What would you add to this automotive pliers collection?

[Jacobson]

The following comment made me wonder if I am missing something good.

The 96CF Talon grip needle nose are probably the best pliers for automotive work made. A close second are the 61ACP duck bills.

This is what I have:

The light blue needlenose (far left) are probably what I use the most.
I've had those since the 1980s.
Does this basically serve as the 96CF Talon ?

The extra long needlenose (3rd left) is also a nice tool to have.

I also use the micro flush cutters a lot, so I got spares for $7.

Those hose pliers have come in handy for removing tight lines.
Spark plug pliers also work well.

I have never really found a need for Knipex Cobra pliers,
even though everyone here loves them.

Should I get duckbilled pliers?

What would you add for automotive focused work?

 

[JJThrasher]

Its all about what you do. I'd add a pair of slip joint pliers and some more vise grips. Maybe a filter plier.

 

[MrGiggles]

Knipex are my go-tos for spring hose clamps.

May not be "pliers" per se, but a good pair of wire strippers are nice. I have Blue Point.

 

[Jacobson]

I have a large pair of 16" ChannelLock 460 slip joint pliers.
They are great when you need them!

I also have ChannelLock Snap Ring pliers too.


Here is a cheap duckbill pliers.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TEKTON-34421-11-in-Long-Reach-Duckbill-Pliers-/262730046164

 

[Jacobson]

I have these for hose clamp pliers

 

[gdocktor3]

Crescent or Gearwrench double x pliers

 

[Honda guy]

SnapOn 5ACP mini pliers. At work, we call them Mighty Mouse pliers. They grip better than a pair of Vice Grips.

 

[metaldad]

these?

 

[R_einan]

I use duckbills (Mac branded Channellock 71) for most anything a needle nose plier is good for, dunno why, they just fit right and seem easier to work with for me. Think you can get a set of the channellock branded ones from HJE for a good price right now. Saw them the other day and almost ordered a set because the price was good.

Other than that, I really like the snap on 3 position slip joints and the new stripper/crimper they have out.

 

[Jacobson]

Do you mean 718 for $14?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BPYPFE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[nbpt100]

If you were to only get one more item I would get a 10" or 12" pair of Channel locks. Still made in USA. But there are so many scenarios out there in the automotive world were it often seems you are not working with the optimum pair of pliers.

 

[hautpot]

Which is most used for automotive?
I never seem to use pliers.

Interesting......

 

[T45]

Interesting......

Ah, good catch. OP is the know it all troll.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The extra long needlenose (3rd left) is also a nice tool to have.

You need the same ones with 60°-90° bend.

You need more Vice-Grips. Small, needle nose, curved jaws, etc

Channellocks (arc joint) in 2 or 3 sizes.

I have a larger pair of electrician pliers and the Knipex mini-bolt cutters.

Some day you will need aviation tin snips.

 

[T45]

nothing to see here

 

[T45]

I have a large pair of 16" ChannelLock 460 slip joint pliers.
They are great when you need them!

I also have ChannelLock Snap Ring pliers too.


Here is a cheap duckbill pliers.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TEKTON-34421-11-in-Long-Reach-Duckbill-Pliers-/262730046164

Nothing like answering your own questions...

I have these for hose clamp pliers

Do you mean 718 for $14?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BPYPFE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Ah, good catch. OP is the know it all troll.

 

[Jacobson]

If you were to only get one more item I would get a 10" or 12" pair of Channel locks. Still made in USA. But there are so many scenarios out there in the automotive world were it often seems you are not working with the optimum pair of pliers.

Thanks. I'll look into the 10". The 16" are huge and can't be used in small spaces. I've used them to grab shocks

 

[Jacobson]

You need the same ones with 60°-90° bend.

You need more Vice-Grips. Small, needle nose, curved jaws, etc

Channellocks (arc joint) in 2 or 3 sizes.

I have a larger pair of electrician pliers and the Knipex mini-bolt cutters.

Some day you will need aviation tin snips.

Thanks for the ideas!

When do you use the bent needlenose?

I almost never use my vice grips.
What is their common use?

 

[R_einan]

Do you mean 718 for $14?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BPYPFE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Yep

http://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/channellock-718-8-duck-bill-long-reach-pliers.html

 

[unslow1]

Its all about what you do. I'd add a pair of slip joint pliers and some more vise grips. Maybe a filter plier.

My thoughts exactly. Maybe add a 90*.

 

[Know Wosad]

Nutbuster 410. No set is complete without them
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000189GQK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[FMC1959]

The following comment made me wonder if I am missing something good.

What would you add for automotive focused work?

A good mechanic.

 

[Know Wosad]

You need these too. Especially if you have glasses wearers in the house or a sewing machine.
LIL champ snipe needle or equivalent

 

[jptbay]

Knipex mini bolt cutter. I prefer an angled one. Great for cutting brake lines etc.

https://www.amazon.com/KNIPEX-71-200-SBA-Highleverage/dp/B005EXO8B0/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1480746728&sr=8-7&keywords=knipex+mini+bolt+cutter

 

[mbshop]

You are missing some commonly used pliers. But have you felt the need for something differant ? If not then you are good to go.

