Rusty Nuts

I ran across this a while ago in a post from the TCDXA (Twin City DX Association) The info could prove useful the next time you run across an “impossible to loosen” nut on a tower.

“Machinist’s Workshop” recently published information on various penetrating oils. The magazine reports they tested these products for “break out torque” on rusted nuts and bolts. A subjective test was made of popular penetrating oils, with the unit of merit being the torque required to remove the nut from a “scientifically rusted” bolt.

Average torque load to loosen nut:
No Oil used ……………………516 foot pounds
WD-40 ………………… ……..238 foot pounds
PB Blaster …………………….214 foot pounds
Liquid Wrench ………………….127 foot pounds
Kano Kroil …………………….106 foot pounds
ATF/Acetone mix…………………. 53 foot pounds

The ATF/Acetone mix is a “home brew” mix of 50/50 automatic transmission fluid and acetone. Note this “home brew” released bolts 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 almost as good as Kroil for 20% of the price.
ATF/Acetone mix is best, but you can also use ATF and lacquer thinner in a 50/50 mix. ATF = Any type of Automatic Transmission Fluid. This was in one of the Military Vehicle Club newsletters. www.homeshopmachinist.net/home

73, Lee ZL2AL

3 thoughts on “Rusty Nuts

  1. Hey Lee, what’s the trick to tightening stainless steel bolts so they don’t bind then shear? 73 Gary

  2. Tuff gel or Marelube TEF 45 Marine supply stores, used on stainless sailboat rigging.

  3. Good morning Lee, very very interesting read. At work we use liquid wrench to work off bolts. The “home brew” seems to work better than any other over the counter brands. Wonder how they came up with this mix…..
    Have a good weekend
    Mike

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