Best induction heater for rusty bolts

[signcrafter]

Want to get an induction heater for heating up rusty nuts and bolts. The only one I've used was the bolt buster that looks like a tube of caulk. It worked good and it's what I'm planning on getting but wanted to check to see if there was another brand I should look into before I pull the trigger?

 

[ppap]

I have been using the Venom Miniductor for the past 5 years on automotive and small engine applications. It is expensive but will pay for itself after a couple jobs. I have gone through several coils and those can be expensive as well. I dont know how I survived without it.

 

[BigNuge]

I got the Amazon cheapy for sub $200, thing is awesome! I’ve lost count of how many fasteners I’ve gotten broke free effortlessly with it! Up here in the Northeast the rust is everywhere, this thing gets the job done!


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[2ndGearRubber]

I have the bolt buster 2, and love it. I've had it maybe 18months tops? So far I've only ruined one coil, mostly by letting it rub on glowing fasteners. It still works okay missing some insulation.

IMO they are irreplaceable. It's not a torch, but it does stuff a torch couldn't dream of. Some jerk at the factory slathered so much locktite on an m6 bolt inside the cowl of a transit van, it snapped off instantly. I was able to bend the coil at a 90* angle, and wiggle it back to heat the area the bolt when into. Locktite liquefied, spun right out.

 

[plinker]

Bolt buster 2 here as well, no issues Previously used the Mini ductor MD700 (which had a lot of use when my brother had it, kinda worn out now). Of the two, I prefer the bolt buster. The compactness of the venom would be nice at times, but it has not really been a huge issue for me.

Coil life varies with overuse & abuse, but they do last a good while. The short 3/4 & 7/8 coils I use the most, followed by a long 3/4 coil and a 1-1/8"(?) coil.

They are a "game changer" type of tool IMO.

 

[zendriver]

I got the Amazon cheapy for sub $200, thing is awesome! I’ve lost count of how many fasteners I’ve gotten broke free effortlessly with it! Up here in the Northeast the rust is everywhere, this thing gets the job done!


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That’s good to hear that’s a lesser expensive ones, get the job done too. OArereplacement coils to be found easily?

I have been thinking about getting one too, since nothing stinks worst than dealing with Rusty Fasteners


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[goblue1998]

I got the Amazon cheapy for sub $200, thing is awesome! I’ve lost count of how many fasteners I’ve gotten broke free effortlessly with it! Up here in the Northeast the rust is everywhere, this thing gets the job done!


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Do you remember which one you got?

 

[BigNuge]

I got the Solary brand induction heater. Works great, I’ve freed up rusty/crusty/frozen fasteners that I would have otherwise had to cut and drill out. I can’t believe I haven’t got one before now.



I’ve used it on a few dozen fasteners now, used the same coil for all of them, coil still works great. The trick is not letting the coil touch the workpiece, else you damage the insulation.

Coil sets are plentiful and available all over the net/Amazon. The coils are universal.


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[2ndGearRubber]

While it appears all the knock off coils will mechanically fit in the tool, hows the life span?

As another poster mentioned, touching the workpiece is the main damage causing action to the insulation. When I was skimming the web, it seems the cheapo brands have slightly different colored insulation vs the induction innovations brand.

Anyone who bought cheapo coils, how do they hold up?

 

[BigNuge]

While it appears all the knock off coils will mechanically fit in the tool, hows the life span?

As another poster mentioned, touching the workpiece is the main damage causing action to the insulation. When I was skimming the web, it seems the cheapo brands have slightly different colored insulation vs the induction innovations brand.

Anyone who bought cheapo coils, how do they hold up?

Lol....that’s me, I bough the cheapo heater and used the cheapo coils with it...

I have a few dozen uses on one coil, coil still looks good and works as new. Admittedly I did bump the workpiece on a few of the jobs, it happens....lol. I’ll snap a picture of the coil as it is today.


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[BigNuge]

This coil is the only one over used, 30ish fasteners heated with it.






A few of the tool itself...





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[signcrafter]

Was looking at the cheaper ones on amazon and they are roughly 200 bucks and come with 3 coils. But they are only 1000 watts. The generic could kit is another 100 bucks. Where the bolt buster is 1800 watts, almost double the power. And comes with a full coil kit for about 400 bucks. So overall you save about 100 bucks only get half the power. Not sure how important that extra 800 watts of power is and if its really needed or not. But I'm kind of leaning towards just spending the extra 100 bucks and getting the bolt buster with full set of coils?

