Removing Stuck/Frozen Seatpost By Cutting With Sawzall

I tried removing the seized seatpost with lots of Kano Kroil penetrating oil, a 4 ton winch, Snap-On PH3050B air hammer, dry ice, heat gun, alternating heat/cold, a small sledge hammer, and a big pipe wrench. I seriously beat on it! It didn't move at all. I finally resorted to cutting it out. I used my Milwaukee Sawzall reciprocating saw. I could have used a hacksaw blade and cut by hand, but this was much faster. I really recommend cutting a seatpost out as a last resort, when all other attempts have failed. But aluminum seat posts can get seriously stuck in steel frames due to galvanic reaction/corrosion between the dissimilar metals.
The next step will to be cleaning out the seat tube. I have a video on how to do that::
• Cheap Easy Tool To Cle...
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[@RJTheBikeGuy]

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[@v8flattopgamer157]

buy some caustic soda powder and mix it with water, cut the aluminum post flush with the tube. You will have to plug the hole in the bottom bracket then fill the tube with the caustic soda & water. the mixture is very harsh on aluminum and will dissolve the post in a few hours, but will not harm the steel tube.

[@v8flattopgamer157]

@Ian Brown did you see that video, RJ did removing a stuck seat post with an impact? HaHa he has both kids out idea's beat. 😂

[@dereksmall4311]

U NEED TO USE A FUCKEN BLOW TORCH NOT A HEAT GUN U MORON

[@alansmart6588]

In 35 years as a bike mechanic I've fought to the death with many seized seat posts and stems. I shared your joy when that one came out.

[@mattyfrommacc1554]

and Bottom Brackets I would imagine...

[@dirtyshirtinfo]

“This seat post is coming out tonight.” That’s not a threat, it’s a promise. 😂

[@rambler1277]

Total commitment is the key

[@weeringjohnny]

At my age getting a stuck seat post out is one of the greatest satisfactions a man can have. Maybe I need to get out more.

[@nova-jo1649]

it's so satisfying getting a stuck seat post unstuck

[@joshuaw7330]

RJ, I inherited a clunker of a bicycle with a seat post recessed and rusted in the seat tube. As bicycle mechanic hobbyist, and viewing your videos I called a friend to bring his electric saw and propane tank, which he did. However he came with everything and also a can of PB BLASTER, and it was like watching a magic trick. He sprayed the walls of the seat tube frame and between the seat post , a nice amount and let sit for a minute or two and then inserted pipe extractor, size 1/2 " or 3/4 " into the seat post and hand tighten it a bit before using a wrench and screwed it in , and presto the seat post came out with the extractor like butter, and saved a bicycle for a needy child.

[@dewdrops515]

My aluminum seat post was badly stuck in a steel frame. I applied penetrating oil several times before attempting to remove the post. I managed to rotate it completely after oiling but it was still extremely tight and would not budge vertically. I tried to remove it with a 10lb slide hammer with absolutely no effect. Finally, I decided to try the slit cutting approach. I first cut open the seat post with around an inch protruding from the opening of the seat tube. Then, I cut two slits in opposite directions of the post with the intention of splitting it in two pieces. This method worked, and the post eventually came out of the seat tube with the motion of the blade (the two sides of the post were almost separated). No other tools were necessary. The post was around 8 inches deep below the top of the seat tube, so I had to use a 12 inch blade (6 tpi). Keep in mind that this method can be very laborious. Took me around 6 hours to accomplish the mission.

[@TheScalawag]

This method worked for me where everything else failed! A shop even had a chance for a few days and apologetically told me the frame was now toast since they tried everything. Two days later I freed the stuck post with a reciprocating saw and the same blades that RJ uses. Made 3 total cuts, two of which took a perfect quarter out of the post all the way down to the bottom, which made the rest twist out easily. Didn't need air tools at the end, just a pair of vice grips, PB Blaster, and some easy twisting action. I used a brake hone tool to clean up the inside of the frame and a new post has already been greased up and installed. Thank you for this video!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I didn't need the air hammer, but I had it, and it was fast.

