Multi tool blade for cutting rusty bolt

Discussion in 'Tool Talk' started by furious_customer, Apr 11, 2019.

  1. furious_customer

    furious_customer Screwfix Select

    I am in the process of repairing a kids swing-set.

    There is a bracket that is attached with a seriously corroded carriage bolt and nut, so I think the only real option is to cut the nut off with an angle grinder, but since I don't have one I was wondering if I could do it with a suitable blade in my multi-tool?

    If so, which blade should I get?
     
  2. Wayners

    Wayners Screwfix Select

    use a hacksaw if just the one to cut. Do you own one
     
  3. DIYDave.

    DIYDave. Screwfix Select

    Your multi tool blades usually have printed on them what materials they are designed for

    So, if you have a metal blade, it should tell you so

    When cutting the bolt, don’t hold the blade in same position but move continuously from side to side to aid cutting

    Depends as well on quality of blade and hardness of bolt but give it a go
     
  4. furious_customer

    furious_customer Screwfix Select

    Due to the location of the bolt - right in the corner of a bracket, I can't get into it with a hacksaw.
     
  5. WillyEckerslike

    WillyEckerslike Screwfix Select

    Can you split the nut off? It can be done with a small sharp cold chisel or better still, a nut splitter.

    Edit: Does your hacksaw have an option to turn the blade through 90° and would this improve access? Or, could you just use your hacksaw blade out of the handle?
     
  6. Pollowick

    Pollowick Screwfix Select

  7. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Last edited: Apr 11, 2019
  8. Dam0n

    Dam0n Screwfix Select

    Id just ask around and borrow an angle grinder .

    Or bite the bullet and buy a cheapy. Million uses for them.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. DIYDave.

    DIYDave. Screwfix Select

    Don’t know why some guys here are being so quick to discount the multi tool option ?

    We don’t yet know bolt material and how hard/soft it is or size, but I bet it’s smaller than M10 so nothing major

    The semi circular thin blades are good for this use, plenty of teeth so if you knacker a section, just turn blade round a tad

    Doesn’t need to be a £20 Bosch blade either, plenty of good alternatives out there and if you ‘kill’ a blade, well you’ve given it a go at least

    If used blades from Aldi that have been rather good and Erbaur blades from SF that would struggle to cut butter fresh from the fridge

    Geezer has a multi tool anyway, don’t know if he has any metal blades but ....... worth a try I say

    Sure a 4” grinder with metal slitting disc would take seconds but if you don’t own one then, consider alternative methods
     
  10. furious_customer

    furious_customer Screwfix Select

    Aah - are the grinding burrs effective?
    I have been trying to drill the head off the carriage bolt, but that isn't easy going.
     
  11. Scott Green

    Scott Green Member

    You can pick up an angle grinder for £30. I got the erbauer from screwfix with a disc for £40, didn't think I'd hardly use it but have used it more often than i expected. Multi blades aren't cheap, so chancing it may turn out to be pointless
     
  12. furious_customer

    furious_customer Screwfix Select

    Got this sorted - was in Asda to buy something for dinner last night and their crappy own brand on sale for £15 and came with a disc.

    One question though - it was a metal grinding disc - it did cut the bolts off, but took a few minutes for each one - if I had a metal cutting disc, would it have been much easier?
     
  13. WillyEckerslike

    WillyEckerslike Screwfix Select

    Yes. However unless you're going to cut a lot of metal in future I shouldn't rush out and buy some now. You've done the job. Buy some when you're going to need them again. It's often much quicker to use a hacksaw than get the grinder out, find an extension lead, change the disc, make the cut and put everything away again.
     
  14. Not-a-Decor8r

    Not-a-Decor8r Member

    Dam0n likes this.
  15. DIYperson

    DIYperson Member

    I bought the Saxton 35mm Heavy Metal Carbide multi tool blade for cutting 10 rusted M6 nuts & bolts on a garden bench. It worked and was certainly a lot less effort than using a hacksaw but it wasn't as speedy as I'd hoped. I would have struggled to fit an angle grinder into the available space.
     
  16. Astramax

    Astramax Super Member

    Multitools are pretty limited I have a Bosch which has occasional use but as a must have tool.......'NO' leave it out!
     

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