I got an "Alltrade" (When I got it the box said powerbuilt?) piston ring compressor set. It has some raised bumps inside the band (where the hooks for the handle were attached I believe) and it turns out those bumps actually scored the piston.

When I look at pictures on amazon and other places, they all seem exactly the same. Who sells a decent set of pliers-type piston ring compressors that won't mar my pistons when I use them?

I'm thinking about maybe trying the typical 2-band ring compressor next. The pliers type just seemed tricky to use/hard to hold the same pressure on the tool while pushing the piston in. Ideally I'd have a full array of the ARP tapered compressors, but that isn't feasible for me right now, so I just want a more universal set.

Thanks!

 

This is the one I have... http://www.wonderbart.com/2009/04/ne...c-clip-pliers/ 94

 

I think this is the one i have. It was years ago and repackaged by matco.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-26...tools-850.aspx

 

fcm - yeah, thats a 2 band. Just wondering what brand of scissor/pliers type ring compressors people have.

Chiovnidca - Those look exactly like the ones i have. I'm a bit wary about buying another set of what might be exactly what i already have.

 

I use the snap on scissor style ring compressor. I haven't had any problems scoring the piston. maybe you just have to use the tool a little more, make sure when you get to the ring section of the piston, that your compressor is sitting flat and square on the block or you might be catching rings on the way down. They should lightly to moderately "tap" in, depending on how much chamfer you have on the block. But you shouldn't be "striking" them in. Hope this helps.

 

This is the best picture I could get of the problem. in the innermost band, you can see the raised bumps. They scraped against the piston so much it actually rubbed the black paint off the tool.

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/895...essorbumps.jpg