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Hey guys,

I have a blade boss that won't come off. I've tried a 2 jaw puller.. and even that (and the metal bolt in the middle) is squishing .. this thing wont budge and I'm tempted to smack it with a hammer. Someone suggested heating the boss to expand it and break it free.

I'm looking to now buy a Propane Torch.. but.. I have no idea what I need, or how hot I need to get the part(s). What do you guys recommend in the way of portable torches (cheap priced).

I was looking at bunnings and supercheap auto and came across, (australia)

Hot Devil Propane Torch Kit - Supercheap Auto Australia

Tradeflame Propane Handyman Full Flame Blow Torch Kit I/N 5910245 | Bunnings Warehouse

Tradeflame Propane Handyman Pinpoint Blow Torch Kit I/N 5910244 | Bunnings Warehouse

Dont really know the differences. Are there any that have refillable canisters ?

Thanks

I have found that propane torches just don't do much as far as heating. The torch I use for small jobs is a mapp/oxy portable torch, and the torch that I use for most heating jobs, including stuck blade mounts is the acetylene/oxygen torch. I have had cases where I have had to cherry the blade mount to get them to move.

Over the years Harris oxy-acetylene, but to my surprise the HFrt chinese set for $100 is better. Your big investment is the tanks . Small ones do go on sale at H-Frt. The big ones are expensive. Be sure you know what you are doing with heat . Study the color charts...dull red, cherry red , yellow, white (steel) or better yet use a welders heat-crayon or get an infra red temp gun. Good luck.

I guess you will have to decide if it is worth repairing this yourself or have someone do it with the right equipment. A acetylene outfit here in the US can run around 500 dollars with the tanks. Don't know about Australia prices. This is what you will need to heat this hot enough to remove. It just might be cheaper to cut off the old blade buss with a cutting wheel and replace it with a new one. Which brings us back to the person with the right tools???

Cut it off with a dremmel tool and liberally never seeze the new install.

SeniorCitizen said:

Cut it off with a dremmel tool and liberally never seeze the new install.

Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking and if he owns a dremmel tool?

Thanks guys,

What about MAPP/Air Torches ?

I've looked into Oxy+Gas options, but they too are quite expensive here in Australia... looking at a few hundred. At this stage I can't afford to invest in something like that for basic home use/ hobby use.

I've thought about cutting it off.. I do have a spare Boss here.. not sure if it's a direct fit or not though.

This was something I wanted to do myself.. self learning and hobby.. repairing small engines/mowers etc.. We have a mower here to use, just picked this one up cheap, so was gonna get it running and sell it off. I always seem to be stuck at this part of the mower though.. so working out the best ways to removing these stuck parts would be super.

Thanks again,

Widget said:

Thanks guys,

What about MAPP/Air Torches ?

I've looked into Oxy+Gas options, but they too are quite expensive here in Australia... looking at a few hundred. At this stage I can't afford to invest in something like that for basic home use/ hobby use.

I've thought about cutting it off.. I do have a spare Boss here.. not sure if it's a direct fit or not though.

This was something I wanted to do myself.. self learning and hobby.. repairing small engines/mowers etc.. We have a mower here to use, just picked this one up cheap, so was gonna get it running and sell it off. I always seem to be stuck at this part of the mower though.. so working out the best ways to removing these stuck parts would be super.

Thanks again,

Click to expand...

I was thinking about getting the MAPP/Oxygen myself. The only thing is that I heard that the oxygen tank doesn't last very long. I really don't know why it wouldn't work for light duty home use for heating and light duty welding. You get what you pay for. The biggest expense with the Oxygen/acetylene outfit is buying the tanks. I know some places here in the states you can rent the tanks. You will have to ask yourself just how much money you want to invest into tools and is it something you really need and will use. You can get by with just a Mapp gas outfit if all you will use it for is heat.

reynoldston said:

That's what I was thinking and if he owns a dremmel tool?

Click to expand...

In my opinion everyone needs to own a Dremmel for so many things besides mower repair.

I actually bought mine about 30 years ago to solve a plumbing problem. Call a plumber for a 60 mile round trip service call and it's paid for several times over. I also was glad I bought reinforced cutting disks because those that came with the tool suck.

Seems like penetrating oil, a propane torch, a gear puller and some patience should do the trick...
Refill propane bottle search on youtube
Those reinforced cut off wheels are about the only real use I've ever found for the dremel.

reynoldston said:

I was thinking about getting the MAPP/Oxygen myself. The only thing is that I heard that the oxygen tank doesn't last very long. I really don't know why it wouldn't work for light duty home use for heating and light duty welding. You get what you pay for. The biggest expense with the Oxygen/acetylene outfit is buying the tanks. I know some places here in the states you can rent the tanks. You will have to ask yourself just how much money you want to invest into tools and is it something you really need and will use. You can get by with just a Mapp gas outfit if all you will use it for is heat.

Click to expand...

The O2 bottle doesn't have much volume, something like 1.5 ounces of gas, whereas the big bottle for like acetylene/oxy is liquid that converts to gas. I have one that I use for smaller heating jobs, but don't remember how long a bottle last me, Probably around 15 minutes of actually heating use, but are great for those jobs where propane isn't enough, but don't need a large torch

I would say I go through about 5-6 oxygen bottles for every mapp bottle.

SeniorCitizen said:

In my opinion everyone needs to own a Dremmel for so many things besides mower repair.

I actually bought mine about 30 years ago to solve a plumbing problem. Call a plumber for a 60 mile round trip service call and it's paid for several times over. I also was glad I bought reinforced cutting disks because those that came with the tool suck.

Click to expand...

Yes the dremmel is very handy and I use mine often. Also they are good for sharping saw blades. Now I also find that for cutting disc that the Roto-Zip is a lot more heavy duty with more power and works better then the dremmel for disc cutting.

Take a punch and hammer and drive the adapter on a little. Then shine the end of the newly exposed shaft clean with emery cloth. File off any bulges from the end of shaft. Now add some lube and then try to pull it. If that does not work hack saw a groove all the way through the adapter and add lube and pull it. Or. cut two grooves most of the way through and place a hammer on one side of adapter. Smack it from the other side until it breaks in two parts. A right angle grinder can be used to cut as well. I have removed at least a hundred from electric motors, gas engines, augers, mill shafting, rollers, farm machinery etc. in the last 45 or 50 years this way. I have done the same thing with many bearings. Some of them in horrible places and very large. Now heat can be used as well. Lots of places no flame was allowed where I was working or when I was a kid none was available.

possum said:

. A right angle grinder can be used to cut as well. .

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Yes and another very handy tool, wouldn't be without one, I also use my angle grinder to sharpen mower blades.