UD extension tube and polaroid filter

How many of you folks use the UD extension tube (other than for mounting purposes) or the polaroid filter? The reason for my question is that I managed to destroy a new 1" UD trying to get the trim ring to unscrew. With the help of a pair of pliers I turned the muzzle end of the tube into an oval! I'm going to order another UD 1" red dot but will just leave the trim ring in place unless there's an over riding reason to use either, or both, of these attachments.

Thanks,
Kim

Next time, try this.

Put the sight down on a "grippy" rubber surface, pointed downwards, and push down, hard, while twisting it CCW to unscrew it.  I've done this before on camera components, and it not only works, it can't damage the components, as it's not doing anything to distort the end of the sight (as would happen with pliers).

mikemyers wrote:Next time, try this.

Put the sight down on a "grippy" rubber surface, pointed downwards, and push down, hard, while twisting it CCW to unscrew it.  I've done this before on camera components, and it not only works, it can't damage the components, as it's not doing anything to distort the end of the sight (as would happen with pliers).

Thanks Mike. Sounds like a great idea. I wish I would have asked this question and received this suggestion yesterday.

Kim

I remember a couple years back I got a new match dot 2 and had the same issue. I got it mounted on the pistol then tried to remove the adapter ring so I could put the shade on, it was on way to tight. I ended up trying to use vise grips wrapped in tape which still scratched the trim ring up. Then I finally got it off with bare vise grips I emailed UD to ask for a replacement ring, instead of send me a $5 part they blamed it on me which really pissed me off. So I bought the ring and proceeded to sell all my UD products and replace them with Aimpoints, problem solved.

Sounds like people overtighten things

Chris Miceli wrote:Sounds like people overtighten things

Yeah the nimrods in Japan.

zanemoseley wrote:

Chris Miceli wrote:Sounds like people overtighten things

Yeah the nimrods in Japan.

Very much so..

I just hand tighten when putting on my shades. Have not stripped too many of them.

LenV wrote:I just hand tighten when putting on my shades. Have not stripped too many of them.

the problem isn't the shades, it's the ring you have to remove to screw the shades in. It's tightened by the hounds of Hades....

Methinks it's the technique, not the tightness.  Think about it - anything you grip the part with will cause distortion, making it even harder to remove.   I had the problem with filters on camera lenses, and filter adapters.  With my bare hands, I couldn't get them to budge. Using the vertical pressure "trick", they came right off.  

(I can't take credit for it - the idea came from the instructions for removing the filter adapter that comes on the Fuji X100 series cameras.  They won't budge - but doing it the other way is effortless.)

If it wasn't too tight, why would you need the unique technique.

I think that part of the problem is in the thin material.....you try to grasp the ring with it's fine thread and distort the diameter, binding the threads.  So you grab harder, binding the threads harder.  When you push on the face & twist you put less tension in the wrong direction & the ring turns out..  Or it could be my perspective is what's distorting...

Any tool that delivers a crushing grip is not the way to get the ring off.

The trim ring is made of thin metal and when you crush it from opposing sides, as you would with pliers, you distort it into an oval and are actually tightening the threading up.

The natural reaction is to tighten your grip on the ring even more, making it worse.

I have had a tight trim ring, but never needed more than patience and hand pressure to get it loose.  Of course, there may be some installed hopelessly tight.

Mike’s suggestion is spot on. That method lets you apply twisting power with very even distribution of gripping force.  The direction the force is applied ensures you cannot distort the shape of the ring.

-updated- I went to sleep with this thread open on my computer and typed in my response this morning.  Once I sent it, I saw Steve had posted a similar comment while I was sleeping. 

I just use my manly hand and finger strength to turn things. I have yet to be defeated

I just slot it and use a massively manly screwdriver to turn it off.
I have no plans to ever take the shade off.

james r chapman wrote:I just slot it and use a massively manly screwdriver to turn it off.
I have no plans to ever take the shade off.

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about. Would like to see a 30mm flat head lol.

mikemyers wrote:Next time, try this.

Put the sight down on a "grippy" rubber surface, pointed downwards, and push down, hard, while twisting it CCW to unscrew it.  I've done this before on camera components, and it not only works, it can't damage the components, as it's not doing anything to distort the end of the sight (as would happen with pliers).

Thanks so much Mike. I just got my new UD 1" in the mail and, sure enough, the trim ring was on super tight. I had ordered some rubber jar openers from Amazon and used one as you suggested. In 2 seconds the trim ring was loose and I was able to screw in the extension tube and resecure the trim ring. A very handy trick indeed.


Kim

Glad it worked!  

They should put that in the instructions.....