It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. However, having a part
copied that you helped design doesn’t feel very flattering. It isn’t the first time that a part
has been copied and it won’t be the last. The big question is, why is the knockoff never as
good as the original? One reason is the original was purpose built to either solve a
problem or because the right part didn’t exist. This was the premise on which the Crane
Cams/VHP Spring tool was created. We needed a tool to fit under the cowl of the Fbody
so that we could safely remove the springs without injury to the vehicle or the technician
working on the car. Also, the spring tools currently available did not work well with dual
spring setups. Selling the tool was an afterthought. After making several design upgrades,
testing and using the tool in our shop to do installs, it was then decided we should make
the tool available to the general public. This tool was built with Crane Cams’ 50 years
and Vinci Hi-Performance’s 37 years of fabrication, valvetrain and engine experience.
Knockoff products are built for only one reason. To make money. Why is it that the copy
of a product is built with an inferior material, design is changed slightly (so it is not a
direct copy) with no thought of improving the design (which is normally because you
can’t)? The copier is only interested in making an inferior product for as little money as
possible and selling it for only a little less than the original researched, designed and
superior product. All that research, design, testing and production costs figure into the
price of the superior product. Since the copier doesn’t have to do the research, testing and
design, uses cheaper material and process to build the product, why does the inferior
product cost so much? The knockoff is making money off the originators hard work and
labor. Regardless, look at the difference in the two tools. I have included photos of our
tool for you to view.
Our tool is cnc machined from hardened steel billet stock. The cnc machined base tool
fixture centers on the cylinder head using specially designed countersunk reliefs and
matching socket head bolts to prevent misalignment. The retainer fixture is designed and
precision cnc machined to allow free access to the valve locks while centering the
retainers over the valves to ensure the integrity of the valve so it is not inadvertently
pushed into the cylinder. This is especially important on the rear cylinders of Fbodys
where access and vision are at a premium. To me, it is worth a little extra to ensure that I
don’t have to remove a cylinder head. I know that is worse case scenario and may never
happen, but if it does, how do you think that person will feel about saving $36.00 versus
the expense of cylinder head removal.
As most of you know, we at VHP and Crane Cams are normally pretty quiet on the
boards and only try to help. A lot of times we will stay out of some of the discussions
because we are not going to get into the pennyante arguments with individuals that are
more opinion based than fact based discussions. You are never going to get their minds to
open up to new ideas and ways of doing things, and I can’t afford the time wasted, when I
can share this knowledge with someone else. It is unfortunate, that some of these threads
could be beneficial to others, and I do apologize that I choose not to participate. Maybe I
will participate more and ignore those who attack ideas with no fact based responses.
However, always know that you can call us tollfree at 1-866-462-4500 and we will
answer your questions. Anyways, I digress. I get so frustrated sometimes and let things
go, but this time instead of sitting back I am going to take a hit and hit back by selling the
valve spring tools I have left at $69.95 for a limited time. Right now I haven’t decided
what that time frame is. I will let you know tomorrow. One last thing, you hardly ever go
wrong sticking with the innovators and not the imitaters. Joe.

 

I love my Crane/Vinci tool bought it when it was first available to the public from Vinci been through 6-8 spring swaps and hasnt flinched

 

I can see this getting ugly... On a side note, this tool looks really good and looks like it is built to survive many spring swaps. I would buy one if I hadn't already made one of my own. Not to take off two springs at a time, but just one. Good luck selling more of these tools.

 

I just got mine about a month ago. I love it. Cheaper price would have been nice, but the damn things works very well! Nicely designed and smooth operation. Thanks Joe

 

I'm not taking anyone's side here but that's the nature of free enterprise. Not sure if you / Crane patented it, but hell even if you did it doesn't mean anything. All it takes is a very minor change to re-patent someone else's idea. I feel your pain and I'd be mad too, but try not to get too jacked up over it. In my eyes, the simple fact is that your tool was a genius idea, but it was way overpriced, paving the way for someone else to think "I can make the same thing cheaper and steal your market". That's a $40 tool, and as much as I liked it I wasn't going to spend >$100 for one. I made my own. Maybe for a shop that does 200 spring swaps a year it's worth $100+ to them. Like I said, not trying to take sides, just the nature of the beast anytime you 'invent' something new.

