strut compressor options

[freeskier]

i know these fall under the "most hated tool" list but i need a good one. i do struts often now and im looking for something that i dont despise using. what are my options under 300$

 

[autopts]

You will probablly get alot of referals but Branick makes one of the best. If you want a good one you might want a wall mount type.

 

[cashishift]

I would buy a wall mounted one if i did them frequently.

they appear to be much easier.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Strut-Compressors

 

[bobcatdan]

My buddy I do sidework with got a used, I want to say bishman? compressor used from his matco guy. Its a wall mount made in the USA pro unit. I think he paid $250 or 3 or it. It was about a 1/3 of new. I don't know if these come on craigslist too often, but I have seen them at larger swap meets, just never had the coin with to buy one there.

 

[RKA]

I have an RTI that I bought about 10 years back. It's one of those "portable" units that has a screw driven spine and two C shaped jaws to grab the spring. I remember paying about $350 or so for it. These days I see a number of similar designs popping up from companies. I like this design a lot.

 

[6-Speed]

I would buy a wall mounted one if i did them frequently.

they appear to be much easier.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Strut-Compressors

The floor mount compressor for $299 looks like a good one too.

 

[freeskier]

i have heard alot of good things about branick. ide like to avoide the clamshell types if possible

 

[xurusaibobx]

branicks is scary when you try to do some really stiff springs such as jaguar and toyotas...


OTC STRUT TAMER is the BEST strut compressor on the market today. so easy a caveman can do it! but it is pricey at about 800 bucks for the unit it self.

 

[freeskier]

ive seen the strut tamer in a few videos and i would love one but 350 is the upper end of my budget on this

 

[xurusaibobx]

if your doing side jobs and a lot of struts i would highly recommend you spending the extra for the strut tamer, it pays for it self within the week at my shop. cuts jobs in half and way safer to use because there is not way ever the spring can pop out

 

[BFBOB]

Not having ever done this, wouldn't it be possible to make a fixture to fit a floor press? Starting with, say, the HF 20T, looks like there's plenty of room to work. Or, if there's not enough space between the horizontal "table" members, looks like a good welding project to make a new one, fit to the struts. Or... maybe I'm completely off because the ram stroke isn't long enough? If any of this is practical, seems the best of both worlds, safe, sturdy tool with no extra floor space. accessories could sit down on the base when not in use.

 

[Motofixxer]

I bought one of these for about $70 Seems to work great, good design seems strong enough. I don't really see any quality issues. I have used it for about 8 struts so far.

MACPHERSON STRUT SPRING CLAMSHELL COMPRESSOR TOOL DELUXE NEW
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