Sticky Handles!

[centershot]

I have a set of lyman small handles that have become very sticky, I need to use two hands to open and close them. They've not seen a lot of use but they're very tight. I've tried the usual penetrating oils, even soaked them in Kroil standing them up in a plastic sandwich bag filled with it just above the joint for five days, no luck. How do I resolve this problem?

[MrWolf]

Have you tried wiping them with something like goop off or even acetone?

[G W Wade]

Just take them apart. The nut comes off and the bolt is threaded thru the one handle. Remove the bolt and look for the problem, After cleaning, just thighten the bolt to remove play then lock with the nut. Sometimes crud will cause the lock to be overcome and handles just tighten. GW

[Bazoo]

There is probably a very small piece of grit lodged inside the hinge. I'd try impact; aka beating the snot out of them with a wooden stick. It won't make the hinge any tighter like hitting with a metal hammer would but it may dislodge the offending piece. It may or may not loosen the handles. Probably not, if you're judicious. Of course, with no mould attached to the handles.

[centershot]

Just take them apart. The nut comes off and the bolt is threaded thru the one handle. Remove the bolt and look for the problem, After cleaning, just thighten the bolt to remove play then lock with the nut. Sometimes crud will cause the lock to be overcome and handles just tighten. GW

Take them apart?? Good luck! I did try that, but couldn't get any kind of decent grip on that tiny little bit of an edge protruding above the other handle. That set of handles in the center, my set has about 1/4 the amount of protrusion that that set has.

[G W Wade]

Understand, now. My handles are different. Bazoo probably has the right answer GW

[fc60]

Greetings,

When the handles are hot try touching a wee bit of Beeswax to the hinge joint.

Cheers,

Dave

[country gent]

I would try first blowing them out with a air hose if available. Use an older blow gun as new ones regulate to 18 psi out put.this may remove the offending dirt grit. Next up is the tapping to dislodge it loosen it up this also has a good chance of working. Tap with light quick blows the idea is to set up a harmonics pattern that walks it out.
Last is disassembly, here you dont need to get a grip on the nut but can use a prick punch and a hammer.Clamp the handles in a vise. get a good prick punch mark close to the edge.( a dull punch actually works better for this) . Now angle the punch in the direction to loosen and tap with a hammer, When the angle is right the nut will loosen up. Known a picking a bolt. Once the nut loosens up it can be turned with the punch or by fingers.
Actually it maybe as simple as applying a little Heat to the bolt / handles to loosen lubes fluxes or varnish thats worked in there.

[Delkal]

Try heating the joint up with a torch and start working them. Just not so hot that you cook the handles.

And if Kroil didn't work try acetone or alcohol for a soak next time.

I had a few sticky handles but working them with some Eds red and some heat fixed them.

[JMtoolman]

If all fails, lay the blocks on the jaws of a heavy vice. Open the jaws so that they are on the outside of the bolt holding them together. With a fairly heavy hammer whack the rivet side of the bolt a couple of whacks. this drives the rivet a couple of thousands of an inch off of the other side. Then oil the joint and see if it has freed up the joint. I have done this several times on handles that were too tight. It works! The toolman.