[@TheScalawag]

Fast is exactly why I quickly came to terms with using a reciprocating saw. Thank you again for the inspiration.

[@loganebeling9023]

Probably the greatest method for getting out a stuck seatpost I've ever seen. Thanks a bunch!

[@celticwuffy22]

Finally! I found the right video! I tried everything to get my seat post out of an almost 20 y/o bmx and nothing worked, now it just popped out.

[@sigmundward5881]

Many thanks, totally recommend this removal method for everyone where they've given up on all the other methods. It worked a treat for me after being lumbered with an incredibly stuck post. So stuck in fact, that (after first trying a slide hammer, leveraging a fitted saddle, loads of penetrating oil etc) I used a 36" length pipe wrench and only succeeded in twisting off the top of the post, and this was no easy feat judging by the fact that the cheap seatpost had a super thick wall, about 3/4 of a cm, and was internally ribbed to boot! After this I got stuck in with a cheap reciprocating saw and saw the light. Had some slight difficulty finding a blade that was thin enough to fit inside the narrow space inside the post, as well as one that was long enough to cut to the bottom of it. And here I would mention a small criticism for TJ during the sawing process. He recommends that several cuts should be made before having an attempt to budge the post. However, in my case I'd just made one (but very thorough) cut, and then went for the mole grips to test if there was movement. There was:) So you might save yourself a little grief by trying this. But the most important of TJ's tips here might just be the use of the coarse tooth blade, instead of the standard metal cutting one. Reason being that, despite making a v thorough cut which definitely would have made contact with the inside of seat tube, there was no damage to it. It's true that I did test the deepness of the cut occasionally using a hacksaw blade to try and get a 'feel' if I was through the soft alloy post and making contact with the harder steel (which seems to catch against the blade more), but this isn't foolproof. And of course an equally big benefit of seeing this vid is just that it gives you a big dose of motivation to get stuck into a difficult job like this one, which if you don't have it, I'm sure that more often than not it will end up with the bike owner giving up on the frame:( So a big thumbs up here, and not that much work done:) BTW my stuck post was in a Reynolds 853 frame (definitely worth saving!) which I've heard several times now that for some reason they're more susceptible to getting stuck posts. So if you have one of these, better regrease the thing now and avoid the cutting work!

[@miltonmulcare3156]

Finally someone who really is talented... So helpful!

[@elipski3464]

RJ- I can't thank you enough for this video. I've got an older Schwinn Prologue road with a stem that wouldn't just wasn't going to move. I went through all sorts of videos on the unsticking of a seat stem before running across yours. Using a Sawzall and a pipe wrench, the stem was out in under 10 minutes. This shouldn't be a last resort method, but the first and only way to take care of this problem. Awesome video and thanks...

[@markredfox73]

After watching this several times in the past year ,finally I got help from my neighbour who used his recipricator saw to make cuts in my alloy post then used a hammer and chisel to free part of the post,it then pulled out,with no other damage to the carbon frame. i watch a lot of your stuff,think you are great to watch,love the improvisation techniques. Keep up the good work fixing bikes,All the best from England. Mark.

[@jakecole7447]

what the hell how did it seize up so bad in a carbon frame ? logically you shouldnt have any problems with galvanized corrosion should ya ?

[@markredfox73]

@@jakecole7447 ..just use over time all year round i guess without moving the post (life's lessons i guess)the bike shops couldnt shift it either so was a last resort..

[@gmccave]

Tried ammonia, pipe wrench and handheld hacksaw. Nothing moved. Borrowed a reciprocating saw and bought 2 wood blades. Success. You’re a bikesaver! Thanks

[@thomasmarkon857]

Its 4 AM here in Germany never miss a video 👍🏻

[@rgmtb]

Wow man, some great tips here! Never would have thought of these steps to get that seat post out. Thank you!

