Shimano freewheel puller compatibility with other freewheels

I keep Shimano freewheel and cassette tools and use a LBS if I need a
non-Shimano freewheel removed.

Someone recently told me Shimano freewheel pullers can be used on
Falcon freewheels.

I put a Shimano freewheel puller into a removed Falcon freewheel and it
fits into the splines with some play.

I put the Shimano freewheel puller into a new uninstalled Sachs
freewheel and it goes into the splines very snugly with mild effort.

A Park tool Shimano cassette tool does not fit.



Can the Shimano freewheel puller be used to pull these freewheels if
installed or would there be risk of stripping splines?

If so, is the risk slight or mild?


--
meb

meb wrote:

Can the Shimano freewheel puller be used to pull these freewheels if
installed or would there be risk of stripping splines?

Shimano, Sachs, and Sun Race freewheels use the same tool. Falcon
freewheels need a different tool. The splines of a Shimano-type tool
can round off in a Falcon freewheel.

-Vee

Vee wrote:
meb wrote:

Can the Shimano freewheel puller be used to pull these freewheels if
installed or would there be risk of stripping splines?

Shimano, Sachs, and Sun Race freewheels use the same tool. Falcon
freewheels need a different tool. The splines of a Shimano-type tool
can round off in a Falcon freewheel.

-Vee

I attempt the fat-splined one first. If it doesn't fit, I use the
skinny-splined one. That way, I always use the right one.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training