Cassette disassembly

[MikeD]

Hi--

I'm currently building a singlespeed...I need to disassemble the old 7 speed cheapo cassette I have to get the spacers out so I can space my DX cog on the freehub body.

The cassette, however, is held together by 3 long pins which seem to be press-fit into their holes. I've tried a hammer and punch, but can't seem to get them to budge. Any other ideas? Is there something I'm missing? Thanks...

MD

[BikeGeek]

Weird. All the 7-speed cassettes I had were bolted together. I suppose you could drill it. I'd use a bit that is the same size as the pin or smaller. You just need to drill enough to get the end ring off, the rest should slide right off.

[monkeywrench]

Hey MikeD, the best way is to use a Drimmell tool and cut off the tips of those three pins on the small cog side. The cassette will literally fall apart after that. Shimano cassettes are pressed together during production and the ends of the pins are oversized.

If you need a Drimmel, PM me and you can borrow mine. Your'e only about a mile from my house.

[MikeD]

Appreciate the assist...have a dremel, but no drill, which I need anyhow to bore holes in wood to make my homemade headset press. Looks like I'll be going to Home Depot soon...

Thanks again,

MD

[ant:]

when I built my first singlespeed I ran into the same problem... took a bit of doing but I was eventually able to hammer the pins into submission and out of the cassette... a dremel would be alot easier though...