 

[d.mcfarland]

THIS GETS BETTER DAILY!!

"Are my **** chinese pliers from a yardsale equal to Snap On?"

Yeah, basically the same thing. Hell why not.

 

[AA/FC]

The following comment made me wonder if I am missing something good.



This is what I have:

The light blue needlenose (far left) are probably what I use the most.
I've had those since the 1980s.
Does this basically serve as the 96CF Talon ?

No, they do not. The talon pliers from SO have a unique grip pattern that works incredibly good. Nothing like I've ever used before. Your no-name pliers are NOT talon grip, nor do they "serve" as talon grip. Period.

 

[Cope]

ChannelLocks and a pair of Klein lineman pliers for a start. ETA, looks like you already have a small lineman pliers.

 

[ex-x-fire]

I like these tekton pliers, made in the USA & at a good price.

 

[thesilverone]

do you need a tool to remove the tag from the cutters?

 

[Jacobson]

I don't think I've ever used them.
I always use the micro flash cutters.

 

[Davefr]

No, they do not. The talon pliers from SO have a unique grip pattern that works incredibly good. Nothing like I've ever used before. Your no-name pliers are NOT talon grip, nor do they "serve" as talon grip. Period.

^^^Agree 100%. Talon grips are in a class all to themselves.

You should add a few Knipex Cobras and a Bigazz 20" pair of Channelocks.

 

[matthew]

My Channellock 420's are probably my most-used set of pliers. The 430 is just a touch longer and has 2 more adjustment positions. I have a hard time imagining getting by without a set of waterpump pliers. The Knipex style ones are really really good, but even a no-name set of tongue & groove style pliers are absolutely essential, IMO.

I am a huge fan of duckbills, but I'd put the waterpump pliers on the list before that. And I'd also put more Vise-Grips on the list. It looks like you only have straight jaw. I'd put a set of 7WR, 5WR, 6LN and 10WR on my list, probably in that order.

 

[Wamsutta]

MAC P92S Nose Pliers. Use them once and you'll throw all your other nose pliers away.

 

[FullRaceMerc]

I don't see battery terminal pliers. For corroded battery terminal bolts.

Brake spring pliers. If you ever run into drum brakes.

Stripping/crimping pliers.

Not necessarily automotive, but handy for sheet metal work.

Not automotive, but one of my favorites. Worth their weight in gold the day you need them. Duct crimping pliers.

If your looking for Channellocks, this style seems to have greater grip strength. I find myself grabbing them before my trusty old 430s.

Articulating needle nose. The handles don't spread out so far, so they are nice for reaching into a tight space. Mine are straight nosed.

 

[firworks]

Thanks for the ideas!

When do you use the bent needlenose?

I almost never use my vice grips.
What is their common use?

I agree with that. 60/90 needle nose will save you a bunch of swearing.

Get ye some beauties like these:
View media item 65493
Or don't go nuts and get these really good cheaper ones:
View media item 65550
You use them anytime you go "Why the hell would they put that there?" or "I'm never going to get that off". Most recently I was using them replacing a bunch of coolant hoses on a Mercury Sable. I assume they were previously put on while the engine was out of the body, seeing as every hose clamp was wedged against a piece of the body or literally facing into another component. They got a heck of a workout that day, and I think my hand still hurts from it.

 

[bob_the_builder]

What is the part number for the long reach Knipex pliers?

Bob

 

[kythri]

What is the part number for the long reach Knipex pliers?

Bob

If you're talking about the ones in the picture just above:

28 71 280 - straight nose
28 81 280 - bent nose

(the part number is on the handle)

 

[gdocktor3]

I've been looking to get a better pair of slip joint pliers, much like the Snap On talon grips. I had an old, large Crescent USA pair that finally stripped out enough to uselessness. Do the talon grip's open wide enough to easily/comfortably grab radiator hose clamps? I don't do enough rad work to justify buying hose clamp pliers, but would like a do it all pair I guess you could say. Is there an oem or equivalent to the talon grip pliers? I've never had a Wilde tool that didn't work, but for $12 it makes me wonder if these are good enough. Anyone use these pliers? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilde-Tool-...993014?hash=item259f18ce76:g:4iMAAOSwNSxUzpTc
What about the Tektons? http://www.ebay.com/itm/TEKTON-3712...e&pid=100005&rk=6&rkt=6&sd=161582993014&rt=nc

 

[Fedwrench]

Where's the automotive pliers collection?

I would add: 6 and 8 inch slip joint pliers, 10.5 inch arc joint or knipex (alligator/Cobra) type pliers, Channellock 447G or similar heavy duty curved jaw diagonal cutters (great for pulling cotter pins),smaller curved jaw vise grips, trim clip removal pliers, and cable operated hose clamp pliers.

For more options, scroll though the pliers section of any online tool vendor or walk through Harbor Freight so they match your other tools.