[@joshuaw7330]

RJ. Thank-you for the heart. I hope you will make a video of it when you have a chance. Have a good summer.

[@vincesmith358]

Thank you for all your videos. I use a system you might like to investigate. Cut the post off level with the top of the down tube. Get a couple of tree drills (step drills) and grind off all but one larger than the hole in the pillar. Leaving the smaller sizes as a guide. Push in and withdraw which will spread the cuttings everywhere. Use a hex drive extension on your drill to get to the bottom.Use another sized to suit the new hole diameter.When you are left with a small bit remaining, cut the bottom of a steel seat pillar of the correct size with an angle cut to get rid of the rolled end and also give a cutting point, this will curl the aluminum over and hit it with the step drill again. regards Vince.

[@billbill2032]

Love how you never give up!!!!!!

[@bobbygzzz7116]

ur video worked...my seatpost aluminum 8 inch inside tube...in my 81cromoly mongoose bmx frame....i tried all other ways...did ur cut it out video...got 12" sawall blade ..ground down blade to about 1/2" so i cud get inside seatpost...slotted one side...then exact opposite side...well with cut slots it fell out from shaking while cutting ...worked great RJ...thanks so much...

[@edquarin7815]

RJ I know exactly what it's like to have a seat post try to beat you. I shared your elation when you finally removed it. Great job man!!

[@londonpickering8675]

Can't wait to breakout the air hammer and go to work on my stuck seat post. Thanks for posting.

[@joselitosabater1725]

very nice idea to removing frozen seat post

[@joshuaw7330]

RJ, I inherited a clunker of a bicycle with a seat post recessed in the seat post. As bicycle mechanic hobbyist, and viewing your videos I called a friend to bring his saw and propane tank, which he did. He came with a can of PB BLASTER, and it was watching a magic trick. He sprayed inside around the seat post a nice amount and let sit for a minute or two and inserted pipe extractor, size 1/2 " or 3/4 " into the seat post and hand tighten a bit and used a wrench screwed it in , and presto the seat post came out with the extractor like butter, and saved a bicycle for a needy child.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

My guess is it wasn't stuck too bad. They can be pretty much welded in place. I have used PB Blaster, Kano, Kroil, etc. Here is an interesting video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roaooJVopKZ-jNU I would be interested in the type of pipe extractor you used. Always looking for new options. It might be useful in cases where the seatpost has been cut off.

[@Duettoholger]

What a victory over the bad old rust! Congrats! A blade for cutting wood in order not to cut the steel - very clever! I like your hammer tool!

[@dkjones9184]

Worked like a charm! Don't spend more than a day trying the other methods. After that, definitely rent or borrow a circular saw and go this route. I rented the saw and bought blades from Home Depot I didn't even have to try to hammer out the bike post . Once I cut it down as explained in the video, I simply cut just one slot throughout the rest of the post (I cut the slot in between the notch of the seat tube). Then, I squeezed in both sides of the bike post with vice grips and it just came right out. All done in about 30 minutes Note: If you get the Sawsall, set both the blade speed and the trigger to maximum. That way the blade won't catch into the metal while you're sawing and make the saw jerk out of your hands... Thanks RJ!

[@gpereir4]

Thank you! I just accomplished this on a 1988 Rockhopper using a sawzall and vise grips and an air hammer! Genius idea using the grips and the air hammer, thats what did it for me.

[@jeremysmith9088]

So i didnt even think this would of been a good idea , Ive been battle a seat post for a few days now, so i just cut it and it came right out... Appreciate the video bro

[@jimmylovesbikes]

I find this video extremely gratifying and exciting to watch. excellent!

[@jimbarron8688]

After RJ's slide hammer didn't work and every other idea failed we tried this technique with success. It was a miserable few hours but the seized post was finally free although it was utterly destroyed. If this didn't work it was only the lye technique that remained. Thanks RJ!

