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Tool for removing o-rings

5K views 11 replies 11 participants last post by  Gym123  
#1 ·
#4 ·
I use something similar to what noapathy mentioned and also a spoon tip set like this:

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I have had my set for awhile so I don't know what brand they are as they don't have markings on the handles and I'm not sure it matters that much.

If you are really paranoid about marring surfaces you can get a non-marring spudger style pick.

McMaster-Carr or Plastic O-Ring Picks for example.

Image from the Captain O-Ring site which was noticeable for the name, like a C-level super hero that has to run a web site to make ends meet kind of deal...

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#6 ·
I've been doing this for years, and yes my dentist has a Yeti, LOL. You can't buy actual dental pics, unless you're licensed which kind of sucks. The ones I like the most are called "spoons" in the dental world. They look pretty similar to what the OP linked to. They're smashed flat on the end to have a tiny spoon and they are great for installing/removing O rings. We use them to assemble tools every day and I get a fresh one every time I get my teeth cleaned!
 
#8 · (Edited)
For "O" rings and some seals, I much prefer these two brass shop made manipulators. Nothing sharp or pointy to mar or damage "O" ring channels. Soft brass is much kinder to aluminum and "O" rings when slips and misjudgments happen, and they do happen.

Sharp picks can be responsible for unintended damage and "O" ring cuts. I learned as a young mechanic many years ago to keep them cautiously away as "O" ring tools.

I have several sets of dental spoons/excavators, but I have never used them for "O" rings. I do use them to gently slip under a sealed bearing seal for removal and service.
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#9 ·
For use on bicycles to remove seals and O-rings. Get a set of plastic spudger tools sold for cell phone work. Less expensive and safer to use than any metal tools. I have access to a wide variety of specialized professional tools and use one of these Chinese molded sticks 99.9% of the time for seal work on bicycles.

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