ok I know that this is a very stupid question.... please don't laugh.

I've never actually used nuts splitters before and was wondering if anyone could tell me how they work and what they do? would I be right in thinking they do what they say on the tin and split nuts? if so what happens to the bolt? and advice would be gratefully received.

Usually it's a handle with a ring that goes around the nut, with a screw that winds in from the side. This screw has a hardened chisel tip that digs into the side of the nut and, hopefully, breaks it.
Don't know how effective it would be against a high-tensile nut...

David

Possibly my worst tool purchase was a Sykes pickavants nut splitter, £20 odd quid and its shit.

Its a G clamp type not as Dave describes the contained circular type.

Once you get a bit of pressure on the nut the tool just slips off.

I tried it to remove a nut from the end of a stripped threaded ARB on a Diesel 205, ended up with the grinder on it in the end.

Worst £20 i ever spent.

EDIT:

Heres a piccy of the type to avoid

splitter

and the type to go for.


ring splitter



[Edited on 18/1/05 by colmaccoll]

Ive got a set of the cheapo ones as Dave describes and they are pretty usefull especially down the scrappy when you get a seized on nut.
Only trouble with them is you need clearance round the nut.The bolt ends up undamaged.
Cheers,
Bob

A good sharp chisel works just as well if not better on smaller nuts for larger nuts I have a G clamp style splitter that I got about 20 years ago made by Facom that works a treat . It need a fair bit of clearance to fit . In tight spaces drilling down beside the stud and then using a chisel is also an option, hope this is of some use . Rusty