[@yvandupapier]

"And I've got that sucker out of there !!!" We were all waiting for that moment haha

[@damiacapdevila7675]

I appreciate this video, it works for me !! In the past I just throw two frames into the garbage...just with the same problem.......THX A LOT for sharing !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kuladeeluxe]

I have a tip for protecting the frame. As you cut, put a magnet near the end exit and watch the debris. Once it starts sticking to the magnet you have hit steel .

[@mcm248]

You got that sucker seatpost out, yeahh!! So satisfying, felt like i was saving my own frame from galvanic oxidation

[@genuinsanity]

Well done...I may have to do this by hand ...frozen seat post from 90s. Will try citric acid and pipe wrench first.

[@18snufkin1988]

RJ you are my favorite KZbin bike mechanic. I've been learngin from you since 2014! Thanks for the tip!

[@SebFlorida]

the moment it started moving was so satisfying!

[@Velofil]

5:45 I guess a Suergeon makes the same statement after removing a Tumor :-)

[@derekhobbs1102]

As soon as I heard that slightly different impact sound as you were hitting it with hammer, I knew you had it.

[@Winky2265]

Worked perfectly, thanks for the video! Vice grips trick was key to getting the post out.

[@kitpulmones2114]

Very timely. Im having trouble with a stuck seat post on an old bicycle i recently bought. Ill try this tomorrow. Thanks for the big help!

[@njm3211]

Drastic remedies are at times called for. Great job!!! BTW had a similar situation but with a carbon frame. After trying every trick on KZbin, I proceeded to gently chisel out the seat post. Took several days to cut down the length of the thin walled aluminum tube and then pryed out chunks of tubing. Polished the inside of the seat tube with emery cloth with a tool I made on the end of a drill.

[@njm3211]

Bravo RJ! Very satisfying. Had a similar problem with carbon seat post in a carbon frame. I used a carpenter's chisel to split the post which was aluminum with a carbon over wrap.

[@BikeItUK]

Yes oh Yes....the joy when it comes free. Ha ha love it! I have recently done the same method on my own single speed project the video wont be up for some time yet, the frame needs respraying etc. I ended up welding an axe saw blade to a steel rod to collapse the tube. Hard work, yes and really is a last resort, becomes almost obsessive. Thanks for tips and sharing Andy

[@johannesschellenberg405]

Thanks for sharing! Exactly what I needed!

[@towhee7472]

Oh boy, guess I know how I will spend my sunday morning this week.

[@veedubmatt]

This video is brought to you by... Pepsi. Thanks again for another awesome video, RJ!

[@laurentiussoepomo7747]

I love to see how you pull out the ever-stuck seat post. innovative

[@that70sschwinn]

Great to see it finally come out! nice job...

[@JonPrevost]

You're awesome. Most of us would have a pile of bikes in the backyard. That last trick was great. I have an idea for a tool thanks to you!

[@JonPrevost]

I just saw your video where you build a puller "v2" with threaded rod inplace of hydraulic. Building something similar that grabs the post and then use the impact hammer to hit it up and out where the impact action is directly in line with the seat post.

[@MichaelBurris5773]

This looks like a great method to get out the stuck post. I tried this and so far no luck. Used a 12 inch blade on the saw and the air hammer trick. I will keep at it with the PB Blaster and hope for the best!

[@BenSawyer72]

Thank you i tried to remove the seat post with a pipe wrench and i broke the seat post i was sure that the bike was ruined and i found your video and i cut it with the sawzall and it worked thank a lot 😁 im very happy

[@RyansuBike]

I got one out using the drip liquid wrench from bb opening down the seat tube for 2 or 3 days and then gently twisting the frame (not by the stays!) with the seatpost clamped in a vise, what a rush when it finally moves! Congrats on a successful surgery.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Then it wasn't as stuck as this one.

