On Sun, 16 Dec 2007 09:16:58 -0800, "SteveB"
wrote:

I have a very old turnbuckle. One rod came out, luckily the one that is
threaded in the reverse direction of a common bolt, so I'll be able to get a
3/8 common turnbuckle piece to replace it if I ever get it out. I managed
to twist the other one off. Now, it is down to a nub I can just barely get
hold of with Vise Grips. I heated it a couple of times yesterday and
dripped 3 in 1 oil in there and let it cool. I still can't get the thing
out. Trouble is, the long end is between the two forks of the turnbuckle
and inaccessible. I can drill a hole sideways through it, but don't think I
can put enough torque on it to get it loose. Any better penetrants?
Methods? Or am I going to have to carefully drill this out? I'd like to
save it, as it is somewhat of an antique.

Steve

Heat it to bright red, let it cool. That has a way of busting rust
like no penetrant can do. Don't try to twist it while it's red, you'll
just twist it off. You can try twisting on it when it's still hot but
no longer showing any color.

This nearly always works for me. On the rare occasions where it
doesn't, then I soak it in Kroil for a day or so. The heat-cool cycle
creates some micro-cracks in the rust that the Kroil can get into.