[TowerTalk] heavily rusted anchor bolt/nut

[n0tt1 at juno.com]

A auto junk yard guy once told me that rusted-on
nuts can be removed by heating the nut with a
torch.  I would think a MAPP gas torch would work
for that.

Or...

Use a nut-cracker.  If none is available in the size you
need, then a series of small holes could be drilled in
one or two *sides* of the nuts, then use a chisel to
finish cracking the nut into pieces.  Those nut-cracking
techniques can also be used together...first the drilling
and then apply a nut cracking tool.

73,
Charlie, N0TT
 
On Mon, 07 Oct 2013 10:56:27 +0000 (GMT) kr2q at optimum.net writes:
> Hi...
> 
> I am changing out the T-Bar base on my TX472.  
> 
> [You may recall, my old TX472 was bent at the base of the tower 
> during H.Sandy.  The replacement tower has arrived]
> 
> I tried using my wrench to undo the 3 nuts (on 3 anchor bolts), but 
> I wasn't able to budge them.  
> 
> Then I slid a six foot long, 2" OD mast over the end of the wrench 
> and for two of them (barely rusted), they easily turned.
> 
> But one of the anchor bolts (1.125" diameter) the associated nut is 
> heavily rusted, as is the bolt.  Over the weekend, I applied Naval 
> Rust Dissolver Gel which sort of worked.  At least enough to 
> demonstrate that the threads are still in tact.  I also showered it 
> with Liquid Wrench (several times).
> 
> But even with the 6 foot long lever arm and "cautious" pressure, I 
> was not able to budge the nut.  
> 
> I know that when nuts have "frozen" before on much smaller bolts 
> (5/16" or 3/8"), I have been able to (unfortunately) break the bolt 
> instead of loosing the nut while applying "lots" of rotational 
> torque on the nut.  While a 1.125" diameter bolt seems pretty hefty, 
> I am concerned about doing the same (yeah, sounds ridiculous)..and 
> then I"ll really be out of luck.
> 
> Any suggestions on how to proceed?
> 
> Thanks,
> de Doug KR2Q
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