universal hub puller brands (OT)

[Norm's Coupe]

Ryan,

What you do is tell her you also need that tool for doing those "Honey Do" jobs around the house. Then the tool is also for doing things for her and not the car.

[bob_amos]

Yes, The Snap-On one was expensive but I am a professional and make a living with my tools so it was worth the price to me. Even over 20 years ago when I got mine it was expensive. But it is the absolute best. But that one from OTC is every bit as good and not as expensive. And... much safer to boot.. Again, this is not a place to buy cheap. Buy a good tool as it is doing some heavy duty work here that could be dangerous if the tool isn't up to the job. The OTC tool defenately is and less expensive.

[Merle Coggins]

I'm with Bob on this one. Once you're used to quality tools, it's hard to imagine buying a cheap knock of tool. I've got a mix of Shap-on, Matco, Mac, and Craftsman, Truecraft, Great Neck, Blackhawk, etc. There is a distinct difference between the two grades of tool manufacturers. There is also a distinct difference in the prices, but when a cheaper tool breaks or damages a fastener while doing a job, you'll use up the money saved in time spend correcting the situation. I also understand that if you don't work someplace where these tool distributors stop in, it can be difficult to purchase these tool brands.

Of the big 3, and you can probably throw Cornwell in there too, I tend to migrate towards Matco. Primarily because we've had the same Matco distributor coming to our shop since before I started working there 21 years ago. In that same time frame there have been at least 8 different Snap-on guys, 5 Mac guys, and a couple of different Cornwell guys. And with a lot of dead time between tool guys it's hard to be loyal to a brand if the service isn't there. I know that the Matco guy will be there every Tuesday, unless he has told us it wont be. That's why I bought my puller from him. Plus I know it's a quality tool which shouldn't give me any problems. But if it does, I also know he'll stand behind it.

Merle

[Norm's Coupe]

I will agree for the professional mechanic, you should probably spend the extra money for high quality tools. However, there are good tools for the backyard mechanic out there for much less the price. As an example, I bought a basic set of tools back in the mid 60's from JC Whitney for about $40 or $50. Consisted of:

1/2" Drive Socket set up to 1"

1 - 1/2" drive 12" breaker bar

1 - 1/2" drive 4" extension

1/4" Drive Socket set w/nut driver included in the set**

A set of wrenches up to 3/4"

A set of small thin wrenches for such things as tune ups

A set of allan wrenches**

A set of feeler gauges

A set of screwdrivers**

1 pair of pliers

1 hack saw

1 hammer

1 metal tool box that it all came in**

I have used and over abused these tools since the 60's on cars and other projects. As of today, I still have and use all those items, except those with the stars behind them. The small socket set was poor quality and didn't last long under even my use.

All the wrenches and 1/2" drive socket set were made by a company named Industro. As for the ratchet with that set, I'd match it up with any of the big name professional ratchets today. In fact, it will probably out last the professional quality today. Even when I was pulling my engine a professional mechanic was helping me in my garage and using my tools. Even he could not believe I bought those from JC Whitney back in the 60's and the quality. As for the ratchet that came with the set, it has battle wounds on the handle from where I've hit it with a hammer for getting off something that didn't want to come off. So, it's seen a lot of abuse over the years.

At a flee market/swap meet a few years ago I found another old set of Industro 3/8" drive sockets and ratchet made about the same time. It was still in the original carrying case and got it for only $7. It's the same quality as my 1/2" drive and was complete so bought it.

I will agree that today when you see new sets selling real cheap, they will probably only last for one or two uses, if that. However, mid range tools are usually ok for us non professionals.

[Normspeed]

I still consider Craftsman to be a good non-professional brand although I wouldn't consider the exchange-guarantee a done deal anymore. Bob Amos is right on pro quality stuff. When you're using a tool repeatedly in a shop environment, it pays to get the best.

BTW, I was fortunate to visit Bob's shop a while back, passing through on a trip to the mountains. Wow!. He covers a lot of ground. When I arrived he was apparently standing upright inside the left rear quarter panel of a giant motorhome, working on the intricacies of the lighting systems. Man gets into his work. Vintage cars? I counted at least 4 including his very nice classic 60's Chevy six cylinder daily driver.

