OTC 7249 Ball Joint Press & ToolTopia

[widetrackman]

Recently tried to buy OTC 7249 Stamped "Made in USA" from ToolTopia. They advised they could not guarantee stamped made in USA but that they were made in USA, Bull Sxxt. I talked a few days ago with OTC and was advised they were manufacturing the 7249 again in USA and stamping as such. Buyer Beware. I think what is going on is there are a lot of the China ones still out there at distributors. As the stamped ones production increases the Dealers/Distributors will get stuck with the Chinese ones as most people will not pay a $100+for OTC China, when you can buy a half dozen China BJP for under $50. Buyer Beware of ToolTopia ( I don't trust them anymore) as well as others, as USA stamped ones are available per OTC. unless they lied to me, and I don't think so.

 

[PBCampbell]

I suspect this is a case of half a dozen one way and six the other. I also think that most people have a greater concern with getting a job done than boasting of their tools COO.

 

[Skin]

How is tooltopia going to know unless they physically open the box? I wouldn't make that promise either. They're also a glorified drop shipper so its not as if the CSRs have product at their finger tips.

They've been USA for awhile now, im sure you would of been fine ordering through them.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Just ask them to verify the USA markings on the OTC press before sending it.

If they say no to that request, buy elsewhere.
Like Skin mentioned, it may be drop shipped from?? so that request may not be so simple.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

How is tooltopia going to know unless they physically open the box? I wouldn't make that promise either. They're also a glorified drop shipper so its not as if the CSRs have product at their finger tips.

They've been USA for awhile now, im sure you would of been fine ordering through them.

Yup. It ain't new if it's opened. Although all Tooltopia really does is drop ship or use a few large warehouses. Love the site though.





I bought my OTC press from a LOCAL tool distributor.


When the c frame started to bend, "Oh, it doesn't have USA or OTC stamped on it, no warranty." I opened the box when I got it, it was 100% OTC.

My local Indy tool dealer says OTC is a ***** to deal with for warranty. I'd tend to agree, they want to cry and deny everything I've seen sent back.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Yup. It ain't new if it's opened. Although all Tooltopia really does is drop ship or use a few large warehouses. Love the site though.





I bought my OTC press from a LOCAL tool distributor.


When the c frame started to bend, "Oh, it doesn't have USA or OTC stamped on it, no warranty." I opened the box when I got it, it was 100% OTC.

My local Indy tool dealer says OTC is a ***** to deal with for warranty. I'd tend to agree, they want to cry and deny everything I've seen sent back.

Did You happen to notice if there were any coo markings on the outside of the OTC box Your press came in? I bought a Wilton vise some years back. the ittiest bittiest tiny print on the bottom of the box said "made in China".. My respect for Wilton was rather dampened when I noticed that a couple years later.. Still have not lifted that vise out of the box..

 

[WWheeler]

There is no COO on the outside of the box. You'd have to open it to see if it has 'Made in USA' on the c-frame.

The OTC 7249 Ball Joint Press was made outside the US for a brief period (circa 2013/2014?) when most of the rest of their product line also started moving that direction but has been back to 'Made in USA' for ~3 years now. I'd be really surprised if any place that sells very many of them still had any of the China-made ones in stock.

I bought mine from Tooltopia back in Oct 2016.

 

[ratdoggy]

I realize you want to buy one but I've borrowed them from the parts store and never had an issue...

 

[WWheeler]

I realize you want to buy one but I've borrowed them from the parts store and never had an issue...

I sure as hell have and that's exactly why I bought my own instead. I've posted about it before ....

[...] Last time I did these ball joints I used the loaner tool from AutoZone (it was an AllTrade/PowerBuilt) and I destroyed it. 4 seconds or less with the impact and the threads stripped out completely before it even seemed like I was putting much of a load on it. The ball joint sure didn't budge. I wound up taking the control arms off and having them pressed out for me for $50 and then I just barely was able to convince AutoZone to let me get the $150 deposit back. This time the OTC press gave me no trouble at all zipping them out and in.

In hindsight as easy as it broke I suspect that Alltrade loaner I got was probably already on the way out & had been tweaked one too many times by previous customers to me. The threads on the forcing screw were already well covered in grease when I got it so perhaps I just didn't notice that it already some sketchy threads before I tried to put it to use. Or maybe there were already damaged threads in the C-frame that I couldn't see? Maybe the customer previous to me knew they tore it up and got away with returning it without saying anything? I'll never know for sure. It definitely broke really easy and there was no mistaking that it had damaged threads when I got done with it though.

