Pulling flywheels ugh…

[av8or3]

Could be my least favorite “thing” to do with saws. I don’t know why I just don’t do this first. Every time I have to pull one of these things I set up pullers and try, I hammer on one of the “super duper” pullers that just screw over the threads and on one occasion I even did the boiling water while pulling on it trick . No joy. I always save this for last and it always works. In seconds. I say get you a BFAH and your worries are over.

 

[Squareground3691]

Could be my least favorite “thing” to do with saws. I don’t know why I just don’t do this first. Every time I have to pull one of these things I set up pullers and try, I hammer on one of the “super duper” pullers that just screw over the threads and on one occasion I even did the boiling water while pulling on it trick . No joy. I always save this for last and it always works. In seconds. I say get you a BFAH and your worries are over.

Heat gun , heavy brass or ball pean hammer, and good puller , are ur best friends and sometimes being more aggressive than you think will help .

 

[sundance]

Could be my least favorite “thing” to do with saws. I don’t know why I just don’t do this first. Every time I have to pull one of these things I set up pullers and try, I hammer on one of the “super duper” pullers that just screw over the threads and on one occasion I even did the boiling water while pulling on it trick . No joy. I always save this for last and it always works. In seconds. I say get you a BFAH and your worries are over.

A little more explanation on what always works would be helpful.

 

[Shibby]

I hit the crankshaft with a punch and a big hammer and they always come loose. Nothing else works as easily in my experience.

 

[av8or3]

A little more explanation on what always works would be helpful.

Agreed. I cover the end of the crank with the nut, very important. Then I back the nut just off the crank, maybe half a turn so the set on the air hammer doesn’t touch the crank itself.
When it’s over the nut seems to vibrate down some anyway. Now get you a pry bar of some sort and find a place to get a slight (at least) purchase on the flywheel to pry up while hammering in short bursts on the crank nut with a 4X rivet gun. The set I use is a simple steel flat one used on countersunk rivets. It hammers the crap out of it in seconds and I don’t think I’ve had to “hit” it more than 4-5 times (for maybe 2-3 seconds) before it goes to sounding different, hollow sounding, and has come loose. The only time I have ever damaged a crank was when I forgot to cover it with the nut. A true Homer Simson moment. Duh…

 

[cus_deluxe]

i took a junky 2-jaw puller and ground the “feet” down so they are able to slide behind fw. tighten, tap repeat a time or two and they pop right off.

 

[Moparmyway]

i took a junky 2-jaw puller and ground the “feet” down so they are able to slide behind fw. tighten, tap repeat a time or two and they pop right off.

Carefull !!!

Dumbazz here cracked a flywheel doing this. Twas over 35 years ago, but it’s not a mistake you’d repeat, kind of stays with you forever !!

 

[cus_deluxe]

Carefull !!!

Dumbazz here cracked a flywheel doing this. Twas over 35 years ago, but it’s not a mistake you’d repeat, kind of stays with you forever !!

good call haha. the ouller i use is really junky, probly only slightly harder than a tin can so if its a stubborn one it usually just bends and comes off lol

 

[Gullet]

I just make a loop of paracord & wrap behind 3 fins on one side, three fins on otherside of flywheel & pick saw up holding the middle of paracord.
Tap the crank with rawhide mallet.

Prolly not the best, but has worked well enough for me.

 

[Duce]

good call haha. the ouller i use is really junky, probly only slightly harder than a tin can so if its a stubborn one it usually just bends and comes off lol

They are cheap also, can grind as needed to fit. Not too tight, hold saw couple inches above bench, hit with hammer and done. Never failed yet, may not work on all brands.

 

[AlexStromberg]

Screwdriver behind the flywheel and a good hit on the crank is what i do. Works every time.

 

[Matt Ellerbee]

Made this at work real quick like for a PB8010. Flywheel wouldn’t budge with the usual nut/hammer method. Ended up having just a touch of rust behind it.

 

[Nutball]

I like to heat the flywheel to around 200F and either pry around the edges carefully if there's a solid non magnesium surface to pry off of, or hammer around the edges from behind. I keep in mind it can take several whacks as I rotate the flywheel to work it loose, not one big whack.

 

[Woodslasher]

A puller and some good sharp raps with a hammer on the center bolt usually do the trick. I usually get it snug, whack it with a hammer. Tighten it another 1/4 turn, whack it with a hammer, and repeat until it pops off. I've only needed heat once or twice (and only as a preventative measure), and most of the time a few good blows on both end of the crank will knock them loose. Presoaking with some penetrating oil and following up with some heat doesn't hurt either.

 

[SOS Ridgerider]

I usually just loosen the nut so it covers the end of the threads, hold the saw by the flywheel and give it a god whack with a hammer. Hasn’t not worked yet.

 

[Woodslasher]

and give it a god whack with a hammer.

Quoted for posterity.

 

[SOS Ridgerider]

Quoted for posterity.

I see what you’re doing there. Lol

 

[Matt Ellerbee]

I see what you’re doing there. Lol

Is that how you broke the crank on that 192T you gifted me years ago?! Lol. Still love that thing btw.

 

[pbillyi69]

i have used a steering wheel puller in the past, and have used heat gun and hammer method. both work well have also done the hammer without the heat gun. never had too much trouble with them

 

[Gaston]

Take a soft face hammer, like rubber or plastic. Maybe even a dead blow. Hit the outside of the flywheel. Hit one side then go to the opposite side. This breaks up the pressure on the taper fit. Been doing it for the past few years, haven’t broke or damaged anything.