Acceptable quality snap ring pliers

[Daniel831]

I hate snap rings. I need an arsenal. Sunex seems to have good value, forged cr-mo sounds like a step up from the cheap stuff. Feedback is appreciated, I hear good things about sunex impacts but what about these snap ring pliers? Heres a link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MCW6EY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BajaBound]

I am also looking at the sunnex set there is also set from knipex. Sunnex is gonna start getting more of my money.

 

[Daniel831]

The knipex ones are the obvious winners quality wise, the design looks much better than any other brand, but for the price of a few knipex tools http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs..._mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D25X-_-203202308 I could have a complete set of sunex, only question is if the sunex will be of usable quality.

 

[chad99]

Main thing is that they are reversible...as the sunex are.Removing a snap ring really isn't a high stress scenario.As long as the tips fit in the holes,you are prob good to go.And it looks like the sunex set might be able to handle a.wider variety of clips.I imagine the sunex would be fine.

 

[MattPersman]

one thing i have run into with the knipex (I have them) is the tips are a little big for much of the smaller snap rings I have come across in the past 2-3 years. do not know if it is coincidence or holes have gotten smaller on newer stuff. but the sunex set has smaller tips .038" instead of .049". just something else to consider depending what you are using them for.

 

[Daniel831]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll follow up with a review when I do make my decision

 

[cbracer]

Craftsman and many other brands simply rebadge similar pliers. I've been debating on the following two designs but don't know which one is better. Anyone have some good feedback about these?

 

[Mustang1167]

Channellock also has a nice set with interchangable tips.

 

[Seanbev24]

Snap ring pliers are right near the top of my list of tools that need to be top quality. I got by with cheap ones for years, bending/breaking tips and digging the partially removed snap ring out with a pick.

I have the Craftsman pro convertible pliers and hate them. It's a waste of time changing tips and they're **** for larger snap rings. Since they do work well for small ones, I leave the small tips on them and bought this set for everything else...

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675128&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

At first glance they look like everyone else's pliers, but they're much more solid and better built. The Knipex pliers look great, but the Snap-ons are easier for me to warranty if I ever have an issue.

OP, I don't have specific experience with the Sunex set, but I've just had horrible luck with "acceptable quality" snap ring pliers. If these are gonna be for pro use, it really is worth spending some more money. The Sunex set will probably work, and is probably a good choice for weekend use, but it's not going to fix your hatred of snap rings.

 

[Monte]

knippex

 

[1982fxr]

what's the coo on sunnex?

 

[yogitech]

Ive been using the above mentioned Sunex set on a pro level for the past six years. There just now starting to wear out the tips. I did have one of the 90* ones that I warrantied out due to cracking at the bend. I believe it may have been a deffect, the replacements are doing great.

Over the last year I did buy some Snap On in certain sizes due to a "tighter" fit in the openings. Those are really nice too But, I would deffinetely purchase the Sunex set again if it were'nt covered under warranty.

 

[Steve_P]

one thing i have run into with the knipex (I have them) is the tips are a little big for much of the smaller snap rings I have come across in the past 2-3 years. do not know if it is coincidence or holes have gotten smaller on newer stuff. but the sunex set has smaller tips .038" instead of .049". just something else to consider depending what you are using them for.

I have two knipex pliers with .035 tips, so you need to spend more $$ and get these .

 

[gsmornot]

Craftsman and many other brands simply rebadge similar pliers. I've been debating on the following two designs but don't know which one is better. Anyone have some good feedback about these?

I have the set on the right and have used them for years with no issues. The tips are replaceable if you break them but I never have.

 

[chappys4life]

Craftsman and many other brands simply rebadge similar pliers. I've been debating on the following two designs but don't know which one is better. Anyone have some good feedback about these?

I have the set on the right and I hate them! Changing the tips are a pain to. On first tip change the included wrench stripped. I am watching this thread trying to find a replacement for them.

 

[eBell]

Mmmmm, snap ring pliers. For me they're not needed often but when I do I REALLY do.
Gave in and finally bought a nice S&K set this past winter. Made in the U.S.A.

I've used them about 5 times so far and unlike other versions I've owned these didn't
have me digging through my mind for the appropriate swear word.

Got them on Amazon. You may be able to find them cheaper somewhere else but I was already there buying other items.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009WRL3I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Let's see if I can get away with a link to Amazons picture of them:

 

[franzdom]

I take it by 'acceptable' this is not what you were looking for:

 

[gsmornot]

I have the set on the right and I hate them! Changing the tips are a pain to. On first tip change the included wrench stripped. I am watching this thread trying to find a replacement for them.

Wow. Maybe I'm missing out and just don't know it. Such a strong feeling for something that has for me worked well. I guess part of it may be that before these I just used two screwdrivers and pried the rings out. I get better as I go but maybe I'm still not there yet.

 

[XaqNautilus]

I've been eying the ChannelLock circlip pliers for a while now. Only brand I've seen in person besides some uber cheap ones at Princess Auto for $5 but I'd never buy those.

 

[frankush]

I have the SK set as well. I got tired of the replaceable tip versions. Works great for me.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

This thread is just on time

I have a crafty set and it has served well--just hate changing the tips during projects.

Is the S&k set reversable or are they specific to internal or external rings?

 

[eBell]

This thread is just on time

I have a crafty set and it has served well--just hate changing the tips during projects.

Is the S&k set reversable or are they specific to internal or external rings?

They're reversable. That knob in the center is the cam-lock bit for the change from external to internal. Just twist and you're heading the other way.

I'll admit I tried out smarting the tool the first time and thinking I'd bound one up. Guess I couldn't accept it would be that simple.

 

[cbracer]

These look nice:
http://www.levelchrome.com/TOP-SS175-175mm-69-External-Snap-Ring-Pliers_p_279.html
http://www.levelchrome.com/TOP-HS175-175mm-69-Internal-Snap-Ring-Pliers_p_280.html

At work we have a SK re-badged from Facom and they are a gem to work with:
http://www.tooldex.com/product/FAC-FA-470/Facom-FA-470-Retaining-Ring-Plier-Sets/

 

[Mike007]

Ive got a question for anyone who has used this SK set. Does the knob ever get in the way on the cam lock if you are trying to remove a snap ring in a tight space? I'm trying to decide between cam lock and the standard type.

 

[jontar]

The channellock ones are nice, they have removable tips

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/pro...927-Internal-/-External-Retaining-Ring-Pliers