What is this tool?

[blueoval65]

I just got an old Columbus Shocks rolling cabinet for the garage. Found this Craftsman tool in it. What is it? Thanks

 

[Ralf11]

nut cracker - when they're stuck just kill 'em and move on

 

[Kscardsfan]

Nut splitter. They used to be everywhere, once sears crapped out you didn't see them as much seemed like.

 

[Duke74]

Yup. I have one as well.... nut splitter. Sounds awful but it does work good on those nuts that won’t come off.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Yep nut splitter. I have a few of those and use them pretty regularly.

 

[blueoval65]

Thanks alot.

 

[ChefRex]

Don't let the wife know of it's existence!

 

[four.cycle]

Yep. Use with care. It will leave a mark.

 

[Raineman]

They are now called angle grinders or cutoff wheels. That thing is medieval.

 

[Feralghoul88]

They are now called angle grinders or cutoff wheels. That thing is medieval.

Ive yet to see someone cut a nut off of a bolt without damaging the threads on the bolt with an angle grinder, maybe you are just much better with one than I am or you have WAY to much time on your hands...or you most likely have never used a quality nutsplitter like these because they work very well, and are easy to use in many spaces that you would never fit an angle grinder.

 

[The Cobbler]

... and you don't always have to snap the nut in half. often the splitter will spread it enough to be wrenched off

 

[Jland]

Before I knew these things existed I used a cold chisel... these work waaaay better

 

[Al Borland]

You can take lugnuts off with those. Good find.

 

[tyyost]

I’m super shocked to see all the positive thoughts on that thing, I had one since back in the early 90’s and have never successfully used it to crack a nut off. Being in the rust belt, I guess the rusty nuts are just too much. Always found the point on the pusher dug in as much as the splitter.

I have used it on different jobs where things get tough, but never has one of these bailed me out without needing a cold chisel or something that makes sparks. Glad to know it is like the bionic wrench I thought it was.

 

[joe_padavano]

Before I had a torch, I got one of the C-clamp style nut splitters. It worked about half the time. Today the torch or the pneumatic cutoff tool does the job.

 

[GoToGuy_Ron]

I had 2 of these a smaller larger,came as a set. I used the smaller once on a rounded nut I didn't want to chance breaking the stud. It broke through one flat then just spun it off. The larger one my cousin broke, l found out later he tried it on a grade 8 nut and it didn't go as planned. Oh well, the instructions said "Do not use on hardened materials".

 

[laser3kw]

Ive yet to see someone cut a nut off of a bolt without damaging the threads on the bolt with an angle grinder, maybe you are just much better with one than I am or you have WAY to much time on your hands.

The trick is to grind down almost to the threads. Usually the heat from grinding will help loosen the nut. After you grind, yo use a punch or chisel to peel the nut away. Sometimes you have to grind two opposing sides and break the nut in to two pieces.

 

[mike93lx]

You can take lugnuts off with those. Good find.

Not on most cars, at least almost nothing with aluminum wheels