So I have some Metro shelving units, the four shelf/5 foot kind.

They are held together by posts that come apart, and both halves are held in place by an insert tube of a diameter slightly smaller than the post (so it is held together by friction, I suppose)

One of the units is half disassembled b/c I removed the top shelf/top half of the posts to fit my TV into.

Problem is, the inserts that keep the two halves of the posts together will not allow themselves to be freed from their tubular prisons. I have used locking pliers, a hammer, and some leverage, and my efforts to remove them have failed.

Anyone have suggestions on how to remove these? I want to convert one of the other 4-shelf units into a 5 shelf unit with these leftover post halves, but need these little inserts to make it happen.

WD-40. Channel Locks. Hammer.

What's the hammer for, you ask? You always need a hammer.

Dr. Venkman wrote:WD-40. Channel Locks. Hammer.

What's the hammer for, you ask? You always need a hammer.

What is a channel lock?

I have the WD-40 and the hammer (as seen above.)

This can be a pain.

Chanel lock plyers that lock when you close them. you might want a small piece of rubber glove under them if you are conserned about maring the surface.

If you never used them you realy dig em. Not expensive.

burun wrote:I have used locking pliers, a hammer, and some leverage, and my efforts to remove them have failed.

I have locking pliers. Tried them already. Have not tried the WD-40 though, so will try that now.

What are you trying to get free, the black plastic things, or the shelves from the posts? Mine came with 4 posts and 5 shelves.

There's different kinds of metro shelving. Some are consumer (the type Greg's referring to) and then there's the real deal bakers rack type metro shelving (deeper and wider). I think that's what Jodi's dealing with.

I would try dousing the inserts with WD40 and waiting 20 minutes. Then take the locking pliers and use some rubber to protect the surface and try twisting the inserts out. If you can't at first you could try knocking them slightly with the hammer after the WD40 soak. Not too hard.

Good luck

The silver thing is what I am trying to remove from the shelf post. There's three of them, stuck.


This is how it looks whilst in the shelf post.

Nice Rack!

you got me