Anyone use the HF hydraulic strut spring compressor?

[DARK AGE 53]

checked one out yesterday at a local HF store and it looks very good, anyone use one...video? http://www.harborfreight.com/hydraulic-strut-spring-compressor-45860.html

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I would not trust it.

 

[DARK AGE 53]

I would not trust it.

why? when i first saw it on there web site I wasn't impressed but after seeing one I'm thinking about buying one.

 

[Danglerb]

My first thought was check the obituary section for reviews, but if it looks much better in person than in the pictures, its certainly a long ways ahead of the other spring compressors HF sells.

Not sure on the brand, but this is the type I borrow from my friends shop.
http://www.denlorstools.com/home/dt1/page_27741_159/jack_tech_sk_3000_strut_spring_compressor.html

 

[yogitech]

Having a spring pop out and graze your chest is NOT fun! but, its your choice. GL

 

[robertgreen79]

I shop at Harbor Freight all the time. However, I've always made sure that the stuff I buy, if and when they do fail, will not kill or maim me. Those springs are carrying a lot of force. I wouldnt want that particular tool breaking anywhere near me.

 

[DARK AGE 53]

a lot of negative replies so far, is it just because it's sold by HF or can you give me a good reason why it might fail?

 

[Danglerb]

a lot of negative replies so far, is it just because it's sold by HF or can you give me a good reason why it might fail?

800 lb/in springs, compressed about 4 inches is 3200 lbs of force. Compressing a spring is dangerous, they are wiggly unstable things that can let go if something fails in an instant and kill you.

HF is not the first place I think of when I want to be protected from death.

OTOH some products like the jacks and cranes have proven themselves over time and hard use, but until that happens approach with caution.

What disturbs me from the pictures of this design is that the arms on the top are the part that needs to grab the upper coils of the spring, and hold them to keep the spring straight during compression, and they don't look all that beefy.