Big nuts...

[wyn]

I asked the miners and they said they are just called rivet busters, so I got home and did a google search and you can hire them quite readily. Here's one example:

https://www.tedbartinkerhire.co.uk/tool-hire.php?tool-hire=rivet-busters

Wrong thread?

 

[Welderpaul]

We did a job a few years ago using stainless bolts that were 60 quid a pop for bolt and nut. We used Rocol anti seize stainless
We didn't get any galling

 

[Pete.]

Wrong thread?

Umm, yeah. Long day.

 

[Jonathan Webb]

£9.99 for the socket in 1/2" drive from Halfords with a trade card and £12.79 for a breaker bar. Both their Pro/Advanced range so if you manage to break them take them back and get a new one.

I've just bought 3/4" drive kit... My main socket set is Halfords, which I've had for 30 odd years and has seen a fair bit of diy use. There are two smaller sizes of nut, ca 30 & 22mm, so I'll bear that in mind. Thanks.

 

[Jonathan Webb]

We did a job a few years ago using stainless bolts that were 60 quid a pop for bolt and nut. We used Rocol anti seize stainless
We didn't get any galling

I should think not for the cost of that! I'll have to take my chances with a lesser compound. In my favour, there isn't much spare thread exposed on each stud, it's mostly taken up with nuts. I know it only takes a speck to cause problems, but of the boat owners I've corresponded with, none have had a problem with galling, so I'm feeling hopeful.

 

[Jonathan Webb]

Nielsen stuff is okay. So is Bergen or US-Pro. Its all Chinesium but the quality control seems okay.

Thanks for that confirmation although I found & went for a Disclock socket for a bit more, but it seems that should be reasonable quality.

 

[Jonathan Webb]

@johnathan Webb I have a 3/4" 38mm socket on a short extension going spare, but I don't think it'd deep enough to allow clearance from what you say? It's got more than the 6 contact faces in the pic above by @8ob. Foolishly, I didn't count how many when I was out in the shed......

Thanks anyway, clearance is a pain. When i was in tbe toolshop looking at them, I concluded it had to be a deep one.

 

[Morrisman]

Where i served my time, we used stainless fasteners exclusively, it was a nightmare at times with them seizing, even when greased. If a bolt gets a whack on the threads, it will still seize with anti-seize grease on it.

When I worked in a yacht marina in Singapore I had to go out on the water and fit a new back stay to a rather expensive and large yacht that was heading to Phuket for the Kings Cup next day. My boss was with me, Kiwi yachtie....telling me tales of how stainless fitting and fasteners sometimes gall up for no reason.

As we were crimping down this large expensive Norseman end fitting, white sealant squeezing our nicely, there was a sudden creaking sound..... It had galled. Nothing we could do would rake the thread any further.

It seemed to be somewhere near as screwed down as it needed to be, and would go no further now, so we took a chance and fitted the rigging back up and crossed all our fingers and toes.

It was still in one piece when the yacht came back from the races, so our luck was in.

 

[Jonathan Webb]

Just took the new gear for a test drive. I chose a clean looking one and cleaned this stud's thread with my penknife and a toothbrush, but will bring the Dremel next time, to get the resin etc out of the rest.
Not overly tight - I had to brace the extension with my knee, but not desperate.
I'll take them slow and steady when I get onto yhem properly.
Thanks for everyone's help and input.