Tongue & Groove recommendation?

[kythri]

I need a big pair of tongue & groove pliers - something like 16" or 20".

Any recommendations on good and cheap? I'd really rather not pay $75 for a pair, but if that's what they cost...

 

[Merkava_4]

kythri . . . man . . . I haven't seen you post in a long time . . . welcome back.

To answer your question, tongue and groove pliers have been made obsolete by the Knipex Cobras.

 

[ImportTuner]

Welcome back kythri .. how about $40 for a 20 in.

http://www.harryepstein.com/pliers-groovejoint.htm

 

[FNFS2000]

Anything other than these are a waste of time and money.

 

[speed bump]

Anything other than these are a waste of time and money.

Damn, I had no idea that I could save money or time by owning those over my Channellocks or Diamonds. I have never ran into a problem with my 16" Channellocks so what do I gain by using these Knipexs other than while often useful annoying button adjustment?

 

[krusty the clown]

http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/460_-_16_inch_Tongue_and_Groov_P21C3.cfm

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Anything other than these are a waste of time and money.

I beg to differ, my 20" Blue-Points (rebranded Channellocks, i beieve.) work just fine for me, i might not get such fine adjustment but when you're using 20" waterpump pliers the things you use them on generally don't require such precision.

 

[nissan_crawler]

x3 on the cobra's. I won't touch anything else.

 

[eschoendorff]

I need a big pair of tongue & groove pliers - something like 16" or 20".

Any recommendations on good and cheap? I'd really rather not pay $75 for a pair, but if that's what they cost...

That's SO easy: CHANNELLOCK. You can get the 16" for under $30, IIRC.


Hmmm.. seems like I'm late to the party. Still, Kythri, you REALLY had to ask??? You should know this stuff by now!!!!

 

[eschoendorff]

Anything other than these are a waste of time and money.

Riiiight. "A fool and his money...."

 

[MAD]

I love my Knipex pliers, but I don't own any that big.

If you want good and cheap, Home Depot sells the 16" Channellocks for around 20 bucks.

Since we are on the subject of T&G pliers, I also like the 12 3/4" Wilde Pipewrench pliers. Mine are Klien branded, but Harry Epstein has Wilde closeouts for $10.

 

[dxdexter]

I am one of those poor souls who, unknowingly, threw there money away on below par tools.

I have a mish mash of Tongue and groove pliers: 9"Proto, 11" Channel lock, and 14" Crescent. All are USA made and have never failed to perform as required. I have owned the Proto's for 25 years.

I actually would like to give the Knipex pliers a try just to see what all the hype is about, but if the Ebay prices are any indication of their cost, I can't see that happening any time soon.

 

[Fedwrench]

The big Knipex pair is the way to go. They're not cheap by any standard but, if you add up the cost of all of the pliers you own that you're not satisfied with, the Knipex will pay for itself.

 

[Paumanok]

I will give another vote for the Channellocks being the best value for the money. I have the Channellock 16" and 20" Big Azz plier - They have never failed me. 16" has a 4 1/4" jaw capacity - and home depot sells it for $20 as stated above. That said - the knipex pliers are also excellent, but their cost is quite a bit more:

Channellock 16" T&G at Home Depot - $20.95 jaw cap. - 4 1/2'

Kinpex 16" cobra at Aktoolsonline - $60


Channellock 480 20.25" T&G at Harryepsteins.com - $40 jaw cap. 5 1/2"

Knipex 22" cobra at Aktoolsonline.com - $82

Channelocks are the BEST value IMHO

 

[eschoendorff]

I am one of those poor souls who, unknowingly, threw there money away on below par tools.

I have a mish mash of Tongue and groove pliers: 9"Proto, 11" Channel lock, and 14" Crescent. All are USA made and have never failed to perform as required. I have owned the Proto's for 25 years.

I actually would like to give the Knipex pliers a try just to see what all the hype is about, but if the Ebay prices are any indication of their cost, I can't see that happening any time soon.

