Tool help.

[Zephyr]

Hiya all
Looking for that tool that works as a flame torch but instread it has a spiral wire that heats the bolt and loosens it. I think it is called exactly that, a bolt heater.
I have seen an impressive one somewhere on the internet but can not remember the name.
Anyone has a good reliable one that would recommend?
Thanks in advance.

 

[GZed]

Is it an induction heater? Induces an EM current into the bolt, thus heating it?

 

[Zephyr]

Is it an induction heater? Induces an EM current into the bolt, thus heating it?

Yes. Exaclty that.
I am looking for this application, but a really good one.

Induction processes applications - Himmelwerk

Induction processes for every application - Soldering - Joining - Melting - Hardening - Sintering - Induction solutions from Himmelwerk. Leading Induction.

www.himmelwerk.com

 

[the Nefyn cat]

First tool up on here.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggQDrzkePAM

 

[John_B]

First tool up on here.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggQDrzkePAM

I watched this last night and was really surprised how effective and relatively cheap it was. I could have sworn that induction heaters were like £500-1000 (plus). I think I'll be getting one before I tackle my next big job

 

[Zephyr]

First tool up on here.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggQDrzkePAM

Looks excdllent.
and this Channel is interesting. Looks like a new one, not much content yet, but these guys seem to know what they are doing. They revived a "flambeé" 911 also fron what I checked

 

[John_B]

They are part of the 'Auto Alex multiverse' who were mostly all part of the Car Throttle family (think 'amateur Top Gear on YouTube') before one of them (Alex) split and set up his own channel to do his own thing and not be controlled by 'the suits', it was such a success he brought on all his old mates too.

These two (Top Dead Center) do more in-depth mechanical stuff and generally accepted as being the best of the three channels for proper car nerds.
'Auto Alex' is the 'headline' channel, and a bit more focused on entertainment.
Lastly there is 'All the Gear' who focus less on cars and more on being a couple of lads throwing themselves into a weird adventures or challenges (not necessarily car-related).

Across the three channels they are pumping out some genuinely great content. I am a big fan

(Before they left Car Throttle, they did a series of videos where Ethan (a non-'car guy', now half of the All The Gear team) bought his first project car - a Z3 - and did a bunch of work on it like servicing, fitting coilovers, brakes, a new exhaust etc. As much as I don't want to promote Car Throttle out of support to Alex , they are a good series of videos. This is the playlist if anyone was interested.)

 

[Zephyr]

Thanks for that. Interesting characters all of them. Had a quick peek, do not relate so much with the Alex guy, quite vulgar for my taste, but Taylor, the top dead duo and the other two are funny and interesting. Remind me of the pre-algorithm days of youtube.
Just oredered the tool they suggested. Hope it works, it was quite expensive down here, but if it does the trick I will be a very happy man.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

You'll have to let us know about it, and at last you'll have something to do with your time than coming over all unnecessary over hot internet chicks.

I do realise that a man needs a hobby.......................

 

[Zephyr]

Well... arrived and tested.
Pros - easy to use, quick way to heat nuts and losen up bolts that it can reach, perfect intead of using acetylene and keeping a box of flamable cans in your garage.
Cons - as expected useless on studs or when you want to heat the bolt "nest" to losen up something that is deep into the metal. I can live with that.
Can it replace the good old flame thrower? No.
But it is nice to have around.
Money well spent? No. Just another gadget that does half the job.
Recomended? If you can spare the money, why not?

 

[DrWong]

Well... arrived and tested.
Pros - easy to use, quick way to heat nuts and losen up bolts that it can reach, perfect intead of using acetylene and keeping a box of flamable cans in your garage.
Cons - as expected useless on studs or when you want to heat the bolt "nest" to losen up something that is deep into the metal. I can live with that.
Can it replace the good old flame thrower? No.
But it is nice to have around.
Money well spent? No. Just another gadget that does half the job.
Recomended? If you can spare the money, why not?

Thanks for that, been watching these induction tools with interest for a few years now.

