Rockslide Engineering sliders/steps any good? How's the install?

[WILDHOBO]

My wife taught me years ago- buy it once, not 2 or 3 times. And other car people taught me when I was a teen -buy the best you can afford. Making it work later costs more time and money. (they were talking cars, but tools count too, IMO.)

I wanted something that would be more useful and versatile for larger things (tired of using a torch for so much, even bending steel rods and bars). I can heat up a piece of rebar to orange in seconds and bend it into a loop to anchor coon traps to the ground - torch never touched.
Did I spend "too much" - some might say so. But using something at 70% capacity means it will last forever. Using something at 100% capacity all the time - won't last as long and I'll get impatient and frustrated.
I just figured - while I'm doing it, do it one time and be done.
I have also used it to heat pulleys and help get them off tight shafts or where they were rusted onto the shaft

I’ve always been of the same mind.

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[WILDHOBO]

Unrelated,

I just ordered the one linked below. I wanted the most wattage in a handheld. Same brand. I also ordered a pack of various coils. I know when I get it back I’m going to need to hit 6 body bolts on a 5 year old jeep. I’m not risking it. Even though this was expensive. And I’m pretty sure it will all but replace my propane torch.

https://a.co/d/0aiy1MJK

 

[WILDHOBO]

Arrived just now. Let’s see if that alternator bolt comes out of the block on the Willys.

 

[RacerAV]

I’m seeing pretty big price gaps depending on vendor and wattage. Is the induction innovations vendor that much better? They’re typically 200 more for comparable stuff from solary. It seems like the highest 110v units are 1800w. I’m inclined to go big or go home if it’s a $100 difference. Thoughts @ShadowsPapa and @RacerAV? Thanks.

I'm generally an "over buyer" as well, lol... but on this specific tool, for the $130 or whatever it is now, and the amount I use it, and how hot it gets the bolts, it's sufficient for me... don't get sucked down the rabbit hole and spend more than you have to. I think mine is only 1000w, and MAN it works fast. Zero regrets.

 

[RacerAV]

Unrelated,

I just ordered the one linked below. I wanted the most wattage in a handheld. Same brand. I also ordered a pack of various coils. I know when I get it back I’m going to need to hit 6 body bolts on a 5 year old jeep. I’m not risking it. Even though this was expensive. And I’m pretty sure it will all but replace my propane torch.

https://a.co/d/0aiy1MJK

Holy cow that thing is nice, pricey but nice! Good luck on the stuck bolts!

 

[WILDHOBO]

Holy cow that thing is nice, pricey but nice! Good luck on the stuck bolts!

Haven’t gotten it out yet, but I’m being gentle. I haven’t gone to red hot though. Don’t want to start a fire.

 

[RacerAV]

Haven’t gotten it out yet, but I’m being gentle. I haven’t gone to red hot though. Don’t want to start a fire.

Yeah I'd imagine you can easily melt the rubber body bushings... When I did mine, I think I heated for 5 seconds, waited 5 seconds, that cycle like 3 or 4 times then removed the bolts easily, they hold the heat so no need to over do it, and also be careful not to grab it lol...

 

[WILDHOBO]

Haven’t gotten it out yet, but I’m being gentle. I haven’t gone to red hot though. Don’t want to start a fire.

I got it out, but it wasn’t super easy. It wasn’t seized in the block. It was seized in the alternator. So heated it and got it out of the block carefully, then cut it and pulled it. Replaced the alternator and belt and the squeal is gone. Before and after sounds.

 

[BillR1]

I finished the install yesterday. My body bolts came out fine, as I had just installed the Rockhard 4x4 rails about a year ago.
The rubber seal on the body is WAY easier to install after the rail is on. No measuring is required.
Everything else went pretty smooth.

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