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M635_Guy

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 5, 2019
Messages
4,334
Location
NC
I'm always amazed at the number of comments and YouTube videos talking about the dangers of DIY strut compressors. The consensus seems to be, it's not worth the risk, either buy the full strut assembly, or send it to a shop with the (enclosed) equipment to rebuild it.

Mike

I used this style spring compressor when I changed the top mount bearings on my wife’s mustang last year. It was a bit disappointing, none of the excitement or feeling of danger you get with traditional spring compressors
6EF80D1E-C129-418A-8191-DF0154D82BD1.jpeg
The kind stuff @mikeinri is referring to (including several on-camera accidents/incidents by pro mechanics) is exactly why I got a compressor like that one years ago. It's been awesome. I'm never going to touch a claw-design if I can help it.
 
Last edited:

Komet

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 27, 2022
Messages
287
Location
WA
Got tired of using adjustable wrenches on these common sizes, scored NOS 13/16 and 7/8 Craftsman USA units off ebay to match my sets.

20230404_173422.jpg

My preference for 12pt combos is growing. I'd rather have the access and take the risk on overall less bite area. So far they haven't slipped with an impact banging on the other end of rusty fasteners and threads.
 

Squankum

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
7,685
Location
Southeast
I'd like to have one of those ratchets, but l have to quit buying tools just to have them.
It's not like I don't have probably at least 15 ratchets that size.

Yeah, I only recently discovered Ko-ken, and I'm resisting their ratchets for the same reason. And for the reason that I've now discovered my last and final Snap On Dual 80 purchase -- normal length 3/8" dr. comfort grip with quick release button. One my stupid ratchet urges is a 1/2" dr. foot-long Dual 80 just like it but the price vs. how often I'd use is just a terrible ratio. And used ones seem pretty uncommon.

I do consider other Ko-ken tools here and there, but ratchets? Meh. I think I'm done.
 

Squankum

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
7,685
Location
Southeast
I used this style spring compressor when I changed the top mount bearings on my wife’s mustang last year. It was a bit disappointing, none of the excitement or feeling of danger you get with traditional spring compressors
6EF80D1E-C129-418A-8191-DF0154D82BD1.jpeg

I got one like this in the past year and it was a nice, safer feeling, but it fell short on my BMW strut job for the following reasons:

a) there's no tab on the bottom of the pipe/housing to put that in the vise (and I can't weld), so...

2) the width of my vise jaws (4.5") prevented the compressor from compressing enough that I could really get the top nut tightened properly, which I didn't really know until the test drive and the occasional big klunk. Then the 1,000 mi journey north and back... klunk.

On the redo, I fear I'll be going as far as I can with this, then adding Ye Old Timey threaded shaft compressors to go further. Whee.

Or (glances at pic above) do it without the compressor mounted in a vise! (slap own forehead) ...
 

JWC86

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 4, 2021
Messages
270
853AE782-8478-45D4-8570-3B268DB7E8C4.jpeg

A few random items.

I bought the socket holder for my Astro magnetic 1/4 set, they have become my most used set but I had them on a rail which was annoying to get on and off. This was on sale for $10 so figured I would try it. I had no idea what I would use the top row for, I was hoping my swivel 1/4 set I picked up recently would fit but no luck.

D6263C74-EF61-4F56-8F6B-19D6CDAF0155.jpeg
I have some magnetic metric bit drivers that were on one of those bit rails, again annoying to use. This makes them much more accessible but it’s driving my OCD crazy. Going to use it for a bit and see what I come up with.
C2C79B41-DE97-43AB-9EA8-F2A97313DC15.jpeg
 
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bubinga

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 26, 2014
Messages
12,744
Location
Bridgeport Ohio. (Across River From Wheeling WV)
853AE782-8478-45D4-8570-3B268DB7E8C4.jpeg

A few random items.

I bought the socket holder for my Astro magnetic 1/4 set, they have become my most used set but I had them on a rail which was annoying to get on and off. This was on sale for $10 so figured I would try it. I had no idea what I would use the top row for, I was hoping my swivel 1/4 set I picked up recently would fit but no luck.

