An easy way to remove sail attachment clips

Alan Glos

Active Member
Here is an easy way to remove sail attachment clips without damaging the clips, sail or grommets without special tools. As shown in the photos, grasp the clip with a pair of (preferably dull!) wire cutters. Squeeze the wire cutters tight enough to touch the sides of the plastic stud but not tight enough to cut it. Then insert a flat blade screwdriver tip under the plastic tab, twist and the tab will side off the stud. Easy!

Alan Glos
 

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As written here a while back, a tool can be made of a [single-hole] paper punch using a hacksaw or Dremel tool to cut a slot the width of the clips' post diameter. The top part should not be drilled out, as I did in an "engineering error". :(

Most recently, I used a small Vice-Grips, and rolling the tool upwards as shown. 'Seems to have spared the clip's "locking mechanism", so you can use them again. :cool:

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I have just completed your hole punch idea and after some fine tuning it works just great .Top marks go to you. the tool is now in my sail bag
 
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