Busting a nut on the Contour. Could use a little advise?

[Don2222]

Hello

Trying to take out the fire pot for some cleaning and lubing but looks like it has never been done before on this old beast! ! !

Oops, the left side fire pot bolt broke! Deja-Vu ! ! !
A stainless steel Cap Hex Head Bolt that is 1/4 x 20 x 1" long and SS wing nut should fix that as I recall! LOL https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...-on-a-quadrafire-santa-fe.88471/#post-1150667

The right side will not budge!

Any suggestions on the right side?

Cut off or drill out? Which is easier and what tool(s) do I need?

Since it is a tight space in the fire box, I hear an air chisel or a dremel with a cutoff wheel may be good?

Or

A right angle die grinder or air cutoff tool? I hear an air cutoff tool works best if you can get it in there?
A die grinder like this?
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00919951000P
Or
Air cutoff tool Like this?
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...P&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=30-178401712-2

Click on pic to enlarge

 

[DexterDay]

Cut off, drill out, etc.

Have you tried soaking for a few days in penetrating oil?

 

[nate379]

The title had me scared to open this thread! I guess "busting a nut" means something a bit different to the rest of us...

 

[smwilliamson]

PB Blaster and blast the bottom coupling with a torch, it will move. You could grind off the head too.

 

[Don2222]

Hello

Yes Thanks, I tried the PB Blaster and got the left bolt to move enough to snap! These bolts are old and rusty!

So what power tools was my original question?

Choices:
Drill with Titanium Drill bits
Air Chisel
Die Grinder
Dremel
Air Cutter

All I have is a drill, air chisel and dremel
Tried the air chisel and it did loosen up the bolt from the stove body but that was all.

My guess is that an Air Cut-Off tool may be the best tool to cut the bolt head off.
The dremel with the cut-off wheel worked fine. The wheels are very brittle and I did break quit a few.

Then the Drill with the Titanium drill bits to drill out the bolt shaft was the finishing touch.

NOW I can make this old stove look like new ! ! !

See pics
Click to Enlarge

 

[TheMightyMoe]

Impact gun.

 

[jtakeman]

PB blaster and shock(whack it or impact) usually gets even the most stuborn stuff. Heat helps too. I swore by Kroil, But can't find it anymore these days!

Be sure to use some High heat never sneeze(seez) so they don't get so stuck on ya!

 

[Defiant]

Dynomite will take care of it!!

 

[Don2222]

PB blaster and shock(whack it or impact) usually gets even the most stuborn stuff. Heat helps too. I swore by Kroil, But can't find it anymore these days!

Be sure to use some High heat never sneeze(seez) so they don't get so stuck on ya!

Thanks Jay
These old nuts and bolts were just frozen from 12 years of high heat! New stainless steel bolts and wing nuts with SS washers should help too! Now it is a mop up situation! I just wire brushed the fire pot with the wire wheel and cleaned with Acetone from Home Depot. Then just sprayed it with VHT Flame Proof Very high heat paint.

Then I have to clean up the fire box.

 

[WoodPorn]

PB blaster and shock(whack it or impact) usually gets even the most stuborn stuff. Heat helps too. I swore by Kroil, But can't find it anymore these days!

Be sure to use some High heat never sneeze(seez) so they don't get so stuck on ya!

J,
I've got a few cans at work...PM me your addy and I'll send 'ya one

 

[Lousyweather]

wow- read the title and my mind went elsewhere....troubling visuals!

 

[Don2222]

wow- read the title and my mind went elsewhere....troubling visuals!

Yes, it was not that easy to get in there and break those bolts! I did replace the same bolts on the Quad Santa Fe last July 2012. So I cleaned out the fire box and put the wrench on them and they came out real easy! The Stainless Steel bolts with some lube on them make a big difference. I used the stove all winter! So that may never happen again. Other than that this Quad Contour I call the "Pie Warmer" is a great little stove and after the outside paint will be in mint condition!

Shazam! Looking any better with a brand new white Lytherm Gasket and dry moly on the fire brick?

Click to enlarge: