Hello - does anyone have a trick for removing a stuck ploprof button? I think it’s just the button and spring left in there at this point, but nothing is working. I’ve tried working it from the pin hole (being careful not to damage threads), but it won’t budge.

My next stop is my dad’s machine shop to extract, just thought I’d ask if there’s a trick before bothering him. I suppose I could also take it to my watchmaker, but that wouldn’t be any fun.

Thanks for the advice!

 

Can you get your hands on penetrating oil? I usually use mouse milk when freeing up aircraft parts and works well.

 

If the case is empty and only having stainless parts remaining, why not try to dissolve or melt it out?

 

Thanks, will give some penetrating oil a shot

The red tip is the only plastic piece, it’s molded onto steel, which I think is the stuck part

Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

Maybe getting rid of the plastic will allow you to grip the steel part?

 

When trying to solve a problem like this, always choose the least invasive step first, then build your way up to melting plastic and machining things. First thing I would do is put it in an ultrasonic tank for a while and see if that helps release the parts...

 

Thanks Al - i left it in penetrating oil overnight, will check it this evening and then give it a few baths in the ultrasonic if I still can't get it out