[bob_amos]

Thanks for the good words Norm. I agree with you guys on the non pro using tools that are not quite as expensive as the ones we use. But to tell you the truth, while I also have loads of Snap-On, Mac, Matco and Cornwell tools, I also have some Craftsman tools. Their sockets are thinner walled and do get into tight dash area that the others won't. Oh, I have sockets and such from the high priced guys too but always use the tool that does the job well and safely. At home I have some Harbor Freight tools as they are not put under the same stress as the ones at the shop. But, I also have the good stuff where it is called for. I just wanted to make a point on this puller. There is no need to purchase the Snap-On unit but don't buy the cheap one either. The damage and injury that can result from a low quality tool being asked to do more than it was designed to can be life ending. If it were me I'd go for that OTC puller as I know it will do the job well and safely at a reasonable price.

[Guest 50Plymouth]

I received and successfully used the "cheap" puller. I for one am pleased with it and consider it a go for someone who will use it only on rare occasion.

I would say it is definitely superior to the 'oft dreaded HF-ish quality you encounter with poor casts and odd looking forged jobs (please, lets remember not all imports are of equal quality, hardly). I also had my hands on one of the much smaller JC Whitney type smaller pullers and I would whole heartily feel far more comfortable and certain of a successful job using this heavier type puller. $58 well spent for an occasional weekend garage-guy.

[Norm's Coupe]

I received and successfully used the "cheap" puller. I for one am pleased with it and consider it a go for someone who will use it only on rare occasion.

I would say it is definitely superior to the 'oft dreaded HF-ish quality you encounter with poor casts and odd looking forged jobs (please, lets remember not all imports are of equal quality, hardly). I also had my hands on one of the much smaller JC Whitney type smaller pullers and I would whole heartily feel far more comfortable and certain of a successful job using this heavier type puller. $58 well spent for an occasional weekend garage-guy.

Glad you had good results with the puller. Like you say, that puller will probably become a permanent stationary fixture in your tool cabinet now. Using less expensive tools for the weekend warriors like us usually works out ok. That goes for all types of tools. I know someone who bought about $2,000 worth of professional welding equipment over 20 years ago to rebuild their car. Today, that same equipment might run as high as $4,000 or more. However, since he finished the welding work on the car 20 years ago the equipment sits idle, except for making some small yard ornament about ever three years or so. By contrast, I have about $200 in welding equipment and it's done every job I need or want to do since buying it in the late 90's. That same person who owns the expensive welding equipment also bought a flame burner to cut out heavy steel a few years ago. He's only used it once to try it out. So, unless you are professional using the equipment on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, it just doesn't pay to invest all that money in the high priced tools and equipment.

I feel the same way about the rotary equipment for working on the bodies of the cars. Cost for one of those is about $2,000, not to count the area required to set it up. If you only plan on working on one car, it's cheaper to have the work done than invest the money in one of those.

[Guest 50Plymouth]

I've got a dilemma now I bought some tools at a mechanics estate auction and later found I had three different types of heavy duty pullers. One is a super heavy duty universal striking Hub puller that says made in USA I believe it may be a Chrysler manufacturer puller of some type because he had so many specialty shop tools for Chrysler and some ford.

Compared to my import MPP puller (which worked just great) this thing is BEEFY. I am torn between selling the once-used tool or selling this new acquisition which is worth more.. hmmm..

The other pullers are heavy duty too but I don't know what they are called. One is a Y shape an inch thick three arm puller made in USA. The other is a giant circle with holes and center bolt.

This may force me to dip my toe into eBay waters I guess.. speak up if someone needs a puller.

[Norm's Coupe]

Actually, the same hub puller was used for both Ford and Mopar. Before I bought my puller a Ford guy lent me his to use. They are both the same. I would keep all those tools if you got them cheap enough. Never know when they will be needed.

Pullers are like floor jacks and engine hoist. I used one of my floor jacks a couple of years ago out in the yard. Had to pull two fence post out of the ground. Got out the jack, attached a chain to the post and hooked it onto the jack. Had a board under the jack so it would not sink into the ground. Jacked the post right out of the ground without digging. Only took a few minutes, no strain and lots of gain. My brother in law also uses his engine hoist to pull roots out of the ground. I have a heartland shed behind the garage. One of the concrete stones under the support broke. Plan on using my hoist to lift up the shed and slide a new stone in it's place, then lower it. Have to think outside of the box sometimes.

[Young Ed]

Norm one time in the junkyard we couldn't get the front bumper off a 39-47 panel truck. So we jacked the bumper up until the bolts ripped through the frame and we had a bumper!