Spire clips (but they're not) and how to remove them

[Chris Green]

I need to remove what I *thought* were called 'spire' clips but on
searching for "spire clip" what I get to see is clip on fasteners for
use with self-tapping (or similar) screws.

What I am talking about are round clips which push on to a rod or
collar and are basically impossible or very difficult to remove without
destroying them.

So, questions:-

What are they actually called?

How to get them off (destructively or otherwise)?

Where can I get replacements?

--
Chris Green
·

[jkn]

Starlo[c]k fasteners, perhaps?

[Chris Bacon]

On 23/06/2021 08:34, Chris Green wrote:
> What I am talking about are round clips which push on to a rod or
> collar and are basically impossible or very difficult to remove without
> destroying them.
>
> So, questions:-
>
> What are they actually called?
>
> How to get them off (destructively or otherwise)?
>
> Where can I get replacements?

What a load of old *Starlocks*.

They are hard to remove unless you can push the shaft right through, or
get some collar behind them to push against the middle and splay the
fingers out. You can bend out/bend back the fingers but they won't grip
so securely afterwards.

Should be generally available.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Sounds about right. Or pushnuts pr push washers in Yankeespik - they
are almost impossible to get off unless you can get behind them and push
the inner tongues outwards

If they are on plastic rod you often snap the rod.

I use strong wire cutters (if I can get them in place) to split them

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q0cVCgRYUs
is another way to do the job,.

--
It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.
Mark Twain

[Chris Green]

> Starlo[c]k fasteners, perhaps?

Aha, yes, I think you have it there, thank you! They mostly seem to
be referred to as starlock washers.

So, how do I remove them? Now I know the name getting replacements
seems fairly easy.

--
Chris Green
·

[Bob Eager]

On Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:40:54 +0100, Chris Green wrote:

> Aha, yes, I think you have it there, thank you! They mostly seem to be
> referred to as starlock washers.
>
> So, how do I remove them? Now I know the name getting replacements
> seems fairly easy.

I have had some luck cutting them with some cantilever action side
cutters.


--
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[williamwright]

On 23/06/2021 08:34, Chris Green wrote:

It's sometimes possible to get them off by inserting a bradawl or very
small screwdriver and levering one or both springy bits back.

Bill

[Clive Arthur]

I've removed a lot of these from M3 studs in radios with very limited
access. I use two screwdrivers, one to jam in to stop the bastarding
thing rotating and the other to bend each of the six tabs away from the
thread in turn.

I don't replace them. The studs are not terribly secure and usually
have a bit of paint on the threads, so in place of the Starlocks I use
plastic nuts which I cut through to allow a bit of expansion.

--
Cheers
Clive

[newshound]

On 23/06/2021 12:01, Bob Eager wrote:
> On Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:40:54 +0100, Chris Green wrote:
>
>> Aha, yes, I think you have it there, thank you! They mostly seem to be
>> referred to as starlock washers.
>>
>> So, how do I remove them? Now I know the name getting replacements
>> seems fairly easy.
>
> I have had some luck cutting them with some cantilever action side
> cutters.
>
>

I often use a cutting disk on a Dremel for things like this. Either the
thin, unreinforced ones (which cut quickly, but are easy to break) or
the fibre reinforced type which are a bit thicker, so cut slower, but
tolerate abuse better.

[Bob Eager]

On Wed, 23 Jun 2021 17:14:25 +0100, newshound wrote:

> On 23/06/2021 12:01, Bob Eager wrote:
>> On Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:40:54 +0100, Chris Green wrote:
>>
>>> Aha, yes, I think you have it there, thank you! They mostly seem to
>>> be referred to as starlock washers.
>>>
>>> So, how do I remove them? Now I know the name getting replacements
>>> seems fairly easy.
>>
>> I have had some luck cutting them with some cantilever action side
>> cutters.
>>
>>
> I often use a cutting disk on a Dremel for things like this.

I shall remember that for when I come across a hefty one that the Maun
cutters won't touch.

[newshound]

On 23/06/2021 20:21, Bob Eager wrote:
> On Wed, 23 Jun 2021 17:14:25 +0100, newshound wrote:
>
>> On 23/06/2021 12:01, Bob Eager wrote:
>>> On Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:40:54 +0100, Chris Green wrote:
>>>
>>>> Aha, yes, I think you have it there, thank you! They mostly seem to
>>>> be referred to as starlock washers.
>>>>
>>>> So, how do I remove them? Now I know the name getting replacements
>>>> seems fairly easy.
>>>
>>> I have had some luck cutting them with some cantilever action side
>>> cutters.
>>>
>>>
>> I often use a cutting disk on a Dremel for things like this.
>
> I shall remember that for when I come across a hefty one that the Maun
> cutters won't touch.
>

The latest Lidl cordless one would probably not be up to removing a
catalytic converter quickly, but I think it would see off the average
domestic padlock with a hardened shackle.

[williamwright]

On 23/06/2021 20:21, Bob Eager wrote:
> On Wed, 23 Jun 2021 17:14:25 +0100, newshound wrote:
>
>> On 23/06/2021 12:01, Bob Eager wrote:
>>> On Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:40:54 +0100, Chris Green wrote:
>>>
>>>> Aha, yes, I think you have it there, thank you! They mostly seem to
>>>> be referred to as starlock washers.
>>>>
>>>> So, how do I remove them? Now I know the name getting replacements
>>>> seems fairly easy.
>>>
>>> I have had some luck cutting them with some cantilever action side
>>> cutters.
>>>
>>>
>> I often use a cutting disk on a Dremel for things like this.
>
> I shall remember that for when I come across a hefty one that the Maun
> cutters won't touch.
>

Dremel works very well on them, if there's space for the wheel. But if
the thing they're on is plastic pour cold water or it might melt.

Bill

[newshound]

Good point