Would be interested in whether you think they would be useful for the sheared screw in this post, from one of the forum member's progress thread: https://zroadster.org/threads/time-for-an-overhaul-of-my-1-9-98-bmw-z3-individual.60313/post-903443

 

[Zephyr]

This one? for sure. But you will have to go for many cycles of heating and turning left and right until it is released. I had a similar stubborn ended up welding a nut on it for better grip. Bloody thing broke twice so I used two nuts and it worked. But I am working on a very rusty Jeep that spent its entire life pulling boats from the sea to the shore... Yours looks easier.

 

[DrWong]

View attachment 324713
This one? for sure. But you will have to go for many cycles of heating and turning left and right until it is released. I had a similar stubborn ended up welding a nut on it for better grip. Bloody thing broke twice so I used two nuts and it worked. But I am working on a very rusty Jeep that spent its entire life pulling boats from the sea to the shore... Yours looks easier.

Thanks for that mate, really helpful! Not my stud but @Matt Barnes little project, although I basically have the same stud stuck on mine so looking at options.

 

[Matt Barnes]

Thanks for that mate, really helpful! Not my stud but @Matt Barnes little project, although I basically have the same stud stuck on mine so looking at options.

one option you could have is... gulp...drilling the screw head off in order to get the clip off?... then you'd be in the same place as me ..but would enable you to remove pipes if needed?

 

[DrWong]

one option you could have is... gulp...drilling the screw head off in order to get the clip off?... then you'd be in the same place as me ..but would enable you to remove pipes if needed?

Not at that stage yet, but you’re right, looks like you have more options once you get rid of the screw head and surrounding clip.

I’m very likely to get an induction heater tbh. Was going to pay a garage to use the same tool, but they’ve come down loads in price now. And @Zephyr has provided super useful feedback on them.

If induction doesn’t work, I’d try drilling out, as I’m keen to reuse the threaded post, if poss.

 

[Matt Barnes]

Not at that stage yet, but you’re right, looks like you have more options once you get rid of the screw head and surrounding clip.

I’m very likely to get an induction heater tbh. Was going to pay a garage to use the same tool, but they’ve come down loads in price now. And @Zephyr has provided super useful feedback on them.

If induction doesn’t work, I’d try drilling out, as I’m keen to reuse the threaded post, if poss.

thanks for the help on this mate, I've just started that video posted by @Zephyr ! .. got to do some Christmas stuff today but might some time later...once I clean the thread up, the double nut option might be a go-er. I'll try the heat and shocking with a hammer method first. I really don't want to destroy the post, so the other option is drilling and tapping..

 

[Matt Barnes]

thanks for the help on this mate, I've just started that video posted by @Zephyr ! .. got to do some Christmas stuff today but might some time later...once I clean the thread up, the double nut option might be a go-er. I'll try the heat and shocking with a hammer method first. I really don't want to destroy the post, so the other option is drilling and tapping..

just looked and the Hot Rod tool is now £160!

 

[DrWong]

No brainer at that price tbh - they were definitely closer to £500-£700 a couple years ago. DOOOOOIIIITTTTTT.

What do you need more - the £160 or the threaded post not to be knackered haha.

I can def see other applications on my Z too, e.g. bracket for the horn behind front wheel arch is similarly crusty and twists when you try put some torque on the bolt.

 

[Matt Barnes]

No brainer at that price tbh - they were definitely closer to £500-£700 a couple years ago. DOOOOOIIIITTTTTT.

What do you need more - the £160 or the threaded post not to be knackered haha.

I can def see other applications on my Z too, e.g. bracket for the horn behind front wheel arch is similarly crusty and twists when you try put some torque on the bolt.

I've maxed out my car "allowance" this month buying all new front suspension parts (apart from the shocks, they'll have to wait)...but yeah that heater looks epic. Be even better if you can bend the conductor for tight awkward spaces

 

[Zephyr]

I've maxed out my car "allowance" this month buying all new front suspension parts (apart from the shocks, they'll have to wait)...but yeah that heater looks epic. Be even better if you can bend the conductor for tight awkward spaces

Yes, you can bend it and also you apart from the three standard ones (small, medium, large) get an extra straight line conductor that you can adjust.