S-O hooks and picks, hard-handle model

[kwhitelaw]

I wish I knew about this one when I was restoring an older 1950's Buick.

Do you think I can use this tool for German cars (I haven't dug into the guts of the Mercedes or BMW interior). Or is another tool suitable.

I won't use it much, but I've found that the cost of the tool is worth it if you do the job more than once or twice.

I prefer the a177a personally. fits easier around panel clips.

 

[Vinko]

I have a nice set of black hard handled ones. They're loooooovely.

That's exactly what I want. Why don't you like the S-O Trim pad remover?

 

[speed bump]

Why? The handles aren't the problem... its the blades, last I checked.

Maybe i'm just strange but I tried one once and thought it was the worst handle I had ever tried excepting those really square SO handles and the old Stanley Tri-lobes. Then again my favorite screwdriver handles are the standard Craftsmans or the Kleins.

 

[billymade]

I've used this one to work on my volkswagen new beetle; makes thing allot easier!

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1793&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Trim Pad Remover (for GM and most imports) $30.75

Not as nice but you might look at this Lisle set for interior work:

Lisle Door Upholstery Remover
Sears item# 00947317000 Mfr. model# 35400 $8.99
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947317000P
or buy the whole set: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947320000P

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I wish I knew about this one when I was restoring an older 1950's Buick.

Do you think I can use this tool for German cars (I haven't dug into the guts of the Mercedes or BMW interior). Or is another tool suitable.

I won't use it much, but I've found that the cost of the tool is worth it if you do the job more than once or twice.

Find a VW dealership with a parts deptarment and order a VAG T10236 trim removal tool, it'll come up on their system as a "release tool" and it's the best you can buy for removing trim panels.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I had somebody leave some of those snap-on trim tools in my pickup when it was worked on. I went back to the dealer, but nobody would admit they lost them, everybody that worked on my truck said they weren't theirs

Oh well, free tools for me.

 

[kwhitelaw]

That's exactly what I want. Why don't you like the S-O Trim pad remover?

me personally, I run the 3 piece SO soft grip trim pad set with the really long shank. Have the typical window crank tool but I tend to use a 90degree pick most of the time. Lastly, I have 15 or so of the soft plastic panel tools for intricate dash work.

with these few tools, yet to run into a situation I couldnt get out of. the long shank tool comes in handy for rear qtr panels of suv's.

 

[kwhitelaw]

Find a VW dealership with a parts deptarment and order a VAG T10236 trim removal tool, it'll come up on their system as a "release tool" and it's the best you can buy for removing trim panels.

cant see that sliding around some newer non vw clips on door panels (understanding its a vw tool but just saying). in the hands of the wrong person, I could see them breaking the clip while trying to pop it.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

That's exactly what I want. Why don't you like the S-O Trim pad remover?

They fork is too thick and the opening it too wide, used mine once for removing the interior door panel on a Saab and it left dents and marks in the leatherette, as if bent the clips too because the opening is too wide. As well as that the finish is ****, it's really rough casting and it's terrible. Its only redeeming feature is it's good for removing fuel lines from diesel filters. The VW tool is far superior, i've never had a single problem with mine.

 

[kwhitelaw]

They fork is too thick and the opening it too wide, used mine once for removing the interior door panel on a Saab and it left dents and marks in the leatherette, as if bent the clips too because the opening is too wide. As well as that the finish is ****, it's really rough casting and it's terrible. Its only redeeming feature is it's good for removing fuel lines from diesel filters. The VW tool is far superior, i've never had a single problem with mine.

have you used the other trim tools SO offers, that are more rounded and not fork like? I gave away the fork style and use the 177a and its longer versions without any issues.

 

[kwhitelaw]

Not as nice but you might look at this Lisle set for interior work:

ive seen guys use that lisle tool before... eh, its too thick at the tip, not allowing it to slide behind some newer panels with tighter tolerances. you have to pry the panel out slightly then get the tool in there.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

cant see that sliding around some newer non vw clips on door panels (understanding its a vw tool but just saying). in the hands of the wrong person, I could see them breaking the clip while trying to pop it.

I use mine almost daily and i've never broken or damaged a single clip with it, and i use it on all different trim clips, cable retainers etc.. Works flawlessly. Everyone i know who has one swears by it.

