I'm with the school that has not used a tool for removal.
IMGTX's writeup should be refrenced (and saved to tech archive).
One thing I often do once everything is loosened up and lca has been pried back, is to slide the lca and bar forward, and clean the rear hex opening. Amazing how much gravel, sand and rust scale get in there making it dificult to remove. Blow it out with air and the bar will come out.