In any case after feeling lucky that I wasn't out $150 for a broken press i knew it was time to buy my own. After that I'd never even consider using another loaner. If I tear up my own at least I'll know for sure it was no one's fault but mine. That piece of mind alone is worth every penny I spent on mine imho. [...]

 

[BDT/NWMN]

There is no COO on the outside of the box. You'd have to open it to see if it has 'Made in USA' on the c-frame.

The OTC 7249 Ball Joint Press was made outside the US for a brief period (circa 2013/2014?) when most of the rest of their product line also started moving that direction but has been back to 'Made in USA' for ~3 years now. I'd be really surprised if any place that sells very many of them still had any of the China-made ones in stock.

I bought mine from Tooltopia back in Oct 2016./QUOTE]


That makes it four months for Yours.. Being they do a considerable amount of business, I would chance getting a USA made OTC press from ToolTopia.

 

[anndel]

I bought the Astro Tools Master Set and it's made in china but it works great though. Changed the lower ball joints on my 1993 Yota and it did it with ease, the "C" clamp didn't bend at all. I was going to buy the Snap On set for $650 but wanted to try the OTC set from Amazon only to find out they wouldn't ship it to Hawaii. They shipped the Astro set no problem and it was just as big as the OTC set and weighed about 100 lbs.

 

[widetrackman]

I suspect this is a case of half a dozen one way and six the other. I also think that most people have a greater concern with getting a job done than boasting of their tools COO.

Well it sounds like you have not done many tough rusty 4x4 BJs. I had been using a old Mac which was made by OTC until it recently walked off. I have stretched two Chinese loaner presses since then, Just ask me and folks that rented/loaner tools they stretched. If they notice on return you bought it. As to boasting I do not give a damn who made it as long its top notch USA made. I have a shop full of tools that I bought over the last 55 years made in USA. In that time I have very few failures. So I guest you consider folks that by top notch tools are boasting. BTW Most large shops use the Snap-On set at about $650, I wonder why?

 

[widetrackman]

I bought the Astro Tools Master Set and it's made in china but it works great though. Changed the lower ball joints on my 1993 Yota and it did it with ease, the "C" clamp didn't bend at all. I was going to buy the Snap On set for $650 but wanted to try the OTC set from Amazon only to find out they wouldn't ship it to Hawaii. They shipped the Astro set no problem and it was just as big as the OTC set and weighed about 100 lbs.

Damn, a 100lbs, never seen one that big.

 

[WittHay]

If you are doing any type of heavy duty pulling or pressing a made in China tool is a total waste of money. Even Taiwan made is sketchy. OTC or Mac you pretty well have to look at the tool in person to see where it is made. Snap-on and Proto are usually USA built.

 

[widetrackman]

There is no COO on the outside of the box. You'd have to open it to see if it has 'Made in USA' on the c-frame.

The OTC 7249 Ball Joint Press was made outside the US for a brief period (circa 2013/2014?) when most of the rest of their product line also started moving that direction but has been back to 'Made in USA' for ~3 years now. I'd be really surprised if any place that sells very many of them still had any of the China-made ones in stock.

I bought mine from Tooltopia back in Oct 2016./QUOTE]


That makes it four months for Yours.. Being they do a considerable amount of business, I would chance getting a USA made OTC press from ToolTopia.

Why buy with a 50/50 chance of having to jack around and pay for the return. Just look around on internet and Ebay and see how many OTC Chinese are offered, with no new USA offered. I have found one internet seller that stated USA but was gouging, so something is going on with availability.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

If you don't want to take the risk of having to return the OTC if not stamped "USA" then fork out the money for the Snapon BJP1

 

[widetrackman]

If you don't want to take the risk of having to return the OTC if not stamped "USA" then fork out the money for the Snapon BJP1

Well if I was doing 10 to 20 BJs a month the BJP1 would be a no brainer. They are the easiest to use, one of the best and most expensive BJ kits available at $650 +. Well Tool-Man I should not have to spend $650 + to not take a risk. Anyone selling like that and not advising customers is bogus.

 

[widetrackman]

If you are doing any type of heavy duty pulling or pressing a made in China tool is a total waste of money. Even Taiwan made is sketchy. OTC or Mac you pretty well have to look at the tool in person to see where it is made. Snap-on and Proto are usually USA built.

