De-glassing a baby stay nut question

[mattonthesea]

Our aft baby stay fixing has developed a leak. While I am quite happy to loosen it off and reseal it, it was glassed in and I will have to remove this first. New one for me.

So the question is what's the easiest/best way of doing this? It's difficult to get a saw in there and I would worry about cutting into the bolt. Would a chisel work or would I be better off using an old screwdriver? Any other ideas?

TIA

M

 

[VicS]

I have found that an old wood chisel was an effective tool for removing the glass covering the nuts of deck fittings

 

[PaulRainbow]

I have found that an old wood chisel was an effective tool for removing the glass covering the nuts of deck fittings

Same here.

 

[Tranona]

It might be worth running a Dremel round it first then a chisel.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I’ve used an old chisel and it works ok. A multi tool sometimes works even better if you’ve got access. Better still is a small circular saw without the centre drill bit removed and used carefully. If you find the saw wondering too much when you try to start, cut a hole in a scrap of wood with the hole saw and clamp/hold the wood with the hole over the exact spot you need to cut the grp away. Go carefully!

 

[Refueler]

I’ve used an old chisel and it works ok. A multi tool sometimes works even better if you’ve got access. Better still is a small circular saw without the centre drill bit removed and used carefully. If you find the saw wondering too much when you try to start, cut a hole in a scrap of wood with the hole saw and clamp/hold the wood with the hole over the exact spot you need to cut the grp away. Go carefully!

Yep ... hole saw that is a close fit to the nut .... carefully mark a depth on the outside of hole saw with marker pen ...

This way you get a neat cut .. you can then chisel / multi-tool the centre away ... revealing the nut. Its likely that the nut will not want to unscrew due to filled threads ... brute force is needed here while above deck fitting is held solidly.

 

[VicS]

Avoid powered tools where possible due to the dust they will create unless you can use with a vacuum cleaner or dust collection .

 

[john_morris_uk]

Avoid powered tools where possible due to the dust they will create unless you can use with a vacuum cleaner or dust collection .

Good point. I forgot to say that I try to use a vacuum cleaner with the nozzle held close to the work while I’m cutting. And wear protection as the GRP dust is a real irritant.

 

[penberth3]

I have found that an old wood chisel was an effective tool for removing the glass covering the nuts of deck fittings

Yes. It's even worth buying cheap chisels for this sort of thing, Poundland, car boot sales, whatever.

 

[Refueler]

Good point. I forgot to say that I try to use a vacuum cleaner with the nozzle held close to the work while I’m cutting. And wear protection as the GRP dust is a real irritant.

Its not only the dust - but any fibres that are produced are extremely injurious to the lungs.

 

[penberth3]

Avoid powered tools where possible due to the dust they will create unless you can use with a vacuum cleaner or dust collection .

I always assume GRP is asbestos!

 

[john_morris_uk]

Its not only the dust - but any fibres that are produced are extremely injurious to the lungs.

My ‘and wear protection’ was supposed to imply a decent mask/dust breathing protection. As well as protection to exposed skin/eyes etc.

GRP dust/fibres are not nice.

 

[mattonthesea]

Thanks all. A visit to Poundland is on the cards. There's no room for a power tool except for dremmel, which I don't have.

 

[B27]

Check you actually need to chop the grp, the nut may be welded to a plate or similar?

 

[mattonthesea]

Check you actually need to chop the grp, the nut may be welded to a plate or similar?

The forward baby stay has a backing plate but it is not welded. That one was easy to reseal! Hope this is the same