Removing an awkward circlip

[Frank Stacey]

I have a router for which I have just purchased a router table. When mounted under the table the springs which normally lift the router bit out of the wood just get in the way. They limit the height which the tool can be poked up above the router table surface and they make it difficult to adjust that distance.

In order to remove the springs I "simply" have to remove a circlip but it consists of an o-ring of metal with a small segment removed. How can I force this circlip open with little or nothing to get a purchase on?

TIA? Frank

[Dave Liquorice]

A circlip normally has to bits sticking out each side of the gap with holes in into which you fit the prongs of a pair of circlip pliers.

What you have sound more like a C-clip, at least thats wat I call 'em:

(yes i know they call it a circlip...)

With these push against the two prongs, and get a lever into the one of the recesses. Be careful, they fly really well into the darkest corner of the room you are in. B-)

[Dave Plowman (News)]

You can get specialist circlip pliers which work in the reverse way to pliers - ie the jaws open as you squeeze the handles. They're really designed for the type of circlip with eyes, but can sometimes help with this type too. Otherwise try pushing radially on both ends at once so you can get a thin screwdriver into the gap which should open up at the back.

[Harry Bloomfield]

I thought he meant a wire type, rather than the pressed steel type.

A dental probe (straight shaft with a right angled sharp pointy bit at the end) thingummy works well on the wire types. Failing that, a couple of jewellers screwdrivers - one to stop it rotating, the other to try to hook the end out of the groove.

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

What model is it or can you post a pic somewhere?

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

If its the wire type the use of a stanley blade can normally get under the ring enough for a jewlers screwdriver to be positioned under the ring and then levered of with screwdriver.

[mrcheerful]

Digging with pointy things is the usual, but if desperate then cut through it, opposite the gap, using a dremel. Even if you slightly cut into the shaft it will make no real difference in use, just clean up with some wet and dry afterwards.

mrcheerful

[Dave Baker]

Plain round wire circlips are usually fitted into a recess that has a notch in it somewhere so you can get a probe behind the circlip. If not then you just have to firkle it out (technical term for using a watchmaker's screwdriver in a somewhat desperate manner). You'd also be advised to lay a sheet of cloth over the item and firkle about underneath that because when the circlip does finally succumb to the firkling it will fly out with great force and either take your eye out or vanish for ever into the deepest recess of the room you are firkling in. Wear goggles.

[Guy King]

The message from "Dave Baker" contains these words:

You mean it becomes a pingfuckit.

[Frank Stacey]

Thanks for the advice. The clip in question must be the "wire type". I'm off to look for a recess and to (probably) break a few delicate screwdrivers!

Frank

[Frank Stacey]

Succes and nothing broken just a lot of poking about!!! router now fully functional with router table.

Thanks Frank

[Stuart]

Yeah .The recess is probably hidden behind the clip so you'll need o turn it round until the recess appears in the circlip space