Let me tell you about my love-hate relationship with this beast of a tool. After burning through cheaper expanders that snapped like twigs, the Astro 78835 feels like upgrading from a bicycle to a monster truck. That roller bearing system? Chef's kiss - it spins smoothly even when my 1200 ft-lbs impact wrench is screaming like a banshee.

The magic happens when you're wrestling with stubborn stainless steel pipes. I remember sweating over some 3" T304 tubing - slathered the included grease (seriously, use MORE than you think you need), rotated frequently to prevent flat spots, and bam! Perfectly expanded joints ready for band clamps. Pro tip: Keep spare batteries handy if using cordless impacts; my DeWalt drank two charges during one marathon session.

Now for the reality check. That massive 28mm drive head had me scrambling to specialty tool stores - why couldn't Astro include this $8 socket? The blue case is comically oversized too; I ended up repacking mine Maddox-style to save precious toolbox real estate. And those O-rings? More fragile than my grandma's china - three arrived broken right out of the box.

But here's why I'll keep reaching for it: When expanding 2.5" aluminized steel for a vintage truck project, this kit made what should've been a nightmare job feel like spreading warm butter. The collets bite deep without slipping, and the steel construction laughs at heavy gauge pipes that'd make lesser tools tap out.

Final verdict? At this price point, it's the Goldilocks of pipe expanders - not perfect, but damn close for real-world exhaust work. Just budget extra for that socket and maybe some premium O-rings, and you've got a lifetime tool that'll make exhaust fabrication actually enjoyable.