Is there a better tool than paper clips to remove finger wheels?

Greg G. · April 06, 2011, 03:56:23 AM

Paper clips are really not a good tool for this task, they're unwieldy and bend too much. What did REAL phone persons use? Is it available, or something similar available?

Wallphone · April 06, 2011, 06:56:01 AM

Brinybay, I use a Pin Vise with the right sized drill bit inserted so that the shank is sticking out. The little drill bit has been hardened so it should not bend. I was looking at them the other day on eBay and this is the cheapest one available there. > http://bit.ly/fdIOgZ < The 1st pic is the Pin Vise. The second pic is the tool that was made specifically for this task. There was recently a discussion about this on the TCI List and a source was listed for the 2nd tool. > http://bit.ly/hb7RbU <
Doug Pav

rdelius · April 06, 2011, 09:44:28 AM

Some real installers used a piece of drop wire with one end skinned back .
Robby

Adam · April 06, 2011, 10:18:31 AM

I got this off eBay last year in a collection of other junque. It came with a little matching pen cap (not pictured).

paul-f · April 06, 2011, 10:54:15 AM

More styles...

Adam · April 06, 2011, 11:00:24 AM

That black one looks like the same manufacture as my pale red one. I see I'm missing 1 cap.

Gotta love that one that looks like a pen with the Bell Logo on it!

gpo706 · April 06, 2011, 11:05:50 AM

I second Masstel, he beat me to it.

Neat bit of corporate kit with the Bell logo.

I only have 3 WE dials to deal with so as long as I'm not down to my last 3 paperclips...

JorgeAmely · April 06, 2011, 12:21:12 PM

I use a diaper pin, a.k.a. a safety pin.

Greg G. · April 06, 2011, 04:49:40 PM

Quote from: JorgeAmely on April 06, 2011, 12:21:12 PM
I use a diaper pin, a.k.a. a safety pin.

Just happened to have a few of various sizes handy, the medium size seems to work best. What use to be a struggle getting these things off is now an ease.

Dan · April 06, 2011, 05:47:05 PM

Plastic push pins are my favorite. They are stronger than safety pins and fit the diameter of the hole better.

gpo706 · April 05, 2012, 08:11:08 PM

Dan, that is genius...

Thank you

TelePlay · April 05, 2012, 08:36:14 PM

This is the pin vise drill that works well by reversing the appropriate sized bit in the chuck.

http://tinyurl.com/7ynlq84

I have to thank a few others on this forum for showing me this great tool.

DavePEI · April 05, 2012, 08:49:15 PM

Quote from: TelePlay on April 05, 2012, 08:36:14 PM
This is the pin vise drill that works well by reversing the appropriate sized bit in the chuck.

Though I have other options including the correct KS tool, I have one of these, too. Makes a great little hand drill, as well as a fine dial remover. Also ordered from Amazon.

Commando makes a great mini-oiler which I use for precision application of oil to dials, too..

http://tinyurl.com/cxn5dpc

Dave

HarrySmith · April 05, 2012, 08:57:55 PM

I use the dropwire, works great! A while ago a member offered some to the lists for shipping so I got some. I also stripped a piece and bent it into a hook to pull wires through handsets.

HarrySmith · April 25, 2015, 07:27:27 PM

The recent rediscovery of my old tool prompted me to revisit this thread and post a picture of my 3 official fingerwheel removal tools.
Well I guess 2 official and 1 most often used in the field.

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Is there a better tool than paper clips to remove finger wheels?