Thanks, Tony, for the nice pix of your Var extractor for TA cranks. There was also a TA-branded tool (with the TA in a circle or chainring, on the top of the extractor screw). That one looks identical to the Stronglight extractor. I have both, they use interchangeable screws, and differ only in the diameter of the extractor threads. Needless to say, it is maddening.
harvey sachs mcLean (iceville) VA
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tony Opperman wrote:
Please follow the following link to two photos of my TA crank extractor:
http://idisk.mac.com/
If the link doesn't work directly, copy and paste it into your browser. If that doesn't work I can send you the photos directly off-list, but I thought others might like to see them, too.
You'll see a folder labelled "TA Crank Tools". Click on that folder and you'll see two photos, one of the set and another of the extractor itself. I've had these since the late 1970s for use with the TA crankset on my 73 Raleigh Competition. Note that neither of these beautifully-machined tools bears an identification as "TA". Instead, the extractor (23 mm) bears the stamps "VAR 408" and "France". Neither appears home-made in any way. The socket wrench is interesting because the socket includes a hex tab for removing the dust caps.
Perhaps someone else on the list might shed some light onto what "VAR 408" means and whether these were definitively made by TA. I hope this is helpful.