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Technical Die Grinder or Angle Grinder?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by devilsKRYPTONITE, May 29, 2018.

  1. Been a while since I have been on the forums, however I feel this is the best place to ask... Basically I have quite a few bolts that I have tried tirelessly to remove, I've used bolt buster, WD40, wirebrushes, hammers, brute strength and even heat (open flame to the bolts) however they are just not budging. So that brings me to my question:

    What do you recommend to remove difficult bolts, a Die Grinder or Angle Grinder?

    Any feedback is appreciated, and for what it is worth I don't have either tools as I have been pretty good up until this point so looking for feedback and suggestions on what I can buy as well.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  2. RichFox
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 10,020

    RichFox
    Member Emeritus

    Kind of depends on how hard they are to get to. I use my die grinder almost all the time. Other poeple would rather use an angle grinder. It's up to you.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  3. Hey RichFox thanks for the response, the 2 bolts are underneath the car, I have about 13 inches of room as the car is raised higher than usual. in terms of accessibility it is reasonable.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  4. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,933

    squirrel
    Member

    either a straight cutoff wheel (die grinder with an arbor that holds the wheel), or an angle grinder.. we can't see where the bolts are....kind of hard to say what would be best. Pictures help a lot.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.

  5. I like my handy dandy air angle die grinder for small stuff,a side grinder with a cut of wheel for bigger projects. HRP
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  6. When you say you applying an open flame to the bolts, are you heating the bolts up until they glow cherry red?
    If you aren't, they are not hot enough to shift. Don't forget, if you cut the heads off, and you then need to get the rest of the bolt out, it will be way more difficult.
     
    Unkl Ian likes this.
  7. They went orange, but they did not shift at all.

    Pretty much done with the bolts I have spent 2 weekends on trying to remove them (coming back to them to break up the frustration). Probably a good 50-60% of the bolts have been rusted in bad, to the point that simply moving them takes the head straight off and then I have to punch out the rest with a hammer and cold chisel, so no stranger to bolts getting stuck. Pretty much at my wits end with these 2 particular bolts.
     
  8. Well, if you can twist the head off and punch the rest out. That's what I'd do. Laying under a car with a die grinder and or cutoff wheel with those shavings flying all over ya, is not something to be desired.:eek:
     
  9. Gasolinefed
    Joined: Apr 17, 2018
    Posts: 105

    Gasolinefed
    Member
    from OR

    If you have quite of few bolts and plenty/ease of access I'd probably go w/the angle grinder.. I can find a die grinder to be tedious on anything substantial .. angle usually uses a bigger wheel + more power = less headache.. imo..

    for electric I have a made in Germany bosch that has served me well.. one of the nice things about if is the front exhaust design.. some cheaper grinders can blow grit in your face/eyes,, even w/safty glasses.. so

    for air I have a dynabrade 52633 grinder that's been faith full.. but can be spendy and requires more of a serious compressor..
     
  10. Thanks Gasolinefed, fortunately I have a 1955 Ford Fairlane which thankfully has plenty of room :) Appreciate the feedback regarding this.
     
  11. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 12,600

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    I have both (never know) however I favor the angle when doing cut off work.
     
  12. fxstc127ci
    Joined: Jul 4, 2012
    Posts: 104

    fxstc127ci
    Member

    If the hex head is still the bolt I have a small 1/4 drive air gun with a 3/8 drive anvil. I heat cherry red then use the small impact while I heat. The vibration usually does the trick. If you don’t have a small air gun heat and try hitting the head of the bolt with a hammer while you apply turning force with wrench.
     
  13. ...why doesn't a torch work?..pics please
     
    Camsore likes this.
  14. missysdad1
    Joined: Dec 9, 2008
    Posts: 3,305

    missysdad1
    Member

    Heat 'em cherry red, then let them cool completely before trying to turn them. Soaking them with 'Blaster after they've cooled is also a good thing. If they won't budge after doing this process, do it again. The real secret is letting the bolt cool completely before you try to turn it.
     
    big duece likes this.
  15. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,405

    alchemy
    Member

    Can you tighten it more and snap it off?
     
