Bought the Sun Optics Spring Compressor

E Bay has the Sun Optics Spring Compressor listed with a "make a offer"! I made them a offer and now it is on the way.

I have a "Home Made" spring compressor that works, however I am really looking forward to getting this one. One of those things you don't HAVE to have, but is NICE to have!

have you used it much ?   how are you liking yours ? 

So what was your offer?  Did it include shipping?

I won one today at the Texas airgun show in the raffle, as well as a Sun Optics Shorty Forty scope, and a .22 Benjamin Nitro Piston rifle and scope. People thought I was absolutely NUTS for buying $50 worth of tickets, until I started raking in the bounty! 

These airgun event raffles are literally the ONLY gambling I ever do, but recognize good odds when I see 'em. 

I see the Sun Optics Spring Compressor on Amazon.

It looks identical to the one B-Square use to sell several years ago, but I don't think they sold them for very long.

I have a B-Square one, and it works very well... I mounted a couple pieces of oak to the long carriage bolts so that I can clamp it down to my workbench when I use it...

I worked successfully on springers without a spring compressor for about 20 years, but I finally got tired of wresting with springs so I also bought the same unit by Sun Optics.  I've used it on two rifles so far and it worked just fine.  

Now, maybe I was missing the point somewhere, but personally I found it useful to make two of my own jigs not covered by anything that came with the compressor.  One is merely a short piece of dowel rod, while the other one is of a slightly-more-complex design.

The design and materials of the compressor itself are quite robust.  But, like a lot of things, figuring out how to start using the (few in this case) accessories and adjustments can be the trickiest steps, especially for safe and secure operation.  I've think I've got it covered now.  I don't know why I waited so long to buy one, but I can finally say, 'mission accomplished'.

Posted by: ekmeister

Now, maybe I was missing the point somewhere, but personally I found it useful to make two of my own jigs not covered by anything that came with the compressor.  One is merely a short piece of dowel rod, while the other one is of a slightly-more-complex design.

Yeah, you might have to make an "adapter", depending on the air rifle... I had to make one, using a piece of wood, to fit the end-cap of my RWS Model 45.

I also use some pieces of leather on the two end contact pieces to protect the gun from marring.

I think it did come with some sort of adapter... now I have to figure out where I put it !

"It looks identical to the one B-Square use to sell several years ago, but I don't think they sold them for very long."

Probably more than coincidence that Sun Optics and B-Square are both in Fort Worth. I've found both companies sell excellent products at reasonable prices.

Posted by: airmojo

Yeah, you might have to make an "adapter", depending on the air rifle... I had to make one, using a piece of wood, to fit the end-cap of my RWS Model 45...

I think it did come with some sort of adapter... now I have to figure out where I put it !

I was too embarrassed to say it, but now I can: What is that thing for and where does it go?  lol. 

I just now went and looked at the silver-colored factory adapter again based on this post to refresh my memory.  It has a hardened roll pin on one end, and a slot on the other.  The roll pin will only fit into one end of the compressor, the end opposite the handle that you turn.  I gave it a little thought and a light bulb went on.

I remember working on some rifles (such as maybe an older BSA model?) that had a pin in the way of the trigger assembly if you wanted to remove the spring.  You had to 'span' the pin with 'something' in order to compress the trigger assembly enough to release the tension on the pin, remove the pin with a punch, and thus remove the trigger assy, spring, piston, etc.  Once upon a time I made my own adapter to do that (it got lost somewhere because my need for it was very-rare).  But, the adapter that comes with the compressor has a pretty deep slot that looks like it might be wide enough and deep enough to span such pins and thus do the job I just described.  Maybe that's what it's for.  I guess I'll find out if I ever get one of those rifles back in here again.

Ed... do you have a photo of that adapter ?

I found the instructions for my B-Square spring compressor, but it does not mention the adapter nor does it have an image of it.

I know it came with something... I looked all over for it, but can't seem to locate it, and I rarely ever throw anything away.

I probably put it somewhere special so that I could find it when I needed it ! Hah ! That never seems to work !

Posted by: airmojo

Ed... do you have a photo of that adapter ?

Yes, I do now.  HTH. 

BTW, some of the things I've lost myself were ones placed in one of those special places so I could find them later.  In this case the adapter and few other parts that came with the compressor sit right next to it in the same closet, in a sealed Ziploc bag (so nothing can fall out and/or get lost, at least in theory).

Thanks Ed... now I know what to look for... it's gotta be around here somewhere.

I usually keep all my airgun tools, parts, springs, etc in one or two places... maybe if I look for something else, it will turn up ! ? 

Posted by: airmojo

Thanks Ed... now I know what to look for... it's gotta be around here somewhere.

I usually keep all my airgun tools, parts, springs, etc in one or two places... maybe if I look for something else, it will turn up ! ? 

If and when you find it, maybe you could paint it bright red or some florescent color so it won't happen again.  I'm sitting here looking at the screen and in silver I could see how it might be all but invisible among other misc. tools, parts, etc.

Posted by: ekmeister

If and when you find it, maybe you could paint it bright red or some florescent color so it won't happen again.  I'm sitting here looking at the screen and in silver I could see how it might be all but invisible among other misc. tools, parts, etc.

I might of used it in one of my tinkering projects... it maybe part of a lamp, varmint trap, squirrel catapult... God only knows !

The hunt is on !

Ed... I found it while looking for something else !

Right in one of the places that I thought it was... just too much other stuff in the way !