S3 fork dismantling problems

[Egee]

I've just been trying to dismantle my fork springs on S3 with disc brakes. The fork compressor I bought was absolute rubbish, badly made and the dimensions were wrong. Thankfully, the forks will be sandblasted and repainted, but I need to know of a decent fork compressor for re-assembly - otherwise I will trash the paintwork. Does anyone know of a good supplier please? Also, the nylon top hat on the spring is well and truly jammed into the fork tube. Does anyone know how this can be removed, especially as this is like working in a blind alley?
Many thanks.

[grandpa]

Hi Egee,
If you have time you could try knocking up something like this:
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=144&p=538&hilit=fork+spring#p538.
As for top hats try a threaded bar with a small nut to get behind top hat to pull it out
Grandpa

[Nelly]

I "manufactured" a top hat pulling rod out of a metal handle robbed from a plastic B&Q bucket.

[Egee]

I "manufactured" a top hat pulling rod out of a metal handle robbed from a plastic B&Q bucket.

Nearest B&Q is 50 miles away - stuck in mid Wales. I'll see if my friendly builder has one going spare.

[Egee]

Solved it! Dangerous I know! It was well and truly bonded to the fork tube, a copious amount of heat applied to the external tube, shrank the top hat a treat Dah Dah!

[gizmo]

I use a length of welding rod bent over at end to form a hook. Shove it in and yuck em out. Never failed yet

[Jazzy b]

Old coat hanger works a treat

[Toddy]

I use a length of welding rod bent over at end to form a hook. Shove it in and yuck em out. Never failed yet

+1