Endpin plug removal: best tricks?

[jonas]

A common problem while replacing an endpin: the old one sits in the body very firmly and doesn't want to come out at all ...
What are your favourite tricks to remove the endpin plug? I sometimes use a L-shaped rod, insert it instead of the regular endpin and pound the plug out of the body. But I don't like this method, because it's noisy

[CPike]

Originally Posted by jonas

A common problem while replacing an endpin: the old one sits in the body very firmly and doesn't want to come out at all ...
What are your favourite tricks to remove the endpin plug? I sometimes use a L-shaped rod, insert it instead of the regular endpin and pound the plug out of the body. But I don't like this method, because it's noisy

I use a thick piece of leather, wrap it around the plug, and grab it with some heavy duty channel lock pliers. The leather protects the plug from scratches and also provides plenty of friction.

Chris

[jonas]

Originally Posted by CPike

I use a thick piece of leather, wrap it around the plug, and grab it with some heavy duty channel lock pliers. The leather protects the plug from scratches and also provides plenty of friction.

Chris

I once tried a tool with a rubber band, designed for opening cans and bottles in the kitchen. But unfortunately, it doesn't work, the plug's diameter is too small. So the rubber band just slips around the plug and doesn't grip.

[toman]

How about one of these? Same idea as the jar tool, only adjustable in size via a standard bike chain tool. You can get the same kind of thing with a handle attached, too.

[idahohay]

Every situation is different but if you are replacing the plug, what about drilling most of the material out with a forstner bit?

[Damon Rondeau]

First off I would give it a couple of very light taps with a mallet. If you whack on it too hard you might do mischief to the endblock. You run the same risk, though, by violently wrenching on the thing with any kind of tool. Just tap it on the side of the endpin -- obviously you don't want to tap the thing back into the bass.

[jonas]

Originally Posted by idahohay

Every situation is different but if you are replacing the plug, what about drilling most of the material out with a forstner bit?

I would consider this only if the plug was glued in.

[jonas]

I wonder if a "sliding hammer" (don't know the English word for this tool ...) would be a help. I'll try it next time when I fight with an endpin.

[basswraith]

Cut the head off a golf club. Slide the shaft thru the F hole on to the endpin. Wack the other end of the golf club a few times with a mallot until the endpin falls out.
It works... ask Tiger.

[jonas]

Originally Posted by basswraith

Cut the head off a golf club. Slide the shaft thru the F hole on to the endpin. Wack the other end of the golf club a few times with a mallot until the endpin falls out.
It works... ask Tiger.

That's a smart idea, too. But unfortunately, golf is something very exotic here in Germany, and only well off people afford to play golf.

[bonaventura]

The luthier who built my bass told me that mine is twisted in in a counterclockwise direction. If I turn the thumbscrew completely out and screw in a long 3" bolt with threads of the same size at one end, I can then use a mallet and gently pound the bolt towards the clockwise direction.

[Jake deVilliers]

Fellas, just stick a broomstick in the F-hole and tap it out. Low tech is best!

[jonas]

… this is my favourite trick so far: http://www.doublebassguide.com/?p=443

[Matthew Tucker]

Jonas, i tried that method on a bass I had here - but using a length of screw thread through the plug and a wingnut on the inside, and a sliding hammer on the outside. But the damn thing didn't budge. But of all the suggestions, if its going to work, that way should work!

[Cody Sisk]

Originally Posted by basswraith

Cut the head off a golf club. Slide the shaft thru the F hole on to the endpin. Wack the other end of the golf club a few times with a mallot until the endpin falls out.
It works... ask Tiger.

+1

I have a 4ft smooth steel rod that I use for this. I got it at the "big orange box" store. You should be able to find it in a hardware store where they sell threaded rods. Get it lined up and give it one good whack and it'll pop right out..

[robobass]

Originally Posted by jonas

… this is my favourite trick so far: http://www.doublebassguide.com/?p=443

I was thinking of a similar thing, but your ideas rules! Auto body repairers use a "dent puller"
If this doesn't work, then the socket must be glued in. Anyone who would glue in a socket probably doesn't know about hide glue either, so you might want to get ahold of an air file in addition to the forstner bit!