Blow torches and bottom brackets.....

[firestaffman]

.....anybody ever used the aforementioned method to remove a bb?
Got a load of steel bikes in the shed and have decided to attempt to rescue a few parts before the tip run-I'm not fussed about the paint but if I can salvage the frames that'd be a bonus.
Any advice welcome-cheers all

 

[feetabix]

It should be ok so long as you understand that any heated component will need repacking before reuse and keep the temperatures as low as possible to achieve your aim of loosening them.....most modern bb's contain plastic parts!.......good luck!....

 

[Easy_Rider]

I assume these are steel frames and steel BB's? If they are welded then go for it, just don't get it glowing, if they are lugged then don't do it.

Do any of the BB's have aluminium cups? If so I managed to remove the alu cups by sitting the whole bottom bracket area in a bath of caustic soda and disolved the bugger out.

 

[lewis1641]

used heat with a steel frame and alloy cupped bb. worked a treat

 

[coomber]

Sorry to patronise have you tried penetrating oil first?

 

[02gf74]

You can use one to heat up to about 150 C ish and the paint will not be damaged.

you have a fair bit of steel so I doubt you will get it glowing red hot, not with the piddly gas canister ones.

try penetraing fluid - not WD40 - but the proper stuff and leave overnight.,

use a scriber or other pointy object to break rust seal between the frame and the BB cups.

a 3 ft breaker bar will shift it - yes, it looks and feels scrary as you think you will bend the frame but you won't.

you may need a second pair of hands to ensure the BB removal tool does not jump out of place.

remember the RH cup (chain rings) is Left Hand thread.

 

[firestaffman]

cheers

nice one for that people, I feel a little more confident wielding the torch on them now, I'll pop the results in here when the experiment is over!

 

[Tad]

Done many with a butane torch, any scorched paint usualy t-cuts ok.

 

[redrabbitrun]

You may be surprised how little heat you need.
You can also strip the frame and put the BB tool in a vice, using the frame as a lever. This has worked well for me in the past, so long as you are carefull.