bathtubdrainplumbing
I have a bathtub which also is a shower, and it has a twist-and-pull type drain. Currently I never actually use the bathtub for taking a bath, only showers. Unfortunately it keeps getting clogged with hair.
On the one hand I could get a hair stopper that fits over it:
But I'd prefer to just install a mesh/screen that is always open and looks much nicer:
Is there an easy way to convert this type of drain?
I had a drain in my tub very much like yours, never found a way to remove the stopper. So I can't answer that portion of your question.
However, to remove the gunk/hair that continually clogged the drain, I found the plastic drain sticks to work really well. I just snaked one around for a few minutes, pulling up some really nasty clumps of hair and other detritus.
The "good news" is that now that the tub is 20 years old, the mechanism rusted out and I can finally remove the stopper.
The Rapid Fit threads in, as do almost all "toe touch" tub stoppers.
Yours is broken, that's why you only see the upper part of the threaded stem. Soak with penetrating oil and unscrew. Replacements can be found at a good local plumbing shop, or online.
Best Answer
It looks like you might be able to do this pretty easily.
To remove the stopper, simply unscrew the top of the handle of the drain stopper, then unscrew the underlying screw in the shaft to pull out the drain cover completely. Then, you'll have the cradle-thing that holds the stopper. You might be able to leave that in place (I grew up in a house that had the stoppers taken out but the "cradles" left in place, and two women with long hair would share the bath. We took turns cleaning out the drain) and place the mesh catcher over it. See this video for a demo (It should be region-free.)
You'll probably want to put down putty or some sort of long screw from the drain to the "cradle" in order to keep it in place.