Why does nobody talk about using a heat gun on stuck washer drum bolts

I spent 45 minutes last Tuesday wrestling with a Samsung washer drum bolt that just would not break free. Tried penetrating oil, a breaker bar, even a little heat from a torch (bad idea, almost melted the plastic housing). Finally grabbed my cheap heat gun from Harbor Freight, aimed it at the bolt for about 2 minutes, and it came loose with a standard ratchet. Has anyone else had luck with a heat gun on those corroded laundry room bolts, or do you have a better trick?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_linda14d ago

Oh man, that heat gun trick is just like everything else around the house. You think you need the big scary tool but the simple boring one ends up doing the job better. It's the same with my kitchenaid mixer, everyone grabs the fancy attachments but I just use the regular paddle for almost everything.

graydavis14d ago

OH MAN, I feel your pain. That's like the seventh circle of appliance hell right there. I swear those Samsung engineers put the bolts on with a prayer and a sledgehammer. I tried the torch trick once too and ended up with a melted rubber bushing and a very angry wife. Heat gun is the TRUE hero here, way safer and it actually works. Next time just be glad you didn't go full caveman like me and snap the bolt head off with a pipe wrench, that was a REAL fun afternoon.