This is one of those tools, that is inexpensive, and so simple to use, that anyone who deals with hoses on barbed fittings should have one. There's not much to it, just a handle, attatched to a steel hook. The hook is sharp enough, to wiggle between the hose and the fitting, and break it loose, if it gets 'glued' to the fitting, and the bigger the hose, the better it works, it seems to be made for radiatior hoses, although so far, it has worked on any hose I have tried it on.
One word of caution, the end is sharp, which it has to be, in order to get under a hose tight on a fitting, so pay attention to the angle of the hook as you are using it, so it does not pierce the hose if you intend to reuse it. With any amount of caution, this shouldn't be a problem, but it does bear mentioning. I might also add, the 'twist' of the hook, is suited for right handed people, if you have a hose you can only reach with your left hand, or if you were born left handed, it will require more caution to use. I have found it will still work, but you need extra care to be sure the point stays between the hose and fitting.
It seems to be built fairly sturdy, so far so good, the hook seems to be made of good quality steel. About the only potential problem might be the hook pulling out of the handle, but so far, it has stayed tight. Time will tell, if it ever works loose. After using it to remove the radiator hoses on my truck, my first thought was 'why didn't I think of that'. Instead of wrestling with the hoses, they popped right off.
-edit-
After using this tool more and more, I raised the rating to 5-star. I was uncertain how strong this tool would be, or how it would hold up to hard use. I was working on an agricultural sprayer, which has 2 inch hoses rated for 150 PSI, which makes a radiator hose seem flimsy. Anyway, the hoses were rusted onto steel hose barbs, and without this tool I am positive I would have just cut the hose off just past the end of the hose barb, and removed the little piece off the barb any way I could, leaving me with a hose a couple inches too short. With care not to poke the hose, I worked the hook between the hose and barb, squirted soapy water in between (WD-40 works well for that, also), moved a quarter turn from where I started, and did it again. By the time I worked my way around the hose, it broke loose, and came right off. I pulled about as hard as I could, didn't bend the hook part, and it stayed securely in the handle. I have now sworn off my 'old' method of hose removal, which was using a small screwdriver to pry the hose loose, and can say that the more I use this tool, the more I figure out the exact angle to hold it, and the better it works.
The handle can get a little slick if you get oil or anti-freeze on it, but cleans up much easier than if it were rubbery or deeply textured. Fortunately, it is shaped so it doesn't slip easily.
| Manufacturer | OTC |
|---|---|
| Brand | OTC |
| Model | HOSE REMOVAL TOOL |
| Item Weight | 0.035 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 9.5 x 3.1 x 0.5 inches |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan |
| Item model number | 4521 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 4521 |
| OEM Part Number | 4521 |
