Heavy tools

[pauleyman]

I just broke my larger bearing separator. What brand do you guys prefer for high stress tools? I don't do it enough to justify OTC but I also don't want harbor freight crap.

 

[pauleyman]

Nobody? bearing separator? Press plates? Preferred brands?

 

[motomattx]

Well, the preferred brand for me is OTC, which you already poo poo'd, other than that its the Freight of the Harbor, or even parts store brands.

 

[Dericsh]

I like OTC also, but I get price shopping. I’ve found some quality tools from Eastwood that looked like they came from the same manufacturer as some of my Matco stuff. Have you checked there?

 

[pauleyman]

I didn't say I didn't like OTC, I just don't use this stuff often enough. May be worth looking at.

 

[saturn345]

I have snap on. OTC and Proto Brands. Some I bought used or at flea markets.
Press plates I just use the ones that came with my aff press setup
I have in my garage.

 

[Jk's97DSM]

All my stuff is expensive. We have 2X hub Grapplers, 2x SnapOn balljoint kits, a (mueller?) hub kit.

 

[twicks69]

So how big do you want?? I made my own press stands and have some fairly healthy sized splitters and can give recommendations.

How heavy duty of a press are you using and what are you disassembling?

In the photo, smallest is an OTC 1122 splitter with OTC 7393 push puller, medium is an OTC 1123 splitter, and the big boy is an OTC 1126 (threaded rod is 14" long, tool has a 7-1/8" spacing between rods, 5/8"-8" spread) -- it is huge. Otherwise the OTC1130 has a 9" spread with 5/8"-18 threaded rods, I used this one and it is less bulky than the 1126 model. The 1130 also works with the 927 puller bridge components.

My press stands are 1/2" thick plate with 5"x5" upper and 5"x8" lower plates with 4"x4" square stock, 6", 9" and 14" lengths, and are plenty durable.

I just looked back at my purchase history, man were things cheap back when I bought them! Prices have nearly tripled.... that is also a reminder to people that have property insurance or business insurance.... reflect your coverage to replace your parts for current inflation. I should have had much higher coverage numbers for my losses.

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[pauleyman]

In the photo, smallest is an OTC 1122 splitter with OTC 7393 push puller, medium is an OTC 1123 splitter, and the big boy is an OTC 1126 (threaded rod is 14" long, tool has a 7-1/8" spacing between rods, 5/8"-8" spread) -- it is huge. Otherwise the OTC1130 has a 9" spread with 5/8"-18 threaded rods, I used this one and it is less bulky than the 1126 model. The 1130 also works with the 927 puller bridge components.

My press stands are 1/2" thick plate with 5"x5" upper and 5"x8" lower plates with 4"x4" square stock, 6", 9" and 14" lengths, and are plenty durable.

I just looked back at my purchase history, man were things cheap back when I bought them! Prices have nearly tripled.... that is also a reminder to people that have property insurance or business insurance.... reflect your coverage to replace your parts for current inflation. I should have had much higher coverage numbers for my losses.

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I've got a 20 ton press (not Harbor freight). I've gotten by with just one bearing splitter for years. I do have a smaller cheap ass one but the only thing I do with it is remove stuck on 5th gears on the intermediate shaft. I'll have to take some measurements of what I have. I can probably salvage the one I have. The bolts are trash but the plates are ok I think. ON a whim I just picked up another splitter because I happened to see it piled in with some other stuff on facebook marketplace. Ever heard of RIMAC? It's stamped part num 1899 USA. It was owned by an old mechanic so who knows where it came from. Guy my age is liquidating his fathers tools. I think alot of it was already gone except stuff most people don't want....like who really owns a bearing splitter besides crazy dsmers?

 

[twicks69]

Press tools are the ones I snatch up along with old dealer tools!

 

[pauleyman]

Internet has failed me. RIMAC is apparently well known for certain thing but I can't find squat about their hand tools. Apparently they are THE company for valve spring testers. Like HUGE and they recently started making some manual valve spring tester they used to make back in the 50s and 60s.

 

[pauleyman]

Has anybody heard of Rimac???

 

[twicks69]

I only know them for their spring testers.

 

[pauleyman]

I only know them for their spring testers.

Same company but apparently they made hand tools also.

 

[Dericsh]

Looks like you’re the guinea pig, Paul.