Circlip Pliers - do you use 90 degree?

paulsomlo · Sep 26, 2018

I'm about to buy a set of Knipex, but wondering if I really need the four that are 90 deg? I know that I've used them, but can't really remember the last time. If I forgo the 90's, I can get more tip sizes, as the Knipex kit is limited to 0.050" and 0.070". Maybe some of you can weigh in and sway my decision one way or the other. Mostly automotive work and the typical DIY fixit stuff.

Oh yeah - regarding the precision Knipex with the piano wire inserts; anybody have access issues due to the thickness of the forged part where the tip inserts?

2oolhound · Sep 26, 2018

I like the 90' just because they can allow you to work in a more comfortable position. I also like circlip pliers without interchangable tips because I'd rather just grab the right tool without having to do another little task before removing a circlip.

mr.lemons · Sep 26, 2018

Regarding access issues. I bought Facom with a similar design to Knipex precision and found that the thicker jaws blocked my view of the tips on the smaller sizes so I sold them and bought standard Gedore which have thinner jaws. Hopefully the designs of these pliers are close enough to the two Knipex styles to be relevant.

This was my experience. Results may vary. Pics were taken for another thread posted a while ago and are simply a visual representation of my findings. Not intended to be an exact scientific test or proof of anything :thumbup:

Gedore on the left. Facom on the right.

Only way to access the ring with the Facom is directly from above so it is difficult to see if the tips are in the eyelets. (Same issue with the 90 degree jaws)

Approaching from a similar angle with the Gedore. The tips and eyelets are more visible.

Due to the thinner jaws on the Gedore you can approach from a steeper angle clearly seeing if the tips are engaged before straightening the pliers and removing the ring.

Dingleburry · Sep 26, 2018

Use 90deg alot on gearbox rebuilds where straight wouldnt work. Have the 8pc knipex. Love them

dutchgray · Sep 26, 2018

I believe its not possible to own too many different makes and styles of circlip pliers, circlips can be enough of a pain to deal with you don't want to make it harder by trying to get it with a set of pliers that barely fit.

Wamsutta · Sep 26, 2018

The 90 degrees are used when the snap ring is around a shaft.

laser3kw · Sep 26, 2018

Wamsutta said:
The 90 degrees are used when the snap ring is around a shaft.

and - done :thumbup:

Tallpilot · Sep 26, 2018

dutchgray said:
I believe its not possible to own too many different makes and styles of circlip pliers, circlips can be enough of a pain to deal with you don't want to make it harder by trying to get it with a set of pliers that barely fit.

I agree. I have the large Lang set everyone rebrands and the Knipex precision set. The more options the better.

CR888 · Sep 26, 2018

Those Gedore's look really nice. A big difference with regards to seeing the circlip. A 6pc set would be pricey though I bet.

paulsomlo · Sep 27, 2018

Thanks for the replies, all - I ended up ordering the 8pc Knipex set, the forged ones, not the precision. I couldn't find the thread, but I do remember reading something a while back regarding someone having access issues with the size of the precision tips, because the circlip holes were "crowded" by the bore.

The 8pc set includes internal and external, straight and 90 deg, in 0.050 and 0.070 tips. I rounded out the set by adding pliers with 0.036 tips in both internal and external, 45 deg, Knipex forged, and pliers with 0.090 tips in both internal and external, straight, one was Knipex forged, the other labeled "Draper", but in the image, marked as "Elora Germany" - I strayed from Knipex on this one because it was was an "add on", at $4.52 EU.

I ordered these from German Amazon, Amazon.de - the total was $150.42 USD, including shipping. They charge $8.90 USD for shipping. Delivery times are a bit long, as expected - they'll arrive around October 18. I'll attach a screen shot of the items.

paulsomlo · Oct 11, 2018

The set of eight arrived today, a week ahead of schedule. I put one to work, taking apart a ratchet - I think I can toss my Craftsman convertible with the replaceable tips in the garbage can. No slipping, no swearing, hangs on to the ring and doesn't let go, until I tell it to - a very different experience.

