The best E-unit repair tool?

The easiest tool I've found is a snap ring tool. It basically is a pair of pliers, but they push outward.

I guess I've been rebuilding E-units in excess of 45 years. Since I collect Lionel and American Flyer Service Station tools, as well as after market tools made for them, I've tried out a few.

In my opinion, there is only one tool that is an absolute must have. It's the Lionel ST-303 E-unit spreader bar. It is used to pop the e-unit apart. Reproduction tools are fine. The Train Tender gets $3.50 for them.

I have tried using a Lionel ST-378 E-unit vise. I find that it is easier to just hold the e-unit in my left hand.

After reading recommendations, I obtained a pair of Horseshoe Lock Ring Pliers. They are very handy for spreading the sides apart far enough to get the armature (plunger) and the 4 finger contact out. (I still use the Lionel tool to get things started. It opens up the e-unit far enough to remove the lower 2 finger contact and the drum)

I have one of the tools with the little claw. I've never tried it. And I have never read any reviews on it. As I wrote above, I just hold the e-unit.

On the rare occasions  I want to free both hands, I use a Panavise to hold the e-unit by it's coil bracket.

 

Thanks, I think I'm going to pick up some lock ring pliers.   I suspect that the expensive e-unit vices have limited benefit, but if anyone else has used had good experiences with them, I'd like to know. Putting e-units back together is a PITA. 

There's an E-unit spreader on Ebay for about $35.00.  I think it's original.  But $35.00 for a piece of sheet metal ??.....LOL

Here are a couple of shots of the horse shoe washer pliers. I got mine on EBay, and picked up a second pair at an Antique show / Flea market. (Probably Brimfield). I am guessing they were $10 to $20 each.
Most people wouldn't have any idea what they were.

Mine are Craftsman and Matco. (Craftsman does not catalog them any longer)

IMHO, the relatively large flat jaw  surface of the Horse shoe washer pliers makes it better to use than Snap ring pliers. Although, as Thomas wrote, snap ring pliers can be used. I have several different pairs of them too.
There is quite a variety of them out there.

There's an E-unit spreader on Ebay for about $35.00.  I think it's original.  But $35.00 for a piece of sheet metal ??.....LOL

No comment on the price. It may go higher. What the bidders are paying for is the authentic stamping. Without looking, I believe there are two variations in the marking.

There is a Lionel ST-378 E-unit vise on EBay right now with a buy-it-now of $400. So far no takers.
There is also a pair of Lionel ST-384 track pliers @ $260, still has over 5 days to go. (They are the most common authentic Postwar track pliers).
There are Lionel service station nut drivers and screw drivers coming up in a Stout auction. They are also listed on EBay. Tools have been hot lately, we'll see what they go for.

There are a few test benches on EBay too.

People aren't buying these tools just to use. They are collecting them.
Think the prices are high?  What do you think anybody in the general population would think if they knew what train fans were paying for Vision Line stuff. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

So far, the prices of Lionel Service Station tools is only rising. (Can the same be said about 99% of the newly made trains?)

I recommended the reproduction that Train Tender sells for $3.50.

I use the TTRP e-unit vise .  It really reduces the frustration of holding all the e-unit parts in place for re-assembly.

I bought one while learning train repair from Wally Warren our local train repair guru. Wally had 50 years experience in train repair and thought the e- unit vise was a big help .

You may have to look around to find one.

I am not certain whether TTRP is still in business as a separate company. The products they sold are available through Hennings.
I've purchased a number of TTRP products to use with my equipment. Some came directly from TTRP, and some came from Hennings.
If anybody is curious, I use a Hobby Horse / Lionel press (blue) for my day to day activities. Before I had this press, I had a Hobby Horse press (green) that I used regularly. I also have Chicago Rivet / Lionel ST-350 presses, but none of them are set up. For those who care, there are variations of the ST-350 press.
There are also variations in the Hobby Horse press. Over the years they made improvements to the design.

I have never tried any of the presses that are modified imported presses. Modern era Lionel did use similar presses in their factory.

The Train Tender (Jeff) also had some tools made. I have many of them. I think their quality is second only to the tools from Chicago Rivet.

Here is a link to the E-unit jig. (listed as out of stock)

And here is a link to Hobby Horse.

They post the high prices on e-bay so they can show up at a meet or sale and use the e-bay post to "establish value".