Review on Cal Van Tools 95400 Puller Master by Loren Schmidt

I bought this tool to remove dowel pins from a Toyota 22RE engine block. I had previously tried removing them with pliers, but aborted the mission before chewing on the pins too much. I checked YouTube and found a video about this tool, so I decided to risk it. Impressive. I'm glad I did. When the tool first arrived, I was a bit disappointed at first. Not a big fan of their galvanized parts, although the collets themselves are pretty well made. The tool doesn't look like China or India or anything, but I'd rather the main threaded center rod be hardened steel (or at least something other than zinc plated). However, I just used this tool and I have to say wow wow wow. it worked amazingly well. A few tips: 1. Throw away your pucks. They only create problems and you don't need them. Instead, make sure you use plenty of good quality lubricant on the threads as well as on surfaces that will be pressed down.2. Soak the pin to be removed in WD40 for several hours. Then sand the sides with 320 grit sandpaper. Clean with a B12 chemical tool (or any carburetor cleaner) and compressed air. Make sure the inside of the collet is also clean and dry.3. There is no need to drive the collet or sleeve over the collet; The threaded rod shrinks the collet nicely and puts more than enough pressure on the sides of the locating pin. Just be sure to put some grease on the cone fitting where the collet enters the collet portion, as well as the threads that screw into the back of the collet (and on the surface where the center nut contacts the collet). I used two hand wrenches even though I have percussion instruments. It's better to feel how much torque you're applying. When installing the main part on the collet, I used two adjustable wrenches and that was it. I applied enough torque but not enough not to dislodge the threads.5. Slide the outer sleeve down and over the threaded post and apply a fair amount of lube to the nut and the top of the outer sleeve where the nut sits - again the washers provided are too thick so it's easier to use some lube . . I think if I was going to use this tool all the time I would probably shorten it by about .125" and buy two washers and a deep groove needle bearing to use with it. However, for occasional use, the lubrication between the top nut and the outer sleeve should be sufficient 6. Tighten the top nut, done. a little and use the inner rod to push the collet out. Once the collet is out of the sleeve, it should open and allow the pin to come out with little effort. If the pin is stuck, you can always unscrew the shank and use a brass mandrel to push it through the threaded hole on the back of the collet. flywheels etc.