Induction heat for rusty bolt removal

[jabberwoki]

Anybody using something like this ?
I`d like to find a non Asian version that not to expensive, looking for recommendations.

 

[rijndael]

Yes. Check out http://www.theinductor.com/

 

[dogdog]

Anybody using something like this ?
I`d like to find a non Asian version that not to expensive, looking for recommendations.

how much you got ?

The miniductor is the most popular one around $500 last checked, there is the bolt buster around $300 is basically the same for less... the one on the video is claimed 5KW... so.... none of them would do what's shown on the video... maybe a SnapOn ? That is still no guarantee its COO...

https://honda.snapon.com/HondaAcura/ItemDetail.aspx?itemId=62801354



it might be one of these about $2000
http://www.theinductor.com/induction-heating-products/inductor-series/models/pro-max-fully-loaded


for cheaper there is this guy, lesser known but still one of the original guys....
https://fluxeon.com/

I have the MiniDuctor 710... it works most of the times, not always... and definitely not what it shows on the video.....There are some corks and kinks.. not a magic wand as you thought it would be.


Just search MiniDuctor here and you'll see a few threads and few opinions on it... For DIY, I would go with the Ebay 2KW one right now...for $88-ish

 

[ptgarcia]

I've used soldering irons on small nut/bolts/screws on my dirt bikes with success, but that takes it to a whole new level!

 

[mikehaugen]

I think someone is or was recently selling one in the classified forum. I had contemplated it myself.

Sent from my SM-G930V using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[plinker]

The bolt buster is a bit cheaper the the mini ductor MD700, both work decent. Coil life may vary as I've found heating to red hot usually is the trick (they say not to). Both can be found around 350-ish depending on what coil kit it has. The Venom is advertised to be better & more compact, JB tools has it for around 430$.

I'd say 90% of what I run into (pro shop) that needs heat to come apart can be dealt with using one of the induction heaters, Some stuff still needs the torch and some stuff still breaks off, but it does make a difference and is worth buying one IMO.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I tried using my Miller TIG welder. I turned the amps down really low and let the arc run on the stud, for half a minute. I let the heat sink in for another minute or two. As the stud was cooling, I sprayed the base with MOOV-IT. This worked, for me.
https://www.guillevin.com/eediv_ele...ovit-h-p-350g-14oz-aero-11014-9603976672.html

 

[supremekizzle]

how much you got ?

The miniductor is the most popular one around $500 last checked, there is the bolt buster around $300 is basically the same for less... the one on the video is claimed 5KW... so.... none of them would do what's shown on the video... maybe a SnapOn ? That is still no guarantee its COO...

https://honda.snapon.com/HondaAcura/ItemDetail.aspx?itemId=62801354



it might be one of these about $2000
http://www.theinductor.com/induction-heating-products/inductor-series/models/pro-max-fully-loaded


for cheaper there is this guy, lesser known but still one of the original guys....
https://fluxeon.com/

I have the MiniDuctor 710... it works most of the times, not always... and definitely not what it shows on the video.....There are some corks and kinks.. not a magic wand as you thought it would be.


Just search MiniDuctor here and you'll see a few threads and few opinions on it... For DIY, I would go with the Ebay 2KW one right now...for $88-ish

Which eBay one are you referring to? Thanks.

 

[dogdog]

Which eBay one are you referring to? Thanks.

I have this one, have yet to power it up... maybe I should,, there is plenty of review of this unit on youtube.. from Non-Chinese person... it works.. and there is some corks and kinks on it if you use a soft start power supply.... you'll have to use two switch.. one for the power supply one for the induction heater... you have to wait for the power supply to come up to voltage before turning on the unit.

As far as the miniductor I do have their MD-710 unit and can definitely say it works... sort of.. only when you can warp the coil around the nuts if you can't, you might be there for a while, and definitely you won't be doing it on the side like what's on the video...


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1000W-ZVS-...-Module-Flyback-Driver-Heater-US/173183297050

There are these new ones I am eyeing on.. 2.5kw claims.. not sure.. will see... it doesn't come with a power supply unit... but I have plenty of 24V 48V power supply stuff...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ZVS-Induct...river-Heater-Tesla-Coil-Dual-Fan/254173412163






This is the video I found very comprehensive..from a more knowledgeable person than me...

 

[2ndGearRubber]

So these actually work, in the rust belt on 10-15yo cars? Obviously nothing replaces a torch, but can I reasonably expect to use it to remove sway bar links, shock/strut shaft nuts, maybe the occasionally exhaust nut on a stud?

 

[Mridolfo]

i have a miniductor and it work great on my 12 year old ontario car bolts

 

[plinker]

So these actually work, in the rust belt on 10-15yo cars? Obviously nothing replaces a torch, but can I reasonably expect to use it to remove sway bar links, shock/strut shaft nuts, maybe the occasionally exhaust nut on a stud?

Pretty much. If you need heat these will usually do the trick. I deal with 15-20 year old vehicles regularly and wouldnt do without one. It still does help to wire brush rusty crusty threads.

The couple 6.8L Fords I did exhaust studs on it was a real help, It took a little bit of time, but they all came out in one piece (except for the already broken one). The main problem areas I've run into are the 6mm bolts on GM truck brake hose brackets, they have about a 50/50 chance instead of 100% chance of breaking off with no heat. Frozen brake bleeders are another area where it doesnt work real well IMO.

The 3/4 coils are the most used ones for me.

 

[anndel]

I was thinking of buying the miniductor at the time I needed one but used a bernzomatic mapp gas torch and a weller 100 watt soldering gun.

