Thread: Key Removal

The gear cluster (not shown) that slides along the keyed shaft is binding on the left side of the shaft so I need to turn the shaft down a smidgen; however, I can't get the key out to remove the bush (left of the key), any ideas?

Pincers

http://www.hyperclaw.com/pic/products/carpenter-pincer-1-L.jpg

If it's binding, it might be the key itself that needs filing down a bit.

Jordan

Turn the shaft so the key is facing down, then use the corner of a small cold chisel on the side near one end to knock it out.

It will come out easily.

You will mark the key but that won't matter, just sand off the burr and you're good to go.

Rob

I have tried a chisel (ground down because of limited space), but only stuffed the end of the key. I also tried a large jeweller's screwdriver and a pair of modified vice grips, also no luck, just stuffed a few screwdrivers. I'll try a pair of pincers next, never thought of that....

You wouldn't happen to have a little tool makers vice? They are great for clamping onto a key, then giving that a bit of soft hammer action.

Phil

Last resort option is to weld something onto it that you can really grab... Although I have never had to resort to doing that yet.. Drill and tap the key is another option if all else fails...

I wonder if shrinking it would help. Buy a pressure pack can of that loctite freeze stuff and spray the stuck key for a minute Mike

Not sure if this is what RC meant or not but if you drill into the key towards one end, enough to just go through the key itself then screw in a bottoming tap it should push it out when you reach the bottom.
If not then withdraw the tap and replace it with a screw or bolt for a bit more grunt.
Cheers,
Greg.

Originally Posted by .RC.

Drill and tap the key is another option if all else fails...

There should be a special place reserved in hell for people that fit up a key with out a drilled and tapped extraction hole. Dead middle and about 3/4 the lenght used to be the rule of thumb for a jack out thread.

Phil.

Tap one end with a brass or copper hammer sometimes this will cause the other end to lift, or can you heat the shaft the then lift it out with pliers or similar

Originally Posted by Machtool

There should be a special place reserved in hell for people that fit up a key with out a drilled and tapped extraction hole.

Phil.

That's a bit harsh. Hell would be pretty full - I've never seen a tapped hole in a key. Good idea though.

Jordan

Most if not all large captivated keys have one or more threaded holes for removal,and most keys with restricted access with have them as well.

Years ago I saw a bloke selling a slide hammer attachment for vice grips. A quick search revealed he is still around - Slide Hammer Vise Grip Puller Made to Fit Snap on Mac Size LG | eBay

It would not be hard to make your own version of this useful tool.

BT

I wonder if someone may have used Loctite to "glue" it in? So may be a little heat, would soften the key's grip?

It could be a victim of the Quantity Principle-----"If some is good, more has to be better"

A mate who is a very good mechanic did his apprenticeship at a tractor repair place where he saw all kinds of nasties. He has come away with the philosophy that farmers should not own a welder (Bus driver had trouble with drivers front wheel coming loose) or a chainsaw.

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Years ago I saw a bloke selling a slide hammer attachment for vice grips. A quick search revealed he is still around - Slide Hammer Vise Grip Puller Made to Fit Snap on Mac Size LG | eBay

It would not be hard to make your own version of this useful tool.

BT

Bob,

Easily made, and has made some quite difficult jobs easy over the years. It will mark the key though. You just need to make a new adjusting screw for the vise grips tapped for the slide hammer.

Frank.