D6263C74-EF61-4F56-8F6B-19D6CDAF0155.jpeg
I have some magnetic metric bit drivers that were on one of those bit rails, again annoying to use. This makes them much more accessible but it’s driving my OCD crazy. Going to use it for a bit and see what I come up with.
C2C79B41-DE97-43AB-9EA8-F2A97313DC15.jpeg
Where is that rack from? l like it.
 

assassin10000

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 11, 2022
Messages
371
Here's mine from the first time I used it:
0P0GtX.jpg
aAuDEB.jpg

Have used it many times since, but don't have pix. I like this tool a lot. I'm still very respectful of the damn spring though...
Is that a chinesium one?

I think the eastwood or even the dual spc might be a safer bet.
 

M635_Guy

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 5, 2019
Messages
4,334
Location
NC
Is that a chinesium one?

I think the eastwood or even the dual spc might be a safer bet.
I'm not sure what you mean. Both of the spring compressors you're referring to are also MiC. It's pretty clear the Eastwood is made in the same factory as mine.

I've used this one on at least a half a dozen of our cars over the years, helped a buddy replace his wife's struts and loaned it to several friends as well. It's a fine tool, though I'd love to have the better case I see on the newer ones.
 

M635_Guy

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 5, 2019
Messages
4,334
Location
NC
I got one like this in the past year and it was a nice, safer feeling, but it fell short on my BMW strut job for the following reasons:

a) there's no tab on the bottom of the pipe/housing to put that in the vise (and I can't weld), so...

2) the width of my vise jaws (4.5") prevented the compressor from compressing enough that I could really get the top nut tightened properly, which I didn't really know until the test drive and the occasional big klunk. Then the 1,000 mi journey north and back... klunk.

On the redo, I fear I'll be going as far as I can with this, then adding Ye Old Timey threaded shaft compressors to go further. Whee.

Or (glances at pic above) do it without the compressor mounted in a vise! (slap own forehead) ...
I have mounted mine in my roto vise (jaws rotated just short of 90° to offer some angle, but just using it on the bench seems be as good as anything.
 

bubinga

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 26, 2014
Messages
12,744
Location
Bridgeport Ohio. (Across River From Wheeling WV)
I'm not sure what you mean. Both of the spring compressors you're referring to are also MiC. It's pretty clear the Eastwood is made in the same factory as mine.

I've used this one on at least a half a dozen of our cars over the years, helped a buddy replace his wife's struts and loaned it to several friends as well. It's a fine tool, though I'd love to have the better case I see on the newer ones.
If you're a woodworker make your own case!
 

M635_Guy

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 5, 2019
Messages
4,334
Location
NC
If you're a woodworker make your own case!
Oof - I'm mainly just a doofus in my garage. And I'm picky. If I was going to make a case, it would likely be for some something I use more and value.

I've toyed with the idea of seeing if one of the companies currently selling the tool would sell me just the case since the new ones are nearly identical to mine, but I doubt they'd be set up to do it or want to bother.
 

bubinga

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 26, 2014
Messages
12,744
Location
Bridgeport Ohio. (Across River From Wheeling WV)
Oof - I'm mainly just a doofus in my garage. And I'm picky. If I was going to make a case, it would likely be for some something I use more and value.

I've toyed with the idea of seeing if one of the companies currently selling the tool would sell me just the case since the new ones are nearly identical to mine, but I doubt they'd be set up to do it or want to bother.
Yeah, they probably wouldn't want to bother 😢
 

Etchase

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 10, 2017
Messages
1,992
Location
Hawaii
My first extendable ratchet. Button locking flex is nice. I was dubious about the usefulness of extendable ratchets, but it does let you get within a couple inches of the maximum leverage space allows. I have no complaints about the quality of this tool. Surprisingly good fit and finish for $36. Firstinfo offers another Taiwan distributer offering good quality tools. What keeps this ratchet in the least used drawer is the bulkiness of having an extension mechanism. Unless I need a handle length I don’t have in a non-extendable ratchet, this one isn’t getting used.

E054E95B-A886-42FB-9372-56397F4F3F1C.jpeg
 
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