I interpreted your question to concern buying after-market bleeder screws that are a one-person show to bleed the brakes, in that turning the screw 1/4 turn, then the single repair person steps on the brakes to bleed them.

Specifically, I mean this critter:

http://www.amazon.com/Edelbrock-Russell-639560-Speed-Bleeder/dp/B000CPCOAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304518597&sr=8-1

By the way, Edelbrock is a name I've heard of that I think is top-of-the-line for carburetors. Does anyone know if this is a good brand of bleeder?

I have a Toyota that I've had to bleed the brakes several times due to regular interval of brake bleed and a spongy pedal after brake pad replacement. It's a pain to coordinate other people's schedules to help with the bleeding :< and I'm looking for a one-man show here.

My friend, who is a free-lance mechanic for as long as I remember, doesn't use these bleeders and has no opinion on them.

I'm wondering about the durability of the after-market bleeder screws, in particular the tendency to strip at the contact point with a wrench and of the steel ball/check valve to fail.

The Corvette guys had trouble with leaks around the threads on install and a couple of years later. The thread sealant apparently wears out after several bleeds.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/autocrossing-and-roadracing/840664-problem-with-speed-bleeders.html

Besides the convenience of bleeding brakes without having to get friends/family involved, I really dislike stripping the bolt contact and/or damaging the valve tip (done both, necessitating replacement of the caliper).