Lisle 19500 Ring Compressor

Just as needed

Handy little tool and worked perfectly for what I needed to do which was install a new piston in a two-stroke small engine

Works as it should. Ok price.

Good strong sturdy tool to compress piston rings. Very cheap price. Quick shipping

Just what I needed

Not correct design for my application. Did not open .

It is a simple tool to use, well made, and necessary for small engine repair. I purchased a CHEAP Chinese air compressor. Every dealer selling PCP compressors will tell you not to waste your money on one. If you would like to learn about engine repair. and save yourself a bundle. This tool is a must. The Chinese compressors sell pistons, connecting rods rings, sleeves, heads, and more. But you will probably need this tool if you want to go that rout.

First, let me say that I rarely review products, so if I do, it's usually for a very good reason. I have built more engines than I can remember (I work as a Mercedes/Smart tech and rebuild engines on a regular basis both at work and as side jobs). I have good factory tools at work, but I got this to use at home (I used to have a better tool, but long story short, don't lend tools to people you can't trust to return them). This compressor is difficult to use and has sharp edges (I cut myself on it). More importantly, it is not completely/perfectly round, and even when oiled generously, it twists when pushing the piston out of it, creating a gap at the bottom potentially allowing the rings to expand before they enter the cylinder. I did several cylinders without issue, but eventually I guess the end of one of the oil control rings lined up with a gap in the tool. The oil rings are so thin/fragile and the compression rings and tool so tight that I didn't even notice an increased force, but the last 1/4 inch of an oil control ring was bent and pulled out of the groove (flat against the piston). I didn't notice anything was wrong until I had pushed the piston most of the way down in the cylinder. By that point, I had a significant score in the cylinder wall of a brand new Mercedes AMG engine block that had already been over-bored to the safe limit (and, of course, the ring was ruined). Maybe I can find a shop that can replace the cylinder sleeve, if the part is even available... If not, I'll be buying my customer another new AMG engine block (ridiculously expensive, even by Mercedes standards). Not to mention I now need to pay for a new custom forged piston and ring set. I saved a few dollars by buying this tool, but it cost me enough money to buy a modest new car (not to mention the several month delay to fix the situation will probably loose me a good customer).Perhaps this is a rare occurrence, and/or maybe I'm just incompetent (hard to believe with the factory training and years of experience I have, but who knows...). If not, this is a very poor tool, and a risk not worth taking.Even if my incident is unlikely, the tool is difficult/inconvenient to use and if yours is as sharp as mine, you can easily cut yourself pretty badly. There are much better options out there for not much more money.The best ring compressors are the engine specific ones that only fit one size. Assuming you want a more universal tool, I recommend getting a plier set such as the OTC 4838 set. I have no experience with that particular set, but will be buying it to replace this tool. (Even if I wanted to use this tool again, which I do not, I was rather upset when it failed, and there is not much left of it.)

Works well. Good value for the price. A professional may opt for a kit with more options & sizes.

Works well for small engines such as lawn mowers and snowblower, etc. I note another reviewer points out the small dents, Those are there for a purpose--to prevent the compressor spring steel from entering the piston bore. The dents should be there. The one size up that the same manufacturer sells will also work, but this model means you have less extra spring steel to deal with and is therefore easier to work with. A trick is to loosen the spring, tighten the spring loosely by hand, then use the key to snug (not with 300 lbs of torque...just moderately). I don't expect this to last a lifetime...spring steel rarely does. But for the money it is good and I would buy again.

I have used it with small flathead v8 rings and larger 300 i6 rings and it always works great! Never had a complaint about Lisle tools. They have always gotten the job done for a good price. I find their products to be a step above similarly priced Mastercraft or Power Fist products.

Item worked. But there’s better quality and the compressor is to hard to fully close at some point. Did the job but wished i bought another one.

As described, happy with the product.