Reader Question: Which Design?
By J.R. Bluett On November 18, 2008 · 11 Comments · In Amazon, Craftsman, Hand Tools, Reader Question, Sears

I noticed this stud remover from Craftsman because it’s a different design than I usually see, the ones that look like they belong in a tap and die set. This one runs $25, which is comparable to the other design, so I’m curious as to how they stack up.
Have you used both designs? Is one better than the other? Let us know in comments.
Stud Remover [Sears]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
I was expecting you to reference this style:
http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2222
which seems to work pretty well. They are kind of like the ‘Sears’ style above, with several internal cams per unit. Autozone sells an OEM-branded of 4 sizes for $30.
Has anyone had issues with images not loading on this page recently. I can only see the very top of this photo the rest of the area is blank it was happeneing yesterday with the picture of the clamp also
Similar to the Prot 4520
https://weldwarehouse.securesites.com/cgi-bin/einstein.pl?::1:WLDWH:1:number=4520
The old Proto 4510 – wich worked with a 1/2 inch impact gun was completely different and more effective
We use the MATCO style linked above. They are UNBREAKABLE!
Well, basically there are 4 kinds of removers.
The kind you posted, which requires quite a bit of the stud/broken bolt to be sticking out of the hole.
The kind CW references, which don’t require as much of the stud/bolt to be sticking out.
The kind you mention that looks like it belongs in a tap/die set, doesn’t require any of the old bolt/stud sticking out, but does require that you drill a hole into it, to then wedge the remover into.
My favorite method involves clamping a nut over the old stud/bolt & filling the nut with some high-tensile welding rod. then just apply a socket to the new nut.
“My favorite method involves clamping a nut over the old stud/bolt & filling the nut with some high-tensile welding rod. then just apply a socket to the new nut.”
Makes it kind of tough to reuse the stud then?
The cylinderical multi-internal cam type (like the MATCO ones above) seem to be the gentlest and most reliable. The other aspect to consider is that when you remove a stuck stud, you are less likely to snap it if you are applying torque along the the fastener’s central axis. The one in the Toolmonger lead photo often leads to snapped studs!
I have Snap-On extractor sets that use threaded collets inside a tapered housing to remove and install studs without damaging the treads.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?search=true&item_ID=10336&PartNo=cg500&group_id=1247&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all
I also have collets for pipe nipples.
Mark, I’d probably at least be playing with your method, I just don’t have a welder at home yet. The ones at the Toolmonger shop are a great start, though I’d like to get a welder that would be able to weld Superman to a freighter.
The Craftsman pictured above was designed for removing the studs from a engine block. They have been in use for I know 40 years since I owned one and used it while repairing Ford tractors back in the 60’s. The studs were threaded into the block and then the head was put on and a nut tightened down. If a head stud broke or the threads were fouled up, then you had to replace the stud and this would be the go-to tool.
It is kind of odd you say them others are the kind you usually see because like Dave R says these have been around forever.
You can also use two nuts jammed against each other.