recomend me some hose pliers

[mrjaw14]

Are hose gripping pliers something one can cheap out on? I needed a pair today for the first time ever.

I was going my Silverado a once over and noticed some "oil" where I hadn't seen it before underneath. Followed the trail back to the valve the steering wheel turns to send power from the power steering pump to the rack and pinion. There was a low pressure return hose that was held on with one of those squeeze type hose clamps. I noticed that the hose was loose and behind the little raised flange part of the barb. I had a hell of a time just getting the darn clamp off. tried about 5 different types of pliers before I found one that would get in there right. couldn't push the clamp back further on the hose, so I went the other way with it, and pushed the hose where it needed to be. Then I couldn't get the clamp back on the hose. Fought with it until I got a pair of vice-grips, which locked the clamp open. Finally got it positioned right on the hose but noticed the hose had moved back to where it started. having the clamp locked open with the vice grips it was easy to push the hose onto the fitting better, but I was having trouble gripping the hose due to dirty, oily hands. had I (A) used the vice grips on the clamp from the get-go, and (B) had a pair of hose gripping pliers, I would have been done with that in 5 minutes instead of 30.

Since I don't plan on needing these for a long time, but see the value in them, are the cheapie hose pliers ok, or are there reasons to stay away from them?

 

[I van putski]

I try to stay away from all cheap tools. I seen yesterday hf had hose grip pliers if you want to go that route. Mine are blue point (also china) and they are really nice.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Since you rarely use it, you will have no problem with harbor freight pliers set. (life time warranty)

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-long-reach-hose-grip-pliers-37909.html

 

[Higgins]

There are two different orientations, this is just one of them. Have them, love them! And made in France!!!!

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...P&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=30-110484721-2

 

[volvo92906]

Since you rarely use it, you will have no problem with harbor freight pliers set. (life time warranty)

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-long-reach-hose-grip-pliers-37909.html

So THATS what those are for........ They work great to get the little lock ring out of 4WD hubs when the grease has it stuck........

 

[shampoop]

Pliers of any kind are the absolute last thing I'd suggest going cheap on.

 

[fourtythree]

They're not cheap(30-40 bucks), but the remote style sold at sears, autozone etc are one of the most useful tools I've ever used. You don't realize how useful until you find that one stubborn clamp that nothing else can get to.

 

[mrjaw14]

I can't do HF pliers. bough a cheap pair years ago to keep in one of my vehicles and they weren't smooth, poorly finished, generally sloppy, misaligned, and will rust out if not kept oiled.

I was thinking more along the Sunnex line. Anyone got any experience with sunnex pliers?

 

[tjmonsen5]

I have the 3 piece Blue-Point set and I have been very happy with them. They REALLY come in handy. I have used them numerous times and I am just a DIY guy. My friends like them as well. We recommend them! Really not that expensive either for 3 of them. They have a great finish, nice serrations in the tips, and are strong.
BDGPL300HG is the part number.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=yes&tool=all&item_ID=648250&group_ID=682905&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[tyheuser]

Are you talking hose clamp pliers or hose gripping pliers. For the clamp pliers I would get the ones with the cable like the other guy suggested from autozone or sears. The hose gripping pliers I think the cheap ones will do you just fine if you dont use them that often. I got some cornwell ones that came in a set and there nice to have, they work really good on stubborn stuck spark plug boots to!

 

[ajchien]

I can't do HF pliers. bough a cheap pair years ago to keep in one of my vehicles and they weren't smooth, poorly finished, generally sloppy, misaligned, and will rust out if not kept oiled.

I was thinking more along the Sunnex line. Anyone got any experience with sunnex pliers?

I have the sunex hose gripping pliers, 3 piece set. They work good.

I wished they came at different angles than just 45 degrees. I could use something in the 0-15 degree range, or something in the 80-90 degree range.mor if someone would make an indexible set of hose grip pliers that would be great.

I also have the cable hose clamp pliers from craftsman and the regular style hose clamp pliers from KD.

Frankly, I think hose grip pliers, cable hose clamp, and regular hose clamp pliers, and a pair of long 90 degree needle noses are all helpful when doing hoses. Oh, and add a radiator hose pick.

 

[bsaint]

The HF are TERRIBLE. The stamping and finish is so sub par, I wouldnt even bother.

I have a Matco set, which I probably over paid but I dont know the price (they were on the truck), but they've been FANTASTIC.

 

[greasemonkey44]

i use a set of the HF ones professionally; they work just fine

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

my buddy has been using that HF hose pliers daily for 3+ years in his shop. so far no loose joint or broke handle yet.

 

[padronanniversary]

I had to pitch the HF ones I had. They were sloppy. I guess I get what I pay for sometimes. Too bad snap on does not make a set, which I never understood.

 

[ddo]

Nws and knipex make nice quality hose grip pliers if you want to go that route.

 

[Agentwho]

I have a set of the gearwrench hose pliers and really like them. with the double x hinge you can work them right down into tight spots without getting them snagged on other stuff.
http://www.sears.com/gearwrench-3-pc-double-x-hose-grip-pliers/p-00993053000P?prdNo=3

 

[FiendFX]

i also got the HF one. Works fine.