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Anyone else like Channellocks?

O

Ohio Andy

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Jul 31, 2024
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Location
Columbus, Ohio
Why yes, I do like Channellock. Ever seen the 480 20" BigAzz (R) straight jaw tongue & groove pliers?

www.channellock.com

480 20-inch BigAzz® Straight Jaw Tongue & Groove Pliers - Channellock, Inc.

CHANNELLOCK® 480 BIGAZZ® Straight Jaw Tongue & Groove Pliers didn't get their name by accident. With a 5-1/2 inch jaw capacity, these pliers are as big as the job at hand. Its 12 non-slip, undercut adjustment channels offer a versatile range of adjustments for virtually every field application...
www.channellock.com www.channellock.com

What are the claimed features:

  1. ORIGINAL STRAIGHT JAW Tongue & Groove Pliers provide a strong, versatile grip for use in both directions. [Comment: I think that this is also related to (3) below that the teeth are at 90-degrees. I usually check the pliers to see if the teeth are angled so that I grab in the correct orientation. Side note, true for Tekton and Wright Tool.]
  2. RELIABLE PERMALOCK® fastener eliminates nut and bolt failure with increased joint strength. [Comment: Tekton and Wright Tool both have a nut on one side that I assume allows you to take these apart, I have never tried for these. ]
  3. STRONG 90-degree, laser-hardened teeth for superior grip and longevity [No idea who has the best]
  4. FORGED HIGH-CARBON U.S. STEEL is specially coated for ultimate rust prevention [Nice, no comment.]
  5. UNDERCUT tongue and groove won’t slip [Nice, no comment.]
  6. CHANNELLOCK BLUE® grips for added comfort and reduced hand fatigue. [Comment: I like them.]
  7. 100% MADE IN USA [Comment: Same for Tekton and Wright Tool.]

Note that I have a set of these types of pliers from ChannelLock, Wright Tool, and Tekton. ChannelLock and Tekton both came pretty loose from the factory (very easy to manipulate). Most of my Wright Tool versions were pretty tight from the factory and I needed to manipulate them in the same way that I had to manipulate my Snap-On long nose pliers to make them usable; in other words, I had to break them in.
 
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NUTTSGT

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jeffmoss26 said:
They do! The CL name is licensed for all these other products which are only sold through the Do it Best hardware co-op.

Exclusive Brands | Do it Best Hardware Co-op

Do it Best continues to develop exclusive brands that allow you to offer your customers national brand quality at lower retails and higher margins.
hardware.doitbestonline.com hardware.doitbestonline.com

www.slideshare.net

Do it Best Channellock Catalog

This document provides information about various tools and tool accessories available for purchase from Channellock Products. It includes details on wet/dry vacuums, extension cords, tape measures, staple guns, tubing cutters, clamps, striking tools, toolboxes, gloves, and more. Many of the...
www.slideshare.net www.slideshare.net
Click to expand...
Thanks for that Jeff..


I think I need to search out more of the Do It Best stores and get myself some more blue.
 
D

Dick Tracy

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Sep 4, 2011
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Location
Windy City
Ohio Andy said:
Why yes, I do like Channellock. Ever seen the 480 20" BigAzz (R) straight jaw tongue & groove pliers?

www.channellock.com

480 20-inch BigAzz® Straight Jaw Tongue & Groove Pliers - Channellock, Inc.

CHANNELLOCK® 480 BIGAZZ® Straight Jaw Tongue & Groove Pliers didn't get their name by accident. With a 5-1/2 inch jaw capacity, these pliers are as big as the job at hand. Its 12 non-slip, undercut adjustment channels offer a versatile range of adjustments for virtually every field application...
www.channellock.com www.channellock.com
Click to expand...

I’ve got 4 pairs of the 460’s. 2 in the truck and 2 in my garage, I’ve seem to gotten a-lot of use with them over the years, mostly for closed loop chilled water/condenser water systems and occasional steam fittings. I’ve broken a few gas lines open with them as well, depending on the situation/facility they can work better than a pipe wrench.
 

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O

Ohio Andy

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**** Tracy said:
I’ve got 4 pairs of the 460’s. 2 in the truck and 2 in my garage, I’ve seem to gotten a-lot of use with them over the years, mostly for closed loop chilled water/condenser water systems and occasional steam fittings. I’ve broken a few gas lines open with them as well, depending on the situation/facility they can work better than a pipe wrench.
Click to expand...
One is often not enough... One to pull one direction, one for the other
 
J

jeffmoss26

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May 25, 2011
Messages
12,874
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio Andy said:
Why yes, I do like Channellock. Ever seen the 480 20" BigAzz (R) straight jaw tongue & groove pliers?

www.channellock.com

480 20-inch BigAzz® Straight Jaw Tongue & Groove Pliers - Channellock, Inc.