I have my share of Knipex and Channellock, among others. Knipex are nice, but I use my Channellocks as much. They both work really well. If you can get the Knipex at a reasonable price, go for it... but if you want reliable performance at a price competitive with the Chinese imports, go for the Channellocks.

If you want really pleasant-to-use pliers, look for pre-Stanley Facom. By far my favorite.

 

[krusty the clown]

I will give another vote for the Channellocks being the best value for the money. I have the Channellock 16" and 20" Big Azz plier - They have never failed me. 16" has a 4 1/4" jaw capacity - and home depot sells it for $20 as stated above. That said - the knipex pliers are also excellent, but their cost is quite a bit more:

Channellock 16" T&G at Home Depot - $20.95 jaw cap. - 4 1/2'

Kinpex 16" cobra at Aktoolsonline - $60


Channellock 480 20.25" T&G at amazon.com - $ 50 jaw cap. 5 1/2"

Knipex 22" cobra at Aktoolsonline.com - $82

Channelocks are the BEST value IMHO

add made in USA to that list............why buy anything else

 

[vssjim]

Channelock pliers are a great value, I have many different brand of pliers and I haven't had any thoughts of throwing out my non Knipex pliers just because I own some of those also.

 

[LoneGunman]

After using the Cobras I could not go back to using anything else, unless someone makes something better. Y'all know I'm not the type to say "it HAS to be this tool or nothing" , you have to buy what you can afford, if you have the money, the Cobras will outperform the Channelocks in terms of gripping power.

I did not pay retail for my Cobras, below are links to the Cobras I have recently purchased, still more money than Channelocks but not much more. The first link is the 16" which I paid $39 shipped and the second is the 12" I paid $25 shipped, I had the Sears ones already but for $25 I jumped on them. Notice in the first link he said nothing about Cobras, search Ebay for "Knipex" ans just keep looking, you'll find deals.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=310105496449


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=310105496369

 

[Delray]

Irwin makes a groove lock if you want to try a cheap pair of button adjust type. I have a small set that are good enough for household chores.

 

[dxdexter]

After using the Cobras I could not go back to using anything else, unless someone makes something better. Y'all know I'm not the type to say "it HAS to be this tool or nothing" , you have to buy what you can afford, if you have the money, the Cobras will outperform the Channelocks in terms of gripping power.

I did not pay retail for my Cobras, below are links to the Cobras I have recently purchased, still more money than Channelocks but not much more. The first link is the 16" which I paid $39 shipped and the second is the 12" I paid $25 shipped, I had the Sears ones already but for $25 I jumped on them. Notice in the first link he said nothing about Cobras, search Ebay for "Knipex" ans just keep looking, you'll find deals.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=310105496449


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=310105496369

Those prices seem reasonable. To bad they don't ship to Canada, or I might give them a try.

 

[krusty the clown]

the Cobras will outperform the Channelocks in terms of gripping power.

are you comparing the knipex's to standard channellock's or to the V-jaw or nut buster's as far as gripping power?

obviously comparing standard CL's would be apples to oranges.........i would like an objective opinion comparing V-jaws to knipex.

 

[walrus]

I fit alot of 3/4" rigid conduit. I have both Channellocks and Knipex "waterpump" pliers. I prefer Channelocks as they adjust easier but the Knipex seem to grab a piece of pipe better. I don't like the Channellock V jaws at all while the Knipex ones work well. I've fitted alot of airline using only channellocks and have never had a problem getting lines tight enough.

 

[caper]

I have the 16" channellocks and a pair of 20" that I got from princesss auto for 12 bucks.Other than the handles being different I don't see a whole lot of difference.They both work fine for what I use them for,mostly squeezing transmissions back into place on the bell housing,haven't had any issues with either brand and the princess auto powerfist brand is lifetime warranty.

