using the gaslamp on fixings

[xpress]

today i heated up some bolts on a roof rack and then quenched it with wd40 and it worked quite well, the nuts turned out quite easily after that. wish i had done it on the other three!

but then it got me to thinking what effect it has on aluminium studs etc.

if you wanted to remove the bolts for the water pump, or came across a stubborn bolt, would you heat up around the block more, ie where the threads are? or would you heat the bolt face up?

also, if turning out a snapped stud from a thread, would you heat up around it, then try and turn it out with a small chisel or heat it up and then drill it out anticlockwise?

does anyone have any experience with using the gas lamp that they can share? anything to watch out for? any stories?

many thanks all.

[Budgie]

"quenched in wd40" are your eyebrows still there its highly flamable

[bmcecosse]

Just take care you don't start a fire!

[xpress]

Lol just heated it up waited then quenched with wd. Works well, came off like butter!

[Budgie]

just goes to show you never stop learning ,i,ll bear your approach in mind next time i get a stiff nut

[les]

Rearding your question of where/what you head up, remember heat expands metal!

[taupe]

Xpress

If you have used a lot of heat to remove a stud or bolt you should normally replace it as it affects the strength of the bolt.

[Neil MG]

Standard practice I would say!

It doesn't matter what part you heat exactly it is the expansion of the metal that "breaks" the joint. Of course you have to be careful how quickly and how hot! you heat some parts like aluminium or parts near rubber, paint, chrome, oil, grease etc. Not many rusty fixings will hold on after being heated to a cherry red (allowed to cool) and given a little penetrating oil!