Tough nuts

[denis4x4]

April 2007 "Machinist's Workshop" magazine comparison test.

*They arranged a subjective test of all the popular penetrants with
the control being the torque required to remove the nut from a
"scientifically rusted" environment.*
**

*Penetrating oil ..... Average load*

None ..................... 516 pounds
WD-40 .................. 238 pounds
PB Blaster ............. 214 pounds
Liquid Wrench ..... 127 pounds
Kano Kroil ............ 106 pounds
ATF-Acetone mix....53 pounds

*The ATF-Acetone mix was a "home brew" mix of 50% acetone - 50% automatic transmission fluid.*
*Note the "home brew" was better than any commercial product in this one
particular test. Our local machinist group mixed up a batch and we all now
use it with equally good results. Note also that "Liquid Wrench" is about
as good as "Kroil" for about 20% of the price. *

[Tiny]

This was also the "Tiny Tip" this month in The Restorer.
Thanks for posting it here also.

[wrndln]

I have tried the acetone/ATF mix. The drawback is, the mixture tends to separate and needs to be shaken well before using.
Rusty Nelson

[Patrick L.]

The 'home-brew' was shown to me 50+ years ago. Works good. The only hassle is having to heat the two to get them ' friendly' with each other. If I don't have any handy I just use ATF and heat. Castle made some stuff that worked pretty well, but, I don't know of its still available.

[TK in LA]

Here is where I keep my home brew (acetone/trans mix). Old brake fluid bottle and a cap off of trans/differential fluid.

[Russ/40]

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Originally Posted by TK in LA

Here is where I keep my home brew (acetone/trans mix). Old brake fluid bottle and a cap off of trans/differential fluid.

The acetone doesn't eat the plastic bottle?

[TK in LA]

Not at all. It was designed for brake fluid which normally would soften plastic. and the acetone is dissolved in strength by 50%.

[QGolden]

Originally Posted by Russ/40

The acetone doesn't eat the plastic bottle?

Depends on the plastic. You can store acetone in LDPE (low density polyethylene).

Nail polish remover is acetone, comes in plastic.

[jm29henry]

Thanks for the help !!!!!!

[QGolden]

Originally Posted by denis4x4

April 2007 "Machinist's Workshop" magazine comparison test.

*They arranged a subjective test of all the popular penetrants with
the control being the torque required to remove the nut from a
"scientifically rusted" environment.*
**

*Penetrating oil ..... Average load*

None ..................... 516 pounds
WD-40 .................. 238 pounds
PB Blaster ............. 214 pounds
Liquid Wrench ..... 127 pounds
Kano Kroil ............ 106 pounds
ATF-Acetone mix....53 pounds

*The ATF-Acetone mix was a "home brew" mix of 50% acetone - 50% automatic transmission fluid.*
*Note the "home brew" was better than any commercial product in this one
particular test. Our local machinist group mixed up a batch and we all now
use it with equally good results. Note also that "Liquid Wrench" is about
as good as "Kroil" for about 20% of the price. *

That is really good information, thank you.