 

[LoneGunman]

are you comparing the knipex's to standard channellock's or to the V-jaw or nut buster's as far as gripping power?

obviously comparing standard CL's would be apples to oranges.........i would like an objective opinion comparing V-jaws to knipex.

Never tried the "nutbusters" , at around $30 a pair for the 14" (I could not find a 16") I can buy Knipex for the same price. I have tried the "V" jaw and did do a small comparison. I tightened a piece of 1/2" rigid conduit until the pliers lost their grip and spun, then tried gripping the conduit in the same spot with the Cobras, I got around another 3/4 of a turn with the Cobras. Obviously not a scientific test but it was enough to sell me on their benefit.

I still use Channelocks pretty much daily, 3 pairs reside in my work truck while the Cobras are in my tool chest in my garage.

I'm not saying I or anyone NEEDS Cobras, got along without them for years but I do prefer them over the Channelocks. If you buy the Sears Cobras which we all know are rebranded Knipex, they are an awesome deal and I believe are in the same price range as Channelock.

 

[kythri]

Thanks for the welcome, all!

That's SO easy: CHANNELLOCK. You can get the 16" for under $30, IIRC.

Hmmm.. seems like I'm late to the party. Still, Kythri, you REALLY had to ask??? You should know this stuff by now!!!!

I should, but then I saw this (Sears is local, figured I'd check them first):

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00993744000P
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00993743000P

That price scared me, figured there had to be something cheaper. Instead, Sears is just retarded - AGAIN.

At that point, with those prices, I figured I'd ask and see what you fine folks recommended.

The Cobras look nice, but the price of the Channel-Locks from Epstein look nicer.

 

[krusty the clown]

Never tried the "nutbusters" , at around $30 a pair for the 14" (I could not find a 16") I can buy Knipex for the same price. I have tried the "V" jaw and did do a small comparison. I tightened a piece of 1/2" rigid conduit until the pliers lost their grip and spun, then tried gripping the conduit in the same spot with the Cobras, I got around another 3/4 of a turn with the Cobras. Obviously not a scientific test but it was enough to sell me on their benefit.

I still use Channelocks pretty much daily, 3 pairs reside in my work truck while the Cobras are in my tool chest in my garage.

I'm not saying I or anyone NEEDS Cobras, got along without them for years but I do prefer them over the Channelocks. If you buy the Sears Cobras which we all know are rebranded Knipex, they are an awesome deal and I believe are in the same price range as Channelock.

thanks.

 

[fatfillup]

I own Knipex pliers, both alligator and cobra and have used them so much I have worn out several pairs. I use them as pipe wrench pliers and they are my go to tool. I use the 3 smaller sizes (7, 10, 13?) several times a day. I also own 2 pair of the channel lock 16 in pliers that I use twice a month maybe and they perform just fine. I think it depends on how much you are going to use them. Use a little, buy the channel locks, use often buy knipex. Also note, I never use my small channel locks anymore, the knipex are that much better.l

 

[Uncle Buck]

I will add my vote to those below.

Damn, I had no idea that I could save money or time by owning those over my Channellocks or Diamonds. I have never ran into a problem with my 16" Channellocks so what do I gain by using these Knipexs other than while often useful annoying button adjustment?

I beg to differ, my 20" Blue-Points (rebranded Channellocks, i beieve.) work just fine for me, i might not get such fine adjustment but when you're using 20" waterpump pliers the things you use them on generally don't require such precision.

http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/460_-_16_inch_Tongue_and_Groov_P21C3.cfm

That's SO easy: CHANNELLOCK. You can get the 16" for under $30, IIRC.


Hmmm.. seems like I'm late to the party. Still, Kythri, you REALLY had to ask??? You should know this stuff by now!!!!

