Do you have stubborn or rusty nuts?
Written: Dec 03 '03 (Updated Jun 30 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Works as well as advertised
Cons: 13 piece set is a bit expensive
The Bottom Line: If you've got stubborn nuts, these can help you remove them.
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| criteeker's Full Review: Craftsman 13 Pc. Bolt Out Set |
Rusty Nuts? Didn't he play for the Raiders? Ah, I digress. In the course of any woodworking, metal, home construction or fix-it type projects, the heads of hex bolts or lag screws and nuts & bolts can get stripped to the point that they will not be able to be removed. They can also be hard to remove due to corrosion or paint. That's where these American-made carbon-steel babies come into play. These are the only bolt or nut removers that I know of. And Craftsman also makes a "stud remover." If you need nuts, screws or studs removed, Sears is the only game in town... Unless you factor in Lorraina Bobbit!!!!! Instead of Bob Vila, I think Sears should get Lorainna to be the spokesperson for these specialty items. Who's with me?
Sears and (our Johnny-on-the-spot) Bob Vila have been pitching the new screw removers and this set of bolt removers. I don't know how you folks feel, but I think Bob Vila is just a spokesman for any of the tools he talks about. I DOUBT he knows the first thing about building a house, really. C'mon. He's right about these bolt removers though. These things really work.
Let's say you strip the head of an old rusty lag bolt or lag screw head. This is when the corners of the had become rounded so the socket or wrench you're using just slips right off of the head and more often than not causes various parts of your hand or arm to become bruised and / or cut. This ingenious add-on tool will save you from most injuries and random swearing.
The design is simple; Each of the 13 bits looks like a typical socket wrench bit with two differences. Inside each bit, are swirled jaw-like teeth to grab the walls of the nut or bolt in question. Also, they have a "through-hole" in the top (of each bit) to allow the threaded part of the nut to pass through so the user has access to the stripped bolt head.
Generally, a wrench (ratchet/socket, common wrench, adjustable wrench, pliers, or Vise Grip) attaches to the outside of each bit for better leverage and the ability to loosen the stubborn nut or bolt. In cases of obscenely tough nuts or bolts, a piece of metal pipe can be slipped over the end of the wrench or a large pipe wrench aka "monkey wrench" can be used on the socket.
IN THE RED PLASTIC CASE: The 13 sizes are as follows: #2, #3, #4, #5, #7, #8, #9, #10, #12 and #13 extractors. Fits standard hex sizes of 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", 9/16", 5/8" and 11/16". Fits metric sizes 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 19mm.
BUYING ADVICE: If you strip a lot of nuts and bolts or work on rusty machines or tools, this might be the perfect life saver. If you would rarely ever see yourself needing a $49.00 set of (13) extractor bits, you might be safe with the $19.99 five-piece set. That set includes #3, #5, #7, #9 and #10 extractors.
PERSONAL ADVICE: If you already own a set of the "Metrinch" sockets, they work on the same principle. They get their power from turning the walls of the nut or bolt head instead of the corners. Try them first and if they don't loosen or remove rusty or stripped nuts and bolts, then buy these. I happen to have BOTH sets, 'cause you can NEVER have too many tools, right, people? Can I get an AMEN?
Note: There is also a high-impact 10 piece set for those of you who might use impact wrenches or air tools. It runs about $55.
UPDATE: I stand corrected. There is another option for these bolt removers. It's a 10-piece set for about $54 and available through Leichtung Workshops (800) 321-6840. Catalog #123848 and their version of the screw outs, catalog #102041. I prefer Craftsman, though. BOTH have a lifetime warranty, but it's MUCH easier to walk into a Sears store and get a replacement.
Additional note: If you need the Craftsman screw removers for stripped screws, try my friend Steelfan's review - CLICK HERE.
PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE www.BurnLoungeTreasures.com
Recommended:
Yes
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