rmsmith 1 #1 September 6, 2005 I'm still trying to find a rigger's seal press that is of the quality typical of snap-on tools. My 28-year old ParaGear seal press still works, but it is poorly made, IMHO. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ripcord4 0 #2 September 6, 2005 Wait a minute....your 28 year old seal press still works, but is poorly made? What else do you have that is still working after 28 years? BTW, my ParaGear seal press is still working after 35 years and I do not consider it poorly made. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #3 September 6, 2005 Yes, they are poorly made, but they are made tough. I have never heard of another source for a seal press or the press inserts. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #4 September 6, 2005 Here's what I found Googling "lead seal press" http://eng.grabadosomella.com/productos/tenazas.htm Edited to add: I am still on my original one as well, since 1989.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nitrochute 2 #5 September 6, 2005 COME ON! if it was so poorly made ,it would have broken years ago.if you want something better,why dont you have it gold plated or something.then you could brag to your buddies about how much better yours is than theirs.after all isnt that what youre really whining about? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #6 September 6, 2005 Dang! My shoddy, third-rate, Para-Gear seal press is still going strong after 21 years and 3200 repacks. How did I ever get this far with such a miserable tool? Horror of horrors! Shock and outrage! What a scandal! What is this world coming to? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerRamjet 0 #7 September 6, 2005 I bought mine in 1973. It's been hanging on the garage wall for 25 years now. Just got it down when I read this thread and tried it out; yup, still works perfectly. I don't know where I bought it though, I think Jeff Searles (owner of Z-Hills commercial center and Master Rigger who trained me) got it for me when I finished the rigger course at Z-Hills. I would say from looking at mine, that it is very well made. It has no markings on it whatsoever, do any of yours? ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ripcord4 0 #8 September 6, 2005 QuoteI bought mine in 1973. It's been hanging on the garage wall for 25 years now. Just got it down when I read this thread and tried it out; yup, still works perfectly. I don't know where I bought it though, I think Jeff Searles (owner of Z-Hills commercial center and Master Rigger who trained me) got it for me when I finished the rigger course at Z-Hills. I would say from looking at mine, that it is very well made. It has no markings on it whatsoever, do any of yours? My ParaGear obtained press says "Amer. Casting & M Co, Plainview, NY Made in USA" No other identification on the press. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggermick 7 #9 September 6, 2005 QuoteHere's what I found Googling "lead seal press" http://eng.grabadosomella.com/productos/tenazas.htm Edited to add: I am still on my original one as well, since 1989. I'm still using my Para Gear press from 1979, works like a champ. Not too many moving parts. Mick. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmsmith 1 #10 September 7, 2005 QuoteCOME ON! if it was so poorly made ,it would have broken years ago.if you want something better,why dont you have it gold plated or something.then you could brag to your buddies about how much better yours is than theirs.after all isnt that what youre really whining about? Well, many of you don't care much about nice hand tools. I don't care for plating, but it would be nice to have handles that align properly and don't wiggle. My lead seal press works fine, and I just closed one of my rigs with it yesterday, but it's still insulting each and every time I hold and use it. What do the Germans use? I know they wouldn't knowingly produce this sort of workmanship. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutingstar 1 #11 September 7, 2005 I'm on my third Para-Gear press, but I have packed nearly 2500 reserves. Earlier this year, someone from Performance Designs recommended purchasing a press from Hans Ostermünchner when we got on the discussion of seal presses and other options. His web site is http://www.fallschirmdepot.de/. And his e-mail is hans.ostermuenchner@t-online.de. Anyway here is the info pricing on his seal presses per an e-mail: the seal press costs 33 € ea and I have them in stock. >> Shipping for 2 presses is another 23,40 €. >> >> You can pay with C/C or you may mail a bank check. >> >> Just let me know, whether I shall send you 2 or not. >> >> Blue Skies >> >> Hans >> >> PS: Please mail me also with your shipping address. >> >> Fallschirmdepot Ostermünchner GmbH >> Tölzer Strasse 14 >> 83677 Greiling >> Germany >> +49 8041 70319 >> +44 8041 31 71 fax I have ordered one to see the difference in quality because I seem to go through a Para-Gear ordered press about every 2 years. Anyway, I'll probably post something on my Rant and Rave once I receive it and try it out. Hope that helps, MikeChutingStar.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #12 September 7, 2005 I care about the quality. My seal press is a big piece of shit. The dies don't line up and my seals usually only show the KA instead of my whole seal which is TKA. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmsmith 1 #13 September 7, 2005 QuoteI have ordered one to see the difference in quality because I seem to go through a Para-Gear ordered press about every 2 years. Anyway, I'll probably post something on my Rant and Rave once I receive it and try it out. I would like to hear/see what you end up with from Germany. I've seen these crimping tools for use in packaging that had a beveled nose so that you could get in close, and the jaws were set on dual compound levers such that the jaws remained linear throughout the full stroke, unlike a pair of jaws in pliers that move in an arc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #14 September 7, 2005 How much do they cost in USD? How much is shipping? Are the presses with the seal symbol included or extra? Thanks, Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #15 September 7, 2005 Given it's a German site, those prices are almost certainly in euro. At the moment, 1 EUR ~= 1.25 USD, so that give you: seal (each): EUR 33 = USD 41 shipping (for two): EUR 23 = USD 28. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #16 September 7, 2005 QuoteI'm still trying to find a rigger's seal press that is of the quality typical of snap-on tools. My 28-year old ParaGear seal press still works, but it is poorly made, IMHO. Thanks! Every few days I wish my grandpa (and grandma) were still here. He had a seal press from the 60's that was used to seal lab samples... I looked at the paragear site and found that seal is nothing like his... It was solid metal with heavy plates... I used it all the time as a kid as a toy... I wish I knew where it was so I could get you the model... Made a perfect seal, lined up and clean... Other than lab use, I know trucking companies and race car engine makers use the seals to close up trailers and engines... Perhaps look to those markets too??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinMcGuire 0 #17 September 7, 2005 7800 reserves later and my paragear seal press is showing no signs of quiting. I guess you have to ask your self just how badly you need to have an expencive version of an inexpence tool that works well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerRamjet 0 #18 September 7, 2005 Could someone take a shot of their Paragear press and post it here please? I'd like to see if it looks anything like my press. I will see about taking a shot of mine tonight when I get home from work and post it as well. ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,444 #19 September 7, 2005 This has been an interesting discussion to watch. 40 yrs ago I just went to a local store here in Portland, OR and bought a seal press. One side has my symbol and the other my last name. Gahd knows how many times I've used it. I think it cost about $10 back in '65. One special beviled nut fell off years ago but the bolt is still in it and it's going strong. Guess they just don't make them like they used to. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #20 September 7, 2005 Nothing wrong with a rigger being anal about their tools. Good quality to have actually.. My tools are all stainless steel, custom made to my specs. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmsmith 1 #21 September 8, 2005 OK, see the attachment! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmsmith 1 #22 September 16, 2005 Here's another seal press I saw while googling. It looks like it has some pride in its construction too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmsmith 1 #23 September 16, 2005 And yet another good looking press! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutingstar 1 #24 December 29, 2005 Finally got my new seal press from Fallschirmdepot...check it out on my web site... http://www.chutingstar.com/archives/00000115.html MikeChutingStar.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #25 December 30, 2005 Related question: where can North Americans buy the orange plastic seals favored by Europeans? How much do plastic seals cost? Specifically, how does their cost compare with lead seals? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
