On 30 Jul 2008 14:33:05 -0500, Dave wrote:
On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:46:05 -0400, said:
He's trying to free steel bolts from aluminum after 30 or 40 years.
Not quite correct. The PO apparently removed the stanchions from their bases
each year when he covered the boat, and I also removed them from their bases
the year after I bought the boat. So it's been about 3 years since they were
loose. I'm surprised at how quickly the bolts became irremovable.
Tapping and patience often works with frozen bolts. Soaking with your
choice of a "rust-buster," then whacking repeatedly, coming back later
and whacking a bit more. Only loosen the nut enough to protect the
end threads from the hammer, and bang on that, not hard enough to
deform the threads so the nut won't come off. But even banging in the
direction of insertion provides corrosion freeing action.
Might work for you, but use due caution not to overdo it.
I've used the method with good success. Even works on recalcitrant
pipe joints, preventing smaller rusted pipe diameters from twisting
off in the joint.
--Vic