Holding bolt heads and nuts without help

[Quickstep192]

I'm looking for tricks that you guys use for holding both sides of a bolt/nut combination where both sides can't be reached by one person and help is not available.

Is there a way to get a wrench to stay stuck on one side while I turn the bolt from the other side?

[kfosburg]

Vice Grips... wrench with tape.

[jlex]

Use some of that gooey 3M weatherstrip putty used around vapor barriers. I use it all the time to hold nuts and screws to drivers and sockets in difficult to reach places. I keep a blob of it within easy reach in my toolbox.

[Dpmulvan]

NAPCAR uses silicone caulk to hold lug nuts on rims. Give that a shot or try a girlfriend, stranger walking down street, mailman, et.

[Lyle O]

Originally Posted by jlex

Use some of that gooey 3M weatherstrip putty used around vapor barriers. I use it all the time to hold nuts and screws to drivers and sockets in difficult to reach places. I keep a blob of it within easy reach in my toolbox.

I like this suggestion a lot; hadn't thought of this. Plumbers putty would also work here I imagine...

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

I'm looking for tricks that you guys use for holding both sides of a bolt/nut combination where both sides can't be reached by one person and help is not available.

Is there a way to get a wrench to stay stuck on one side while I turn the bolt from the other side?

Quickstep,

Could you be more specific? I’ve been used to working alone in the garage most of my adult life and curious to know your specific case. A picture would be great but not necessary. Thanks.

Tony