Quality is good. In my opinion it's an necessity if you do your own work. If you can borrow one from a friend or a club member that would be better because there one of those tools that's doesn't get used much. Just collects dust. The main thing is just don't try working on the spring with out one. They will take your head off if your not careful.
I agree, I just did this about a month ago... you have to use a rear spreader.
From what I have read the traveling one you are looking at can be difficult to use.
Buy the other one for an additional $30, you will not regret it. http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/rear-spring-spreader
I bought mine from Synders and was impressed, if you are close to Cincinnati, you can borrow mine.
The spring spreader in the original post is extremely dangerous. It is called a traveling spring spreader for a reason. If the pipe end slips off the banjo nut it will definitely travel. The rear spring on a Model A can be lethal and is not something to be casually approached. I am surprised suppliers are still selling them.
Use a proper spring spreader that has two sides to it and captures both ends of the spring.
I have an old V-8 spring spreader made by OTC. It is for the spring behind the axle type of setup. Half of it is just like the traveling spring spreader. I have used it for a Model A, but it was dangerous and wanted to jump up as it was tightened. If it came off the differential bolt, it could be lethal. I recommend a two sided one. You only live once.
Never needed one, but it seems to me an adjustable upper link from a tractor type, 3 pt. hitch could be used with appropriate end pieces to push the spring eye, maybe ??
The amount of stored energy I observed when I replaced the rear spring with a new one was amazing. For $70 this is absolutely necessary in my opinion, and if anyone I knew was trying to use the cheaper version I would not let them if I had any say in it. If you use the cheaper version, that old rusted center bolt could shear and you would be in a world of pain. Spend the $70 and get the right tool for this.
We have always used a two sided spring spreader but as a extra caution, a loose chain is also wrapped around everything to capture any un-intended movement by the spreader or the rear spring. If you are not cautious with playing with the rear spring it could be like a mouse trap but for a human....
I bought the deluxe version thinking I'm probably not stopping with just one A and it works fantastic. I also used a chain wrap with a pair of the heavy moving blankets from Harbor Freight.