Battery clamp expander tool

[cweagle]

So Snap-on sells this tool, the B260A, apparently for cleanly expanding the lead clamps on older-style (non-side-mount) battery cables. This is exactly the thing I need. But for a _lot_ less than $50. Anybody know who the OEM is for this, where I can get something like it, etc etc. Thanks!

[Diesel-Mech]

I don't know who makes it but I can attest that it works great, I'm also a big fan of the clamp puller that SO sells.

[Junkman]

I have seen them under the KD brand in the past, but I am old... very old, so the past might have been as long ago as 50 or 60 years. I use a pair of expanding snap ring pliers when I run into this type of issue. I also have a pair of the correct tool, but have no idea where to even look for it. About 40% of my tools are in some box that hasn't seen the light of day in 35 years!!!

[Merkava_4]

I ran the part number -

"Sorry, this item is unavailable for purchase."

[billymade]

Not the exact same as the Snapon but reasonably priced by KD and other brands:
http://www.google.com/products?q=Battery+Terminal+Spreader+and+Cleaner+p liers&btnG=Search+Products&show=dd


http://www.drillspot.com/pimages/2708/270821_300.jpg
Battery Terminal Puller
If you are having a hard time getting terminals off you might get this tool as well! http://www.google.com/products?q=BATTERY+TERMINAL+PULLER+&btnG=Search+Products&show=dd

[Merkava_4]

I just take the biggest straight slot screwdriver C-MAN makes and stick it in there between where the two ends of the terminals meet (where the bolt goes through) and TWIST.

[Coach James]

I've got a terminal puller from Autozone and another from Sears. Both work fine but the C-man is a lot heavier. I've also seen those pliers that are used to seperate terminals. They look a lot like spark plug boot puller pliers.

Coach

[krusty the clown]

So Snap-on sells this tool, the B260A, apparently for cleanly expanding the lead clamps on older-style (non-side-mount) battery cables. This is exactly the thing I need. But for a _lot_ less than $50. Anybody know who the OEM is for this, where I can get something like it, etc etc. Thanks!


the snap on spreader was made by snap on but here's a lower cost alternative

http://www.kd-tools.com/204.htm

[justinmc]

I've got the plier style "spreader" as well as the S/O terminal "puller" pictured above... I use the puller quite a bit.

[ImportTuner]

Not the exact same as the Snapon but reasonably priced by KD and other brands:
http://www.google.com/products?q=Battery+Terminal+Spreader+and+Cleaner+p liers&btnG=Search+Products&show=dd


http://www.drillspot.com/pimages/2708/270821_300.jpg
Battery Terminal Puller
If you are having a hard time getting terminals off you might get this tool as well! http://www.google.com/products?q=BATTERY+TERMINAL+PULLER+&btnG=Search+Products&show=dd

I have the exact battery terminal puller; also used for pulling windshield wiper arms .. :)

[tatra]

i had the same spreader but unless your clamo bolt isn't all crudded up, it works great...............after i had my tools stolen that was one of the things overlooked for replacement and have improvised by using two open end wrenches pivoting against each other to spresd the calmp.............works great and one less tool to buy, keep track of and loose...............as for the pullers, work great............but a good sized set of channel locks makes short work the most stubborn sob.................is there a thread already on improvising?..............

[ZRX61]

I just take the biggest straight slot screwdriver C-MAN makes and stick it in there between where the two ends of the terminals meet (where the bolt goes through) and TWIST.

Yup, can't believe they sell a "tool" for this......:lol_hitti

[Jbullfrog]

Craftsman has a version of both the spreader and the puller. They are reasonably priced and warranted.

[daveblank]

Matco KD204 is about $27

[Frank Elson]

Yup, can't believe they sell a "tool" for this......:lol_hitti

+2, a fool and his money...

[cweagle]

Well, yeah, I can't believe they sell a tool for this for $50. I was hoping for the Harbor Freight $4.99 version. Every time I try to bend out the terminals with Ye Big Olde Screwdriver, they get a little more messed up. I figure that even the cheap version should last 20 uses, and I'll keep it for 40 years...

Sears seems to have one or two versions for $15-20. Sigh. I guess it's the backup plan then - 3rd-hand slip-joint pliers, a 1/2" nut cut in halves, and a MIG welder.

[Brad54]

Well guys, I've also always used the big f'n screwdriver and cam'd open that nice, soft lead terminal. And it gets chewed up a little more every time the big screwdriver is used.

Being cheap, I never wanted to spend a bunch of money on a tool I'd use once or twice a year. Being patient, I figured I'd find one at the swap meet or when I troll the antique shops and malls on trips.