    Unkl Ian likes this.
  16. john worden
    Joined: Nov 14, 2007
    Posts: 1,827

    john worden
    Member
    from iowa

    Body/frame bolts? chassis bolts? suspension bolts? Captive nuts? Bolts/nuts? It all matters.
    If the bolts haven't become one with the female thread you should try quenching with ICE cold water after thoroughly heating. It may require several cycles of hot/cold shock to separate them.
     
  17. deathrowdave
    Joined: May 27, 2014
    Posts: 3,518

    deathrowdave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NKy

    Choose which works best for your work location . Never. Never remove the guards . Always wear your PPE . It’s a little tuff to buy replacement eyes , so far but maybe a 3D printer will have that covered soon ! As far as guards , I share a story , I was on a crew repairing a 26 in , 850 MAOP pipeline hit by the ripper on a bulldozer blade . The welder was grinding the bevel to weld the pipe replacement into the line . The grinder wheel broke , no guard on the grinder (9 in wheel ) , it went across the street hit a man , and buried into his chest . He left by air care and I never seen him again . There are tons of energy stored inside a wheel spinning at the rate of 10000 rpm . Please respect and be careful , this junk we repair as a hobby is fun , but the fun is gone if you get hurt or lamed for life .
     
    harpo1313 likes this.
  18. Real useful around here, goofy places and tight areas.
    image.png

    I've yet to meet a bolt that a cutting torch would not remove.
    image.jpeg
     
    Budget36, loudbang, SS327 and 2 others like this.
  19. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    If it has a nut on it I'd agree with just tightening it until it breaks. A lot of the time that is simpler than trying to unscrew it.
    It still is really hard for any of us to give the perfect advice unless we know everything we can about the exact bolts you are fighting with in what kind of vehicle.
     
    Unkl Ian likes this.
  20. Gasolinefed
    Joined: Apr 17, 2018
    Posts: 105

    Gasolinefed
    Member
    from OR

    also as noted there are companies who make dedicated cut off tools.. but for your first purchase you might go grinder.. more versatile imo.. grind/cut/wire wheel and sand w/ flap discs.. just a thought..
     
  21. Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Joined: Apr 20, 2008
    Posts: 4,670

    Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Member

    Snap, drill or torch the heads off, then drive the studs through with a BMF air chisel. Shouldn't take more than 10 minutes. This is a brute force event, we're not trying to extract a broken stud from a Deusenberg block.
     
    Unkl Ian likes this.
  22. big duece
    Joined: Jul 28, 2008
    Posts: 6,830

    big duece
    Member
    from kansas

    I have had good luck with heat(propane torch) and candle wax, for large and small bolts.
     
  23. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 19,136

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    Oooooh I like that!
     
  24. Halfdozen
    Joined: Mar 8, 2008
    Posts: 632

    Halfdozen
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  25. Rusty undercarriage bolts start at 'impact wrench', the next step is 'torch'....
     
    Unkl Ian likes this.
  26. Happydaze
    Joined: Aug 21, 2009
    Posts: 1,903

    Happydaze
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Good quality ultra thin 4 1/2" metal cutting discs on a powerful (900/1000w or so) angle grinder makes short work of almost anything with little mess and the discs last a surprisingly long time (but when they do decide to go they're gone in moments!). Much easier and quicker than an air powered cut off wheel.

    Chris
     
  27. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,348

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

    Taking off bolts with sockets and wrenches is the boring part. When you have to grab the angle grinder and cut off wheel. That`s when it becomes enjoyable. People watching you usually back up about 5 to 10 steps. Then you get to pull out your hammer and punch and you get to smack the heck out of it.
     
  28. Use what you have.
    Angle grinder discs should last longer.
     
  29. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

  30. nobux
    Joined: Oct 19, 2002
    Posts: 646

    nobux
    Member

    I bought that same one. I like it.
     

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