Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 09-05-2018, 22:58   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 138
dangers of using dremel on seized nut

Hello all,

I've got a 14mm nylock nut that refuses to move. I can't use heat. I've tried Kroil (by new favorite PB blaster; simply amazing) but I think the nylon is keeping the kroil from penetrating. That or the threads are galled.

I don't need the nut or bolt so I thought I'd try a Dremel with a steel cutting attachment. I thought I'd cut the nut on opposite two of the six sides. My question to anyone who has done this:

What are the dangers when the nut finally is freed? Will it shoot off releasing all those pounds of torque? Or does the gradual cut in the nut release the tension gradually?

I'm thinking the latter but figured I'd ask.


Thanks.
redbeard1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-05-2018, 23:24   #2
Moderator and Certifiable Refitter
 
Wotname's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: South of 43 S, Australia
Boat: C.L.O.D.
Posts: 20,242
Re: dangers of using dremel on seized nut

No, it doesn't shoot off, sometimes cutting one side is enough, especially if you spray some of your wonder spray into the cut.
__________________
All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangereous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. T.E. Lawrence
Wotname is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2018, 02:58   #3
Registered User
 
dwedeking2's Avatar

Join Date: May 2014
Location: Key West, FL
Boat: Morgan Out Island 415
Posts: 911
Images: 1
Re: dangers of using dremel on seized nut

I've got a 40 year old boat that's been neglected. Dremel is my second favorite wrench.
__________________
S/V Pomaika'i Blog
dwedeking2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2018, 04:18   #4
Registered User
 
MV Wanderlust's Avatar

Join Date: May 2016
Location: Palmetto, FL
Boat: "Wanderlust" -- 1999 Jefferson Rivanna 52'
Posts: 874
Images: 28
Re: dangers of using dremel on seized nut

Quote:
Originally Posted by dwedeking2 View Post
I've got a 40 year old boat that's been neglected. Dremel is my second favorite wrench.
MV Wanderlust is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2018, 04:34   #5
Moderator
 
Jammer's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Minnesota
Boat: Tartan 3800
Posts: 4,759
Re: dangers of using dremel on seized nut

If you can cut a slot through one side of the nut without damaging anything then you can usually loosen it with a wrench. The cutting disk will generate a certain amount of heat and sparks. Usually removal is controlled but if you have a lot of stress on the bolt I wouldn't count on maintaining control, instead, put another nut on if there's room as a stop.

There are many situations where there isn't enough clearance to cut a slot so it is necessary (or easier) to cut through the bolt instead.

I have switched to a die grinder for these tasks, for the most part, because the dremel isn't really big enough. I wore out the bearings in my first dremel by using it on larger fasteners.
Jammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2018, 04:37   #6
Moderator Emeritus
 
a64pilot's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
dangers of using dremel on seized nut

Google a “nut buster”.
They are wonderful tools if you work on older equipment with seized hardware.
They split the nut, making it easy to remove.
One thing to be wary of grinding or cutting on your boat is that steel can be imbedded in the deck, and you get rust stains that are pretty persistent, even SS can rust.
https://youtu.be/aV6sWfsVU9w
a64pilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2018, 04:40   #7
Registered User
 
Suijin's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Bumping around the Caribbean
Boat: Valiant 40
Posts: 4,625
Re: dangers of using dremel on seized nut

If you can replace the bolt as well my preferred method is to just torque it odd till the bolt breaks lol. Much easier and less mess.
__________________
"Having a yacht is reason for being more cheerful than most." -Kurt Vonnegut
Suijin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2018, 05:04   #8
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: W Carib
Boat: Wildcat 35, Hobie 33
Posts: 13,479
Re: dangers of using dremel on seized nut

Biggest risk: metal shavings in your eye, wear saftey glasses!

Also as posted you will spray shavings around which will rust. Try to limiting their distribution, vaccum them up, then clean area again.

A cut off wheel on a nut will generate a lot of heat, like glowing metal hot, on the margins of the cut.
belizesailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2018, 05:43   #9
Registered User
 
svHyLyte's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Tampa Bay area, USA
Boat: Beneteau First 42
Posts: 3,961
Images: 25
Re: dangers of using dremel on seized nut

The problem with a Dremel tool is that the cut-off wheels are round such that you will not be able to cut completely through the face of the nut without also cutting into the underlay material the nut is bearing upon. It may be that simply cutting through the upper section of the nut where the nylon locking ring is situated may be enough to allow your freeing oil to penetrate. Frankly, however, for relatively little cost you can purchase a nut splitting tool that will do the job quickly and easily and be "on tap" for future use. For example see (click on) the Performance Tool Heavy Duty Nut Splitter.