 

[BigNuge]

Was looking at the cheaper ones on amazon and they are roughly 200 bucks and come with 3 coils. But they are only 1000 watts. The generic could kit is another 100 bucks. Where the bolt buster is 1800 watts, almost double the power. And comes with a full coil kit for about 400 bucks. So overall you save about 100 bucks only get half the power. Not sure how important that extra 800 watts of power is and if its really needed or not. But I'm kind of leaning towards just spending the extra 100 bucks and getting the bolt buster with full set of coils?

Turns a 5/8” bolt cherry red in 10-12 seconds. Not sure what you’re working on, but I can’t say this is not powerful enough for the prosumer.

That goes for the coils too. What are you really heating, and how will you actually use it?

I’d wager that I don’t need any other coils for a long time. I’m not doing this professionally, and in the year or so I’ve had it I’ve been LOOKING for fasteners to pull apart. Now that the playing is done, I literally don’t have any need for it for the foreseeable future. I’ll be running the original coils for a long time I’m sure.

Eh, it’s only money....[emoji1787][emoji1787]


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[Kscardsfan]

I’m counting pennies and saving money for one of these. Everyone who has one swears by it.

 

[brainypencil]

I’m counting pennies and saving money for one of these. Everyone who has one swears by it.

And you need to save from buying cheaper but good quality ones.

 

[zendriver]

These seem like one of those tools, where it probably costs about the same to manufacture a lower priced one, as it does an expensive model.

It's not a flux capacitor.

 

[BigNuge]

These seem like one of those tools, where it probably costs about the same to manufacture a lower priced one, as it does an expensive model.

It's not a flux capacitor.

Yup....it’s entertaining reading the “buy an expensive one” posts [emoji849][emoji1787][emoji1787]

Induction heat is a very old tech....and a very simple one.


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[zendriver]

Yup....it’s entertaining reading the “buy an expensive one” posts [emoji849][emoji1787][emoji1787]

Induction heat is a very old tech....and a very simple one.


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I'm thinking of getting one and even $200 seem like plenty, for what it is.

 

[ChefRex]

Venom Miniductor, here, love it!

 

[farmall400]

Turns a 5/8” bolt cherry red in 10-12 seconds. Not sure what you’re working on, but I can’t say this is not powerful enough for the prosumer.

That goes for the coils too. What are you really heating, and how will you actually use it?

I’d wager that I don’t need any other coils for a long time. I’m not doing this professionally, and in the year or so I’ve had it I’ve been LOOKING for fasteners to pull apart. Now that the playing is done, I literally don’t have any need for it for the foreseeable future. I’ll be running the original coils for a long time I’m sure.

Eh, it’s only money....[emoji1787][emoji1787]


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I shouldn't of logged on here this morning because it's going to cost me money. Have you heated any bearings with this? Wonder how it would do on bearings, could've used it last weekend had some axle shafts off a john deere that barely fit in my press.

 

[BigNuge]

I shouldn't of logged on here this morning because it's going to cost me money. Have you heated any bearings with this? Wonder how it would do on bearings, could've used it last weekend had some axle shafts off a john deere that barely fit in my press.

No bearing yet, the coils that came with it only go up to 1”. I do plan on buying a set of coils when the need arises.

I have heated bolts/nuts/bushings/spacers....I’ve been blown away with how well it works!


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[BigNuge]

I'm thinking of getting one and even $200 seem like plenty, for what it is.

It is plenty of power. Largest fastener I have heated with it was a 5/8” bolt. Turned that cherry red in 10-12 seconds. Obviously this all depends on the ambient temp of the fastener, but at the end of the day is get fasteners loose well shy of 20 seconds, and all without heating/burning the surrounding area.


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[NYBODYMAN]

Looks like I'm spending some money soon.

 

[leadfoot415]

I have one of the original md-700 minductors, bought lightly used, and I personally have abused the hell out of it doing ford edge/lincoln mkx fuel tank recalls. I probably have done 250 or more fuel tanks, plus countless other suspension jobs (useful for seized top strut nuts, etc). It isnt quite as quick as it used to be, but it made me a ton of money in the past.

 

[zendriver]

Regarding replacement or custom coils, looking at one vendors how-to video, it looks like if one could find the proper size copper fiberglass insulated wire, it s relatively easy to make your own.


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[californiamilleghia]

Regarding replacement or custom coils, looking at one vendors how-to video, it looks like if one could find the proper size copper fiberglass insulated wire, it s relatively easy to make your own.


