Feedback on bladder type cooling press. tester

[86k10]

I am looking for feedback on these type of cooling system pressure tester that use the bladder sealing system.

I am looking at one of these because they state they can be used almost on any type of neck, instead of having to get every adapter for a standard tester.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682030&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I see that other people sell that type of tester even Sears. Are they all made equally (possibly same manufacturing company)?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[fowlwishes]

I have had mine for quite a few years. I really do like it. I have gone from medium and light duty automotive work and am now working at a John Deere dealership. I am able to use the same bladder tester on that full range of vehicles. In probably 5 or 6 years I have had to replace the bladder once and the o-rings in the tester head twice. No biggie either way.

I have found that the key to the tester is not really the bladder. It is the neck of what is being tested and the adjustment of the fingers on the tester. Once the bladder inflates you have to make sure that the fingers have something to hold on to and that there is adequate pressure to hold the bladder in place. Without the tester fingers, the pressure created by the tester will blow the bladder out of what is being tested.

All in all I wouldnt trade mine for anything. FWIW I have the same SO one you linked to.

 

[Greatbear]

I have a couple sets, one branded Stant and two Lisle branded. I like them, they work well especially for odd sized openings including those engine mounted.

I had to replace two bladders so far, one became worn after a long period of use, and one that died at the hands of a friend unfamiliar with the tool when he inflated the bladder to the size of a softball outside of a filler neck and it exploded with an almost M-80-like report.

 

[86k10]

Thanks for the feedback guys.