I've got four more circlip pliers coming to round out the set, I may bore you with more pics when they arrive.

laser3kw · Oct 11, 2018

I hate to say this but Harbor Freight has a nice set for around $45. Not the rinky dink convertible, tip snapper, always the wrong size ones ( I already have), but a set similar looking to ^^^.
I have been waiting to find then on sale ( maybe a 25% coupon) before I buy them. :thumbup:

(PS - does anyone want to buy a slight use "collection" of snap ring pliers? :eek2:

)

mr.lemons · Oct 11, 2018

^

Nice Knipex set. Hope they work out well for you :thumbup:

laser3kw · Oct 11, 2018

mr.lemons said:
^

Nice Knipex set. Hope they work out well for you

reference: Harbor Freight snap ring plier link
PS - I notice they went up in price - now around $50

quattroman · Oct 11, 2018

I use the 90s when servicing RockShox forks, google picture below

xin · Oct 11, 2018

I need a NEW set for my motocross bikes. All of mine are older like MAC or similar just wore out from years of use.

How much did the ones in the pics above run?

paulsomlo · Oct 11, 2018

xin said:
I need a NEW set for my motocross bikes. All of mine are older like MAC or similar just wore out from years of use.

How much did the ones in the pics above run?

Well, I don't know what Quattroman is using, but the 8pc Knipex set cost me about $100 delivered - I bought it from Amazon.de, German Amazon. That's $40-$60 less than here in the USA. The set covers 0.050 and 0.070 tips, internal and external, straight and 90 deg. I added in 0.090 tips internal and external straight, and 0.036 tips internal and external 45 deg. to round out the set, which added another $50, all in for $150 shipped. Up above, I posted a screen shot of the order info from Amazon.

Snaparxon · Oct 11, 2018

I use 90 degree pliers and straight , 45 degree not very much

paulsomlo · Oct 11, 2018

snaparxon said:
I use 90 degree pliers and straight , 45 degree not very much

They were about $14, the cheapest option in Knipex on Amazon.de in that tip size, and I figured that the 0.036 tips would probably be used the least, so a good compromise, hopefully.

paulsomlo · Nov 1, 2018

Here's the last four, 0.090 and 0.036 tip diameters to supplement the Knipex set. The Elora is not up to par with the Knipex, quality-wise. There's a small but detectable amount of slop in the joint, and they're not as smooth in opening and closing - but for $6 and change as an Amazon add on, I'm not complaining too loudly. I've used several pair so far, cleaning up some ratchets and replacing a wheel bearing - dealing with circlips has gone from frustrating to trivial.

JJ99SS · Nov 18, 2018

paulsomlo said:
Well, I don't know what Quattroman is using, but the 8pc Knipex set cost me about $100 delivered - I bought it from Amazon.de, German Amazon. That's $40-$60 less than here in the USA. The set covers 0.050 and 0.070 tips, internal and external, straight and 90 deg. I added in 0.090 tips internal and external straight, and 0.036 tips internal and external 45 deg. to round out the set, which added another $50, all in for $150 shipped. Up above, I posted a screen shot of the order info from Amazon.

I just looked on the amazon.de and they are 389 euros.... like 400 bucks...

. Am I missing something?

ChrisLS8 · Nov 18, 2018

I used them alot to clock Turbo housings

ChevyEFI · Nov 18, 2018

paulsomlo said:
Thanks for the replies, all - I ended up ordering the 8pc Knipex set, the forged ones, not the precision.

The 8pc set includes internal and external, straight and 90 deg, in 0.050 and 0.070 tips. I rounded out the set by adding pliers with 0.036 tips in both internal and external, 45 deg, Knipex forged, and pliers with 0.090 tips in both internal and external, straight,

You will be well equipped for a lot of work. Nice selection.

paulsomlo · Nov 19, 2018

JJ99SS said:
I just looked on the amazon.de and they are 389 euros.... like 400 bucks...&#55357;&#56876;. Am I missing something?

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

I'm showing 90.50 EU, including VAT. A US delivery address will automatically remove the VAT.

Edit: when I click on that link, it takes me to Amazon.com. Try going to Amazon.de and searching on "Knipex Circlip Pliers".

giants · Feb 27, 2019

Does anyone know a YouTube video that shows how to improve one's skills with using snap ring pliers?

Circlip Pliers - do you use 90 degree?

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