End Cap Clicky Switch Tool ?

[Akita]

Yesterday I had a solder joint crack on a clicky switch.

I fabricated a removal tool to unscrew the aluminum spacer out of the end cap using a strong wire staple...even then,I thought I would never get the spacer ring to break loose and screw out...the factory must have used Locktite on the threads.

Is there a special tool anyone like DX sells that is made for these repair jobs ?

I noticed three of my flashlights have different removal hole spacings.
That means three different tools would have to be fabricated with different prong spacing.

I'm still new here...any help or advice appreciated guys.

:wave::wave:

 

[Marduke]

Spring pliers are what you're thinking of.

 

[Akita]

:huh: Spring pliers...

The spacer/retainer insert had two extremely shallow indentations made with what looks like a jeweler's center punch.
No actual drilled holes to insert anything into.

It took extreme force to keep the points of a wire staple inside the indentations while trying to back out the spacer.

Once I got it out...I drilled 2-1/16 holes in the aluminum retainer block in case I needed to remove it again,should the switch fail again in the future.

Apparently the factory used some special purpose retaining ring pliers or a tool specifically designed to insert or remove these things.

Thanks for the reply

 

[cat]

Circlip pliers, with small diameter tips.

If it's got shallow indentations and they've glued it in with thread retainer, then drill holes, deep enough for the circlip plier tips to work on.