Any Tips for Stuck Nuts on Smooth Studs?

P

planzero

Member
All jokes aside, I have two nuts on a 1889 kürassierhelm spike base that won't separate. I assume the bolts were snipped for length but also to prevent the nuts from backing off, and it's not something I can just undo with traditional methods without causing damage to the studs.
I can't get anything under them to add tension and it's impossible to grab the nub, I just tried to pinch it a bit to no avail.
They spin freely but I can't even get a good grip on the smooth side to try to force them off, which I think at this point is my only option. I tried holding them with a rubber jar opener, and slipping a rubber band under the stud cap thinking it would provide grip. The other two came off easily after soaking in CLP break free, but these two look like they were replaced at the same time when the base was replaced or moved (there are extra holes in the helmet) because the nuts are identical.
Does anyone have suggestions for this dilemma? I'm sure it's a common problem. I've been sanding around the base in the meantime but I really would like to remove it for proper rust removal, I doubt evaporust will get under the base (it's still tight even with the other studs removed) and I'd prefer not to damage the studs because they're all original. Leaving rust is something that I never do unless absolutely necessary, like under the brass trim. Any advice is appreciated.
 

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Unfortunately, I can't help out here but we do have some guys on the forum, that have expertise in working on these metal helmets. I have also seen OR spine screw posts "peened"so that the nut can not be removed.
 
Peter B said:
What if you somehow put a thin strip of rubber on each side of a small pairs of vice grips so you could hold the stud? Would have to be thick enough that the metal part of the vice grips would not damage them.

Or something like these?

Click to expand...

/seconded

I was going to suggest much the same thing, after a drop or two of WD40 in each nut. These ancient fittings can seize up with just the tiniest bit of oxidation, but I've reasoned with a few of them that way.
 
Rinse the wd-40 and clp away with acetone or similar solvent. Get Lime Away cleaner at Wally World or grocery store and soak the nuts several times for a day or two. The studs and nuts are brass and the cleaner should soak thru the threads and loosen any verdigris. That’s what I use to clean brass trim before polishing out. Push the heads firmly down against a piece of rubber, cork, or something grippy and try loosening the nuts first with fingers, and then with an open end wrench or good pliers. Don’t force them or you could break the solder joint between the shaft and head of the stud. If you do twist them off, half your problem is solved; you then need to solder back together. It doesn’t look to me like the ends are clipped badly enough to cause the problem, but is possible. Someone may have forced the wrong thread pitch nuts on the studs too. There’s a multitude of thread pitches used back then without the standardization that we have today. Good luck!
 
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