Spire Nuts, removal of. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Ian G4HJM · 21st Nov 2005, 9:00 pm

Ferranti U1003,

The wooden panel on to which the loudspeaker is fixed is attached to the main cabinet with several of these rectangular push-on fasteners. Whats the best method of removal without wrecking the cabinet ?

regards
Ian

Sean Williams · 21st Nov 2005, 9:24 pm

I use a very fine screwdriver, or a pair of needle nose pliers, and gently ease the small teeth back - the clip then falls off.

To refit you just need to squeeze the teeth back down, and push onto the stud with a nut runner.

Cheers
Sean

Nickthedentist · 21st Nov 2005, 9:47 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1ecy

I use a very fine screwdriver, or a pair of needle nose pliers, and gently ease the small teeth back - the clip then falls off.

To refit you just need to squeeze the teeth back down, and push onto the stud with a nut runner.

That's exactly what I do, but you make it sound so easy, Sean. I find them a real PITA!

Nick.

Station X · 21st Nov 2005, 9:58 pm

Sometimes it's possible to thread two lengths of thin strong wire under the lugs. Pulling on the two loops formed will then often allow the 'spire nut' to be pulled off.

Another method is to grip the sides of the nut with pliers and screw it off by turning and pulling.

Graham.

Paul Stenning · 21st Nov 2005, 11:43 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by G4ILN

Another method is to grip the sides of the nut with pliers and screw it off by turning and pulling.

That's how I normally remove them. You just have to be careful not to snap the post off. Some sets have pairs of posts so if one does snap you can put the clip on the adjacent one.

paulsherwin · 22nd Nov 2005, 1:55 am

As Paul says, it's very difficult not to snap the plastic posts. The fact that there are often 2 posts suggests the makers didn't expect anybody to remove these successfully - you can disassemble once, then that's it

When the post breaks the clip will fly through the air and it's easy to lose it.

I managed to break *all* the posts securing the speaker in my KB MR10, and had to fabricate new fastenings from long nuts and Araldite.

Good luck, Paul

Sam · 22nd Nov 2005, 12:12 pm

Some of the things I have which use those fasteners have a post with two flats on it. You can then give the clips a quarter-turn so the clip then slides off the post.

Sam

Mike Phelan · 22nd Nov 2005, 5:51 pm

I either use iron binding wire from a florist, or push a cheap pair of tweezers under the lugs.

Ian G4HJM · 23rd Nov 2005, 7:10 pm

Thanks all for suggestions.

I tried the pulling with fine wire technique first, result was the easy removal of four out of five fasteners. The last one seems to have been pushed really firmly up to the wooden board and the two little clips have bitten deeply into the post.

In the end I snapped the post, but as suggested, there is an adjacent unused post; so all is not lost. !

Again, many thanks for all those very helpful suggestions.

regards
Ian

21st Nov 2005, 9:00 pm	#1
Ian G4HJM Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 20	Spire Nuts, removal of. Ferranti U1003, The wooden panel on to which the loudspeaker is fixed is attached to the main cabinet with several of these rectangular push-on fasteners. Whats the best method of removal without wrecking the cabinet ? regards Ian Attached Thumbnails

21st Nov 2005, 9:24 pm	#2
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,517	Re: Push on fixings -- removal ? I use a very fine screwdriver, or a pair of needle nose pliers, and gently ease the small teeth back - the clip then falls off. To refit you just need to squeeze the teeth back down, and push onto the stud with a nut runner. Cheers Sean __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

21st Nov 2005, 9:58 pm	#4
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: Push on fixings -- removal ? Sometimes it's possible to thread two lengths of thin strong wire under the lugs. Pulling on the two loops formed will then often allow the 'spire nut' to be pulled off. Another method is to grip the sides of the nut with pliers and screw it off by turning and pulling. Graham.

22nd Nov 2005, 1:55 am	#6
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,943	Re: Push on fixings -- removal ? As Paul says, it's very difficult not to snap the plastic posts. The fact that there are often 2 posts suggests the makers didn't expect anybody to remove these successfully - you can disassemble once, then that's it When the post breaks the clip will fly through the air and it's easy to lose it. I managed to break all the posts securing the speaker in my KB MR10, and had to fabricate new fastenings from long nuts and Araldite. Good luck, Paul

22nd Nov 2005, 12:12 pm	#7
Sam Hexode Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Higham-on-the-Hill, Leicestershire, UK. Posts: 338	Re: Push on fixings -- removal ? Some of the things I have which use those fasteners have a post with two flats on it. You can then give the clips a quarter-turn so the clip then slides off the post. Sam __________________ Can he lead a Normal life, Doctor? No, he will be ... an Engineer.

22nd Nov 2005, 5:51 pm	#8
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Push on fixings -- removal ? I either use iron binding wire from a florist, or push a cheap pair of tweezers under the lugs. __________________ Mike.

23rd Nov 2005, 7:10 pm	#9
Ian G4HJM Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 20	Re: Push on fixings -- removal ? Thanks all for suggestions. I tried the pulling with fine wire technique first, result was the easy removal of four out of five fasteners. The last one seems to have been pushed really firmly up to the wooden board and the two little clips have bitten deeply into the post. In the end I snapped the post, but as suggested, there is an adjacent unused post; so all is not lost. ! Again, many thanks for all those very helpful suggestions. regards Ian