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if you find it please post a link ,

they also make a "pad" to heat up a door panel area etc to take off stickers

 

[zendriver]

if you find it please post a link ,



they also make a "pad" to heat up a door panel area etc to take off stickers

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[signcrafter]

Yup....it’s entertaining reading the “buy an expensive one” posts [emoji849][emoji1787][emoji1787]

Induction heat is a very old tech....and a very simple one.


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My whole point about just getting the bolt buster name brand one was if the knock off amazon one is 200 bucks and the knock off coil kit is 100 bucks then you're at 75% of the cost of the bolt buster that comes with a full coil kit. Do you need a full coil kit, guess it depends. The bolt buster coil kit has things like a coil you can wrap around a tie rod end to loosen. That would come in handy. Can also wrap it around a bearing or whatever you want to heat up. Do you need almost double the power with the 1800 watt one? Guess that depends also. But my whole point was by the time you buy the half power knock off and a full coil kit you are getting pretty close to the cost of a name brand one that comes with a full kit and almost double the power. Is it the best option for everyone? Nope. But it is something to consider when purchasing. Sometimes the cheapest option is the best option, sometimes it's not. But at least you got some entertainment out of this.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

^ That theory is why I got the bolt buster 2, after looking at some cheaper ones.

 

[richfinn]

A little review and explanation on why the higher wattage is good to have from Dave (Northern Ireland)

 

[plinker]

Yup....it’s entertaining reading the “buy an expensive one” posts [emoji849][emoji1787][emoji1787]

Induction heat is a very old tech....and a very simple one.


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My experience buying what can generally be termed as "knock offs" is that it usually would have been better and cheaper to buy the name brand in the first place. Doesnt really matter what product per say, but electronics & electrical stuff is usually the where quality counts I find, old tech or not.

YMMV, if it works for you, great!

 

[BigNuge]

All good fellas, just friendly ribbing.

I’m into my cheapy for sub $200, and have been happily amazed by the tool. I can’t believe I haven’t bought one before this one!

Smoked out 8 M-8 bolts from the knuckles on my 02 Sequoia build....these looked like they came off the bottom of the ocean they were so rusty/corroded. The cheapy smoked’em out no sweat. I’ll also credit my recent Gearwrench extraction socket set with the win as well, they also amaze me on corroded fasteners.


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[Banjorear]

Dang. I wish I pulled the trigger earlier. My wife gave me the green light today to get one of these after burning a hole in the CV boot trying to torch out the stabilizer links while doing a strut change.

Whomever invented the road brine needs to be hung by his toenails.

I think I will buck up and get the Bolt Buster.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I have a Venom, its smaller form factor does come in handy under the hood, and getting into tight corners.

Acetylene still has its place, though.

-Ryan

 

[finn]

I shouldn't of logged on here this morning because it's going to cost me money. Have you heated any bearings with this? Wonder how it would do on bearings, could've used it last weekend had some axle shafts off a john deere that barely fit in my press.

Me too.

I really dislike using the oxy acetylene torches in the shop. The volunteer fire department is about five miles away, and the shop would probably be lost by the time they rounded up the firemen and trundled the fire truck out here.

Sounds like a nice Christmas present for myself.

 

[dcg9381]

I did not know this was a thing... makes sense!

 

[webscrounger]

Just a question for the local metallurgist or those that use them regularly. I get they work great. I want one! But, how does heating to red hot affect the nut/bolt temper/strength? I'd think critical strength nuts/bolts might loose some of their characteristices and not be as strong after heating and might need to be replaced. Just asking.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Just a question for the local metallurgist or those that use them regularly. I get they work great. I want one! But, how does heating to red hot affect the nut/bolt temper/strength? I'd think critical strength nuts/bolts might loose some of their characteristices and not be as strong after heating and might need to be replaced. Just asking.

Depends a lot on the alloy in question as well as how you cool it off. If you let it come down on its own it'll likely be fine, but if you quench it you could change the strength of it.

 

[jpaw]

Just a question for the local metallurgist or those that use them regularly. I get they work great. I want one! But, how does heating to red hot affect the nut/bolt temper/strength? I'd think critical strength nuts/bolts might loose some of their characteristices and not be as strong after heating and might need to be replaced. Just asking.

Honestly most fasteners are one time use per the manufacturer and need to be replaced once they are removed. This is especially true when it comes to suspension components.

 

[webscrounger]

I was thinking things like lug nuts/bolts on trucks and pivot pins on heavy eqpmt, etc. Those are fairly critical and already prone to stress fatigue. I guess if they are usually replaced (responsibly), then no issue.