Tricks to remove staples on butt cap?

[GreenClay]

I've been shaving 1/2 inch off of my rackets recently. I've managed to remove butt caps before sawing the handle, but removing the butt caps is quite a chore. I've been using a small screwdriver to pry up the staples before removing them with needle-nosed pliers. This takes quite a bit of time and usually ends up damaging part of the handle .

Anyway, I was wondering whether any of you have figured out an easier way to remove staples.

Thank you

 

[NLBwell]

I've always done it the way you have been doing it. I haven't damaged the butt cap or racket significantly, though.

 

[esgee48]

Same here. Trick is to use a small thin bladed screw driver that will fit under the staple. Put a little pad between the frame and screwdriver, twist, then pull off with pliers. Have never damaged the frame.

 

[RanchDressing]

Same here. Trick is to use a small thin bladed screw driver that will fit under the staple. Put a little pad between the frame and screwdriver, twist, then pull off with pliers. Have never damaged the frame.

I've had trouble with the staples on the softer plastic buttcaps. Where the staple really sinks in.

Half the time I just say screw it, and melt the plastic down to give more room for the screw driver, and buy a new butt cap.

The 3 dollars to me is worth it, especially considering all the cuts I've gotten when the screw driver slips

 

[scotus]

"Small" as in mini, micro flat screw driver.

Wedge it in, tap with a hammer if needed.

 

[teekaywhy]

I use a Husky 8 in 1 screwdriver set with a #1 slot head I think. It fits perfectly under any size staple and the tip is strong enough to pry up the staple without bending or damaging the buttcap too much. Hit the buttcap with a little heat to soften the glue but not too much to make the buttcap material too soft to pry against.

 

[o0lunatik]

Use sharp point awl, same one you use for widening grommet holes, get under staples, push through, and staples come right up.

 

[kcmiser]

Use sharp point awl, same one you use for widening grommet holes, get under staples, push through, and staples come right up.

I had no idea people were using screwdrivers--that sounds horrible. I agree that an awl is the way to go. Set the awl behind the staple, and if I can't immediately wedge under, I tap the awl with a hammer so that the point digs into the plastic a bit and I can get under the staple. No real harm done. Now just lever out the staple.

 

[movdqa]

I haven't done this in quite some time as I use overgrips but I used to use to use a bottle-opener blade on my swiss army knife that has essentially a rounded blade (it's not cutting sharp). I use it for removing staples from bundles of paper too.

If it's really tough, I start with the blade on the right and then switch to the one on the left when it's out a bit.

 

[RanchDressing]

I use a Husky 8 in 1 screwdriver set with a #1 slot head I think. It fits perfectly under any size staple and the tip is strong enough to pry up the staple without bending or damaging the buttcap too much. Hit the buttcap with a little heat to soften the glue but not too much to make the buttcap material too soft to pry against.

I've broken a few screwdrivers doing this. I've also broken a lot of Husky sockets working on cars, they seem to have poor metallurgy quality.

Good to hear you found one that works well for you. I think there's a $20 tool for it somewhere on the net.

 

[GreenClay]

Thanks for all of the tips, folks. Think I'll try to use one of my stringing awes. If that doesn't do it, I'll use a super small screwdriver and place a pad between the screwdriver and handle to remove staples.

 

[Anton]

It's a fn pain in the ass, but basicaly you have to dig with something smaller and sharper under the staple to create some space for thicker blade to get under it and lever it up.

 

[movdqa]

It's a fn pain in the ass, but basicaly you have to dig with something smaller and sharper under the staple to create some space for thicker blade to get under it and lever it up.

The tip of the bottle opener on the right is perfect for that. It's smaller than regular or the long, narrow staples sometimes used with racquets and it's rounded so you're not going to damage anything. I bought my Swiss Army Knife about 35 years ago and it still serves me well.

 

[Anton]

The tip of the bottle opener on the right is perfect for that. It's smaller than regular or the long, narrow staples sometimes used with racquets and it's rounded so you're not going to damage anything. I bought my Swiss Army Knife about 35 years ago and it still serves me well.

Gonna get one.

 

[teekaywhy]

I had no idea people were using screwdrivers--that sounds horrible. I agree that an awl is the way to go. Set the awl behind the staple, and if I can't immediately wedge under, I tap the awl with a hammer so that the point digs into the plastic a bit and I can get under the staple. No real harm done. Now just lever out the staple.

don't knock it till you try it!
screwdrivers come in all shapes and sizes. the one I use just happens to fit perfectly in my hand and under the staple.
The tip of the awl is way too thin and flimsy to do anything but bend or snap when prying up a stubborn staple. I've slipped an awl while trying to get under a staple quite a few times. Would rather stab myself with a relatively blunt screwdriver head than a pointy awl.

 

[o0lunatik]

don't knock it till you try it!
screwdrivers come in all shapes and sizes. the one I use just happens to fit perfectly in my hand and under the staple.
The tip of the awl is way too thin and flimsy to do anything but bend or snap when prying up a stubborn staple. I've slipped an awl while trying to get under a staple quite a few times. Would rather stab myself with a relatively blunt screwdriver head than a pointy awl.

Awls come in all shapes and sizes as well.