 

[Professional Tool User]

So these actually work, in the rust belt on 10-15yo cars? Obviously nothing replaces a torch, but can I reasonably expect to use it to remove sway bar links, shock/strut shaft nuts, maybe the occasionally exhaust nut on a stud?

As long as the fastener isn't too big, a 110V induction tool should be able to do it. There was that one time I borrowed the mini ductor for seized a 5/8 nut and it didn't cut it. Had to bring out the torch and and use it in a spot with a lot of air lines.

 

[supremekizzle]

I have this one, have yet to power it up... maybe I should,, there is plenty of review of this unit on youtube.. from Non-Chinese person... it works.. and there is some corks and kinks on it if you use a soft start power supply.... you'll have to use two switch.. one for the power supply one for the induction heater... you have to wait for the power supply to come up to voltage before turning on the unit.

As far as the miniductor I do have their MD-710 unit and can definitely say it works... sort of.. only when you can warp the coil around the nuts if you can't, you might be there for a while, and definitely you won't be doing it on the side like what's on the video...


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1000W-ZVS-...-Module-Flyback-Driver-Heater-US/173183297050

There are these new ones I am eyeing on.. 2.5kw claims.. not sure.. will see... it doesn't come with a power supply unit... but I have plenty of 24V 48V power supply stuff...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ZVS-Induct...river-Heater-Tesla-Coil-Dual-Fan/254173412163






This is the video I found very comprehensive..from a more knowledgeable person than me...

So that's essentially just the controller? You need to add a power supply? I don't see where the coil actually connects to the board. I've also seen some that have water cooling through the coil. I imagine these smaller units don't need that? Like the mini ductor doesn't have cooling.

 

[dogdog]

So that's essentially just the controller? You need to add a power supply? I don't see where the coil actually connects to the board. I've also seen some that have water cooling through the coil. I imagine these smaller units don't need that? Like the mini ductor doesn't have cooling.

The Ebay units comes with a small copper tubing bend coils and needs a power supply .... the Miniductor comes with a solid 12 gauge Nickle plated and fiberglass tube sleeved coils and one flexible foil that you can warp your own shape.... the coil kit can be bought separate for about $100-ish everywhere, it fits both MiniDuctor and the Bolt Buster... Both miniductor and bolt buster have a claims of 1200Watt... I doubt it.. but hey it works in an ideal setup when you can warp the coil over a bolt or nut that is magnetic.(won't work if you can't warp coil around, or if the hardware is not attracted to magnetic, like stainless or brass or aluminum )

I have yet to try the miniductor coil on that Ebay Unit... and yes it's a controller only. and it is a lot more bulky than the MiniDuctor or boltBuster. Not an Ideal thing to lug around cars,,, they do have smaller units for sale if you do DIY... But Non-DIY just get one of those miniDuctor/BoltBuster...
I think Eric from South Main Auto have a review of the older BoltBuster in one of his videos.... if you don't trust other folks at least he is a pro mechanic...

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Subscribing.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

As long as the fastener isn't too big, a 110V induction tool should be able to do it. There was that one time I borrowed the mini ductor for seized a 5/8 nut and it didn't cut it. Had to bring out the torch and and use it in a spot with a lot of air lines.

Question on nut size: 5/8 diameter bolt (much larger head size)? Or 5/8 diameter nut?


Really thinking about the bolt buster 2x, they claim 1800 watts, video looked impressive. Does this newer version seem more powerful than the advertisements for the original?

 

[plinker]

Having used the mini ductor MD-700 and the bolt buster 2, the bolt buster 2 seems a bit better/simpler IMO, Both are about the same concerning bulky-ness and size.

I'm debating on picking up a venom, if funds permit. Smaller size & it's supposed to have better run time.

 

[Skin]

Question on nut size: 5/8 diameter bolt (much larger head size)? Or 5/8 diameter nut?


Really thinking about the bolt buster 2x, they claim 1800 watts, video looked impressive. Does this newer version seem more powerful than the advertisements for the original?

1800W might be marketing ****. At 1800W they're popping a 15A breaker which is very common. That's also not 12Ga wire coming out the back, looks more like common 14/16Ga power tool cord. My guess is 1800W is taken from the draw on startup. Regardless they are useful tools. Get whatever you can afford but I've liked both my MDII and Venom. 90% of what it gets used on is 15mm fasteners and below and within about 20 seconds its red.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I'm sure 1800watt is marketing nonsense. 15mm and below seems reasonable, I'm sure it can't heat up a 5/8 thick piece of steel to glowing red. I'd love if it could heat a suspension bolt seized into a bushing, but I doubt that.

Cheapest price I've found for Bolt Buster 2 is just over $400. Seems like it may be worth it. Avoiding collateral damage may re-invent what I think is possible to heat.

 

[dogdog]

The MD700 or a like will heat those 21mm or 22mm nuts without any issues... might take a bit longer.. as long as you can warp the coil around the nut..

 

[Tonyuk]

We have one in work, although its a different type of setup.

It has different wire attachments to fit into the end, one of them is pretty flexible and can be moulded into whatever shape you need.

I use it pretty often to deal with pinch bolts in VW's suspension set-up, theres one at the top in particular thats right under 2 ball joints, a torch would wreck the rubber boots.

 

[Specracer]

I have a Venom, would buy it again. I really like it. Even used it on rusty brake lines.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Just got a bolt-buster 2x, $390 was the best I could find. Hopefully it lives up to the hype.