Tom:
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CLAMP THE FLANGE IN A VICE.
This will work. Install a removing tool on the freewheel, clamped with a quick release. Clamp the freewheel tool in your large vise, just as you would if the wheel were still attached. Squirt penetrating oil on the freewheel/hub threads. Have a beer. Wrap a leather belt or other strap around the flange and use it as a wrench. You should be able to generate enough force to remove the freewheel. If that doesn't work, let me know and we'll try Plan B, if I can think of one.
Rick Chasteen, Kansas City
Received the latest collectible for my hoard, a pair of Campy Record High flange hubs with a Sachs freewheel attached. I told the seller to go ahead and cut the tubie rims off and send the hubs to me. I crooned and polished them for about 20 blissful minutes, when I had a horrid thought. How do I lace these up when the freewheel is still attached? Rutabaga!
Hopes that the freewheel was just hand screwed on were quickly dashed. Neither my hand nor a pin wrench on the off side flange holes gave enough leverage to break the freewheel loose. The big cog is a 26, and 5 minutes trying to lace a spoke on the drive side makes it seem certain that there's no way to lace the wheel up with the freewheel attached.
So two points for the list.
First: Important tip: Never cut the spokes until AFTER removing the freewheel on a rear hub.
Second: How do I save this hub? Do I dare clamp the off side flange in a padded vise and have at it? That scares me to death. The hubs are in beautiful shape, and I don't want to damage them. Any assistance deeply appreciated, and will earn the hero who saves the day a draft beer at the Parkville MO brew pub.
Thanks in advance.
Tom Adams in Kansas City