .

Cheers

Dean

A similar experiment was done by Engineering students at Drexel University in Philadelphia last year. The description and results of the experiment is CLICK HERE

They also found that in lieu of ATF (why purchase it new) you can use Vegetable Oil (Cheaper) with great results.
Also the cost per volume ends up cheaper than ATF, unless you can source used ATF for free (transmission flush time everyone? ).



Incidentally if your going to make this yourself, a good dispensing bottle is a contact lens solution bottle, the small hole makes it easy to dispense onto the bolt, shake first before use. Very important: make sure you re-label the bottle

Interesting that 100% acetone was the best solution for unsticking the 3/4" bolt.

Thank you everyone for all the ideas. I ended up using WD-40, an lpg torch and a breaker bar with some gal tubing over it for more leverage . My table saw is now running beautifuly