Heat gun for "unfreezing" a screw?

Re: Heat gun for "unfreezing" a screw?

Dan Donaldson

>I have an "impact driver" that I use to get frozen screws out. It is a cylinder with a 1/2 square drive ratchet type end on it. It has a cam inside that is reversable. To use it, you put an adapter on it that takes the type of head you need, set the direction for removal and hit it with a hammer. It is heavy enough that the inertia keeps it from rotating, the force of the blow forces it into the screw head so it does not strip, and the cam twist loosens the screw. Works very well. I bought it 30 years or so ago for getting the phillips head screws out of the covers on my motorcycle without strippong them. You might see if you can find something like that. I could take a picture of it and see if it has a brand name on it if there is any interest.

Re: Heat gun for "unfreezing" a screw?

Ed Mulligan, Cape Cod

>Denis -

For spot application of heat, try a soldering gun or soldering iron.

For rusted fasteners I use 'Liquid Wrench' or a spray teflon product.

Ed

electrolosis

Jack Guzman from Maine

>Denis,electrolosis can remove the rust that is holding your screws.Get all the wd-40 off it and any other foreign matter that may be in the way before you start.This doesn't always work but it may help and it can't hurt.---Jack

Re: Heat gun for "unfreezing" a screw?

Dale Stansbery

>If you're not in a big hurry, let it sit in WD-40 for a few months. I had a frog with a very rusty depth adjuster screw and the knob would not turn. I used force just short of destroying it and still no movement. I finally set it aside and kept the knob recess full of WD 40 all winter. This spring it turned easily. Any of the other penetrating oils ought to work as well. Sometimes patience is the fix.

Re: Heat gun for "unfreezing" a screw?

Todd Hughes

>I sort of kind of think it might not be a good idea to use an impact driver that you are hitting with a hammer on a cast iron plane unless you want some experance in the repair of broken cast iron castings ....Todd

I used electrolysis for de-rusting the plane

Denis Chénard, Orléans, Ont.

>Maybe I didn't leave it in the solution long enough?

DC

Re: Heat gun for "unfreezing" a screw?

Bob Fawcett

>Another way to try heat, is a propane torch with the soldering tip attached. Soldering tips are copper and transfer heat pretty well. This should also be pretty controlable. I don't think an electric soldering iron can produce enough heat to unfreeze your screw.

Re: Heat gun for "unfreezing" a screw?

Dan Donaldson

>Good point. It makes some difference how well the area is backed up. In this case, you don't wale on it, just a firm tap. The cam action absorbs most of the force. I used to use it on motorcycle casings that were also quite fragile, and never had any problem, but cast is probably a bit more brittle. They are a handy tool though.

Re: I used electrolysis for de-rusting the plane

Jack Guzman from Maine

>--probably. When I've used it to loosen screws in plane bodies I've had to put it in once,remove the loose stuff,then put it back in with the screw threads close to and facing the anode.If the rust isn't too deep it should work.---Jack

Re: Heat gun for "unfreezing" a screw?

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in FL. Exile :~(

>Denis,

I agree with Jack and would re-zap it. I've broken loose many rusted screws that had to go in for a second round. Now one of the big keys to breaking these screws loose without damaging the screwhead, which could result in bigger problems in to ensure that the screwdriver blade fits the slot exactly! Not close enough, not good enough, butexactly. If you need to custom grind a screwdriver to make this happen than so be it. That's why I have a bunch of $0.25 flea markewt find screwdrivers around. Sure make a big difference, especially with the tiny screws that if you where to cam them out a few times than you'll really be screwed! :~(

Todd