CHANNELLOCK® 480 BIGAZZ® Straight Jaw Tongue & Groove Pliers didn't get their name by accident. With a 5-1/2 inch jaw capacity, these pliers are as big as the job at hand. Its 12 non-slip, undercut adjustment channels offer a versatile range of adjustments for virtually every field application...
www.channellock.com www.channellock.com

What are the claimed features:

  1. ORIGINAL STRAIGHT JAW Tongue & Groove Pliers provide a strong, versatile grip for use in both directions. [Comment: I think that this is also related to (3) below that the teeth are at 90-degrees. I usually check the pliers to see if the teeth are angled so that I grab in the correct orientation. Side note, true for Tekton and Wright Tool.]
  2. RELIABLE PERMALOCK® fastener eliminates nut and bolt failure with increased joint strength. [Comment: Tekton and Wright Tool both have a nut on one side that I assume allows you to take these apart, I have never tried for these. ]
  3. STRONG 90-degree, laser-hardened teeth for superior grip and longevity [No idea who has the best]
  4. FORGED HIGH-CARBON U.S. STEEL is specially coated for ultimate rust prevention [Nice, no comment.]
  5. UNDERCUT tongue and groove won’t slip [Nice, no comment.]
  6. CHANNELLOCK BLUE® grips for added comfort and reduced hand fatigue. [Comment: I like them.]
  7. 100% MADE IN USA [Comment: Same for Tekton and Wright Tool.]

Note that I have a set of these types of pliers from ChannelLock, Wright Tool, and Tekton. ChannelLock and Tekton both came pretty loose from the factory (very easy to manipulate). Most of my Wright Tool versions were pretty tight from the factory and I needed to manipulate them in the same way that I had to manipulate my Snap-On long nose pliers to make them usable; in other words, I had to break them in.
Click to expand...
480s are one of the only channellock items I do not own… Yet
 
O

Ohio Andy

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Location
Columbus, Ohio
jeffmoss26 said:
480s are one of the only channellock items I do not own… Yet
Click to expand...
I ordered mine last night.... I'm convinced I need it since I have other things I can use if it goes larger, but.... I do remember that one time I needed something bigger... And I lost a lot of time because I didn't have it. I don't know if this will be large enough but. Something to do with a large ring on the toilet but it's been awhile
 
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JimDon

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Jan 23, 2007
Messages
603
J C Jeff, you had to go and post that Do It Best catalog. Now I have to see if I have a store nearby. JimDon
 
T

Ton ton

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JimDon said:
J C Jeff, you had to go and post that Do It Best catalog. Now I have to see if I have a store nearby. JimDon
Click to expand...
Just follow the Do It Best delivery truck to a hardware store. Do It Best semi trailers are attractive in my mind. It looks like a big red toolbox.
 
N

NUTTSGT

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Messages
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Northern Central Ohio
Meursault74 said:
how long you think it will be until you can embrace your inner "Crocodile Dundee" and say that's not a prybar to someone, and then produce that monster ^^^^^^. ;)

Click to expand...
I already showed a buddy the 36' prybar from Hyper Tough and then pulled out the larger Channellock monster.

He's a good friend and we have helped each other out a lot over years...I ended buying him a 36" prybar from Hyper Tough.
 
S

sparky 1971

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Messages
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Location
Central Iowa
NUTTSGT said:
I just realized I never posted a picture of my most recent prybar in this thread.

45"

1751202626184.jpeg
Click to expand...
I bought the OEM (Wilde) version of that at a vendor booth of the Good Guys car show a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, my dumb *** wasn't thinking, again. I was the proud owner of it soon after getting there and had to carry it around for three hours. I don't think I've used it yet.
 
A

Andres26tnt

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Messages
994
Got these a few months back. I like channel lock, but these not so much. Feel like they miss the boat with them. They are huge, I like the thinness of the regular and Kpx. Feel like they should had just redone the regular/V Grove pliers with a button. Over I'm happy with them as they are great quality.

PXL_20250414_034555154~2.jpgPXL_20250414_034547602~2.jpg
 
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dscheidt

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Andres26tnt said:
Really 🤔, I thought those where more common. I got the 8" no cutter. Never used the cutter on needle nose pliers.
Click to expand...
Fishing. That's the only place I've used the cutters on needle noses, and that's because I need needle nose pliers, and having a cutter saves a tool. By extension, I can imagine there are people working out of a toolbelt (or their back pocket) that having that cutter is handy. I don't know who these people are, but I can imagine them...
 