$5 got me an antique KD tools version from an antique mall on a road trip. It was a little loose, so a setting the rivet on my rail road rail/anvil and a whack on the other side with a big hammer tightened it up nicely.

I like it over the screwdriver not only because it doesn't chew up the terminals, but it spreads the terminals evenly front-to-back, not just spreading one side or the other.

Worth having. NOT worth having at $50! After having it, I'd pay $25-$30 and not be happy with the price after using it the first time. If you've got an engine bay you care about keeping nice looking, it's well worth getting, as is the puller.

I've got a cheap puller (don't remember the brand, and am too lazy to make the walk to the box), but I've started using it every time I pull a battery cable--a screwdriver will always chew it up, plus a screwdriver wedges off only one side, while the puller makes a nice, even pull from both sides.

-Brad

-Brad

[billymade]

Aside from cost issues; have the "right tool for the job", is really a pleasure, gets the job done quicker and reduces damage to the component you are working on! Its amazing to me how easy a job is, when I get a "special tool" for a procedure/job I have done all my life! I always at that moment think: "why didn't I get one, sooner?", I guess there really is a reason for a bizillion tools that are made and sold in the tool market place... you cannot beat having the right tool to get the job done correctly..... with ease... :)

[krusty the clown]

Aside from cost issues; have the "right tool for the job", is really a pleasure, gets the job done quicker and reduces damage to the component you are working on! Its amazing to me how easy a job is, when I get a "special tool" for a procedure/job I have done all my life! I always at that moment think: "why didn't I get one, sooner?", I guess there really is a reason for a bizillion tools that are made and sold in the tool market place... you cannot beat having the right tool to get the job done correctly..... with ease... :)

agreed.......lead ends are far less common today than when i bought mine but there's still a place for them in my box. although if i was starting out today they would be further down the priority list and i would probably buy a cheaper brand than snap on.

[russlaferrera]

Old company "Blue Bird"

[krusty the clown]

Old company "Blue Bird"

i haven't seen bluebird in a long time. mac and matco's battery tools were relabeled blue bird. any body know what happened to them?

[billymade]

Something like these?
http://images.goantiques.com/dbimages/GGB1347/GGB1347T20344.jpg
BLUE BIRD MADE IN U.S.A. FORGED ALLOY NO.11

http://www.josephmarc.com/files/GGB1347T7777.jpg
Blue Bird Battery Pliers Battery Nut Pliers No. 11, patent # 162911, granted November 27, 1928.

[Stephenw]

Something is screwed with Snap-on's online catalog. I've noticed a problem with it for the last couple of months. If you search by either item number or description, you often get "sorry, this item is unavailable for purchase". If you browse the catalog to find the item, all is well.

Here are the pliers...
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=11353&group_ID=1496&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I have this Snap-on terminal puller...
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/OBJECTS/33700/33616.JPG

Try your local auto parts store for the pliers. I think I got mine from NAPA. I don't remember them costing much.

[1320stang]

I just take the biggest straight slot screwdriver C-MAN makes and stick it in there between where the two ends of the terminals meet (where the bolt goes through) and TWIST.


:shocking:....GASP!!!!!....:shocking:
:shocking:....you own a Craftsman tool?......:shocking:

[krusty the clown]

you shoulda seen the japanese 1/4 ratchet he was bragging on.........i was speechless

[billymade]

krusty the clown, are those the "bluebird" pliers you were referring to? I couldn't find new ones anywhere on the web... those pictured above, were from a antique auction site...

[krusty the clown]

yes, although the pliers are different that the ones i own. for the life of me i can't remember who blue bird was but i'm thinking they were part of wilde tool. i'll scan a catalog with some other blue bird battery tools.

[paramudduck]

I must have too many pry tools. I always just used a tapered shaft like a lady finger to spread them back open.

[krusty the clown]

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd154/matco01/matcocat1.jpg
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd154/matco01/matcocat2a.jpg

the bp11, bp14, bp29, bp21, bp20c, and bp25 were scourced from blue bird. i remember it being hit and miss when i ordered whether they would come with red handles marked matco or blue handles marked blue bird!

[paramudduck]

Did the way they came in make a difference on the guarantee?

[krusty the clown]

no the guarantee was the same. at least from me it was. if i one marked blue bird was returned matco may or may not have have honored it, but the district manager would have me hold on to it until i had enough then write a credit memo to make sure i was taken care of.

[paramudduck]

Thats what I was wondering, Krusty if Matco covered you for them coming in that way. I've seen thing like that happen in other companies and the dealers be SOL. They have to cover to keep the techs happy but they lose big time.