Some Metal Work

[fhon]

Hi Everyone,

So I'm working on this old log splitter frame, trying to make is useable again. The rust on this thing is terrible. It's been sitting in a field for almost 30 years. Most of the bolts I've been able to cut the heads off of and tap them out. However I ran into an issue with the push plate I realized the lower plates are actually threaded. I already tried some of the rust penatrating sprays and an impact but it won't budge. I'm thinking my only options now are drilling out the holes or cutting through the center plate sideways. Not sure how good of an idea that is.

Any ideas? Ive been racking my brain but got nothing.

 

[BenTN]

Heat. If its not covered in grease heat those bolts with torch then quickly cool with water. Try to heat just the bolts. If those are large enough allen screws and you have a welder. Run a bead around the outside of the bolt head then douse with water to cool quicky.

 

[fhon]

Thank you for the reply. I just had a chance to try this and ended up stripping one of the bolts pretty bad. I'm worried this going to limit my options even more.

 

[brenndatomu]

Yeah heat is your best option here...take 'em to red hot if you can, they'll come out. If not then cut the heads off and then you can get the keeper plates in the vise to heat and beat on 'em...then drill out if you end up at that point. If all else fails make or order new keeper plates.
Might be able to just drill out and then run a longer bolt with a nut on the bottom?

 

[fhon]

You think it's worth trying to heat them up and beat them out even though they're threaded? I'm thinking I'll have to replace the middle plates anyway they seem pretty bad.

 

[brenndatomu]

You won't be able to beat them out but sometimes between heat n beat, they will come loose and can then be threaded out...which in this case may be after the bolt head is cut off so you would have to use a good Vise Grips or pliers, or maybe even a small pipe wrench to torque the remainder of the bolt out. If it breaks off at the thread then they would need to be drilled out and the thread chased...or maybe it could just have a nut on the bottom if the threads got too boogered up.

 

[Whitepine2]

Heat. If its not covered in grease heat those bolts with torch then quickly cool with water. Try to heat just the bolts. If those are large enough allen screws and you have a welder. Run a bead around the outside of the bolt head then douse with water to cool quicky.

This has always worked for me,just make sure heat is all around red hot then a pail of water on the hot one,do one at a time.Usually things can be turned out by hand,it's gotta be hot.
Another thing to try drill a small hole through bolt then take cutting torch and carefully blow out to near the side of bolt, then take a chisel and cut the remaining away then tap out to clean threads.

 

[SeanBB]

I would drill down into the Allen Screw hole, it will be a good guide for the drill. When the bolt is hollow it should come out easily.

 

[fhon]

Thank you all! The welder and water worked great. I ended up drilling the bolts out of the lower plates so I could resuse them.

I have one more question though. The main part of the push plate is bent. It's not terrible but I wanted to see if you all think it would cause any issues. I really don't want to cut this apart if I don't have to. I attached an image

 

[Jags]

The bent push plate really won’t hurt much. Only concern would be if wood wants to slip UP the plate during the push. I would consider more backing so that the angle cant get any worse.

 

[BenTN]

^^^yep. You could also run some horizontal beads on the face of your push plate to help prevent slipping. The heat from welding may pull your plate back closer to vertical too.

 

[fhon]

Thank you guys. I was thinking some kind of texturing and that definitely sounds convenient. I will definitely sure up the back support.