Connector puller 1st generation for USM Haller: Loosen stuck connectors in 3 steps

Anyone dismantling old USM Haller furniture knows the problem: first-generation connectors cannot be removed with modern tools. The reason is simple. First-generation connectors have a different geometry than today's second-generation connectors. Therefore, you need a different tool. We show how the special connector puller for the first generation works.

Important first: Which generation do you have?

The two USM Haller connector generations are not compatible with each other. This also applies to the tools:

• The 1st generation connector puller works only with 1st generation connectors.
• The 2nd generation connector puller works only with 2nd generation connectors.

So, before you buy a tool, you should know which connectors are installed in your furniture. In the tutorial on loosening stuck connectors, you will find instructions on how to distinguish between the generations. As a rule of thumb: USM Haller furniture from the 70s and early 80s usually has first-generation connectors. Later furniture from the mid-80s and all currently produced furniture use the second generation.

How the tool works in three steps

The application is pleasantly simple and requires no prior knowledge:

Step 1: Attach the tool

Insert the connector puller into the tube where the stuck connector is located. The tool is dimensioned to fit cleanly into USM Haller tube systems.

Step 2: Press in the tool

Press the tool into the tube until the inner wall of the tube touches the outer wall of the connector puller. For particularly stuck connectors, a rubber mallet is recommended to build up more pressure without damaging the surface.

Step 3: Pull out the tool

Now simply pull the tool out of the tube. The connector will come out with it. Done.

 

When is it worth buying?

The first-generation connector puller is a special tool. It is worthwhile for:

• Collectors and restorers of old USM Haller furniture
• Buyers of used USM Haller furniture from the 70s and early 80s
• Furniture dealers or workshops that frequently deal with different USM Haller generations
• Anyone who wants to expand their USM Haller collection with older pieces

Anyone who exclusively owns current USM Haller furniture does not need this tool. In that case, the second-generation connector puller is the right tool. However, if you have both old and new furniture, you cannot do without both tools. In combination with the professional tool sets or the 15-piece complete set in a case , you then have a very complete set of equipment that truly covers every USM Haller generation.

Practical tips from the workshop

A few tips that make life easier in practice:

• Check generation beforehand: Never work with the wrong tool. This will not work and can, in the worst case, damage the connector or the tool. For mixed inventories, it is worth keeping both tool generations on hand.
• Have a rubber mallet ready: For really stuck connectors, sheer hand strength is often not enough. A rubber mallet distributes the pressure evenly and protects the furniture surface.
• Consider corrosion: Old connectors can corrode due to moisture or storage conditions, which makes loosening them difficult. A little patience helps more than brute force.
• Check connectors: After loosening, it is worth checking the connector. Damaged ones should be replaced with suitable spare parts.

Where to buy?

The tool is available from us. Shipping is from our German warehouse, usually within a few business days. We specialize in USM Haller-compatible spare parts and tools and carry both the first-generation connector puller and the appropriate one for the second generation.

Our conclusion

The first-generation connector puller is a niche tool, but absolutely indispensable for the right target group. Anyone working with old 1st generation USM Haller furniture cannot get by without the appropriate special tool. Modern tools simply do not work here because the geometry of the old connectors is different. The application is incredibly simple, and the result is all the more satisfying when connectors that have been stuck for decades finally come loose again.