Sorry, Rich.
In lieu of the factory-supplied handles for the Mk3 platter, I made a handle as follows: (1) Start with a piece of aluminum pipe, about a foot long, or long enough to traverse the distance between the two threaded holes in the top of the platter, with some extra length on either end. Pipe should be about one inch in outer diameter. (2) Measure the distance between the two threaded holes in the platter. (3) Drill two holes cross-wise into your alu pipe such that the distance between them equals the distance between the two threaded holes in the platter. You could use a quarter-inch drill bit for that. You'll probably want to mount the pipe in a vise while drilling. (4) Determine the metric thread size needed for those two holes in the platter; it's probably M3 (3mm), but it could be M4. (5) At a good hardware store or on-line, find two metric screws of appropriate thread diameter and that are at least 3-4 inches long (4 inches ~ 100mm). (6) Insert metric screws through the two holes you have drilled in your alu pipe, and now you have a handle for lifting the platter. Use those washers under the heads of the metric screws, so they won't fall through the holes you've drilled in the pipe. Is that clear enough? My handle is actually superior to the factory handles, because it allows you to lift the platter with one hand, since it grips both holes at once.
As for the tool to remove the center piece. Colby Lamb made one for me. He is in Oregon. He likely still has the info for making another one. If you have problems there, contact me privately.
In lieu of the factory-supplied handles for the Mk3 platter, I made a handle as follows: (1) Start with a piece of aluminum pipe, about a foot long, or long enough to traverse the distance between the two threaded holes in the top of the platter, with some extra length on either end. Pipe should be about one inch in outer diameter. (2) Measure the distance between the two threaded holes in the platter. (3) Drill two holes cross-wise into your alu pipe such that the distance between them equals the distance between the two threaded holes in the platter. You could use a quarter-inch drill bit for that. You'll probably want to mount the pipe in a vise while drilling. (4) Determine the metric thread size needed for those two holes in the platter; it's probably M3 (3mm), but it could be M4. (5) At a good hardware store or on-line, find two metric screws of appropriate thread diameter and that are at least 3-4 inches long (4 inches ~ 100mm). (6) Insert metric screws through the two holes you have drilled in your alu pipe, and now you have a handle for lifting the platter. Use those washers under the heads of the metric screws, so they won't fall through the holes you've drilled in the pipe. Is that clear enough? My handle is actually superior to the factory handles, because it allows you to lift the platter with one hand, since it grips both holes at once.
As for the tool to remove the center piece. Colby Lamb made one for me. He is in Oregon. He likely still has the info for making another one. If you have problems there, contact me privately.