any suggestions on how to pull a pinion w/o a pinion puller?

2 sections of flat metal across vise jaws and a punch and hammer. Slide the metal between the motor and pinion, rest them on the open vise jaws so the motor is hanging free. Use the punch on the motor shaft by hitting it with the hammer. Be careful not to hit the pink things.

Man ... get a pinion puller, please! I too in the beginning tried it that way and it'll only end in disaster.

Pop on eBay and look to match the correct sized motor shaft. Basically it's a watch tool and they are under 10 bucks or so.

The job is always easier and better using the right tool.


- Jeff

I agree with Panther F. However if you want something quick and you can't find a local supplier of a small pinion puller, you can fashion your own device.

Take a door hinge plate and file a slot in the middle screw hole. Once this is done you slide the pinion gear up through the hole and then slide the motor shaft into the slot you filed. Place the hinge plate across a vise, and then with a center punch pound the shaft out of the pinion.

This is the same Idea as Green Amphibian suggested but the modification to the hinge plate gives you a one piece metal plate, and it is a little easier to manage.

If this is a metal pinion on the electric motor, I used a profane touch. Get it hot enough and it just slides off.

Seriously?

Did the torch utter harsh language as you used it?

You could expect two possibilities using a torch; possible damage to the motor as heat travels the shaft and secondly
you probably removed any hardness ( assuming brass ) that the pinion once had..

I'd really advise against using a heat source, propane, butane; profane or well spoken.


I'd go with plan B, buy a gear puller.
Jerry

Problem with the tap out deal is it often does unkind things to the motor. Now, if all you're trying to do is save the pinion and have spare or upgrade motors, go for it, and use the vice to press the pinion on the new motor.

A pinion puller is strongly recommended, however. In actuality, if there is a local shop that does model railroading, what we call a pinion puller they call a drive wheel puller. Same tool.

I agree that a pinion puller is the best thing to use. The question was how to do it without one. There are undoubtedly many ways that would work, my suggestion was only one of them. Yes, I did use it to great effect in the past, before I purchased a pinion puller for myself. Some times even $10.00 is outside of the budget or time is of the essence and waiting on the mail for a purchase just wont do. As long as it comes off and nothing is destroyed, you are good to go.

OK, so I bought a pinion puller and will do some more weathering until it arrives.

Thanks for the feedback<br type="_moz" />

I'm sure we all got that, but we're here to support the positive. If $10.00 is a blow to the budget then maybe another hobby is in order. After beating the hell out of my attempt I realized waiting on a puller was better time served.


- Jeff

Got with the majority suggestions and get a pinion puller.  It will pay for itself. 

It does sound harsh now that I read it again. I just slightly heated the pinion to expand it. I don't mean it in a brutally way.