[@madisondeans5566]

Great video which was a big help for me to be able to remove my seatpost!!thanx for the vid RJ👍👍

[@bruceabe3139]

way to go RJ....Nice to beat a monster job like that. As always very informative. keep up the fine work in saving old bikes!

[@gustavorodriguez8213]

Hello friend, you are a genius. Amazing your method of removing that damn seat post. You know, I bought a bicycle and I had not realized that I had improvised a piece of pipe to the seat of the bicycle and tightened it with a screw. When I remove it I find that the seatpost is completely locked. I tried everything and I can't remove it. I'm going to put your method into practice. I send you cordial greetings from Argentina. Very good your video.

[@TSKseattle]

Once I get the rusted post out I run a rotary wire wheel down through to try to eliminate as much of the companion damage. And lots of grease - the post doesn't clamp that deep, you won't make it too slippery.

[@MikeBaxterABC]

I've had this happen, all I did was cut the seat post to the correct hight for me (It was much to tall), and put the seat back on ...

[@Criscross292]

RJ - As always, brilliant and straight forward! Thanks for all of the great ideas.

[@jimkoll52]

helpful. I used a torch to warm up the post and then hit it down to break it loose

[@littleknicky]

Liked and subscribed. Thanks, this worked for me after trying everything with a nightmare seat post. Notes: had to make sure I cut through the post in the slots; Regular hammer worked fine with vice grips; had to whack it in with a sledge a bit to make it budge before hammering it out. Thanks again.

[@petecurran3995]

Well persevered, RJ - great technique! 👍🏻

[@jumpflyz]

NICE JOB! You're a clever guy dude! :)

[@1uniqueislander968]

I had that trick in mind but with a handle. This may be a good reason to get me one of them electric saw. 😁👍 RJ .. awesome DIY and bike mechanic channe! Just the channel I've been looking for. Now I can rescue and restore many bicycles (vintages in particular) that people are getting rid off. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

[@rambler1277]

I'm about to employ this method on my '97 Bontrager. It's either this or Sodium Hydroxide (pure Drano), Total last resort. Update: Cut the seatpost off and it's re-inforced with a vertical beam down the middle. Grrreat.

[@skeynejad]

I’m at the last resort with my seat post. I have tried everything, I will give this a go at the weekend.

[@Peja16Roller]

Sabba Keynejad any luck using this method?

[@Justmyopinionlol]

you have a monopoly on frozen seatpost removal tutorial...I´d love to see more lol. This is a common problem I have also, mainly steel frames with alum seatpost.

[@cezrok5405]

gonna do this thanks RJ your videos have helped me so much !

[@gabingo]

claps and more claps, nice job men! expert work with superb knowledge of materials, tools, and technique

[@cebuanostud]

You deserve a Pepsi Cola!

[@kurtiskoppdrums]

The phosphoric acid in the Pepsi would be good for your guts! NOT! Maybe a corroded seat post'

[@officialclownbusiness7788]

Anything is better than diet Mountain Dew.

[@RicardoLopez-qu5nr]

You are amazing. Very resourceful. Bravo.

[@markgrenier6787]

Trying it today 👍

[@davidbyford1651]

i really understood solve power tool machine use put out as well.i found it!

[@vivoslibertos]

Halleujah!!! I can hear the heaven sings in celebration when you pulled out that sucker.

[@tomrichards6207]

I've been fortunate to have never had this problem. So just a method I haven't seen applied yet. Remove the bottom bracket and spray the penetrating oil up the seat tube.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHjUh2iBepyWmJo

[@corneneethling2277]

Thank you very much. I have an old Nishiki that I am struggling to get a seatpost old that was forced in by a previous owner. I was thinking if this idea is going to work, and you just proofed it can work

[@roncooke2188]

Shame you don’t live in the UK i would have found you a skip to dump it in. But you did well to remove it, First class job well done and yes was very useful

[@Guoenyi]

Fark man you got a helluva bunch of tools

[@norbiesison9257]

