General Tools 64 Cotter Pin Puller, Cotter Key Extractor, Round Shaft, 4-Inch (101mm) Shaft

First impressions and why this little hook matters

The last time I fought a stubborn cotter pin behind a brake backing plate, I wished I’d had a dedicated hook instead of improvising with a pick and pliers. After spending time with General’s cotter pin puller, I’m convinced this is one of those small, inexpensive tools that earns permanent parking in the drawer. It doesn’t try to be more than it is—a simple, purpose-built hook on a screwdriver-style handle—but the details make it effective in tight places where cotter pins like to hide.

Design and build

General’s puller has a 4-inch shaft made from plated, heat-treated high-carbon steel, topped with a “pigtail” compound-bend hook. The overall length is about 7.5 inches, which keeps it compact for confined work while still giving you a bit of reach.

A few design choices stand out:

• Pigtail hook: Instead of a single bend, the hook curls into itself. That curl is what lets you capture a pin leg positively and apply force without slipping off.
• Straight, round shaft: Simple and rigid, with enough stiffness to pry lightly without flexing like a pick.
• Screwdriver-style handle: Familiar and easy to index by feel. It’s not oversized, which helps in cramped spaces but may feel small for folks with bigger hands or for gloved use.

Nothing here is flashy, but the materials and heat treatment inspire confidence. The plating resists light corrosion and makes cleanup straightforward.

In use: pull, twist, and retrieve

The pigtail design is the star. I used the tool on a handful of real-world jobs:

• Drum brake hardware with cotter pins partially collapsed against castellated nuts
• A crusty mower deck spindle
• A trailer coupler latch
• A small appliance hinge with a tiny split pin

The technique is intuitive. If a pin leg is free, I hook the pigtail around it and pull straight back. If the pin is stuck or corroded, I use the shaft as a handle for a gentle twist. That spiral action loads the pin with shear forces that often break the rust bond. The tool made short work of pins that would have had me reaching for penetrating oil and needle-nose pliers first.

What surprised me was how well the pigtail grabs short or bent ends. A straight pick tends to slip past or jab the work; the spiral hook captures the pin leg and keeps it centered under load. It also doubles as a retriever—once the pin is free, the same hook holds onto it so you don’t drop it into the knuckle or subframe.

Control in tight spaces

The 4-inch shaft strikes a useful balance. It’s short enough to maneuver between a backing plate and a control arm without levering against nearby parts, but long enough to reach past obstructions and give you a solid grip. In a few cases (deep, recessed pins behind splash shields), I could have used an extra inch or two, but those were edge cases. For most automotive and equipment scenarios, the length felt right.

The tool’s compact footprint also means fewer skinned knuckles. With picks and pliers I often needed two hands and awkward angles; this is a one-hand tool in most positions, which reduces the chance of slipping.

Ergonomics and grip

The handle is a mixed bag. The screwdriver form factor is familiar and easy to control with a pencil grip or a full-fist pull. Its smaller diameter helps in cramped quarters and gives good rotation control for twisting out stuck pins. On the flip side, when I had to apply significant force—like on a rusted trailer latch pin—the handle felt a bit undersized, especially with gloves. It’s not uncomfortable, but you’re not getting heavy-pry leverage. To me, that’s a reasonable trade-off for a tool designed to pull and twist more than pry.

The handle material is firm with a light texture. It’s not tacky like some premium drivers, so if you’re working with oily hands, wipe it off or throw on gloves for better traction.

Durability

The hook and shaft are suitably tough. After yanking a few corroded pins and using a twist motion that would bend a flimsy pick, the hook kept its shape and point. The plating shrugged off grime and light surface rust, even after a week floating around a toolbox. I wouldn’t use this as a pry bar for anything substantial—leverage isn’t what it’s built for—but as a dedicated puller, it feels like it will last.

If you plan to store it in a humid shop, a quick wipe with a rust inhibitor now and then will keep the plating looking new.

Beyond cotter pins: handy with springs and clips

This tool’s usefulness extends past cotter pins:

• Small extension springs: The pigtail lets you grab an end coil securely and lift it free without launching it across the room.
• E-clips and retaining rings (removal prep): It can help tease an edge out before you switch to the proper pliers.
• Grommets and plugs: The curved hook finds the lip without stabbing the material like a sharp pick might.
• Wire routing and fishing: Pull a loop or guide a harness through a tight space by capturing it with the pigtail.

Just remember it’s not a replacement for snap-ring pliers or heavy spring tools. Use it to start the job, not to muscle through it.

What it does better than makeshift solutions

We all try pliers, screwdrivers, and picks before admitting we need the right tool. This puller solves three common problems:

• Positive engagement: The pigtail wraps around the pin leg, keeping force aligned and reducing slips.
• Controlled torque: The rounded shaft and handle make the twist technique natural, which is often the cleanest way to free a pin.
• One-hand operation: With fewer tools in the cramped space, you maintain better sightlines and reduce knuckle-busting.

In short, it trades brute force for control.

Limitations and wish list

• Handle size: Fine for most tasks; feels small for heavy pulls or gloved hands. A slightly larger diameter or softer overmold would improve comfort.
• Reach: The 4-inch shaft is right for tight work, but a longer sibling would help for deep recesses.
• Hook thickness: The pigtail is robust enough to avoid bending, but it won’t fit through the tiniest cotter loops. For miniature hardware, a finer hook would be handy.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they define the tool’s sweet spot: small to medium cotter pins in accessible or moderately tight spaces.

Tips for best results

• Pre-bend the pin legs with needle-nose pliers if they’re folded flat. The hook needs a bit of an edge to grab.
• If corrosion is heavy, add a drop of penetrating oil and give it a few minutes before twisting.
• Use a twist-then-pull approach: break the bond first, then extract smoothly.
• Wear eye protection. Cotter pins can spring as tension releases.
• Keep the point clean. A quick wipe preserves grip and reduces slip risk.

Value and who it’s for

This is a classic “buy once, use forever” specialty tool for anyone who regularly services brakes, steering linkages, hitches, small engines, appliances, or farm equipment. It’s inexpensive, simple, and saves time. Professional techs may already have high-end picks and hooks, but even in a pro box, the pigtail shape earns its keep. For DIYers, it’s a big upgrade over improvisation and cheaper than the frustration tax of slipping tools.

The bottom line

General’s cotter pin puller doesn’t try to reinvent anything. It focuses on the right geometry, adequate materials, and a compact form that actually reaches the work. The pigtail hook is the difference-maker, turning a fiddly extraction into a controlled, one-hand motion. I’d prefer a slightly larger handle for high-effort pulls and wouldn’t mind a long-shaft version in the lineup, but as-is, it’s reliable, durable, and genuinely useful across a range of tasks beyond cotter pins.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool. It’s affordable, well made for its purpose, and the pigtail design offers real functional advantages over improvised picks and pliers. If you handle cotter pins even a few times a year, this puller will save time, preserve skin, and turn a frustrating job into a tidy one.