starting a nut or bolt in a tight place

[stryair]

I always wanted to post somewhere, a neat trick to get a nut or bolt to stay put in a socket, long enough to get it started or even tight. Many times over the years working on various machinery or vehicles, you come across a difficult tight place to start a nut or bolt, and the stupid thing won't stay in the socket long enough to get it started, well all you need is a small piece of paper towel. Place the paper between the nut and socket, then push nut and paper into the socket. Tear off excess paper towel, then install nut or bolt. Pull off socket and your done. Also, if your swivel joint on you ratchet is too flimsy, you just need to wrap it with a little tape. electrical or masking works great. I hope that this will help someone out there to finish a job a little sooner and happier. Have a good one, Mike Stryzinski

 

[rsanter]

Yup, you can also use a magnetic socket

Bob

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Thanks.

 

[Ruger_556]

Piece of coolant hose jammed over a bolt head or nut will get you in a lot of places also. Especially nice for torque converter nuts on medium duty Allisons.

 

[superchargedv8]

i like using shrink tubing around a universal joint instead of tape...

 

[Ilikeike]

Never tried the paper towel trick,I've been sticking a bit of duct tape in there sticky side out to hold the nut.
I'll remember the paper towel trick next time,since i normally have a roll close by.

 

[Koken]

Watch the first 50+ seconds.

 

[Handyfarmer]

I have used the paper towel and even a piece of electrical tape.

even a stiff grease will work,

 

[Thumper68]

You can also use a rare earth magnet on the side of a socket or screw driver. I keep a couple on the side of my box.

 

[Kaasdief]

Thank you Mike.

 

[deeno]

As a kid nearly 30 years ago, I worked for a mechanic in a 1 bay shop on a used car lot. He taught me a trick with 3M Weatherstrip Adhesive. A little dab in a socket, on a screwdriver tip, in an open end wrench, or even on your fingertips will hold a nut, bolt screw, washer, whatever until you get it started. You can clean it off tools and fingers with a little rubbing or some thinner when you're done.

I've always had a tube in my boxes since then.

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

I use masking tape sometimes, for torx or phillips screws. Jam the fastener tight on the taped phillps or torx bit. What I hate is those darn pozi drive screws !

 

[benjamintmiller]

I dip the nut in grease. It causes the nut to stick to the socket and prevents corrosion afterward... win-win!

 

[kerrynzl]

bits of oven bag also work OK.

Also good for not damaging chrome lugnuts

 

[Burned]

I've used this http://www.amazon.com/CRL-Sunroof-Butyl-Sealant-Tape/dp/B002CXGSKY variously applied to tools or fasteners to hold them in place for installation. Removable without solvent.

 

[stearn786]

I have a set of these kicking around somewhere: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M2LZ4E2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I don't use them often but when I need them they pay for themselves.

 

[Adam.C]

Grease is the aircraft mechanics' trick. I've attached nuts to sockets (Snap On's shallow broach works well for this) using (basically) wheel bearing grease. Also stuck the washer on the socket with the same stuff.

 

[creativecars]

Coming from a body shop I like to use non catalyzed body filler from around the edge. Just a little ball off the dried edge placed on the inside lip of the socket will hold most nuts or bolts in place until they are started.

 

[stryair]

thanks for the comments, I appreciate it, I don't like to use anything that is sticky (adhesive, electrical tape, or etc.) because of the mess and residue on your hands. The magnetic sockets are good in certain situations, if you have them, I haven't bought sockets in years, and I don't plan on it soon. Also, using paper towel will work even with deep sockets. Also, using the paper technique you may torque the nut or bolt in one step. Of course, many mechanics use many different techniques and most are usable and work great. I was just trying to add to the many ways to accomplish a task. I didn't have much help in the area of time saving techniques, so I will continue to try to help. Also, it's awesome to hear of other methods, the user has his pick. mike

 

[steel 35]

Thin nut, thin wrench and a piece of masking tape.

 

[hoyt]

I sometimes use a tool that I've had for years (inherited from my dad's toolbox), but I have no idea what is is called. Its a long strip of aluminum with a notch in each end and a piece of spring steel with a similar notch. It holds either a nut or a bolt and extends my reach about 12". I can get the nut started and then just slip it off to finish the job with a wrench.

 

[jeff shauger]

I usually use some greasy or a plastic bag from the parts just put the nut or bolt inside it put it in the socket and tear it off works pretty good

 

[jsaw]

Sometimes I wrap a piece of masking tape around a finger so the sticky side is out, then stick the nut to my finger to reach into difficult to reach places.

Also have a set of magnetic sockets that I use a lot. Before I had them, I used to put a piece of paper, plastic bag, or whatever I had available to put over the bolt head to hold it in the socket.