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pat9198

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I got some cool swag from this year's HJE 4th of July event.

Harry J. Epstein Day 2025

Hey, it's March already. Wil there be a 2025 Epstein's day? Fireworks, seared flesh, apple pie and tools from an American Small Business. :bounce: On behalf of Fedwrench, @jsackin First of all, how is Steve and can we get an update ? Secondly, Jori is this going this going to happen this...
www.garagejournal.com www.garagejournal.com

36rT9xp.jpg
 
S

sparky 1971

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Here's a pair of 369??? I've had for several years. Channellock didn't make these for very long as far as I know. I don't really care for them so they just sit in my service truck but they are pretty cool a get very occasional use. Linemans with a crimper, fishtape puller, #12 stripper, and a hole to loop solid wire.
 

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T

Ton ton

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sparky 1971 said:
Here's a pair of 369??? I've had for several years. Channellock didn't make these for very long as far as I know. I don't really care for them so they just sit in my service truck but they are pretty cool a get very occasional use. Linemans with a crimper, fishtape puller, #12 stripper, and a hole to loop solid wire.
Click to expand...
I have 369 channellocks. I'm fairly certain that they are still in production.
 
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sparky 1971

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Ton ton said:
I have 369 channellocks. I'm fairly certain that they are still in production.
Click to expand...
369's are still in production, as is the 369CR which has a crimper built in. I believe at one time there was also a 369FT that had a built in fish tape puller. The pair I have is a 369CRFT and is no longer in production. It has both the crimper and fish tape puller as well as the stripping hole for #12 and another hole for looping solid wire for devices. The stripping hole makes using them to cut more than a couple of wires at one time a pain in the ****, so I don't use them very often.
 
H

Higgins

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Shepheardsville, KY
Jim C. said:
A few weeks ago I posted in a thread concerning "binge" tool buying. During the last couple months, I've been on a Channellock kick that I think has subsided for the moment. For years, prior to my recent "BHB" (Blue Handled Binge), I owned only two Channellock tools, the #442 (far left) and the #415 (second from left). Then, this past Spring, I actually needed the #911 cable cutters (third from right) and bought them. For some reason, shortly after that, I went on a small BHB and added the #422 (third from left), the #410 (fourth from left), the #369 (fourth from right), the #357 (second from right) and the #337 (far right). I'm still feeling compelled to buy a pair of needle nose pliers too.

I'm not sure why I bought all of these..... I certainly did not need any of them beyond buying the #911. The last five tools were purely impulse, binge, purchases!!! It's definitely a sickness. Anyway, I've included a photo for you Channellock fans, that clearly proves my recent insanity!!

Jim C.
Click to expand...
Good!
That way you will have them when you need them !
 
H

Hakeem

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Location
Chicago
I grabbed this pair of 369s from an electrical supply store that was closing out. Asked “how much?” And was told “those have been here since I started working. You can have ‘em”.

I contacted Channel lock to date them and the representative told me the stamped logo dated it to ~1992 at the latest. They’re a little lighter and slimmer than Kleins so i liked them for trim out.

IMG_7320.jpegIMG_7321.jpeg
 

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Ton ton

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sparky 1971 said:
369's are still in production, as is the 369CR which has a crimper built in. I believe at one time there was also a 369FT that had a built in fish tape puller. The pair I have is a 369CRFT and is no longer in production. It has both the crimper and fish tape puller as well as the stripping hole for #12 and another hole for looping solid wire for devices. The stripping hole makes using them to cut more than a couple of wires at one time a pain in the ****, so I don't use them very often.
Click to expand...
Thank you for clarifying.
 
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Sbusmech

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Texas
I think they are the best value out there. Made in the USA, easy to buy almost anywhere, and they hold up to heavy shop use. Win win in my opinion. You can pay a lot more for maybe a little better but I'm certainly not going to.
 
H

Hakeem

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I bought these 909s after reading many positive reviews on here and I like them a lot. Nice and long for plenty of leverage. I like the pointy shape of the non insulated die, I feel like it gets me a better crimp than the round ‘U’ shaped dies.

One gripe is, where the hell is the branding on this thing?
IMG_0734.jpeg

Held under just the right light, you can see this elegant classic logo:

IMG_0735.jpeg

I understand roll-stamping isn’t in the budget. But can they at least come up with an alternative that’s visible at all angles?
 
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