Hey gang, quick question for ya’s.
How do yall remove your bearing shields? I’ve found thin guitar picks and razor blades will work. However sometimes I’ll just rush and destroy the shield in the process. A lot of my lubed, responsive bearings will be missing a shield on one side. 
I know that can’t be good, debris gettin in there an whatnot. Advice? Purpose built tools? Techniques and tips?
Help me keep my bearings by helping me keep my bearings.. 
Ultra fine tip tweezers, magnification, and a non-slip surface.
I suggest tweezers because they are thicker over all so easier to control than a pin, imo.
Also a thin wood dowel or pencil eraser to hold the clip down as I remove it and when I slip it back into place.
Looks like he is using a small nail
I grab an end of a c-clip using the tip of a safety pin or sewing needle and lightly pry off. Usually doesn’t take much effort as long as pin/needle isn’t flimsy.
Thanks a lot gang! I really appreciate all the help. I got some more throws coming this week and I’m def gonna try some of these methods. Ever since I got back into throwing, I’ve been pretty bad about butchering the shields while removing them in order to lube up bearings. I know it can’t be good for em.
Thanks again folks! 
Ngl, i keep the shields off on my responsive lubed bearings, i cant be bothered to replace them. I have a couple rubber shielded bearings that i do replace the shields on cause its easy.
I cant imagine theyre getting an amount of debris in them that would severely impact their lifespan, especially when the sides are mostly covered anyways
Dental picks / probe tools like this are the best tool I’ve tried so far. You can get them pretty cheap online.
This is the best technique I’ve found
Sometimes if I can’t get it in a minute or 2 I stab the shield with a titanium toothpick and leverage it out. It destroys the shield and sends the c clip flying, and I‘ve learned to cup my hand over the top to bat it down so I can find it and throw it away.
you don’t ever need to reshield it. having shields in place is not at all necessary. if you’re trying to hold grease in a responsive bearing the shields will help but you aren’t hurting the bearing leaving them off
I just say the magic words… Presto Change-o and …POOF.. a bright flash… a puff of smoke and voila… all done.
What? No sacrifice? I call bs
Nope… it’s easy. That’s why I’m wondering why yall messin with safety pins and stuff.
I never have bothered to deshield them. Put them in a bench vice and crank til they become pellet mines? Sure that is always fun
I prefer putting them in the dryer. Tumble dry low though, don’t try getting crazy..
Ordered. Thanks 
