Two 77mm filters stuck together- suggestions?

G

groveChuck

U-matic Member
I have a clear filter and a CPL threaded together- tightly, evidently.

My channel locks don't open wide enough to grab the ridges on the CPL- any suggestions?


Edit: FIXED, though feel free to offer your solution- thanks everybody!
 
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Try this.

Place the filters flat...in the palm of your hand.

Lightly bang them down flat on a flat surface.. eg wooden surface..a few times. eg 3 to 4 times

Then place filters flat in palms of both of your hands...twist while exerting inward and flat pressure .

Twist right hand counter clockwise.

You may need to repeat the spoft banging step a couple more times.
 
I have a clear filter and a CPL threaded together- tightly, evidently.
Click to expand...

Not sure what a 'CPL' filter is. If you mean a 'Circular Polarizing Filter' with a rotating front, then my suggestion probably won't work. If it's not a polarizer, here's one that's worked for me through the years.
Find some old rubber soled shoes and place the filters between the soles holding them tightly sandwiched between them. Apply pressure and twist. The rubber should grab the knurled filter edges and loosen them nicely.
 
It may seem like it'll never come off, but it will.

The biggest mistake is trying to get a good grip on each filter while trying to unscrew them as this creates uneven pressure on the filter threads and keeps them from loosening.

It can take a bit more doing with a CPL because of the rotating element, but what you want to do is spread your fingers around the filter housing (one hand per filter), hold onto the filter very lightly (only enough so that it won't fall out of your hand) and twist the filters to unscrew them.

The trick is: the lighter you hold the filters, the easier they'll loosen from each other.

I carry a piece of grippy shelf liner material to provide extra grip without having to apply additional pressure to a filter.

According to the internets, you may also have some success with a rubber band.
 
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Banged it a couple of times per Shooter... didn't budge.

Rubber bands gave me the idea to try one of those 5" rubber discs used to open jars... didn't work.

Then I spread my fingers around the circumference of the housings, lightly turned as per jive, and voila! They separated!

Don't know if it was all the last approach, or cumulative, but something worked- thanks guys!
 
Penetrating fluid like WD-40, and maybe a lubricating fluid, although the WD-40 might work on its own, and then clean them afterwards.
 
put them in the oven at a low temp, let them warm up, then put on some rubber gloves. this should work, I have even let them sit in the sun, the heat helps big time.
 
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