Genius bushing removal "tool"

[* velcro-fly *]

So, a guy on the LPF asked about removing Kluson bushings safely and someone recomended buying the Stew-Mac removal tool:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sp...ing_Press.html

Woohoo...$46 for one ???

At this time I will unleash my genius invention on the guitar world...total cost of tool - appx .75 cents (if you already have a socket) I too was having an issue with removing Kluson bushings from a Strat. A bottle of Stone Brewing IPA and deep thoughts about the removal process resulted in a major light going off in my head and one of those "gee, no shit, eh ??? " moments. I figured the key was to pull the bushing through the hole from the back side but not apply any real pressure to the face of the guitar that would cause damage. I thought about my crank puller tool for my bikes and the following was born:






Parts : socket, screw, metal washer, rubber washer, wingnut

Deceptively simple: Find a screw with a head that's the same diameter as the drilled hole on the headstock. Put it through the back side of the tuner hole until the inner bushing lip stops the screw. On the face of the headstock put the rubber grommet, then the socket, followed by the washer and the wingnut. Spin the wingnut on the screw until tight and then continue to tighten. As you continue to tighten the wingnut the bushing will be easily extracted with no damage to the guitar. The rubber grommet protects the face of the headstock form the socket. This works so easily that you will wonder if its actually working. Remember that the grommet and the socket need to be bigger than the outer lip of the bushing.

Spend the $45 you saved on beer or strings

Steve E

[Steven]

Oh man thats just so cool! I´ve been thinkin about buying one of those Stew Mac tools but now I´ll do it your way.

[2leod]

Great idea!

You MacGyver'd that one for sure!

[Dana Olsen]

That's wonderful Steve - great job.

Dana O.

[The Pup]

Brilliant!

[Tone_Terrific]

Sometimes this place is worth the price!
! For you>

Me, too!

[bluesjunior]

Great job man. I do stuff like this for myself all the time being an engineer but I bet you that the Stewmac groupies and fanboys will soon be telling you that your excellent and very simple version reduces the tone, tuning stability or other (you get the picture).
Personally speaking I think that the vast majority of Stewmacs products are way over priced and if they paid less to Dan Erlewine etc to promote them they could reduce their prices and probably sell a lot more.
I have no beef with pro luthiers, repairmen who are working with lots of instruments having really expensive tools that last for ever regardless of usage but for the vast majority of us it is an occasional job here and there and can be adequately done with very simple and far less expensive tools.

[trisonic]

Most useful suggestion on here for ages!
Thanks. Pete.

[RvChevron]

Brilliant!!

Thanks!:BEER

[K-man]

Great idea.

[jaydawg76]

I bet that would work for installation as well.

[buddastrat]

That's a cool idea, but why not just tap it out from the back with a flat head screwdriver where the head is as wide as the bushing so it heads both sides distrubuting equal force? It takes seconds. I've done that a jillion times with never any damage. Just gently and in a circular pattern.

[RL in Fla]

Originally Posted by buddastrat

That's a cool idea, but why not just tap it out from the back with a flat head screwdriver where the head is as wide as the bushing

Or a drill bit the size of the hole turned shank-first toward the bushing and tapped on with a hammer handle .

Good idea though (ditto jaydawg ^), and ditto bluesjunior on $tewmac's markups .

With the right size screwthreads/socket that gizmo would also pull bridge bushings .
:AOK

[Home Grown Tele]

Great idea!! Thanks a million for that one!

[deluxemeat]

pacific ocean air does imagination good!