Do it yourself valve spring compressor Topic is solved

Post by **pvfjr** » 16 Apr 2015, 22:22

Hello all, I've been lurking around here while I work on a cheap project car I picked up. I ended up with a warped head that needs decked, so I figured I'd pull my valves myself to save some cost when I take it in to the machine shop.

It turns out, a valve spring compressor that *might* be capable of working on this silly head would have cost me about 1/4 or what I paid for the car. So I made one instead. I was just hoping that it might help someone else out in the future. All it cost me was two cheap harbor freight tools, and a 3/4" EMT conduit coupler. The conduit coupler allows the tool to reach down into the recess where the valve springs sit. It conveniently sits right around the outside of the spring retainer so it self-centers. I threw some tack welds on the inside of the coupler so there would be something there to interface with the spring retainer. After I made the tool, it only took me about 30 minutes to remove all 20 valves.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 16 Apr 2015, 22:33

Beautiful!

How tough was the welding? Did you use a torch or a MIG?

...Lee

Post by **pvfjr** » 16 Apr 2015, 22:43

Thanks!

And the welding was a piece of cake. I used my little 110V Lincoln Weldpak 3200HD. It's not the most powerful thing, but focusing the heat on the C-clamp helped. Those were definitely two pieces of metal of very different thickness, as the vise grip is just stamped sheet metal.

Post by **MrPc** » 17 Apr 2015, 09:16

I love it!

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 17 Apr 2015, 20:20

Nice tool - Awesome Vise!

Post by **pvfjr** » 17 Apr 2015, 21:41

BEJinFbk wrote:Nice tool - Awesome Vise!

Thanks, this was only the vise's second job. I LOVE that thing. I got it from gregsmithequipment when I was looking at automotive lifts. They only have 8 locations nationwide, but if you're lucky there might be one near you. Awesome store that I never really knew about before. It was only $220 or so, and I can fit a five gallon bucket in that thing! I don't know how I ever got by without it! Mounting was fun, it's 145 lbs...

You can see how tiny it made my old 5" vise look.

Mink · Post by **Mink** » 26 Feb 2024, 21:25

Yes, I'm aware that this is an old thread but I wanted to give credit to the OP - his creation works a treat! You might not see this, but thank you!

Post by **abscate** » 27 Feb 2024, 05:01

Could you throw a scale on that pic so we get dimensions please ?

Mink · Post by **Mink** » 27 Feb 2024, 14:53

abscate wrote: 27 Feb 2024, 05:01 Could you throw a scale on that pic so we get dimensions please ?

Sure, in fact I'll go one better and give you a parts list with prices.

1. Harbor Freight 6" quick-release C clamp, $8.99: https://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-qu ... -4140.html
2. Harbor Freight 6" Swivel Pad C-Clamp Locking Pliers, $4.99: https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tool ... 39534.html
3. Pro Connex 46521 3/4" EMT set screw coupling, $2.99 for bag of 5:https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sigma-Electric ... 1000152667

I already had a set of sacrificial locking pliers so I just had to buy the couplers and C-clamp. Just over $10 in my case. I can't imagine a purchased tool working any better.