All ~ My fiancée is trying to fix our only toilet. We got stuck at unfastening a very old stubborn hex bolt and searched the internet for help. This thread has totally saved us! We know nothing about basic tools and this was the first time I heard of this brand or type of plier. Thank you thank you THANK YOU.

Hi Happy...

Your post was moved to this spot. Future readers should know that this was originally posted at a thread that discussed channel lock pliers and plastic nuts.

In this case, it may be helpful to know that the best tool for removing a HEX headed nut/bolt will be a SOCKET SET with the correct size head.

If you are removing a tank to bowl bolt then you will use a screwdriver in the tank to hold against yourself while using the correctly sized socket head on the bottom nut to loosen the nut/bolt setup.

Let us know if you need more information.

MARK


PS: Channel locks are a brand name of WATER PUMP PLIERS... see images. For plumbing jobs you want to purchase the NON SLOTTED type (bottom image). The slotted type (top image) have a tendency to SLIP the slot when excessive pressure is applied to the pliers... not pleasant on the hands/fingers when it happens either... ;) Just FYI.

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Another way I use to remove stubborn tank bolts is to take a hacksaw blade, wrap a rag around it for a handle and saw that sucker off between the tank and the bowl.
The bolts are brass so they saw easy. Good luck, tom