I will give another vote for the Channellocks being the best value for the money. I have the Channellock 16" and 20" Big Azz plier - They have never failed me. 16" has a 4 1/4" jaw capacity - and home depot sells it for $20 as stated above. That said - the knipex pliers are also excellent, but their cost is quite a bit more:

Channellock 16" T&G at Home Depot - $20.95 jaw cap. - 4 1/2'

Kinpex 16" cobra at Aktoolsonline - $60


Channellock 480 20.25" T&G at Harryepsteins.com - $40 jaw cap. 5 1/2"

Knipex 22" cobra at Aktoolsonline.com - $82

Channelocks are the BEST value IMHO

Welcome back kythri .. how about $40 for a 20 in.

http://www.harryepstein.com/pliers-groovejoint.htm

I love my Knipex pliers, but I don't own any that big.

If you want good and cheap, Home Depot sells the 16" Channellocks for around 20 bucks.

Since we are on the subject of T&G pliers, I also like the 12 3/4" Wilde Pipewrench pliers. Mine are Klien branded, but Harry Epstein has Wilde closeouts for $10.

I have the 16" channellocks and a pair of 20" that I got from princesss auto for 12 bucks.Other than the handles being different I don't see a whole lot of difference.They both work fine for what I use them for,mostly squeezing transmissions back into place on the bell housing,haven't had any issues with either brand and the princess auto powerfist brand is lifetime warranty.

 

[nissan_crawler]

add made in USA to that list............why buy anything else

1. The locking button. Nothing pisses me off more than having a pair of pliers adjust itself when you pick it up by one handle, stick them through a pants loop, or a hole in a ladder, drop them, etc.

2. They grip better. When I ran my gas line the channellocks weren't great at all, and the knipex could go tighter than my rigid pipe wrench.

3. They're wearing better so far.

Each to their own, I'm not saying channellocks are bad, they aren't. They
aren't in the same class as knipex, though.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

1. The locking button. Nothing pisses me off more than having a pair of pliers adjust itself when you pick it up by one handle, stick them through a pants loop, or a hole in a ladder, drop them, etc.

2. They grip better. When I ran my gas line the channellocks weren't great at all, and the knipex could go tighter than my rigid pipe wrench.

3. They're wearing better so far.

Each to their own, I'm not saying channellocks are bad, they aren't. They
aren't in the same class as knipex, though.

Excellent points. They aren't in the same price range as Knipex either, which is a big deciding factor. For half the price i'll be happy getting a little pissed and re-adjusting them once in a while.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Excellent points. They aren't in the same price range as Knipex either, which is a big deciding factor. For half the price i'll be happy getting a little pissed and re-adjusting them once in a while.

AMEN to that !

 

[kythri]

Home Depot, 16" Channel-Locks, $20.96.

Bought them today.

Thanks for the help!

 

[MyChannellockTools]

We can also personalize your Channellocks! USA Made and Life Time Guaranteed!

Smooth Jaw, V-Jaw, Narrow Nose Jaw, Nutbuster Parrot Nose Design, Grip Lock, or your standard Straight Jaw Comes in a variety of sizes, The Big AZZ #480 20.25" and the 16.50"
run $25-50 each.

 

[kythri]

I'll send you my new 16" Channellocks, and post a review of the personalization...

 

[FNFS2000]

I guess where most of the disagreement is in how I think cheap tools waste time and money.(and our bodies)

I guess is mostly lies in whether your the employee or the employer/self employed.

Hilti tools cost multiple times more than alternatives you can find in big box junk stores, however professional contractors buy Hilti because of many reasons, when you are paying someone to do a job and a tool fails it costs a whole lot more than just the actual cost to replace the tool.

Channellocks are great if your paid by the hour. Initial investment is minimal, and they sort of work and will probably continue to sort of work for a long time. There is an enormous difference in the grip between the two and life expectancy. Knipex cobras as one earlier poster said, grip pipe better than his rigid pipe wrench. You can literally stand on the handle of a cobra with zero squeeze force and it will just lock up harder and ruin the pipe before it slips. Channellocks of all their various attempted copycar tooth designs still need to squeeze with all your old carpal tunal inflicted hands can muster and they still slip(they'll slip for the young guys that still have good hands too)