Parasol

[lizhoare]

I have a large green parasol and it was put away last year with the bottom pole connected to the top. They are held together with a brass connecter which is about 6 inches long. We cant dismantle them now. Has anyone any suggestions? We have tried WD40 to no avail. Urgent help needed please. Thanks!

[Fitzer]

Wrap a bag of ice around the part that screws in and heat the other section (hairdrier, paint removal gun etc) and they should free up. Mind you don't burn yourself on the heated section as brass transmits heat very effectively.

[Thunderbird+]

It looks like you have the same parasol as me, and I had the same trouble last year, after it got left out in the rain one time. What seems to have happened is, the wood becomes swollen causing a very tight fit, I managed to free mine eventually after a lot of brute force and ignorace. this may be easier with two people both twisting in opposite directions at the same time. Once I got the two poles apart, I then cut away the inner plastic sleave with a knife, this has reduced the tightness and luckily I've had no further problems. hope this has been of some help. Good Luck.

[BillyNoMates]

Mine is the same !

Once you do get if free, put some grease or vaseline on the threads to prevent it happening again. Ideally copper grease is best but not everyone has that lying around !

[lizhoare]

Thank you all very much for your suggestions. We have tried the ice and heat to no avail. We will try the brute force tomorrow when we have visitors to help! Ours does not have a thread it just pushes in.

[heathfield]

You could try leaving it on a radiator for a couple of weeks - that'll cause the wood to totally dry out, and hopefully shrink enough to pull apart easily.

[Thunderbird+]

Just thought I'd come back to wish you luck! Sounds like yours is slightly differant to mine, mine pushes in but also has a thread as well, but the problem with mine was, two small staples that was holding the plastic sleeve in place, which jammed on the inside of the brass ferrule, hope your guests can help!

Ps.. If your sure no thread is involved, you might like to try an old trick, we used when fishing rod got stuck in this way ( i'll explain the best way I can) Two people standing opposite, each other holding the rod, with one hand on their pole and the other on the "opponants" he/she takes the same stance and you both push and pull in unison, I remember some one said it was the 'cantileaver method', all I knew was it worked like magic!

All the best T bird.

[lizhoare]

We have tried all the suggestions except Thunderbird+'s last one to no avail. It has now been out in the rain for a few days and needs to dry out again before we attempt T'birds suggestion. When we first tried it this year it was completely dry as it had been put away extended last year! Thanks Thunderbird+ for your latest suggestion. Will let you know how we get on.