I have one of these, and it will not leave Chez Sachs until pried out of my cold dead hands. Or something like that. If it is the huge monstrosity that looks like a modified chain/bolt cutter. Quite the conversation piece hanging on the wall.
I really like it for installing cotters. Very quick, and a sense that it's pretty easy to get the right amount of force on the task, with little chance of damaging the cotter.
But, one of these days I'm going to buy myself a screw-type for removing cotters. Once or twice, the Var has led to bending over the cotter instead of pushing it out, when cotters were really really stuck. I think that's inherent in the circular path of the Var's pivoting business ends.
I hate to say it, but cotterless does have advantages. Even if cotterless doesn't all you to argue about which end of the cotter should "lead" or "trail" the rotation of the crank.
Looking forward to seeing Tom et al at Westminster, and hope Tom will still be speaking to me.
harvey "pinned by snow" sachs mcLean VA.
+++++++++++++++++++ Tom Hayes wrote: If anyone is interested, I have a VAR 07 cotter pin removal tool for $110.00 delivered at Westminster Swap (if the snow allows passage through Pennsylvania), or parcel post mailing for $13.00. It has some rust around the pivot bolt, needs more cleaning, and the spring looks cock-eyed (is that politically incorrect?). It works fine. I have pictures if that will help.
Cheers.
Tom Hayes
Chagrin Falls, Ohio USA