Hatch cover repairs

[bffatcat]

Before I bought the boat someone replaced 4 out of 6 bolts holding the hatch cover hardware
with steel. Needless to say they are completely rusted and have to be replaced. I don`t think I can hacksaw the nuts off without damaging the hatch cover because the rusted up nuts are sitting flush to the top of the hatch cover. I suppose I could drill down through the
top of the bolts as a last resort. Anyone have any Ideas on an easier way to get these rusted up bolts off. I would like to avoid damaging the hatch cover top.

 

[woodster]

Before I bought the boat someone replaced 4 out of 6 bolts holding the hatch cover hardware
with steel. Needless to say they are completely rusted and have to be replaced. I don`t think I can hacksaw the nuts off without damaging the hatch cover because the rusted up nuts are sitting flush to the top of the hatch cover. I suppose I could drill down through the
top of the bolts as a last resort. Anyone have any Ideas on an easier way to get these rusted up bolts off. I would like to avoid damaging the hatch cover top.

if you can post a pic it would help a lot

regards

woody

 

[rardiH36]

Presuming that the nuts are too far gone for liquid wrench type products to work (and/or there is a risk that the solvent might damage lexan/plexiglass), I've found that cut-off wheel attachments for Dremels can often help in these sort of situations. Use the cut-off wheel to "split through" the nut. Several thoughts -

- Cut-off wheels often fracture and pieces will go flying --- so protective eyewear is a must -- also keep spectators away;
- The Dremel will need to be held with two hands so that it can't slip away onto parts of the hatch you don't want deeply scratched
- The process will heat up the metal and maybe damage surrounding plastic? Possibly work for a short time on each nut in sequence to let the work cool.

Just an idea.

 

[thereisabelle]

sounds like a novel idea to me. surround the area with wet cloths. and remember the sparks will contain ferrite and rust specks may appear if not cleaned quickly. jimbob

 

[DJN51]

Center punch the bolt and drill it out .Will take enough material to snap off excess .

 

[kenn]

Another vote for drilling out the rusty bolts. If access is good enough, you could also try using a cut-off wheel or grinder wheel from the back (Adult size preferred over a Dremel )

 

[MrUnix]

Another vote for drilling out the rusty bolts. If access is good enough, you could also try using a cut-off wheel or grinder wheel from the back (Adult size preferred over a Dremel )

I've done this many times, but with a 'baby' sized dremel

Use a small metal cutting disc and cut the nut in in half across it's top. You don't need to go all the way through, just enough so you can break the nut off the bolt. It's a 2 minute job, tops, and I find it much easier than trying to drill them out.

Cheers,
Brad

 

[sevencome11]

Before I bought the boat someone replaced 4 out of 6 bolts holding the hatch cover hardware
with steel. Needless to say they are completely rusted and have to be replaced. I don`t think I can hacksaw the nuts off without damaging the hatch cover because the rusted up nuts are sitting flush to the top of the hatch cover. I suppose I could drill down through the
top of the bolts as a last resort. Anyone have any Ideas on an easier way to get these rusted up bolts off. I would like to avoid damaging the hatch cover top.

If the nuts are accesable a dremil tool with a carbide cutting wheel will do the job, 2nd option a nut splitter if there is enough room and it fits over the nut.