Rounded off bolts.

Gerry · Post by **Gerry** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:29 am

Can someone recommened a tool for removing rounded off bolts?
Thanks,

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:43 am

CRAFTSMAN (Sears) makes a socket "with teeth" that grips the heads of rounded off bolts. The harder you twist, the more they bite...same principle as their "Easy Out" screw extractor, except you don't have to drill the bolt head.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:12 am

yup, Ive got a set, they're about as good as it gets.

Gerry · Post by **Gerry** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 12:02 pm

Thanks,
Its off to Sears.

Tom @ Snake River · Post by **Tom @ Snake River** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 12:37 pm

I too have the set from Craftsman, they have held up very well.
Make sure you buy the more extensive set. The cheap set has about every other size in it. Believe me, you will need every minor size in between. Tom

uglyranger · Post by **uglyranger** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 3:46 pm

Gerry:
I got this at Sears. I think it is called an aligator, but not sure. The pins in the socket retreat to fit.

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:28 pm

Uglyranger...

That's called a "universal" socket. It fits almost all nuts/bolts that will fit inside the housing, either SAE or metric. They're good for quickly installing a number of bolts of different sizes, but only down to a little over "finger tight." To torque 'em down or break 'em loose, you really need the proper size 6-point socket.

Gerry · Post by **Gerry** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 1:36 pm

Went to sears and they didnt have anything made by craftsman. Was it another brand?
Thanks,

Gerry · Post by **Gerry** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:58 pm

Think I found them on the web. They have large twist to them on the inside?
Thanks,

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:59 pm

???? Beats me why your Sears store didn't have 'em. They advertise them on TV around here all the time.

Gerry · Post by **Gerry** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:19 pm

I called another Sears store and they have them. The first store I looked and couldnt find them except for the off brand. Asked if anyone knew of anything different and the older lady had no clue what I was talking about. They might have been there but I couldnt find them. So tomorrow I am off to the other Sears.
Thanks,

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:49 pm

Glad you found them.

As for Sears, I've noticed that a lot of the stores are assigning people to work in departments that they know absolutely nothing about simply because they don't want to pay full-time wages and benefits for "professionals" who know their products. At my local Sears store, they also have an elderly lady working in hardware. She doesn't know the difference between a pair of pliers and a pair of vise-grips. On the other hand, they have a young male college student working in the ladies' lingerie department. He doesn't look too mechanically inclined, anyway, but I'll bet he can unfasten a bra with his tongue. Maybe he's assigned to the right department after all?

pfrederi · Post by **pfrederi** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:41 am

Lifer wrote:Glad you found them.

As for Sears, I've noticed that a lot of the stores are assigning people to work in departments that they know absolutely nothing about simply because they don't want to pay full-time wages and benefits for "professionals" who know their products.

You hit that nail on the head. My Sears store had no idea what tappet wrenches were....nor safety wire pliers (neither of which they had actually) But more surprisingly they didn't know what a crowfoot wrench was. I finally found a set on the rack and showed it to them.

Post by **Cal_Gary** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 5:51 am

Oh boy I thought I was the only one who recognized Sears and Craftsman aren't what they used to be! The sales clerks have no tool knowledge whatsoever and the standard Craftsman flat-tip twists if you apply any degree of manly torque. I finally stopped replacing their screwdrivers-I have a couple of their older drivers which are heavier and better quality than the drivers they now carry. Just like most auto-parts stores today-if you don't provide the "year, make and model?" you can forget about it....
Gary