Was able to remove my stuck up seat post. My bike was so old school it was a metal frame and metal seat post. I confirmed the latter using a magnet. At first, I was seriously considering welding a bolt at the end and using a slide hammer to get it off. Surely that would work. The solution I used was to soak the post with WD-40. Kept spraying for as long as I could see it trickle down. Then, I took my butane torch and just pointed the flame at the seat post for about 10 minutes. Then I changed the position so I can heat it from a different angle. Maybe total time spent heating was about 30 minutes. In the last 5 minutes, I first started to pound it downward to test for movement. I was buoyed when I saw some miniscule sparks fly upward with each pound. Then, I smacked it down harder repeatedly until I finally saw it move down about ½". Then, I put out the flame and with the bike on its side, grabbed my huge pipe wrench and started to rotate it. Stiff at first but I soon got about 30 degrees of rotation. Set the bike upright, then clamped on a large vise grip. Rotated it again back and forth while spraying it with more WD-40. Then, with a hammer, started hitting the vise-grip upwards. It started to come out and eventually was able to pull it out all the way! Gonna try the same technique for my handle bar shaft! The lock bolt for the wedge had snapped already!

[@sd-dz3et]

I took a 12 mm bolt. Cut the head off. Cut a vertical slot a few cm deep. Put a spot of weld to close vertical slot. Crushing with a hammer would work. I then got a 40 grit belt. Cut it. Put it through the vertical slot and wound it around the bolt. Put it in a drill and used that to thin the seat post. It took a bit longer than this but could easily be made with just a hacksaw and drill if you don't have a reciprocating saw.

[@SmokeySkies]

This guy is funny, the beginning of the video

[@kalijasin]

Actually it didn’t look welded on. It looks like it just had bad corrosion build up. That was causing the seat-post to press/expand down onto and bite onto the seat-tube.

[@gabriel.trainer]

RJ and his wonderfull tools.

[@literoadie3502]

Love that celebration!

[@TheZcoffin]

I assume you tried the vise grips + air hammer before cutting slots in the post? Seems like a good technique in its own right! Regardless, well done. Great step-by-step; I'll have to give it a try!

[@leonardostein1219]

good idea thanks

[@OjStudios]

I have this same situation with my friends bike. I've been melting the seatpost with drain cleaner because I don't have a saw to cut it with. NaOH ruins the paint though, gotta do some touch up after.

[@AdamOmidpanah]

2:05 OMG freehanding and fondling that shorn edge, burrs and all. I'm cringing thinking of all the metal splinters when I forget gloves.

[@john-mikaeljarvenkyla146]

I salute you

[@vicenteabdala]

this is the way!! cut first and then do the unstucking stuff. it wont come out other way.

[@-thearabcyclist357]

Genius!

[@webchez69]

wow. air hammer is the key, just like a air gun to take out rusted bolts.

[@fredyt8318]

I feel your pain 😅😅

[@Shinjigitube]

you're a fucking genius ... this is the third video I watch consecutively. You're making me laugh!

[@zero0101one]

way to go, yet i still don't know who will get an aluminum seat post for a steel frame!

[@dannomite123]

Mohamed Ali They have been using aluminum seat posts in steel frames since the 1950s. You just need to put plenty of grease on them when installing

[@zero0101one]

Really! I didn't know that, all I've seen here was either steel posts in steel frames or aluminum posts in aluminum frames, and they even sell steel posts with Aluminum frames, not the opposite

[@iusedtoslaymonsters]

The air hammer was wicked

[@vcval]

i had the same problem with a chrome one , i welded a nut in the end and used a 4 foot pry bar and got it free

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

A steel post in a steel frame would not be a big deal. Just ordinary rust.

[@dayjn]

Congratulations RJ, fantastic idea. It seems spraying the penetrating oil AFTER cutting did the trick. When the tube came out, it looked wet from the oil. I'm going to try this method with a completely frozen seatpost soon!

[@clicks59]

Well done!