Cut my pump rebuild time in half after switching to hydraulic cutters

Used to fight with a torch and grinder on old impeller bolts for hours. Got a set of hydraulic cutters last month and popped those frozen bolts in 12 minutes flat. Anyone else find that the right tool saves way more than just time?

2 comments

2 Comments

richard_ramirez27d ago

but honestly @angelab62 I think you might be using them wrong. I had the same problem till I figured out you gotta get the blade right on the bolt head and give it a solid steady squeeze, not a jerky one. Once I did that they stopped slipping completely. Plus with a torch you're still grinding and fighting for hours after, and you gotta worry about sparks near the fuel lines. I did a whole condenser pump last Thursday with zero heat and zero swearing, just popped all eight bolts clean off. Time is money on a shutdown, and I'll take a tool that needs a little technique over one that still leaves me laying on my back with a cheater bar.

angelab621mo ago

oh man I gotta disagree. I've had those cutters slip off way too many times and almost bust my hand. A good torch and some patience never let me down.