Any Tricks for Mega-Tight 7912 Expandable Links

So I decided to re-size one of my really nice 7912s last night after avoiding it for a couple of years. My past few experiences with the expandable links have been pretty turnkey, but wow, two hours later with raw fingers, this bracelet was still deconstructed and there was no hope in getting the "inner slip" back between the grooves. Does anyone have any tips for getting the inner slip back in, particularly as it relates to super tight bracelets? I've spent too much time on it to be defeated like this 🙁

Sure 😉 Start like this :



If you can't slide what you call the inner slip between the grooves, help yourself like this (leave the helper as shown to easier slide that slip) :



You can even help yourself on both sides 😉

To achieve this :



Slide, center and you're done.



Took me 2 minutes to remove a link, make pics and fit it back.



Good luck 😉

Work smarter, not harder. Wow. You rock, will give this a try.

Only change I'd make is to use something that won't get scratched. I use toothpicks...the taper on them helps.