__________________
"It is not so much for its beauty that the Sea makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air, that emanation from the waves, that so wonderfully renews a weary spirit."
svHyLyte is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2018, 10:02   #10
Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 138
Re: dangers of using dremel on seized nut

Thanks for all the comments and tips.

I think I will first try the nut buster to avoid the filings, but I don't think the device will be able to contact the entire nut. Maybe just the top half. If it does not work, I'll Dremel.
redbeard1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2018, 10:19   #11
Registered User

Join Date: May 2017
Location: Fall River. MA
Boat: Cataline 36 MKII
Posts: 47
Re: dangers of using dremel on seized nut

I dremelled a 20 year rusted nut in the bilge while hanging upside down on my Irwin 52. I used fiberglass embedded cutting disks - went thru dozens of them. After cutting about 3/4 of the way thru the nut, I put a chisel into the cut to complete the nut removal - works just fine. No danger at all, just use safety glasses to protect from the bits from the cutting disks.
DennisRyan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2018, 10:20   #12
Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Boat: Island Packet 40
Posts: 6,416
Images: 7
Re: dangers of using dremel on seized nut

In places where there is not enough room to use a cutting tool I have had good success by drilling down through the nut on opposite sides and then splitting it with a cold chisel.
RaymondR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2018, 10:42   #13
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Charlotte, NC
Boat: Boatless at this time (is this a word?)
Posts: 80
Re: dangers of using dremel on seized nut

Geeky Abrasive Information to follow! Warning! - I manufactured abrasive blades for a bazillion years. The sparks you see while grinding is the metal and not the abrasive particles. If you use a vacuum to control the dust, you can alleviate the oxidation issue. If you use a small cut off blade (not a grinding blade as it is a different design,) even with the dremel like tool, the resin that suspends the abrasive grains does have a melting point. What is then maintaining the structural integrity the blade is the fiber reinforcement usually in 3 plys. All this being said that using a dremel for continued cutting of a bolt should include recognizing that you are heating up the resin significantly and may cause structural failure. So, as you are cutting, let the resin cool down periodically in the midst of cutting for a few seconds. (your blades will last longer too) Don't press too hard while cutting but enough so that(you want to do the following) you are causing small fractures in the grains which break off exposing micro sharp edges to continuing the abrading. If you don't put the right balance of pressure, you will just ride the grains on top of the metal, polish them, think the blade is not working correctly, press even harder and cause immediate structural damage and think it is because you pushed too hard. Sorry to nerd out on everyone
Swammy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2018, 10:48   #14
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SF Bay Area
Boat: Freedom 28 Cat Ketch
Posts: 117
Re: dangers of using dremel on seized nut

I've found that even Dremel-ing the top half of a frozen nut, then using a punch (or more likely an old flat screwdriver) and spreading the Dremel-cut will usually get the nut loose. Won't be able to use a socket on it, though.

No chance of getting an impact wrench in there?
Jdeuel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2018, 11:22   #15
Registered User
 
Sailshabby's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Oriental, NC
Boat: Baba 40
Posts: 501
Re: dangers of using dremel on seized nut

I’ve had to resort to using a Dremel (I then check the “Have you used a power tool today?” box). Push comes to shove, get the disk between the nut and washer and work in to get to the bolt.
Sailshabby is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
danger

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Nibbler? Or Dremel Router? Cutting Alu Instrument Panel Dockhead Construction, Maintenance & Refit 59 12-03-2016 04:31
Dangers at Sea, Dangers on Land letsgetsailing3 Health, Safety & Related Gear 145 26-06-2014 13:42
Jam Nut Goes On First, Followed By Full Nut. Blue Stocking Propellers & Drive Systems 2 09-09-2012 11:41
1500w Inverter Won't Start Dremel Tool svstrider Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 24 21-02-2011 15:57
Dremel Guide? Connemara Construction, Maintenance & Refit 4 29-01-2010 08:39

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:17.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.