I picked up a Craftsman 1/3rd HP "block" bench grinder (397.19580) at a flea market for $10. In the process of tearing it down, I could get one arbor nut free or the other. In the process, I stupidly managed to get both grinder wheels off, but now I've got a lone arbor nut stuck on the spindle. How in the holy hell can I get this off without marring the hell out of the spindle? I've hit it with PB blaster a few times and let it bake in my car in the hot sun in hopes of working some of the PB into the threads.
Help! I've got an arbor nut stuck on my bench grinder.
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balane
Well-known member
I hate, and I mean absolutely hate to state the obvious... but just in case there's a small chance you didn't know I would be in neglect if I didn't mention this.
One nut is right hand thread and the other is left hand thread.
I deeply hope you didn't find that too insulting and good luck.
One nut is right hand thread and the other is left hand thread.
I deeply hope you didn't find that too insulting and good luck.
Kaervak
Well-known member
Yep, I have that exact same model of grinder (awesome grinder) and the left side nut is the left hand thread one. It's incredibly weird turning right to loosen a nut. And, you ****! $10 for such an awesome grinder, you stole that thing.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
If the one that is jammed is the LH thread, lock two RH nuts on the other side so you can get purchase on the thing without marring. then it should e easy to unlock the two RH nuts.
If it is the RH that is jammed, do you have two LH nuts to work with going the opposite way? or if it is bottomed out, lock two RH nuts on the outer thread and get it unlocked.
If it is the RH that is jammed, do you have two LH nuts to work with going the opposite way? or if it is bottomed out, lock two RH nuts on the outer thread and get it unlocked.
What Outlawmws said, or:
1. Wrap a semi-thick strip of leather or rubber around the arbor and grab it with a pair of pliers or Vise-Grips, then use a wrench on the nut. An old leather belt or doubled-up inner tube should be sufficient. This assumes the stuck nut is just a little more than finger-tight and not seriously stuck.
2. Put the wheel back on the other side so you can hold on to it while you remove the stuck arbor nut. Just snug the nut on the wheel side. That should be enough to hold it, yet loose enough that you'll be able to take it back off if you're wanting both sides clear for bearing replacement or painting or whatever. This one also assumes the stuck arbor nut isn't seriously stuck.
3. Take a scrap of 1x2 or 2x4 wood about a foot long, drill a 1/2" hole (assuming that's the arbor diameter) in the face near one end, cut it in half through the centerline of the hole, then put the resulting two halves around the arbor. The saw kerf will have reduced the hole width sufficiently so that the two pieces will sandwich fairly tightly on the arbor with a C-clamp.
Alternatively, you could try a strap wrench if you have one, but I'm guessing you don't, and strap wrenches generally won't grip small diameter things very well anyway, so it's not even a good justification for buying another tool.
1. Wrap a semi-thick strip of leather or rubber around the arbor and grab it with a pair of pliers or Vise-Grips, then use a wrench on the nut. An old leather belt or doubled-up inner tube should be sufficient. This assumes the stuck nut is just a little more than finger-tight and not seriously stuck.
2. Put the wheel back on the other side so you can hold on to it while you remove the stuck arbor nut. Just snug the nut on the wheel side. That should be enough to hold it, yet loose enough that you'll be able to take it back off if you're wanting both sides clear for bearing replacement or painting or whatever. This one also assumes the stuck arbor nut isn't seriously stuck.
3. Take a scrap of 1x2 or 2x4 wood about a foot long, drill a 1/2" hole (assuming that's the arbor diameter) in the face near one end, cut it in half through the centerline of the hole, then put the resulting two halves around the arbor. The saw kerf will have reduced the hole width sufficiently so that the two pieces will sandwich fairly tightly on the arbor with a C-clamp.
Alternatively, you could try a strap wrench if you have one, but I'm guessing you don't, and strap wrenches generally won't grip small diameter things very well anyway, so it's not even a good justification for buying another tool.
could be even easier. Air wrench, if you have a socket deep enough. The inertia of the motor could well provide all the "holding" you need, and it'll zip right offf. And, as others said, make sure you're loosening it in the right direction!