Yep! I'm the life of the party! And like HeyYou, I'll be here all week!

...bada bump!

 

I just ordered a Klann KL-0181-1 Universal Stud Extractor for use in extracting the studs from a proverbial buttload of engine cases and heads for air-cooled VWs. I can't wait for that bad boy to arrive at my front stoop.

 

Well, awesome tool, but somehow I broke it. The grip mechanicals are separated and held with springs. I noticed it wasn't clamping on a stud and when I looked I could see a large gap between two of the jaws and a mashed spring inside. I got the spring out and am contacting the company about warrantying it.

 

I just ordered a Hazet Assistent, model 166N. These are handy to have in a shop. Here's a neat thread where you American cretins can learn all about the Hazet tool trolley: Hazet Assistent

 

So "bad" was more apt a descriptor than you'd hoped, eh?

When the studs are coming out so they can be replaced, I just take a pipe wrench to 'em. It's a bit slower going the low tech route, but a guy who's smarter than a threaded fastener can almost always make a go of it.

 

I forgot to update that it was replaced under warranty. I was improperly using it, which is how I broke it The replacement was sent to me with lightening speed and included a tube of grease to keep the jaws and springs lubricated.

Pipe wrenches are a bit of a PITA because getting them to bite can be a chore, and once they do bite they can lock and then it's a PITA to remove them from the stud. There is also the issue as to the length of the stud and whether or not the wrench will turn without being obstructed.

Now that I know how to properly use the stud remover, I've resumed work stripping engine cases of their studs and all is well. I can zip through and engine case in less time than it takes to remove one or even two studs using a pipe wrench.

 

Ah yes. The old Operator Error trick.

I never have trouble getting the pipe wrench to bite because I don't keep pipe wrenches with worn jaws. Getting them to let go can be fun, but Ye Olde Channel Locks come in handy.

I took a peek at the Klann Tools site... Boy, you Folksvoggen dudes must all be stinkin' rich! Fifty bucks for a spark plug thread chaser. What, it vibrates?

 

My Hazet Assistent (yet, that's the spelling) arrived this week.





The small, yellow box is the padlock. This sucker is very sturdy--built like a tank. Total expanded height is approximately 36".

 

I'm thinking of getting the OTC 1178 Slide Hammer Puller Set 7 Piece.

I figure it may come in handy if I have to service the wheel bearings on a front wheel drive car, the axle bearings on my 2007 Dodge Ram, and maybe something on my 1949 Allis Chalmers. Right now, I could use one so I can pull a gear out of a bunch of Volkswagen transmissions I'm scrapping for the magnesium.

What do you think?

 

300 bucks? How much use do you expect to get out of that?