Bolt from hell!

[Welder Dave]

Why is it that sometimes something really simple turns into a big ordeal. I was taking the bolts for a mud flap off so I could replace the mud flap. The bolts were pretty rusted so I figured the easiest thing to do was just snap them off. That worked great for the first 3. Of course the last inner most bolt under the box was put in the opposite way with the nut on the back side of the mud flap. Didn't think it would matter but that bolt was cursed. I tried to loosen and tighten but that 3/8" bolt would not snap with a 3/4" breaker bar! OK I'll cut it off with a zip disc. Cut about have way through and the zip disc separated from from the inner hub. Have never had that happen before. Enough of this bolt from hell. I barely have any oxygen left but had enough to cut that damn bolt off. Why couldn't it have been the outer bolt where it's easy to access!

 

[HarleyHappy]

I have been having a lot of separation of discs from the steel hub lately.
Maybe 6 in the last few months. Using Benchmark Abrasives.
Just bought a case of Innox to try. Will see if I have better luck with those.

 

[BC Placer gold]

I have been finding lately that zip disks (brands previously good) have been ‘shredding’….

Then maybe a ‘cheap’ off brand will be perfectly fine…

 

[Simon C]

I have about 100 Walter Zip discs still in my box that are 5 years or more old. I won't sell as I use occasionally and the new stuff will probably be worse.
Simon C

 

[ianjoub]

I have great luck with these at $.38 each in the 200 pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DYQD55R?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[Mike L]

Always tackle the bolt that is the hardest to access first. that way things can only get better. Like, follow, and subscribe for more tips like that to prevent you from taking a bath with a toaster!

 

[Welder Dave]

I find cheap zip discs don't last long. I think why the bolt wouldn't break was I was holding it with a ratchet wrench and maybe the ratchet wouldn't hold. The wrench was stuck a little when I took it off but I was able to turn it till it ratchet again. I'll have to try it on a bolt and see if it still works. It should be warrantees if it the ratchet part is broke.

 

[Welder Dave]

Always tackle the bolt that is the hardest to access first. that way things can only get better. Like, follow, and subscribe for more tips like that to prevent you from taking a bath with a toaster!

The problem was the first 3 bolts snapped off pretty easy. I'll start on the inside one on the other mud flap.

 

[donkey doctor]

I have found the Mastercraft cutoff discs from Cdn Tire work just fine. I have used them with great chunks out of the edge. They don't last long with missing pieces though. The price is certainly right when they are on sale. I have used them to cut off a 4 foot piece of 1/8 plate more than once. Cheaper than oxy acet and doesn't cause the plate to warp. Just clamp down a straight edge and cut away. d.d.

 

[Bootheal]

Talk about derailing…
Is there a process to flatten metal (stainless steel) after cutting designs with plasma table?
Thanks. And back to the regular programming.

 

[Welder Dave]

Plasma shouldn't warp metal when cutting.

 

[Welder Dave]

I have found the Mastercraft cutoff discs from Cdn Tire work just fine. I have used them with great chunks out of the edge. They don't last long with missing pieces though. The price is certainly right when they are on sale. I have used them to cut off a 4 foot piece of 1/8 plate more than once. Cheaper than oxy acet and doesn't cause the plate to warp. Just clamp down a straight edge and cut away. d.d.

I bought some Mastercraft cutoff discs on sale. They wear out real fast! Walter or Tyrolit last about 4 times longer.