 

[Mr. Burns] interesting...............[/Mr. Burns]

 

Ill take one I sent you a PM. Thats a smoking deal!!!!!!!!!! I just called and now answer. Please get back with me. Man with this tool I will be able to do the springs way faster

 

I also pm'd you, emailed you, and called. Please get back to me, I definitely want to order. Thanks!

 

not to sound like a dick or anything but i seriously doubt you were the first person to make a valve spring compressor with the basic design of using a nut and stud to compress the spring

 

nope, they sure weren't. the very first one i ever saw was a crowbar that you bolted to the rocker stud. can't see using a 12" long crowbar under the cowl of an f-body. if i'm not mistaken, they were the first to make one that does two at once. could be wrong. i've only been on this earth for 36 years.

 

This is one of the KEY design differences in Crane/VHP tool than the knockoff. The fact that they have a recessed bottom for the studs to sit in and hold the tool exactly where it needs to be. Not like the others where you have to center it. If you dont, then while you compressing it you could be pushing the valve down instead of just the springs. I bought mine from VHP and yes I thought it was a bit costly, but after using it 4x, i know why it cost $100 for it.

Dixit

 

I also love the Crane/Vinci tool. I've only done 2 spring swaps with it so far (it was so freakin easy with this tool) and I had little compunction with spending the $100+ for it. It's obviously a well designed tool and will last a long time.

 

I'm happy with my Crane tool and wouldn't consider buying a knockoff of it even if it were cheaper. For often than not, you get what you pay for in this world.

 

TTT Please let me know.

 

Joe,
I understand your pain. It now sucks to introduce anything at PRI that is a machine part or tool because you know it will be sent to China for R&D (Ripoff and Duplicate). They then market the only way they know how which is with PRICE and they will get into your shorts for a little bit until the part starts failing. Now God forbid someone gets hurt with the ripped off design because we know they do not have liability insurance. So if the purchaser gets hurt or injured and it affects them in a way they may be limited in their work, the $20 they saved just cost them $100's of thousands over the years in medical bills and lost wages. Hey but I saved $20.

I would not worry Joe, just keep up the good work.

Chris
Stef's Performance
B&B Performance Products

 

Thanks to everyone for your support. I received all of your pms and I will get your information to get the tools to you. However, I just got back to the shop yesterday from Corvettes at Carlisle and I need a day to catch up. Thanks for your patience and you guys are golden for the tools. Thanks, Joe.

 

Awesome. I will wait for your reply

 

Thanks Joe!

 

Shitty deal yes it is. I considered buying this tool, might have to with the sale going on, but have been using the Larry's tool for about 12 spring swaps now..might be weird doing two at a time. Not sure it will save me time either, from bolting down three nutz compared to one? Will see. Keep up the innovating Joe.

Charlie

 

I had considered staying quiet on this but I have decided other wise.
Mr. Vinci, we have never had a Crane tool in our shop to study or copy, while you have many years in the business and years of working with Crane behind you, you are not the only person who access to intelligent people. We too got tired of dealing with spring swaps and made our own tool, we let some local folks use it and they said we should market it, so we considered doing just that, got some pricing for some folks and had a few made and put them up for sale. Pricing is based on what it cost me to make, with NO thought into undercutting you or Crane.
I hate to kick you in your ego but "copying" you was the last thing on our minds when we made these tools, you can believe that or not, I really don't care.
Hell I am shocked that a company as large as your's and Crane's are would even bat an eye as far as my company is concerned. We are a small small fish in a very large pond, a pond in which Crane is a large fish, get a grip, my company is no threat to yours or Crane.
I made 25 of these tools, if I sell them all great if not I'll give them away at Christmas, no big deal. I may have more made, I may not.
Have a good day.