Coil Spring Compressors - OTC vs. Branick

[The Critic]

Does anyone have experience with the OTC 6637 or the Branick 7600? I want one for my house. The shop has a Branick 7400 so I am familiar with how those operate, and I have been generally happy with the adjustability of the Branick design. I am unfamiliar with the OTC's adjustment capabilities and some vehicles we have service have smaller coil springs (with fewer coils) and/or “cockeyed” springs.

Also, the advertising literature on the OTC suggests a 4,000 pound maximum spring compression capacity versus the Branick's 3,000 pound limit…not sure how relevant that will be for my needs.

https://otctools.com/products/strut-tamer-ii-extreme
https://www.branick.com/product/7600-strut-spring-compressor/

 

[Timmastertech]

Honest answer is you need both. I have the OTC and a buddy has both the 7400 and 7600 Branicks and we both occasionally run to each others shops with struts we cant compress.

 

[D60]

I was told the OTC is the best (only?) way to do GMT900 springs. I want one for that reason alone, but they're not cheap.

 

[D60]

Any progress here? I'm considering the OTC. I recently did springs on a '19 Ranger and it seemed like it might be near the limit of my (relatively ancient) Branick MST580A. I have no idea what the Ranger springs spec at. It didn't really feel unsafe, but I had to crank on it pretty good, so more like "maxed out."

I guess I could also consider a 7600 instead but that seems like more of a lateral move??

The four individual arms of the OTC look pretty versatile/adjustable?

 

[The Critic]

@D60 - changed my mind, will not be investing in one.

 

[The Critic]

Bumping this thread - starting to revisit this topic. SK3500 seems to be worth a contender as well:

https://www.redlinestands.com/catal...JzeqVDC4z7Z5M3wx6216bFByiqsTHnRMcM_ysNaYwepyK

Are there any other models I should be considering?

 

[clinebarger]

The Branick 7600 is a good all around tool, I've done several sets of GMT900, K2x, & T1x struts in mine without issue. I'm sure there are struts it won't do....

I don't think Redline makes anything, It's all rebranded.

 

[The Critic]

I don't think Redline makes anything, It's all rebranded.

In this situation, Redline is just the exclusive vendor for the SK3500. Jack Tech Korea makes the product:

http://www.jacktechkorea.com/en/inc_html/sk-3500.html

 

[clinebarger]

Looks pretty versatile, Though I wouldn't like the upside down approach, Having to unload the spring in order to swap the strut in the upright position.....Or having to store it.

I paid @ $750 for my 7600 new, I see they're about twice that now.

 

[oilboy123]

In this situation, Redline is just the exclusive vendor for the SK3500. Jack Tech Korea makes the product:

http://www.jacktechkorea.com/en/inc_html/sk-3500.html

A little bit lost in translation on the video. But it looks like a nice set up. I see the item has fixed legs now, but they can unbolt.

I have an F150 I need to do Bilstein struts on at some point. I also would like to get Bilstein struts done for my daughter's Expedition as well. I now just need to spend the money and buy one. Maybe get her to subsidize some of the cost

Sounds like the Branick has been considered the best.
This looks like maybe a better design.......

 

[goblin]

Anyone in south-west Connecticut, feel free to borrow mine:

Post in thread 'New tool thread'

May 24, 2025

IloveitIloveitIloveitIloveit

• goblin

• 

Post in thread 'New tool thread'

May 27, 2025

IloveitIloveitIloveitIloveit


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BTW, it turned out that according to The Internet, Snap-On's own site, and most major search engines as well as Ai's - the above tool (Snap-On Macpherson Spring Compressor - AW91) simply doesn't exist
Nothing on it. Nada.

It does however show on FB Marketplace, historically, pops here and there on a semi-regular basis (there's even one currently for sale on Craigslist Boston).

It took me to get to a Russian search engine to be sent to Google's own patent listing page (which Google wasn't...

• goblin

• 

 

[wtd]

Bumping this thread - starting to revisit this topic. SK3500 seems to be worth a contender as well:

https://www.redlinestands.com/catal...JzeqVDC4z7Z5M3wx6216bFByiqsTHnRMcM_ysNaYwepyK

Are there any other models I should be considering?

I bought this model at the end of October before the price went up. I haven't used it yet but after watching a lot of videos of it and the other professional type compressors, this one seemed the easiest to use and set up.

 

[oilboy123]

I bought this model at the end of October before the price went up. I haven't used it yet but after watching a lot of videos of it and the other professional type compressors, this one seemed the easiest to use and set up.

Now that it is being advertised on here....... the price will probably go up.

 

[The Critic]

Now that it is being advertised on here....... the price will probably go up.

It already increased by 15% ($150).

 

[wtd]

It already increased by 15% ($150).

The price that I bought it at was a sale price and it had been on sale for a while. I knew the price was supposed to increase back to the normal price on November 1st so I bought it on October 31st.

 

[oilboy123]

The problem for me is buying it for 2 vehicles. Then not knowing if I'll use it anytime soon........ I will be turning 65 this Sept. Maybe sell it..... or start a rent a strut compressor service after the second job......

Or sell it to the shop who won't install anything but loaded struts, and is the shop my daughter takes her cars to. Though it is a home based shop.

 

[D60]

The problem for me is buying it for 2 vehicles. Then not knowing if I'll use it anytime soon........ I will be turning 65 this Sept. Maybe sell it..... or start a rent a strut compressor service after the second job......

Or sell it to the shop who won't install anything but loaded struts, and is the shop my daughter takes her cars to. Though it is a home based shop.

I'm a home based shop and own an ancient Branick (which I just used yesterday) and an OTC (which I'm too busy to mount and have never used). A spring compressor -- especially used -- is not a huge investment for any shop. This is like saying I'm a machine shop but I don't have a lathe. Or I'm a carpenter but don't have a basic table saw.

 

[The Critic]

I bought this model at the end of October before the price went up. I haven't used it yet but after watching a lot of videos of it and the other professional type compressors, this one seemed the easiest to use and set up.

Now that it is being advertised on here....... the price will probably go up.

JBTools just started carrying the SK-3500 last week and it's only $899:
https://www.jbtools.com/jack-tech-mobile-strut-and-spring-compressor-sk3500/

 

[oilboy123]

Awesome find Critic....... Thank thank you. You must have done a bit of googling to find that?

I just pulled the trigger. I'm not sure how soon I'll be using it yet. But with the discount now was the time.

I was wrong I can use this for at least 3 vehicles........ I forgot my 2016 Focus will need the front struts done not too far in the future. I'll let everyone know how it goes. Keeps me from wrestling with my other dinky spring compressors. The Expedition/F150 springs are pretty stout. I'll feel a lot less stress now with the SK3500. Plus I can use some struts like Bilstein

 

[The Critic]

You must have done a bit of googling to find that?

I had a stock alert set for the SK-3000. It too, came back in-stock last week -- but they only had 5 and it sold out quickly. I somehow stumbled across the SK-3500 on their site; it was previously exclusive to Redline.