ShawnG
ShawnG MegaDork
12/9/23 9:54 p.m.

Like the title says.

Anyone have one?

Are they as good as the hype?

I find myself wrenching on rusty trucks and farm equipment. I've been thinking about buying an O/A torch but these seem like they would do the job with less collateral damage.

dj06482 (Forum Supporter)
dj06482 (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UberDork
12/10/23 9:57 a.m.

Also interested to see real-world experience with these, I'm always dealing with rusty bolts and these seem like a good option.  Also interested in seeing what you get with the $500 models compared to those in the $200 range.

ShawnG
ShawnG MegaDork
12/10/23 11:02 a.m.

These things were $2k on the tool truck just a few years ago. Now they're $300 on Amazon. 

A decent torch set is around 400 plus the bottle lease.

I know I can do more things with a torch but I braze and gas weld so little that the difference in money is probably better put towards an inverter tig unit in the future.

 

glueguy (Forum Supporter)
glueguy (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand Dork
12/10/23 12:00 p.m.

I bought one recently from boltbusterinc. I had gone 2 rounds with kroil and a torch with no luck on some exhaust nuts when car work was interrupted by sema. Saw them at the show and decided to take a chance. Wow just wow. 15-20 seconds on each nut, spun right off. Yep, I'm a believer. 

Trent
Trent PowerDork
12/10/23 5:48 p.m.

I have a boltbuster. It is so much easier and safer than oxy/acetylene.  No concerns about collateral damage. 

 

I also use it to heat and bend clutch and brake pedals in finished cars.  

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