Palmetto 1101 Packing Extractor, Flexible Shaft, Removeable tip, Size F-1, 7-1/2 inch Length, for Packing Sizes 1/4 & up

I just used this tool to remove all the old flax packing from my sailboat’s stuffing box. The stuffing box is not easy to reach. I have to lay on my belly and reach far down to the bottom of the boat, usually needing one hand to keep myself from sliding headfirst into the compartment aft of the engine. Once the packing nut is completely backed off, the sharp point of the extraction tool easily engaged the old packing. A few twists of the flexible handle then set the bit snugly into the old packing. I could then use one hand to hold the nut and pull the packing out with the other. And the piece of old packing stayed on the tool rather than falling into the bilge. There were 5 layers of old packing. This tool removed them mostly one at a time, but did pull out two layers once. This was the only part of the repacking process that was easy. This extractor works great.

Its difficult to remove the packing in most pumps with the limited space. These tools are flexible and with a little effort you can remove the old packing sometimes in one piece. Be patient and pull on each side evenly. Don't try to corkscrew it into one side of packing just pull. You will most likely just pull the tool out of the packing. Remove the packing with two of these if you can. Sometimes you need to find more meat to the packing an move the extractor around into different locations until you begin to feel the packing move free.

I had no idea that the stuffing would be so difficult to pull out. I ordered this tool and at the same time made an appointment with a professional boat mechanic if this tool didn't do the job. The tool engaged the packing material easily and would not give up no matter how hard I pulled. I found that using pliers to grab the tool and pry against the edge on the stuffing box eventually got the material moving. I can see how the corkscrew could pull out of the tip, I guess that's why the sell replacements. But the cork screw held fast in my tool even with all of the pulling and prying. ps. I did get to cancel the mechanic's appointment.

This flimsy-seeming tool withstood me pulling with nearly all of my might to get rings of packing out from deep in the stuffing box. Worked great for me and clearly it is stronger than it looks. Be aware that once you have it corkscrewed into a packing ring that ring pretty much has to come out, if you try to unscrew it the corkscrew fitting may unscrew off the end of the tool. My technique was to screw in just deep enough to pull out one ring at a time. Next time I have this job to do I am going to have some spare corkscrews around in case I lose one deep in the stuffing box (the gland on my boat is about 5.5" deep).

Perfect tool for the job. I never would have been able to remove all of the old shaft packing without this little gem. I even pulled out some packing that was left in there from the original job! I've seen reviews of some of these things where the handles pulled off, the screw end pulled off, etc. I can tell you that I yanked on this thing like crazy, putting a LOT of pulling pressure on the device, and have observed zero wear.

I use this extractor on a old pump with about 7 inchs of clearance so the flex shaft is a must. I use pliers to pull up on the packing since my hands ( as small as they are) won't fit in the packing area. I have broken 2 of these in the last two years but I keep using it cause I can't find a better tool to do a tough packing removal job. Worth every penny I paid for it.

I replace a lot of packing working on boats both large and small and this packing puller has held up nicely

The tool is ok but it’s to large for 3/8 and smaller