Looking for opinions/input on these induction heaters

[upper_tanker]

Good morning all. I've been looking up different induction heaters for my weekend warrioring. I do have an Oxy/Acetylene torch, but I think an induction heater would be really handy for single or a few nuts/bolts so I wouldn't have to drag the torches out. Also, with the way prices are for gas....

Anyway, I found these two on Amazon. I generally try to stay away from the cheaper tools, but it looks like the two big players for induction heaters are Mini Ductor and Bolt Buster and it looks like both are around $400+. I found these below on Amazon and was wondering if anyone has any experience with them. I have around $130 in Amazon credit, so that's why I was looking there. I would prefer to get something that lasted more than a few uses. If the general consensus on these is that they're garbage, I won't get either of them.

Does anybody have any input on these below? Again, it might get used 1-10 times per month depending on what I do. I just think they're so versatile and would end up saving money in the long run.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086BQJD85/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KWQDYZY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Formerjeeper]

Following. I will say reviews for the first one (Solary brand) look a lot better than the reviews for the second one.

 

[WWheeler]

I'd like to be able to see the manuals for them and know the duty cycle they are rated for. The only companies I've seen that let you download the manual are the Mini-Ductor (and unfortunately Amazon lets knock off companies sell using their name - the cheapest Mini-Ductor is over $400) and Bolt Buster. The Mini-Ductors I've looked at say 2 min on and 2 off, and Bolt Buster says 2 0n and 4 off IIRC.

Everyone I know that has bought these cheaper models tells me not to run them anywhere near a minute straight and 4-5 minutes off to cool. And I know several who learned the hard way why that is. That's fine for smaller stuff but not always enough to get larger red hot.

 

[toddmorr]

For that kind of usage per month just get the bolt buster and be done with it. I use mine and it's worth it easy.

 

[upper_tanker]

Following. I will say reviews for the first one (Solary brand) look a lot better than the reviews for the second one.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Sometimes, I have a hard time trusting the reviews because you usually don't know how they're using them

I'd like to be able to see the manuals for them and know the duty cycle they are rated for. The only companies I've seen that let you download the manual are the Mini-Ductor (and unfortunately Amazon lets knock off companies sell using their name - the cheapest Mini-Ductor is over $400) and Bolt Buster. The Mini-Ductors I've looked at say 2 min on and 2 off, and Bolt Buster says 2 0n and 4 off IIRC.

Everyone I know that has bought these cheaper models tells me not to run them anywhere near a minute straight and 4-5 minutes off to cool. And I know several who learned the hard way why that is. That's fine for smaller stuff but not always enough to get larger red hot.

This is good to know, I never even considered this. Maybe I'll see if my dad will go in halves with me.

For that kind of usage per month just get the bolt buster and be done with it. I use mine and it's worth it easy.

Yeah, after reading WWheeler's post, I'm thinking I might just go with one of the two better units.

 

[signcrafter]

I have the bolt buster that is 1800W, the one you linked to is 100W. I don't have experience with the cheaper ones but at almost 50 percent power from the bolt buster I would think they would be a little weak. I've used mine on things like tie rods and even a month ago I used it to heat up the carrier bearings on a rear end to help get them off easier.

Another thing to take into consideration is the coil kit. Bolt buster comes with 10 or so different coils. The one you linked to comes with 3. So you have to factor that into the cost also. This is what made me decide on the bolt buster. My napa sold it to me for about 400 bucks if I remember right. By the time I bought the 200 dollar cheaper kit and the 100 dollar coil kit it was close enough to the cost of the bolt buster that I just went with the real deal. I don't use mine very often but when I do it pays for itself over and over again. Well worth it.

Here is a post I made when looking into the bolt buster vs the knock offs, https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/best-induction-heater-for-rusty-bolts.479222/

 

[ppap]

I cant speak for the posted links but I bought the Miniductor Venom about 5 years ago. It was around $400 back then plus the cost of the coil kits. I use this at least once a month and it has PAID for itself many times over in the labor it saved me to drill out and tap broken bolts. It will NOT get everything out, especially with larger bolts such as axle bolts, but it works great where a torch is not possible - areas with wiring harnesses, fuel lines/tanks and plastic. I use it at work (auto tech) and home (old yard equipment that sit outside and seized plumbing faucets). Its expensive as hell but I would buy it again without a doubt.