SEMA: Anyone seen this Astro "BJP1" looking ball joint kit?

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Sema 2019

Edit: Looks like at least 2020 is not in the cards for this item due to design/agreement disputes. "This is why we can't have nice things"

Sorry for the tease

 

[LXCam]

Nope can’t say I have Chris. But how about an explanation about the socket drive end?

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Nope can’t say I have Chris. But how about an explanation about the socket drive end?

Would come with a 1/2" drive insert (than can be removed) for use with your own sockets

Edit: I've been told I've already said too much

 

[LXCam]

So I take it that’s for an almost endless assortment of receiver/plunger fitments. That’s a very cool idea.

 

[Ign]

Man I've been so close to pulling the trigger on an actual BJP1

If you guys could release a legit competitor that'd upset the market for sure.

When can I have one?

And was there a pic in post 1 at one time? I'm seeing nothing now.

You guys shouldn't tease like this, I'll road trip to your offices and torture you 'til you spill the beans and give me a prototype

 

[Ign]

Actually I think I'll sue for pain and suffering, distress and anxiety...

 

[metaleltr]

And to think a just bought an Astro ball joint kit a few months ago.

 

[Professional Tool User]

A description and some photos of the tool would be helpful. If it is anything like the Matco one, this will be interesting.

 

[Two Door]

Can't say that I have either. Did you lose one at the show?

 

[WittHay]

A lighter duty version of a socket press has been available for a few years now. Mainly for U-Joints and bushings. Not sure what the Astro will look like but the Tiger Tool version is not meant for heavy duty pressing like the Snap-on ball-joint and u-joint/anchor pin presses are

 

[Skin]

A description and some photos of the tool would be helpful. If it is anything like the Matco one, this will be interesting.

Schley has a patent on that. This sounds like your standard C-frame with socket adapters. I hope its designed better than the current versions available though. The frame on the OEM/Tiger leaves a lot to be desired. The depth is too little and by appearances its almost like it was laser cut as opposed to forged.

 

[Ign]

Any updates? Please!

 

[BK13]

Or a release time frame?

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

About 4 months, this one requires a lot of tooling.

 

[Djosbun]

Any prototype pictures available, or at the very least a drawing? Would be interested in seeing dimensions.

-- Dave

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Any prototype pictures available, or at the very least a drawing? Would be interested in seeing dimensions.

-- Dave

It was at SEMA in case someone happened to take an image, but I can't provide as I'm under a gag order

It's bigger

 

[signcrafter]

So currently astro has their ball joint kit and then the goliath frame. So this is going to be another frame? Is it only going to be for sockets or is it going to be for sockets or your ball joint cup adapters also? Just trying to figure out where this fits into the equation.

Or just send me a picture and I'll post it so you don't get into trouble. LOL

 

[CobraRed]

We saw it at their booth. No pictures that i know of.

Looked like a BJP1 frame but maybe longer. Grease fitting, stacking cups and adapters, square drive adapter for socket bushing pressing.

Doesn't look like the rest of AP line, looks expensive though.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Very interested, looking forward to the release.

 

[BK13]

About 4 months, this one requires a lot of tooling.

Thank you sir.

 

[Ign]

I think expensive is relative here - with a new BJP1 hovering around $800 I think if you could hit $400-450 retail it'd still be a contender esp if it truly works well.

I've gotta imagine with Asian manufacturing (hopefully Taiwan) you could cram a lot of decent metal in a blow mold case for ~$400 retail? Maybe I'm wrong?

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Putting a kit together to match what we're starting to make from currently available options would be $923.5 retail

 

[Ign]

Pricing AP above Snap On may be a hard sell?

 

[signcrafter]

Pricing AP above Snap On may be a hard sell?

I read it as if you put a kit together from other manufacturers to match the astro kit it would be 9xx.** dollars. Not that the astro kit is going to be 900 bucks.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I read it as if you put a kit together from other manufacturers to match the astro kit it would be 9xx.** dollars. Not that the astro kit is going to be 900 bucks.

Correct.

I can't say yet how much it will cost on the street, too many factors to consider. But you guys know Astro, I don't think you will be disappointed

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Ever thought about doing a line of adapters for powersports balljoints? ATV's, UTV's, etc. I went to do a set of RZR Turbo S ball joints a few weeks ago and found out none of my current adapters would work. I was able to easily make a set of cups, but most mechanics/technicians don't have the same level of fab tools I do. I later found out the standard RZR uses a different size joint, which means I get to make another set of adapters. Seems there is a decent market out there for an easily engineered product.

 

[kythri]

Question: Is this new ball joint kit in any way similar to the Cal-Van kit:

https://cal-vantools.com/products/c-frame-socket-press/

???

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Question: Is this new ball joint kit in any way similar to the Cal-Van kit

This particular product will not be a socket press per-say no, and 2.5 tones is about 10-15X short of our target. We forge our presses so you can use any impact on the market, milling some bar stock does not cut it

 

[Skin]

???
https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/BJPXR9/CONNECTED-BALL-JOINT-KIT/

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

???

Ours, albeit delayed by the global situation a bit, will be under Astro brand.
Also, charging more than a BJP1 for less features, less pieces and less applications is sort of the opposite direction we're going.
That's just this guy's opinion

 

[Skin]

Ours, albeit delayed by the global situation a bit, will be under Astro brand.
Also, charging more than a BJP1 for less features, less pieces and less applications is sort of the opposite direction we're going.
That's just this guy's opinion

I didn't think it was AP since you said 4 months not long ago and there was no socket adapter but wasn't sure. Just odd to see someone else throw their hat in the ring with a press with latching adapters with yours coming out soon as well.

I thought the price was outlandish as well. BJP1 base kit is $150 cheaper and US made. The Matco one, while looking nice, is probably Taiwan. They should of aimed to undercut by $150 instead.

Do you plan to have specialty adapters for control arm bushings also? Snap-on finally started coming out with some kits (Honda and Subaru most recently) but the price for the press adapters is insane. $350 just for the Honda kit.

 

[oilslick]

I'm interested too.

 

[Ign]

Just finished a training w Yukon Gear....guys were talking about Matco's new-ish BJ press....was sure wishing I could show them whatever AP has in the works!

 

[Skin]

The new Matco one is actually from OTC. It will probably be available to everyone else in a few months at half the price. Honestly surprises me though that Astro is going to be the only decent press on the market with an adapter for sockets. That's what i'm looking forward to since it some what bypasses needing to have a separate bushing press kit.