Removing difficult knobs
 

At my last job before retirement, my staff included four luthiers. Some of the instruments they worked on were very expensive, and whilst removing tight knobs, there must be no risk of surface damage.


I bought them one of these each after seeing it demonstrated at a show; they very quickly paid for themselves hundreds of times over.


https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tool...ng_Puller.html

Re: Removing dificult knobs
 

I think the link you give has been highjacked! I just get a promotion webpage for Stewmac "membership" with no obvious way beyond it... Pity - sounds a useful tool.

Re: Removing dificult knobs
 

The site works for me with a big advert for shipping that goes if you click outside it.
The puller looks like it is asking for a home brew copy at $68.

Re: Removing dificult knobs
 

Could have done with one of those a couple of days ago.

Re: Removing difficult knobs
 

I have similar (but smaller!) for removing watch hands, good idea!

Alan

Re: Removing difficult knobs
 

I wanted to remove the knob from a guitar a few weeks back and tried to pull it off using a duster - just looped it under the knob and pulled up. It wouldn't move at all using my fingers.

The knob came off along with the shaft of the pot!

The funny thing is that I used a pair of pliers to remove the shaft from the knob and expected a proper struggle, but it just slipped out. Weird.

Re: Removing difficult knobs
 

This lot seem to have something similar for £8.50

https://www.allparts.uk.com/products...-push-on-knobs

Re: Removing difficult knobs
 

Too late.... Sold out!

Re: Removing difficult knobs
 

A bit cheaper initially at £7:30, but when you factor in VAT and shipping, not that different a cost, perhaps:

https://www.thomann.de/gb/allparts_knob_puller_tool.htm

Colin.

Re: Removing difficult knobs
 

Yon device looks nice but I use two old teaspoons, card or similar can be used to protect any surface but the round profile of spoons does no damage. BTW that ad has tracking on it.

Andy.

Re: Removing difficult knobs
 

oops! - thanks Andy. Have now fixed that.

Re: Removing difficult knobs
 

Knobs on that old radio or recorder >40 yrs in the attic develop a death like grip. Add to that the fact that the gripping part is fragile. It is so easy to break the centre unless the pull is evenly applied all around. The spoon trick is good when used correctly. Also winding a loop of string under if you can access. In all cases it's useful to mask the area where the 'lever' touches

Re: Removing difficult knobs
 

I wind a strip of cloth under the knob and keep on winding, that usually pops it off.