Removing Safety Cover without the tool?

[brian4110]

Just like the headline says....I inherited the pool but apparently not the tool for removing the safety cover. I can't find it anywhere. I will probably go buy a new one, but in the meantime does anyone have any experience taking a typical safety lock cover off a pool without the tool used to pop the loops off the grommet?

 

[dschribs]

I saw a video on U Tube where the guy simply kicked them off with his heel. Not sure how damaging that is to the springs/loops.

 

[brian4110]

I saw that video. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me.
Why can't I just screw the grommet out of the ground? Does that risk snapping the grommet?

 

[J20832]

Just order the tool. I am sure you could possible get them off with a flathead screwdriver, but there is A LOT of tension and I can't think of any truly safe way to do it without the tool. The tool is not anything highly sophisticated, you could probably make one easily with some steel pipe and a hacksaw even you really need one quickly.

 

[brian4110]

I did order one, but it's not arriving until next week. Didn't want to wait that long to get the cover off.

 

[dafuzz]

Before I realized I actually did inherit one, I used a steel crowbar as well as a strong and thick screwdriver.

 

[patplh]

i have the tool to remove it and i find it easier to just use a screwdriver to ease it to one side of the anchor and the pop it off.
i should use the tool though to avoid scratched our stamped concrete tho.,

 

[4knights]

If you are handy, you can make your own until yours comes in. Use a 3/4 copper pipe, measure 1/4-1/2in from end. Draw circle line around the pipe(stop at 2/3rds of diameter and take your lines straight down to end) then cut along the line. And sand it smooth. See the end of the picture
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=loo ... tedIndex=5

 

[CUTiger78]

Kick the spring with the heel of your boot. It's worse on your boot heels than on the springs. Don't even try it w/ sneakers.

 

[brian4110]

For anyone still following along or who might be in a similar predicament in the future...

Method 1 - boot heel kicking: didn't much work for me. springs were too tight I think.
Method 2 - screw driver: worked, but was painfully slow and I felt like I was about to damage the concrete. So I only took a few of the springs off and then stopped.
Method 3 - build your own tool: didn't try this.

In the end, I waited for the tool to come in and just used that. Once the cover was off, I came face to face with my new swamp monster...but I think that is a story for another thread.

 

[dafuzz]

To add to this now that I think about it, to me, it is far easier to have two people on this task.

 

[toofast]

So I know this is a bit of an old thread, but only one I could find related.

I have the tool, but when I use it, it seems to really want to SCRATH the stamped concrete...is there a trick or a way to do this.

Putting it on is fine, it is just the removal.

Thanks in advance!

 

[pooladdict]

Keep it centered and twist while it is centered. You go off the brass and all he** will break loose lol

 

[toofast]

Keep it centered and twist while it is centered. You go off the brass and all he** will break loose lol

I must have a bad tool, as this does not seem possible...but I will keep trying. Wife is ****** that I am scratching the crude out of the concrete.

 

[pooladdict]

Happy wife, happy life!

 

[Swampwoman]

Could you dip or paint that plasticizer stuff on the end diameter of the pipe? You can pick it up at the hardware store for a few bucks...if it works, you're a hero...and if it doesn't, you tell wife you tried...I think you'd still get brownie points for taking action

 

[mattbk]

Bought 3/4" conduit from the hardware store and shaped the end with a hacksaw. Worked perfectly!