How good are the cam lock snap ring pliers?

[md21722]

Comparing something like the Snap On PRH406 to the Snap On SRPC107. Which is better?

Snap On PRH406 - https://store.snapon.com/Fixed-Tip-...t-Retaining-Ring-6pc-Blue-Point--P634255.aspx looks identical to

MAC PK6 - http://www.mactools.com/en-us/Pliers/Snap-Ring-Pliers/PK6/6-PC-Cam-Lock-Snap-Ring-Pliers-Set- looks identical to

Matco MST4306 - http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...-CAMLOCK-RETAINING-RING-PLIER-SET/#to-details

SRPC107 - https://store.snapon.com/Fixed-Tip-Convertible-Forged--Pliers-Set-Retaining-Ring-7pc-P647458.aspx

I believe the SRPC107 is forged, but has a screw that needs to be moved, versus the cam lock design of the Snap On PRH406 / MAC PK6.

 

[T45]

You can buy the 8pc forged knipex set for about $110 shipped.
Half the cost of the SRPC107. Here's a link.

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00ID7DEBO/

 

[AntonLargiader]

Wow, thanks! I've been looking for better snap ring pliers for some time now. I'll compare the tip sizes to what I work with, but since it's all German it'll probably be some pretty useful stuff.

I have a half dozen of the forged SO reversible ones but I'm just not feeling the love for them.

You can buy the 8pc forged knipex set for about $110 shipped.
Half the cost of the SRPC107. Here's a link.

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00ID7DEBO/

 

[jacked_72]

I'm seeing $345 from Amazon in the US. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N1FIMNN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[AntonLargiader]

Looking around a bit, there are those and what they call "Precision Circlip Pliers" which are made a bit differently and have adjustable stops in them to prevent stretching the circlip. They seem to be sized the same, though.

They have a bewildering array of various mixes of pliers, in different packaging, and while they do make 45 degree tips those do not seem to be in any of the sets that I saw. The sets of eight that I found are:


Precision:
00 20 04 SB set - blister pack - around $160 at Sears or Amazon
00 21 25 - foam lined case - $239 Amazon
00 21 25 S - seems the same for $189

Standard:
00 20 04 V01 - blister pack - mentioned above

 

[T45]

I'm seeing $345 from Amazon in the US. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N1FIMNN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Order Summary
Items: EUR 76,10
Postage & Packing: EUR 16,94

Choose a delivery option:
AmazonGlobal Expedited Shipping(averages 5-10 business days)
: get it on Dec 13-16

(Order Total: EUR 93,04)
Payment Total: USD 102.46
Order Totals include VAT. See details.

 

[WWheeler]

Are those sets different from this SK ~$110 set?

SK 7780 6 Piece Cam Lock Retaining Ring Plier Set
http://www.coastaltoolsupply.com/product/SKT-7780.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009WRL3I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The Coastal description says 'Made in USA'. Is SK the supplier for Snap on / Mac / Matco?

 

[md21722]

I believe Imperial Stride may have been the OE for all of them.

 

[md21722]

Anyway, I'm kind of wondering if the forged ones are better than the cam lock ones? The cam lock ones seem more convenient than messing around with thumb screws, but I'd guess they are not as strong. The cam lock ones seem pretty popular among mechanics, but they've also been around longer as far as I know.

 

[pstemari]

...
(Order Total: EUR 93,04)
Payment Total: USD 102.46

The $345 price is from a 3rd party merchant. http://amzn.com/B005EXNT38 is an actual Amazon offer for $168. Still cheaper to order from Amazon.de, for whatever reason.

Dunno what the difference between the -V1 and the -SB version is, but often that's just th packaging.

 

[zmotorsports]

I have had the Snap-On SRPC107 set for the past 10+ years now and really like them. I like them much better than a co-workers cam lock set that I don't particularly care for.

That said, I have been admiring the Knipex set for a while now but just can't seem to pull the trigger, yet.

Mike.

 

[AntonLargiader]

Are those sets different from this SK ~$110 set?

The Knipex sets are different. None of the Knipex ones are cam-type or even reversible as far as I can see. Pretty sure Knipex just makes them for themselves and no one else.

The $345 price is from a 3rd party merchant. http://amzn.com/B005EXNT38 is an actual Amazon offer for $168.

As I described, they are different sets containing different pliers. The Knipex website shows the difference. They have a 'Precision' line and a regular line. The regular ones actually look beefier, and they are the ones on the German site.

