Key Removal

[tongleh]

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?

[nadroj]

Pincers

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

(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

[nearnexus]

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

[tongleh]

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....

[Machtool]

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

[.RC.]

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...

[morrisman]

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

[kwijibo99]

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.

[Machtool]

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.

[China]

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

[nadroj]

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

[pipeclay]

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.

[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 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Slide-Hammer-vise-grip-puller-made-to-fit-Snap-on-Mac-size-LG-/370687076452?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_100&hash=item564eabe864&vxp=mtr)

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

BT

[chambezio]

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.

[franco]

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 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Slide-Hammer-vise-grip-puller-made-to-fit-Snap-on-Mac-size-LG-/370687076452?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_100&hash=item564eabe864&vxp=mtr)

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.

[tongleh]

Thanks everyone, turned out the shaft was ok, the keyway had been cut at a slight angle so the gear was binding on the key not the shaft. All ok now, can change gears easy now. By the way, whenever you strip a gearbox and lay out the gears, bushes, etc, make sure you don't disturb them, took hours to get them back in the right order and the right way around.

[Anorak Bob]

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.

Well Frank,

I just happen to have a little Snap-on slide hammer that I've never used because I bought it without any attachments twenty or so years ago. About time I got around to making an adapter.

A marred key is a small price to pay compared to the mess it's easy make on a shaft trying to pry the key out.

Bob

[Abratool]

Bob & Frank
Thanks so much for the Vice Grip idea.
Many times over the years, I have had a need for such a device.
I was so impressed, that I just went into the workshop & machined up the fittings.
Now its all ready, to "Come in handy one day"
regards
Bruce