Manual spring compressor

[dink]

What is a good manual spring compressor from peoples opinions????

 

[kartracer55]

you mean like for a car... a struct compressor kinda thing?

 

[dink]

YEa...I have used the one from HB before and it was junk

 

[kartracer55]

The one I use is a wall mounted snap on one, its manual, but, like I said, its wall mounted. The lisle ones are junk, and so are the HF ones.. you dont want to screw around with things like this

Jim

 

[dink]

The one I use is a wall mounted snap on one, its manual, but, like I said, its wall mounted. The lisle ones are junk, and so are the HF ones.. you dont want to screw around with things like this

Jim

I know Craftsmen has one for like 50 dollars....its the kind you hold...not a wall mount

 

[TOMWELDS]

The one's with the threaded rod and bars are going to be way cheaper than a wall mount, but i wouldnt want those threads to strip under pressure.......

 

[dink]

The one's with the threaded rod and bars are going to be way cheaper than a wall mount, but i wouldnt want those threads to strip under pressure.......

Yea but I wont be using it that often to warrant fishing out the money for a wall mount....it will usually only be used for no more then maybe a total of 2 cars over a period of time....not a auto mechanics shop amount where its a constant occurance

 

[kartracer55]

The kind you really want is one with two threaded bars, one on each side. this is just a little added protection. The non wall mounted ones are ok, you can even use an impact to tighten them if you get lazt, but the wall mounted one sure makes things easy.

Jim

 

[awdirtdrifter]

I've always gone to AutoZone and rented it for FREE!

 

[TOMWELDS]

Wear a helmet and strap a pillow to your chest...LOL

 

[Luckydevil]

Wear a helmet and strap a pillow to your chest...LOL

 

[dink]

Hhahahaa you guys are terrible....oh well....if that is what i end up looking like when wereing a helmet oh well

 

[evildky]

the cheapies from sears or harborfreight are ok for a coupla uses but they just don't last the threads tend to get buggered after a few uses and they fit some cars better than others, miata springs use thin narrow coils with not enought room to get the compressor out after, I'll be looking to upgrade to a wall mount in the coming years

 

[dink]

Can I get a list of links for manufacturers that make a wall mount spring compressor????

 

[Luckydevil]

From what I see the wall mounts start at about $300 and go up from there.

 

[dink]

Man those things are exspensive....hmmm I just dont know

 

[mikeyr]

ok question here... what are the wallmounts you keep talking about, am I supposed to take my cars front end to the wall, that would damage the car by the time I crunched all the metal enough to get the spring to the spring compressor, so I must be missing something.

I don't have new enough cars to worry about a spring compressor but I do have to remove a friends 67 Mustand springs and put new ones in. I used a HF compressor to remove the left spring and no way was I going to risk my life a second time on the right side and then the new springs are much stronger/stiffer than the old ones which would be even worse. I went to rent the "proper" tool and they offered me what I already got from HF although it was a snapon brand it looked the same (ACME threads though so the threads last longer than the HF one)

 

[trovato]

ok question here... what are the wallmounts you keep talking about, am I supposed to take my cars front end to the wall, that would damage the car by the time I crunched all the metal enough to get the spring to the spring compressor, so I must be missing something.

Think struts. You remove them from the car with the spring still compressed and then walk over to the wall with just the strut. Easier than carrying the car.

 

[trovato]

The kind you really want is one with two threaded bars, one on each side. this is just a little added protection.
Jim

The one I have is three separate giant bolts, each with two hooks on it. It came from one of the cheapie places 25 years ago or so. It has seen light use, and shows no real signs of wear so far. I always try to be very careful when using it. Be sure to place them evenly around the spring and tighten each a little at a time. So far I'm still alive and nothing too scary has happened.

 

[rgjlk]

note to tomwelds

I've used all types of spring compressors. But on a strut I like the two bar the best. You always are VERY careful with them. I've never had one of them break on
me, always thrown it away when looked bad. But I have had ALL types of wall, table and floor models break on me. And yes it is REALLY scary. Most of what I use
is brand name tools on any thing that might blow up in my face, and I won't use
the cheap no charge rental tools on something that might kill me.

 

[kartracer55]

I totally Agree with ya... Sometimes saving the extra $$ truly isnt worth it.

Jim

 

[awdirtdrifter]

It probably varies from store to store, but the ones I've rented from the AutoZone have all been pretty nice, beefy units. I felt very confident using them.

I know, famous last words...

 

[stioc]

I've used HF and Sears both. The $9.99 HF set got the job done but scared me enough that I had to go buy the Sears one. Its *MUCH* beefier and that much smoother...I think I paid $40 for it.

 

[kartracer55]

I used an OTC the other day. I think it was asian made but it was built pretty well.

Jim

 

[dink]

When the time comes I will probably just go buy the one at Sears

 

[kartracer55]

why not rent one for the day?
it ill probably be cheaper and it will be a nicer unit than what youll get a t sears

 

[dink]

why not rent one for the day?
it ill probably be cheaper and it will be a nicer unit than what youll get a t sears

I dunno.....im lazy??? hahahaa plus its nice to just own it instead of driving all the way some place and then have to return it.....you know what I am talking about.....its like take your best ratchet....your favorite one...and then throw in the idea of having to return it because its rented.....it *****...and time consuming in itself.....plus its just as easy to own it and store it away until you need it again

 

[kartracer55]

I guess. but you havea real job so you can do thesethings lol

Jim

 

[dink]

Yea but I am also married...so were both in the same boat....restricted....but by different means

 

[Cebby]

The Craftsman ones are good. I've used them several times and they've been fine.

 

[cybin]

The craftman ones have acme threads, looks to be impact grade metal and have built in detent pins instead of the u-bolts/hooks on the cheap ones. For $50 I don't think your going to get anything better without spending $300.

-Cybin

 

[dink]

The craftman ones have acme threads, looks to be impact grade metal and have built in detent pins instead of the u-bolts/hooks on the cheap ones. For $50 I don't think your going to get anything better without spending $300.

-Cybin

Yea and when you get into $300 your getting into wall mounts