Removing Crown Tube

[kbiz]

I've done many searches... can't find anything. How do you remove the press fit crown tube outta these lil asian cases??

[Logan]

I made up a short piece or round stock on the lathe with a shoulder, This goes thru the tube from the inside until the shoulder is against the inside rim of the tube. You can then pull like crazy on that until the glue breaks. Usually thats pretty easy.

[kbiz]

I like it!! or I could chuck the other side into my drill press and hold the case in a clamped vise...

I guess I figured it was truely press fit and not glued...

[offshore]

A little heat doesn't hurt....helps to break any glue which may have been used as well.

Etic have a special tool for removing pushers, which can also be used for crown tubes...think Horotec do one as well.

O/S

[sssurfer]

A couple of times I was successful in removing the tube by using this tool that I found in chinese screwdrivers box-sets:

This goes into the tube from the inside. Then a few sharp hammer strokes, and the tube came out.

It is also a useful tool to push down the stem release button.

[Guest avitt]

I just had to remove a tube, so I thought I'd take a few pics to show my (pretty much) foolproof method.

First, you've got to make a "tube removal" tool. I used a stainless steel screw, purchased from a hobby shop. You want one that is just a little too large to fit through the hole in the tube.

You want to turn down the end of the screw, so that the tip will fit into the tube. If you have a lathe handy, good for you! If not, you can do the job by chucking the screw in a hand drill (cut the head of the screw off first), and holding the drill in a vise.

The result should look like this:

Ideally, the tip of the tool should extend just beyond the end of the tube. This will help to protect the tube in the next steps.

The next step is to find a thin piece of wood, and drill a hole partially through it. The hole should just slightly larger in diameter than than the tube:

Now, it's just a matter of lining everything up, and giving the tool a slight squeeze with pliers:

Success is guaranteed

[Logan]

A slight variation on Avitt's technique is the use a G clamp (screw up type clamp) to apply the pressure instead of pliers. I find its more controlled and there less chance of slipping and damaging the case.

[Clint Eastwood]

nice post avitt.

i usualy use a custom tool like your but bigger and a hammer, work nice in seconds only

[kbiz]

Just finished a little different technique.

First had to make the tool...

Then secure the case in my machining vice... being careful to protect the case... and secure the vice to the base...

Then I chuck the tool in the drill head and simply lift...

[RWG Technical]

I have always used a simple easy out screw extractor tool, the kind with the twisty left hand threads, you simply use it as you would to remove a broken screw, twist and pull and the tubes come right out.

Nice lathe btw.

[Logan]

Very nice.. I had the pin with the shoulder made already, but I hadn't thought about using the mill as a lifting tool.

[kbiz]

yeah one could use any drill press too if you clamp the vise down...

@Zigmeister it's a Chinese replica lathe... that I've modded and made accurate... heh...

[RWG Technical]

@Zigmeister it's a Chinese replica lathe... that I've modded and made accurate... heh...

Too funny, seems to get the job done though.

[AstroAvia]

This thread just came in handy for my next project: disassembling an Hublot.