AMEND on that. widetrack

 

[WWheeler]

Why buy with a 50/50 chance of having to jack around and pay for the return. Just look around on internet and Ebay and see how many OTC Chinese are offered, with no new USA offered. I have found one internet seller that stated USA but was gouging, so something is going on with availability.

Where are you getting 50/50? I suspect you are just making it up.

Just look on Amazon where a multitude of companies, including Tooltopia, sell the OTC 7249 press under the same listing. There hasn't been a single review saying they got a Chinese made one in several years now, but many more recent ones saying theirs is 'Made in USA'.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

Well if I was doing 10 to 20 BJs a month the BJP1 would be a no brainer. They are the easiest to use, one of the best and most expensive BJ kits available at $650 +. Well Tool-Man I should not have to spend $650 + to not take a risk. Anyone selling like that and not advising customers is bogus.

I don't know of any other made in USA presses besides OTC or Snapon. I was giving you the answer you seem to be in search of, yes the snapon press is expensive but there is a 100% chance that the tool you receive will be made in America. Good luck with your search.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Well if I was doing 10 to 20 BJs a month the BJP1 would be a no brainer. They are the easiest to use, one of the best and most expensive BJ kits available at $650 +. Well Tool-Man I should not have to spend $650 + to not take a risk. Anyone selling like that and not advising customers is bogus.

99% of people don't give a damn about COO. I don't either. If it works it works. I have a USA made otc and the Astro set.

I will be buying the snapon set this year. Cups clicking together is the cats ***

 

[WittHay]

The problem is that OTC charges the same price for the China built press as the USA one.

If there was no problems with Chinese made, they wouldn't have moved production back to the US

I agree the Astro set will work for a lot of vehicles. But for larger vehicles in rusty areas, a USA made press is money well spent.

Tiger Tools in Canada makes special pullers and presses but they are more expensive than Snap-on

 

[WhiffySpark]

I can't find a tiger ball joint press. I would buy one

 

[anndel]

Well I was going to buy the Snap On BJP1 from my driver and he asked me how many BJs I pull every month. I told him lucky if 1 per year. He told me to get the Astro set from Amazon because he was out and won't get any for several weeks. He said if it breaks before the 1 year warranty is up just warranty it. If I do more than 1 per year or at least 1 per month then get the BJP1. Regarding the OTC he said it was a great set, but he has a line waiting of people waiting for it and he can't keep any in stock.

 

[WittHay]

^ You are right, Tiger's smaller presses are more for U-joints than ball joints.

I guess OTC and Snap-on have the market cornered on ball-joint presses

 

[widetrackman]

99% of people don't give a damn about COO. I don't either. If it works it works. I have a USA made otc and the Astro set.

I will be buying the snapon set this year. Cups clicking together is the cats ***

Folks that don't care probably do one every several years. I do more than that and don't like one time use crappie tools. As to SnapOn your 100% and as you say "the cats ***" but I can't justify $650 for several BJs a year. Astro has a good adapter set that complements the OTC press.

 

[CobraRed]

COO aside, where are people getting the assumption that the OTC is for everyday use and the Astro is for here and there?

Astro mentioned recently changing the forged alloy again to make it stronger, and I put my new one in a 20ton hydraulic press and it didn't flinch. Are you guys using more than 20tons to press out ball joints? If you can break this thing, I'll send you a buffalo nickle.

 

[widetrackman]

COO aside, where are people getting the assumption that the OTC is for everyday use and the Astro is for here and there?

Astro mentioned recently changing the forged alloy again to make it stronger, and I put my new one in a 20ton hydraulic press and it didn't flinch. Are you guys using more than 20tons to press out ball joints? If you can break this thing, I'll send you a buffalo nickle.

Hey Hey, don't under estamate us GJ guys. You how we are when something's stuck, get a 3/4" breaking bar with 4' cheater, if that doesn't work find a longer cheater! Ha Ha

 

[WhiffySpark]

Folks that don't care probably do one every several years. I do more than that and don't like one time use crappie tools. As to SnapOn your 100% and as you say "the cats ***" but I can't justify $650 for several BJs a year. Astro has a good adapter set that complements the OTC press.

It only takes 3-4 sets of ball joints to pay for it. I do that many a month at least

 

[anndel]

It only takes 3-4 sets of ball joints to pay for it. I do that many a month at least

Snap on is the perfect BJ set for you. If I did that many per month I would get the SO.