Recycling Powerlinks

[I am Spartacus]

Who is for recycling powerlinks?
I have spares in my little box of bits, but I like to take chain off as and when to clean thoroughly.. this time tho' I must have clicked it into place well and truly good and it refuses to unhinge.... oh well.. unless
someone knows a trick with a pair of pointy pliers?
I know it says dont re use on the 'tin' but times are 'ard

 

[numbnuts]

Squeeze it together first, then push the link open

 

[I am Spartacus]

Next time I want chain off, I'll pop the rivet off... it wont budge,
Tried a bit of heat
Its a nasty hg73 chain anyways, I'll ditch as soon as a sideplate cracks, as they usually do

 

[Dan B]

I've never had problems reusing them.

Yes, some are stiffer than others. Get a pair of pliers and squeeze them "diagonally", so that each jaw is pushing on only one face. If that makes any sense

 

[Steve Austin]

This needs to be on everyones Xmas List

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=46600

 

[I am Spartacus]

Lost patience with it... popped the link out and put a connex one in which I know I can undo even with numb cold fingers at roadside.. even tho the damn thing doesnt like going round 11 sprockets

eeek 9.99 for pliers....?

 

[Jonathan M]

I've never had problems reusing them.

Yes, some are stiffer than others. Get a pair of pliers and squeeze them "diagonally", so that each jaw is pushing on only one face. If that makes any sense

+1, used them to the point of failiure with one powerlink going through several changes of chain.

If I can't get one to undo by hand I usually give the link a good scrub with a toothbrush to remove as much grit as possible, and then a blast with GT85 or somesuch. Never had to resort to using pliars of any type to do the job. If it won't release then walk away, make a brew, don't get cheesed off with it as any job just gets worse if I get frustrated with it.

 

[Steve Austin]

KMC missing links are better than powerlinks ime. Much easier to split and they can't seize like the powerlinks often do