Nut Buster Homemade

[GARMASTERS]

Saw this on Trapshooters.com:



Some of you might appreciate this. Machinist's Workshop magazine tested penetrants for break out torque on rusted nuts. They are below, as forwarded by an ex-student and professional machinist, Bud Baker. They arranged a subjective test of all the popular penetrants with the control being the torque required to remove the nut from a "scientifically rusted" environment.

*Penetrating oil ..... Average load*

None ...................... 516 pounds

WD-40 ................... 238 pounds

PB Blaster ............... 214 pounds

Liquid Wrench ......... 127 pounds

Kano Kroil .............. 106 pounds

ATF-Acetone mix.......53 pounds

The ATF-Acetone mix was a "home brew" mix of 50 - 50 automatic transmission fluid and acetone. Note the "home brew" was better than any commercial product in this one particular test. Our local machinist group mixed up a batch and we all now use it with equally good results. Note also that "Liquid Wrench" is about as good as "Kroil" for about 20% of the price.

 

[Milton]

Great info !! I use Kroil a bunch to clean my revolvers,I think I will give the home made mix a try !!

 

[2152hq]

I would have guessed that the acetone in the home brew would evaporate before it could do much of anything,,but the results seem to speak otherwise. I'll give it a try next time the need arises.

I know that ATF was always used as a cheap penetrating oil by itself and also as a soak to loosen surface rust. Good stuff.

I've had excellent results with Kroil. The cost really isn't a factor as the amount used in gunsmithing doesn't get too pricey.

Also,,rusted and stuck screws are more the problem as opposed to a stuck nut on a bolt. They are more difficult to remove especially w/o disturbing or damaging the surrounding surfaces or the screw itself if the latter can be avoided.

A properly fitted screwdriver bit in a mill or drill press,,hand turned while applying pressure with the quill is the best way I've found to get them out.... But only after a soaking with a penetrants.

A tiny bit of valve grinding compound applied to the screw slot will help the bit grip the slot better too and avoid slipping while turning.