Caladh
Well-Known Member
Any ideas how I might start to unseize this fitting on my cockpit tent frame without breaking it ? Aluminium onto something else but don’t think it’s stainless, possibly brass. It’s meant to be adjustable !
How to unseize these….
- Thread starter Caladh
- Start date
scottie
Well-Known Member
Hot water ?
RJJ
Well-Known Member
Heat, more heat, a little GT85 or similar inert penetrant, leave to soak. Heat again, then physical persuasion.
If it's the bolts that are seized, then your lectric screwdriver or drill in hammer mode, in both directions.
If it's the bolts that are seized, then your lectric screwdriver or drill in hammer mode, in both directions.
Caladh
Well-Known Member
The bolts are free and can be removed easily. GT85 ordered !
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Thistle
Well-Known Member
Along with some Duralac for when you re-fit them, I hope.
penfold
Well-Known Member
Looks like chrome plated brass; as others have said, gentle heating/cooling cycles, give it some gentle thumps with a mallet to see it you can get some movement then work at it.
Boater Sam
Well-Known Member
If they are adjustable, why is there a locking screw into the side of the long tube?
PabloPicasso
Well-Known Member
Boiling water. Pour it over as it dissolves the encrusted salt. Repeat multiple times until it frees up.
This simple trick works. I can't believe no one has suggested it yet.
Anything seized on a boat, try boiling water BEFORE anything else.
Give it a go. Cheap and easy. Please do let us know how you get on.
This simple trick works. I can't believe no one has suggested it yet.
Anything seized on a boat, try boiling water BEFORE anything else.
Give it a go. Cheap and easy. Please do let us know how you get on.
scottie
Well-Known Member
See. #2
penfold
Well-Known Member
Boiling water is a reasonable source of gentle heat, but that white powder is aluminium oxide for the most part.
dansaskip
Well-Known Member
Trouble is even if you mange to free it that Al tubing is going to be in a pretty poor state underneath the fitting
Caladh
Well-Known Member
Cross that bridge if I can unseize it !
Stork_III
Well-Known Member
White vinegar.
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
Boiling water is certainly a good idea; but It was once suggested to me that I surround the object ( In my case a hose) in a tea towel. Then soak the cloth in boiling water & keep that as hot as possible with more water. That way the water does not just run off the object to be heated & more heat is retained.
It certainly helped me get a very stuborn hose easily off a seacock & a tight replacement back on.
It certainly helped me get a very stuborn hose easily off a seacock & a tight replacement back on.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
After removing the articulated arm, put a bolt through with two nuts in-between to apply some outward tension to the seized fitting when you apply heat.
If you can't get two nuts in, use a wedge (preferably two opposing ones and tighten with a G clamp)
If you can't get two nuts in, use a wedge (preferably two opposing ones and tighten with a G clamp)
ean_p
Well-Known Member
Mmmmm I think they are lugs LinB and that the fitting isn't split along its length........spreading the lugs may cause one of them to come adrift a bit...
savageseadog
Well-Known Member
Use steam from a handheld steamer or a wallpaper stripper.
Use an impact driver, carefully.
Last resort, drill it out.
Use an impact driver, carefully.
Last resort, drill it out.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
Your right, I have now expanded the picture and see that it's solid between the lugs.
Another option, cut through the fitting between the lugs and proceed as in #15
penfold
Well-Known Member
Given the screw clamping arrangement slitting lengthwise is probably not a great idea(although if destructive removal becomes necessary it makes the decision moot).