Easiest Way to removing a chassis

[fatwabbit 93]

Does anyone have any methods of removing a chassis? I dont have access to a LHS, and dont have a really great toolbox either.

and yes, i've done a search, and not much that I can dig up that would help.

[Rick 0]

It can be tough if you don't have the right tools. I have removed several by using a dremel tool with a cutoff wheel to cut the ends of the brass rivets so the washer could be popped off. Then I drill out the other rivets from the inside of the boot. You just have to be careful and take your time so that you don't damage the boot or the chassis.

If you don't have a dremel tool or an eletric drill you could use this method......

Pry the brass washer off of the brass rivets (using a standard screwdriver and needle nosed liers)and then pry up the prongs on the other rivets (from the inside of the boot)using needle nosed pliers. This takes longer and can be pain but it will work. I have used this method before to remove ice blades that I intended to throw away anyway and I didn't care if I destroyed while removing.

Just be careful not to damage the outsole of the boot. Another thing to consider is too locate the center of the bottom of the sole while the ice or chassis is still attached (before removing). I mark the center of the sole with an ink pen at the toe and heel of the boot before I remove the blade/chassis. This makes things easier to line up when you mount the new chassis.

I started doing my own skates because the closet skate shop is an hour away and $40.00 for mounting. Honestly I feel that I do a better job than they do using the T-Nut and bolt method. The finished product is clean looking and I recently changed chassis on my skates in about a 1/2 hour because the chassis were the same bolt pattern. I changed from a silver Red Star E-Frame to a black Sherwood (Red Star) E-Frame. The change was simple, so it's nice to have that option.

Hope this helps.

Rick Henry

[Sprungster 5]

Getting off old frames without a mounting machine is a pain, but I've found an OK way.

You need a punch or a small enough phillips head screwdriver. What you do is put the point of the punch into the center of each rivet (inside the boot) and hit it hard with a hammer. This drives the rivet out of the hole (and the frame) enough to pull it the rest of the way out with wire cutters.

Repeat the process with each rivet. You can even tilt the boot and put the punch into the furtherest front two holes and loosen them the same way. It seems like you're hitting them at much to sharp an angle, but you can almost always get them out enough to finish them with the cutters.

The two rear copper rivets are best attached with a small sharp chisel to lift the edge of each copper washer. With the edge of the washer turned up you can grab it with the wire cutters and peel it off. You still may have to cut the copper rivet if it won't punch through the frame and sole. Grab the rivet with the wire cutters and place them so you can pound the handles with a hammer. It will cut through the rivet, no sweat.

Mind you OK means you only hit your hand once or twice badly. A painful process however you do it.