Best tool to apply heat?

[AnthonyH]

I'm looking to buy a tool to apply heat to loosen sezied nuts, bolts and similar.

Which tool do you recommend? This shouldn't be too expensive as it'll only get occasional use.

The options seem to be a painter and decorators heat gun or a naked flame from a blow torch. Are there any other options?

And should I go for mains powered or battery powered if its a painters gun?

 

[PuntoHowTo]

A painters gun will not provide enough heat, you need a blow torch

 

[AnthonyH]

Is this one OK?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faithfull-GZWORK-Quick-Power-Torch/dp/B00F1DF5SI/

 

[PuntoHowTo]

That would be fine, this one is cheaper

https://amzn.to/3WfusZc

You’ll need a can of gas too

Amazon.co.uk

 

[AnthonyH]

That would be fine, this one is cheaper

https://amzn.to/3WfusZc

You’ll need a can of gas too

Amazon.co.uk

I bought the torch, nice spot on the price and the maximum heat emitted! I thought I may as well get 2 canisters as they're not that much more than buying a single. I suspect the second canister may sit around waiting for a big job, maybe I'll try my hand at some plumbing! Thanks.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Now you have the tools to add more fire, you probably need to get something that adds less fire, like a fire extinguisher many a car has been burned to the ground by inappropriate application of too much fire

 

[AnthonyH]

Now you have the tools to add more fire, you probably need to get something that adds less fire, like a fire extinguisher many a car has been burned to the ground by inappropriate application of too much fire

Yes thats a good idea, I'll get one.

I'm currently watching YouTube vids on the technique to use to loosen bolts with heat. So in full learn mode!

 

[AnthonyH]

I'm thinking about buying this fire extinguisher, thoughts?

Whats the difference between a powder extinguisher and a water one?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07BBZTH9F

 

[vexorg]

Best tool for heating nuts and bolts are the RF induction heaters, heat exactly where you need it and less risk of flames going where you dont want them. Might be more awkward to get in, then you might be stuck with a blow torch.

I did have a garage once tell me that they are officially not allowed to use blow torches as it may stress components and change their properties, usually by the time you get to a blow torch you really dont care, it's just coming off.

Whats the difference between a powder extinguisher and a water one?

One has water in it, one has powder.
You get different types for different types of fire (water for paper/wood, powder for electrical).
CO2 would be best, less mess to clear up after.

 

[AnthonyH]

Best tool for heating nuts and bolts are the RF induction heaters, heat exactly where you need it and less risk of flames going where you dont want them. Might be more awkward to get in, then you might be stuck with a blow torch.

I did have a garage once tell me that they are officially not allowed to use blow torches as it may stress components and change their properties, usually by the time you get to a blow torch you really dont care, it's just coming off.


One has water in it, one has powder.
You get different types for different types of fire (water for paper/wood, powder for electrical).
CO2 would be best, less mess to clear up after.

I've done a little research into how heat changes and/or stresses bolts but not come up with anything conclusive at this time. I tried to find new bolts to buy, but they aren't for sale anywhere in this country at a sensible price that I can find. If I think the bolt is weakened I might steal one off another car that hasn't been heated, the nut and bolt heads are fairly mangled now...

I've seen the induction heaters, but the torch is already on its way, so i'll run with that for now. The gas canisters don't arrrive till Friday so i'll see whats what then!

If the CO2 extinguisher is best i'll look at those, ta.

 

[vexorg]

I've done a little research into how heat changes and/or stresses bolts but not come up with anything conclusive at this time.

How you heat and cool metal is one of the basics for changing the properties of the metal.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

If you have hardened steel and you heat it up, you lose the hardening if not correctly treated. Normally to harden metal it’s a process of heating then rapid cooling in water or oil in a process called quenching

If you heat metal and let it cool down naturally/slowly then you will make the metal softer.

Most parts on a car or on a subframe are not hardened.

Induction heater are cool to play with but very expensive.

With heating bolts when you are trying to remove them you are hoping the heat will expand the metal and break apart any bonds that have developed between say the bolt and the nut.

If they are seized because of rust then what can be more effective is applying an acid that reacts with oxides of iron, such as phosphoric acid, but so for some reason garages don’t like having big bottles of acid laying about to splash on people’s cars.