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

They fork is too thick and the opening it too wide, used mine once for removing the interior door panel on a Saab and it left dents and marks in the leatherette, as if bent the clips too because the opening is too wide. As well as that the finish is ****, it's really rough casting and it's terrible. Its only redeeming feature is it's good for removing fuel lines from diesel filters. The VW tool is far superior, i've never had a single problem with mine.

Well I never had a problem with the SO trim tool I have. I thought it worked great. I think the one you don't like is that 2nd one pictured, the a171a, which has that rounded opening. The a161 that I love has a v-notch in it. Either way, if all Vinko is doing is taking some stuff off at home, I think those Lisles that someone posted would get the job done for less money.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

have you used the other trim tools SO offers, that are more rounded and not fork like? I gave away the fork style and use the 177a and its longer versions without any issues.

Only ever used my one, guy i used to work with had the VW one and i tried it once, it was so damn good when i used it i ordered one about 5 minutes later. Got it the next day, and loved it ever since. Great tool.

 

[kwhitelaw]

problem I have with the v notch is it doesnt seat very well against every clip ive encountered, putting stress against the clip instead of seating around the base of the clip so you can pry. I find the other style SO offers "grabs" the clip better. different strokes different folks

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Well I never had a problem with the SO trim tool I have. I thought it worked great. I think the one you don't like is that 2nd one pictured, the a171a, which has that rounded opening. The a161 that I love has a v-notch in it. Either way, if all Vinko is doing is taking some stuff off at home, I think those Lisles that someone posted would get the job done for less money.

I think mine is an A171A or something like that, it has the round opening, not a V-notch. It ***** either way. The VW one is pretty cheap, cost me £9.86, which is about a third of the new price of a Snap-on one, or a little under half what i paid for mine off eBay.

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

Yeah, I like the looks of the VW tool. I think if I still worked on cars everyday, I might go out and try to locate one of those.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

snap on long pattern picks are the only ones I use -da bomb

 

[billymade]

Moose, you should buy a bunch and sell them! LOL!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Moose, you should buy a bunch and sell them! LOL!

I used to. Still trying to get you one, still can't buy from VW without an account, and we can't order them through the shop because the boss is an idiot and he's adamant he doesn't owe VW TPS London North, yet her does.

Trying to open my own account with them.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

I have a stahwille door panel tool with the same head , powdercoated green
for gm stuff , a lot of special tools are available in otc , all spx , kent moore , miller

1-800 GM TOOLS
they sell j tools to anybody for dealer price
type kent moore into ebay -loads of stuff

 

[Fedwrench]

I have a stahwille door panel tool with the same head , powdercoated green
for gm stuff , a lot of special tools are available in otc , all spx , kent moore , miller

1-800 GM TOOLS
they sell j tools to anybody for dealer price
type kent moore into ebay -loads of stuff

If you really want or need GM service tools, here's the link. They make snap on seem inexpensive though.

https://gmspecialservicetools.spx.com/

 

[olds88]

heres another one http://www.gmde.net/

 

[Danglerb]

I own a Lisle tool I really like with a urethane donut on the shaft for prying against paint, plus I have all three or four sets of HF plastic/nylon interior pry tools. Saw these at HF the other day for $20 and first sale I will be buying the set. Trick is knowing exactly WTF fastener your working against and how it releases. Things glued together with paint can be hopeless.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=99739

 

[Vinko]

Find a VW dealership with a parts deptarment and order a VAG T10236 trim removal tool, it'll come up on their system as a "release tool" and it's the best you can buy for removing trim panels.

This Stahlwille looks tempting, as do many other tools on the site:

http://www.samstagsales.com/images/sw12770.jpg

This too, by Turnus.

http://www.samstagsales.com/images/kk177-hp04.jpg

I'm freaking out on all these great looking German tools.

 

[Delray]

Take a look at the KD 3705 Upholstery clip pliers. Nice wide thin blades that open so you don't use it like a pry. I've only used mine on GM plastic push pin clips but I think it would work well on any blind spring clip without causing damage.

 

[Jared]

man that ***** they stopped selling the hard handles i lost one of my picks over the side of a boat last week.