Caustic Soda to melt stuck seatpost: COMPLETED!! (see p.2)

[FluffyChicken]

...samc suddenly realises he left the bottom bracket in ...

 

[Woz]

Great video and narrative

 

[russ77]

Thanks very much for the video. I've had the soda for several months but still haven't had the courage to use it. This has helped. How did you plug the seat tube? How did you get all the gunk out afterwards?

T..

 

[samc]

...samc suddenly realises he left the bottom bracket in ...

Well spotted I know but I haven't got a BB tool! I plugged the tube below the ally as best I could, but the bugger was still not watertight - hopefully the BB doesn't use too much Al; it's not exactly the best material for cups or bearings...? I guess I'll find out when I try & ride it!

@russ77 - I tried to plug the tube with some old thin sheet rubber which I rammed down as far/hard as I could, but all it does is slow down the leakage a bit so the liquid has a chance to sit on the Al. I haven't tried cleaning it out yet - reckon I'll do another melting session first...

 

[DeletedUser006]

Very intersteing thread

You havnt mentioned that you have the stuck post out ! I may try this to a kona frame that is in need of the same fix.

Do you have picures of frame without post in ? ? i would be interested to see the aftermath

 

[samc]

Very intersteing thread
You havnt mentioned that you have the stuck post out ! I may try this to a kona frame that is in need of the same fix.

I haven't finished yet.. it's melted quite a bit away but I haven't had a chance to try & get it out - I'll do another Soda session I reckon, and then clean it up and give it a good go.

 

[samc]

Here's some seriously high-brow videos of the process:

<< Sort of an introduction

<< Some of the equipment I used

<< Measuring the temperature

Bonus: here's a video of me spilling caustic soda everywhere.

I haven't actually tried to get the thing out yet... I'll post a pic or two of the aftermath once it's done.

 

[02gf74]

yep - be interested to see photos when done.

 

[FairfaxPat]

I have used ammonia with great success to free up stuck seatposts in the past.

 

[samc]

does ammonia melt it as well then? Or does it do it some other way? Would be interested to know some alternatives if I don't get it all out with the soda.