Astro Hose Clamp Pliers

[moparfreak]

Does anyone have these pliers, are they useful? I have a few different hose clamp pliers but nothing like these, and I have been in many situations where getting all the different types of hose clamps off, having the right tool for the job is a lifesaver. With the clearance deal at $20 it doesn't seem a bad deal.

Thoughts or experience on these?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200655284_200655284

 

[jeremy v]

I don't see any real value in those pliers over other options, but they might be useful for some applications. I am not a big fan of that type of handle latching mechanism, but some people like it. The jaws also seem a bit bulky to me for use in tighter areas. If I bought those, the first thing I would probably do is cut the jaw plates a little smaller in both dimensions. You only really need a couple jaw nubs to interlock with most hose clamps firmly, not a whole grid.

I own several good hose clamp pliers, but honestly 90% of the time I just use needle nose pliers or Knipex cobra ES pliers (with the longer needle nose style tip) instead because they are faster and easier.

 

[moparfreak]

Thanks for the feedback. I have never seen this type of jaw before so was curious if they were effective. I agree, needlenose is the first pass through, and if that doesn' work, I go to something more specialized.

 

[92integra]

I have a fair selection of pliers the only thing I see those being really useful for would be clamp connections at a heater core up against a fire wall. It is hard to sting the cable type back there around a specific clamp those look like they would work pretty good for that. I have only had good experiences with astro tools thus far

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have one pair, very similar. I bought them over 25 years ago and can not recall if I ever used them !

In the "old day" spring hose clamps were made out of round spring wire (note the notches on the pliers are round) not the flat spring band you see today. Like this example, but much larger, both the wire diameter and the intended hose diameter. (Chrysler used to use them a lot on heater and radiator hoses in the 60s-70s. A ***** to get off without the magic pliers !)

 

[K-Dog]

I have that exact set and have found them quite useful but not exactly intuitive to use. The thumb release is just a bit funky. Other than that I use them a lot and seven times out of ten they are my go to for transmission hose clamps.

 

[wafrederick]

I never had good luck with Astro Hose Clamp pliers,have a pair that has been warrantied at least 2 times.The long cable type,the teeth for the pawl stripped out.Sit in my toolbox at work not being used anymore for this reason.Use my Mayhew pair more which I have had great luck with.

 

[CobraRed]

I never had good luck with Astro Hose Clamp pliers,have a pair that has been warrantied at least 2 times.The long cable type,the teeth for the pawl stripped out.Sit in my toolbox at work not being used anymore for this reason.Use my Mayhew pair more which I have had great luck with.

Astro has a life time warranty on those pliers. Send them back and get the updated thicker pawl mechanism model, solid.