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Bolt from hell!

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
18,079
Location
Canada
Why is it that sometimes something really simple turns into a big ordeal. I was taking the bolts for a mud flap off so I could replace the mud flap. The bolts were pretty rusted so I figured the easiest thing to do was just snap them off. That worked great for the first 3. Of course the last inner most bolt under the box was put in the opposite way with the nut on the back side of the mud flap. Didn't think it would matter but that bolt was cursed. I tried to loosen and tighten but that 3/8" bolt would not snap with a 3/4" breaker bar! OK I'll cut it off with a zip disc. Cut about have way through and the zip disc separated from from the inner hub. Have never had that happen before. Enough of this bolt from hell. I barely have any oxygen left but had enough to cut that damn bolt off. Why couldn't it have been the outer bolt where it's easy to access!
 

HarleyHappy

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2020
Messages
3,455
Location
So NH
Occupation
Welder/Mechanic
I have been having a lot of separation of discs from the steel hub lately.
Maybe 6 in the last few months. Using Benchmark Abrasives.
Just bought a case of Innox to try. Will see if I have better luck with those.
 

Mike L

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2010
Messages
2,291
Location
Maine
Occupation
Self employed field mechanic
Always tackle the bolt that is the hardest to access first. that way things can only get better. Like, follow, and subscribe for more tips like that to prevent you from taking a bath with a toaster!
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
18,079
Location
Canada
I find cheap zip discs don't last long. I think why the bolt wouldn't break was I was holding it with a ratchet wrench and maybe the ratchet wouldn't hold. The wrench was stuck a little when I took it off but I was able to turn it till it ratchet again. I'll have to try it on a bolt and see if it still works. It should be warrantees if it the ratchet part is broke.
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
18,079
Location
Canada
Always tackle the bolt that is the hardest to access first. that way things can only get better. Like, follow, and subscribe for more tips like that to prevent you from taking a bath with a toaster!
The problem was the first 3 bolts snapped off pretty easy. I'll start on the inside one on the other mud flap.
 

donkey doctor

Senior Member
Joined
May 18, 2010
Messages
508
Location
Ladysmith bc canada
Occupation
retired
I have found the Mastercraft cutoff discs from Cdn Tire work just fine. I have used them with great chunks out of the edge. They don't last long with missing pieces though. The price is certainly right when they are on sale. I have used them to cut off a 4 foot piece of 1/8 plate more than once. Cheaper than oxy acet and doesn't cause the plate to warp. Just clamp down a straight edge and cut away. d.d.
 

Bootheal

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2015
Messages
403
Location
Jackson, MO
Talk about derailing…
Is there a process to flatten metal (stainless steel) after cutting designs with plasma table?
Thanks. And back to the regular programming.
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
18,079
Location
Canada
I have found the Mastercraft cutoff discs from Cdn Tire work just fine. I have used them with great chunks out of the edge. They don't last long with missing pieces though. The price is certainly right when they are on sale. I have used them to cut off a 4 foot piece of 1/8 plate more than once. Cheaper than oxy acet and doesn't cause the plate to warp. Just clamp down a straight edge and cut away. d.d.
I bought some Mastercraft cutoff discs on sale. They wear out real fast! Walter or Tyrolit last about 4 times longer.
 

HarleyHappy

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2020
Messages
3,455
Location
So NH
Occupation
Welder/Mechanic
Depends on the angle grinder for me. I have a 20 year old Metabo, that has probably run a 1k cut off discs but the damn switch is too close for a 6” disk.
Have to very careful of hand placement.
I replaced a burned up one, with a Dewalt, damn thing runs so ruff, I would never put a disk on that but with the shaking, grinds really fast.
Lol
 

Tyler d4c

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2016
Messages
2,663
Location
Salix Pa
20260628_112147.jpgDepends on the angle grinder for me. I have a 20 year old Metabo, that has probably run a 1k cut off discs but the damn switch is too close for a 6” disk.
Have to very careful of hand placement.
I replaced a burned up one, with a Dewalt, damn thing runs so ruff, I would never put a disk on that but with the shaking, grinds really fast.
Lol
Sounds like you missing a very important part
 

HarleyHappy

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2020
Messages
3,455
Location
So NH
Occupation
Welder/Mechanic
LOL almost crapped myself laughing so hard. I still keep the guard on my 8” grinder but on the 4 1/2”’s, that the first thing taken off. Maybe some skin sometimes also.
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
18,079
Location
Canada
Never heard of an 8" angle grinder. The worst is guys putting a 7" disc on a 5" grinder. Real easy to lose some flesh! Makita can tell when someone has done it and will void the warranty. It takes the bearing out. Walter has an exclusive grinder made by Metabo that is anti-vibration. They even drilled a hole in a grinding wheel to show the difference from a std. grinder. You could hold the grinder running and flex your arm like a barbell and barely notice the grinder was even running. It was quite impressive. A little pricey but a premium grinder with a slip clutch to boot!
 
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