Rep Power: 253

If you have read any of my other posts you will know that I have trouble with stuck rusted nuts and bolts. So I went to Sears and picked up a set of Craftsman Bolt-Out sockets. They are a socket that has a spiraled cutting ridge in place of normal catches. They work WONDERS. The starter set(5 sockets) is normally 20 but I got it for 10 because of a Father's day sale. If you have ever strugled with a nut or bolt invest in these. The only problem I had with them was I didn't have a proper sized socket on hand to turn these(you put the bolt out on the bolt THEN use a larger(it was 3/4th in my case) socket on the end and go) but I managed to find one to use.

 
Rep Power: 282

i take it these are used on bolts/nuts that you have rounded off??

 
Rep Power: 253

They work on rounded nuts/bolts BUT they also work on breaking rust. One of the reasons why I had rounded nuts/bolts was because the nuts/bolts were semi rusted to the parts/engine. These dig into the nuts/bolts and won't slip off at all. If I had had these before getting my exhaust installed, I'd have an extra hundred bucks in my pocket.
Sears link for them. They are still 9.99 for the base set. 28.94 for the 10 piece set(which is still a great deal) If it doesn't work go to Sears.com and search (in tools) for Bolt-Out.

 
Rep Power: 334

i have a set of these in my box.

sears is also a great place to get your tools, if you have a problem spending on bigname brands like snapon mac or matco. Every Craftsman tool they sell is garaunteed, so if ANYTHING (and i mean anything) happens to the tool, they will replace it no questions asked. you just have to hold on to the receipt and the packaging would be a plus too.

 
Rep Power: 288

nope...you DO NOT need the receipt or the package.....

thats what the guaranteed for life program is....
are you really going to be able to hold onto a package and receipt from a 30 year old tool?

when it breaks you go into sears....tell them you need to make a warranty exchange, they or you get the new one and thats is that....

 
Rep Power: 334

ah that's just the way i do things. retail world in general,I find you get closer to purchase value if you can present the item as close to the condition you got it in. Of course in this case you do not.

and i plan on returning/exchanging my tools on a yearly basis anyway haha. they're gonna get beat up and worn, and i'm not going to chance them breaking while i'm working on customer's vehicle


yes i do keep my packages. my storage is full of plastic & cardboard boxes. unless the packaging have somehow gotten damaged, I keep them for later purposes. I know i'm not keeping my rims forever so hold the boxes to put the rims back for when someone buys them later on. same goes for other stuff i order. If anything, i could always use the boxes for shipping stuff i sell on ebay - thats where i picked up the habit from eBay'ing since 99!

 
Rep Power: 288

some things are worthy of receipt and package returns....

thee is some sad news to report as most of us knew this was coming...
craftsman is phasing out the stamped sockets and replacing it with the laser-etched crap that rubs off.....the thing is yes this is old news...but it's begun to happen here in my city as more and more of the stamped tools are getting the "we will no longer carry this item" sticker...

but yes...those bolt out tools are good...


dunno how good the stuck-fastener wrenches are though....

 
Rep Power: 424

I always had far more luck with a heavy duty drill bit and a tap set then I ever did with any of those bolt removers, but evidently I guess some of them do work. Problem I always had with them was the teeth slipping, and just chewing the head up more. They never really accomplished getting the bolt out whole.