Gunsafe anchor bolt spins in concrete

[M2iuser]

I am moving a medium size gun safe and have removed 3 of the 4 9/16" nuts from the threaded shaft, the fourth nut ran out about Half way and then the insert started to spin in the concrete. This bugger it one on the front right. I have levered the front of the safe as far as I can hoping to put the insert into some sort of bind allowing the nut to completely spin off........Hell! I knew that would be too easy. Any ideas fellas, closing on the house in a week and really need to get this safe moved.

 

[edwardware]

If possible, cut a slot in the end of the threaded rod (you own a dremel right?), and use a screwdriver to prevent rotation.

 

[Hasaf]

A sawzall with the longest blades flexed so they are flat on the floor might work. Expect to break some blades doing this.

This is a sawzall:

image from here

 

[VoodooMountain]

Vice grip the the threaded rod and let them rotate until they hit a wall or a cinder block.

Then spin the nut off.

You could always cur off the rod if possible as well

 

[berettaprofessor]

If it spins in the concrete, are you sure it won't just lift out? How long are the bolts (i.e. how high would you have to lift the safe to clear the hole?)

 

[edwardware]

. . . how high would you have to lift the safe to clear the hole?

It's probably the Hard Way©, but if you lift the safe an inch, you might grip the rod under the safe to stop it from spinning.

Without much lifting, you might drive a flat bar into the side of the rod to the same effect.

 

[Armored farmer]

Impact gun and spin it until sleeve binds or comes out og the concrete. If this doesnt work, try tightening down and twisting it off.
Or
Cut the head off with cutoff wheel.
I think youll get it.

 

[M2iuser]

Thanks, everyone for all the advice, I think I will try the long flexible sawsall blade first.

 

[edwardware]

Think of this as success. You bolted it down so it would be hard to move. . . It worked!

 

[WestKentucky]

If sawzall fails to be the solution, take a splitting wedge or a sledge axe or some similar wedge and drive it under the safe near the bolt. You will either tension the anchor and hold it, or bust the anchor out of the concrete. Either way you got it loose. Epoxy floor repair will probably be in order no matter what you do now that it’s spun, so your not gonna lose anything at this point.

 

[edwardware]

View attachment 801772

Now that is a large wheel. . . but I don't think your supposed to weld on that.

 

[Armored farmer]

Now that is a large wheel. . . but I don't think your supposed to weld on that.

Dont tell the officials.
It isnt supposed to crack!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I would use an oscillating tool to whittle a groove in the nut, then use a chisel to crack the nut.

 

[M2iuser]

Sounds like a good idea, but I have almost no clearance to get any type of tool from inside the safe, I have now got if jacked up about 3/4 of an inch and will try a sawzall but I fear it will just turn the anchor in the concrete.

 

[Armored farmer]

Put wrench on the nut

 

[jaguarxk120]

There are diamond blades available for the Sawzall.

 

[milemaker13]

Sawzall.

 

[Scooter22]

Grip the shaft inside the safe with vice grips to stop it from spinning and saw away. Good luck.

 

[Jenrick]

Unless the nut is REALLY stuck on the shaft, get small pair of locking pliers (vice-grips) preferably needle nose, and lock it onto the shaft of the bolt. Unscrew. The pliers will pin against the safe wall, and you should be good to go. If it is really stuck, some kind of penetrating oil, and if that doesn't work, dremel with a cut off well on the nut.

 

[1MoreFord]

As a bit off a different idea just cut down the length of the bolt with a sawzall or rotary grinder until you cut through the nut.