induction nut/bolt heater

[gofastman]

freakin sweet! http://www.theinductor.com/index.php?m=41
$500 for the original one, I wonder that the new version costs.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I have seen these in the mechanic's trade magazines. Looks like something I will get after Harbor Freight comes out with one.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I wonder how well it really works?

 

[fordbroncodave]

i have tested and used one of those. i got to use it for 2 days before returning it as a demo.

i personally believe its faster then an acetylene torch and less work getting a torch ready takes longer.

i can't really describe how it works but it does well.

its nice to have especially when you cannot get sparks on anything

 

[WVU Tuba Dale]

I sort of want one. It does look handy.

 

[fatfillup]

Looks like a great idea if it works as advertised. Price will come down as more get made and sold. Would like to hear from more guys who have used it.

 

[fordbroncodave]

it does exactly as it is described. you can watch a 1/2" stud with a 3/4" nut on it get cherry hot in 10-15 seconds.

it is rather bulky and i would be afraid that the attachments aren't long enough for some applications.

its either this or a junior size acetylene torch kit for the same price nearly. your choice

 

[Griff93]

One of the guys I work with has one. It's really need and does work as advertized. However, the problem with it is you can't direct heat into something like you can a torch. How many times to bolt break off at the head and not where the threads are into something? I find a mig welder a lot more useful for getting out broken bolts.

 

[tatra]

we use induction to get the pinion gears off of the traction motors on choo choos.........this is the gear on the end of the motor that turns the big gear on the axle.........the pinion is a taper fit, when applied, is heated and torqued with a big nut on the end.......removal is done thru induction.........if it needs to be done on a semi regular basis on nut where they are accessible. probably handy to have , but a torch might be better all around with fiberglass mats and water around just in case..........

 

[scooby074]

Looks cool.

I can definitely see applications.

*cough Gas tank straps Cough*

 

[Danglerb]

Induction heating has been around for a long time, so somebody will be selling a tool for $100 or less if its effective.

Tooltopia has it for $370 (not the II, maybe that will be cheaper).
http://www.tooltopia.com/induction-innovations-md-600.aspx

Gotta wonder how well it would work pulling head bolts out of blocks? Pesky and time consuming with a torch.

 

[fatfillup]

Probably could be sold as a shop owned tool. Any of the truck brands have this?

 

[aidank]

be nice if there was sometype of attachment that would simulate the effect of a a propane torch for this i.e. a point you could put on it that would throw the heat in frount of it could use it then for cutting in tight situations much more controlled than propane torch

also could use it for heating threads which are buried in a long mount

 

[gofastman]

I know if I fork out the cash for something like that I will never run across a stuck bolt again.

 

[StingRay]

They work good. I have also used one that was made for windshield, decal and truck bed liner removal. Pricey but really neat. They are particularly good for getting in at bolts in places where you are NOT going to use a torch without ruining something else or lighting it all on fire.

 

[rhandwor]

How long do the batteries stay charged?

 

[norry]

I know if I fork out the cash for something like that I will never run across a stuck bolt again.

Wow, I think we would ALL pay $500 for that!

 

[truckdriver]

I wonder how well it would work getting a 6" long 5/8 bolt out of an aluminum engine xmember? I tried a 30 ton jack,a 22lb sledgehammer, lots of PB blaster, even a torch and impact. I didn't like using the torch as I didn't want to make to the xmember brittle.

 

[70Chevy]

500 beans is kinda steep! I'll continue with the propane torch - would be nice if it works as good as the ad shows it.
Like someone else siad, if I put out the $500, I'd likely never have another stuck bolt again!

 

[fordbroncodave]

it has many attachments for different applications. i like the window seal seperator the most. cuts like butter

 

[KNS Autosport]

i like the window seal seperator the most. cuts like butter

I was also looking at how well the window seal seperator works, it could definatly pay itself off verry fast, I send many cars to scrap with perfectly good windshields because I dont have the time to deal with taking them off.

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

Available in the great white north for $462.70
http://www.babcotools.ca/s.nl/it.A/id.37142/.f?sc=48&category=597745

 

[tonydanzah]

i think you can get similar result with a mapp torch and adjustable nozzle. Just not as fast, may take 45sec to 2min to get the same heat. Just no way to do trim or windshields.

 

[nato]

A guy I work with bought the Mini-Ductor (original version) off of our MAC dealer about a year ago. Aside from the price and it's massive, bulbous body, it works EXCELLENT! I've used it a few times to break loose a plethora of cradle & frame mounted bolts/nuts/studs. He's used it a lot on these types of jobs as well as with a couple instances I can't totally remember, but they were 'unique' reapirs that required such a tool. It saved time from making OJR's to complete one unrelated repair.

 

[theamcguy]

Check eBay I bought the mini ductor and the attachement set for $300 around Christmas. They work no bull, no hype, plain, and simple.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

If worked as shown I would love to have one, but for the price its something the shop should have. Ill stick with the torch and oxygen lance.

 

[wreckercologist]

Cornwell also runs specials on these from time to time.

 

[hemipower0469]

I would definetly be interested in this. Especially if it was on the tool truck.

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

I just ordered one from Babco, so we'll see how it is.
Total was ~ $485 CAD.

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

How long do the batteries stay charged?

No batteries, plugs into 120 volt outlet.

 

[hemipower0469]

just spoke to matco dealer he is checking out in getting me one!

 

[Major Ramifications]

The cool thing about induction heating is that it doesn't make heat, it makes high frequency magnetic waves that cause the iron molecules to rub together, creating heat through molecular friction. Microwave ovens do this with radio waves causing the water molecules to rub, heating the food.
Induction cooktops for the kitchen are just starting to catch on over here (they are more popular in Europe). The cooktop doesn't get hot, it only heats the iron in the pot. You can leave an ice cube on one half of the burner and boil water in a pot on the other half, and the ice cube won't melt. If you have a spillover while cooking, you can pick up the pot, put a towel down on the burner, and then put the pot on top of the towel, and continue cooking right through the towel. Spills won't stick, as the burner doesn't get hot. Also, it is a very efficient heat.

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

Well, it came today.
Tried it out on a couple of nuts, and it works as advertised.
Comes with a padded plastic case and 3 attachments, as well as an owners manual.
Took a total of 2 weeks to get here.

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

There's another company making induction heaters, now.
http://www.fluxeon.com/TheRoy.html
Still pretty new,the site doesn't say what attachmants are available, yet.

 

[Tom2]

Looks awesome.. I'll wait for the $50 HF version though. It aint worth $500 to me.

 

[Diddly]

I wonder if it would release the Adhesive on the glued in U-joints?

 

[lipadj46]

Looks awesome.. I'll wait for the $50 HF version though. It aint worth $500 to me.

+1, I can't wait for this to be H-eff'd. I wonder if there are any patents that would prevent them from copying it?

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

I wonder if it would release the Adhesive on the glued in U-joints?

Should do that fairly easily.

 

[Tom2]

Question:

What if a bolt breaks, and isn't sticking out at all? Is there attachments to be able to heat it, so you could remove it with an extractor?

Obviously it'd be ideal to apply the heat before removing the bolt, but wondering how this would fare with broken bolts..

 

[mjozefow]

Looks awesome.. I'll wait for the $50 HF version though. It aint worth $500 to me.

Yes, let's wait for the HF to rip off the intellectual property and mass produce for ten cents on the dollar.

Someone put a lot of effort into the design, I would imagine HF keeps them up at night.

I'm not bashing HF, I buy stuff from them if I have no other economical option, but they will find any and every way to snag proprietary ideas.