I have had the Snap-On SRPC107 set for the past 10+ years now and really like them.

Those are what I have also (about six of various configurations) but I just don't think they are as good as they can be. I still need to decide which Knipex set to try, but if I like what I get, I'll buy a second set and the SO ones will be traded in.

 

[WWheeler]

Are those sets different from this SK ~$110 set?

The Knipex sets are different. None of the Knipex ones are cam-type or even reversible as far as I can see. Pretty sure Knipex just makes them for themselves and no one else. [...]

Yeah I was referring only to the sets cam lock sets in the OP and the title of this thread. Seems like any discussion about the Knipex or otherwise is veering this thread off topic.

 

[avmaine]

The knipex ones are nice. I believe they make a line of them branded for Matco too, the forged ones that is, but i could be wrong.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

The Camlocks are really nice (selling my 90 degree Armstrongs because I just didn't need them ever).

I believe Imperial Stride may have been the OE for all of them.

Correct.
6pc Camlock Retaining Ring Pliers Set - Imperial Stride IR-6CK, Snap-on PRH406, Matco MST4306, SK 7780, Urrea 370L, Craftsman 950465, Armstrong 68-056

 

[bdelmar2]

The best 'Set' of snap ring pliers that are currently available (that I have found anyway) are is the SRPC112.

They are heavy duty, fairly well made, and it has a straight, 45 and 90 in the 4 most common sizes you are likely to run into on a vehicle, and a decent case.

Only thing I really have against them is they are a bit bulky.

I rebuild transmissions and run into snap rings/circlips fairly often, and many of them are in hard to reach places. Though most of them aren't the type that need the actual ring pliers like this, but still quite a few are.

We have a lot of different ring pliers around, from about 2' long walders truarc down to little bitty Chinese **** ones, but no cam locks.

Sometimes I have to use a cheaper plier than the snap on forged because of clearance already, that big honkin knob would be an issue.

 

[zmotorsports]

The best 'Set' of snap ring pliers that are currently available (that I have found anyway) are is the SRPC112.

They are heavy duty, fairly well made, and it has a straight, 45 and 90 in the 4 most common sizes you are likely to run into on a vehicle, and a decent case.

Only thing I really have against them is they are a bit bulky.

I rebuild transmissions and run into snap rings/circlips fairly often, and many of them are in hard to reach places. Though most of them aren't the type that need the actual ring pliers like this, but still quite a few are.

We have a lot of different ring pliers around, from about 2' long walders truarc down to little bitty Chinese **** ones, but no cam locks.

Sometimes I have to use a cheaper plier than the snap on forged because of clearance already, that big honkin knob would be an issue.

Agreed. I actually looked again last night as I have 4 sizes, 3 of each size and the SRPC112 set is the one I have. I misspoke earlier.

Mike.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have the Snap On SPRC107 set, plus the larger sizes. I really like them. No troubles with them. My former Snap On guy never even sold the other kind. Said they weren't as good.

I've also been looking into the Lang set. Very similar to the Snap On, but cheaper. Still US made. Pretty sure the Lang's are rebadged by several other companies as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ovrrdrive]

Off topic as it may be, it does appear Amazon US does sell some of those knipex pliers at least individually.

They look like they're in a class by themselves...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002YYMDA/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E5X9YY/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E5XAUW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[pstemari]

The ones with the riveted joint instead of the screw joint? The screw joint ones are what get the "precision" description.

See http://knipex-tools.com/index.php?id=1023&page=groups&parentID=1298&groupID=1365. The regular series are the 44 and 46, and have riveted joints. The "precision" series are the 48 and 49, and have screw joints. Aside from the joint, the other difference appears to be that the riveted joint pliers have tips that are turned from the jaw material, while the screw joint ones have pins that are inserted and then forged in place. See http://knipex-tools.com/index.php?id=1023&page=group_detail&parentID=1365&groupID=1457&artID=

The 48 31's, 49 31's, and 49 41's have the adjustable limit stops.

The German set and the $345 Amazon US set are the "regular" series, the $155 Amazon US set (00 20 04 SB) is the "precision" series, but without the adjustable stops. None of the sets appear to have the pliers with the adjustable stops.

Getting back to the OP's question, the cam locks are there to convert from internal to external use? Knipex has separate pliers that are dedicated to one or the other, so not quite the same.