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Anyone else like Channellocks?

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Jim C.

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Turnabout is fairplay ! You started all this, now we're just trying to play catch-up. :willy_nil

To be honest, I didn't want to admit how bad my addiction really is. I just came out of Lowes with a pair of 318s.

Jim C.
 
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redwrench60

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This is all your fault redwrench60!!! I had myself talked out of these! I certainly didn't need them...... :lol_hitti

Jim C.

Lol, If you've got a sickness don't worry, you have company! I can't suffer alone.:lol:

Don't worry, they won't go to waste. They'll quickly make their way into your front line tools. Heavy duty needle nose with a good cutter? What's not to love. :beer:
 
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Jim C.

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^^^^^^^ that's a great start!!! You've got 8 already. Next thing you know, it'll be 12. I started out with just a couple and now I'm up to 14. Some have already posted pictures of dozens! They can be addicting.

Jim C.
 
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Jim C.

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It's a Channellock thread!! Anything Channellock related counts!!^^^^^^^
 

jakemac

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That's cheating, not all of us have access to such a pretty carpet ! :lol_hitti


Just added another pair of 426's and my first pair of 460's (in the mail). Both pre-permalock (before mid-80's).
 
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Jim C.

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Here is my 'vintage' Channellock collection!
2x 420, 426, 424, 447, 435, 366, 307, 547, 516

Jeff, that's a real nice collection of vintage Channellocks. Is the pair of 420s on the far left in the pouch, the same pair you got from Super Sport? I got a pair from him, also in the pouch, and it's mint. I think we agreed......they're almost too nice to use.

Jim C.
 
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Jim C.

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Okay, I recently went off on a small Knipex binge as I admitted in another thread. Hey, they're nice tools and the prices were right. Anyway, even after buying a few Knipex tools (shown below), I still managed to find this handy little pair of Channellock 526 pliers on sale at a Lowes store that I don't often frequent. They were just hanging there, on sale ($5.97), and I couldn't resist picking them up. Now I'm not saying that I'm completely off the "Knipex kick," but I can positively say that I'm still a big fan of USA made Channellock tools.

Jim C.
 
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Jim C.

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The Channellock #758 flush cutting pliers. They're rated for cutting plastic and 10 - 20 AWG copper wire. Did I need these? No. Did I get a great price on them? No. Am I spiraling out of control? Maybe....... I couldn't resist.
 
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Carsandtools

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I am a very big Channellock fan. Over the years, I have purchased just about every plier in their catalog and I have multiples of several, especially the 6" #426 Tongue & Groove. When they introduce new pliers, I order them.
 
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Jim C.

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I am a very big Channellock fan. Over the years, I have purchased just about every plier in their catalog and I have multiples of several, especially the 6" #426 Tongue & Groove. When they introduce new pliers, I order them.

There's a lot of Channellock fans here. We'd all like to see you collection! Take a few pictures and post them.

Jim C.
 

cole_CT

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Only have 5 so far. They are my first real pliers as I am 17. I adore my new Channellocks and I plan on getting MANY more. I guess I found the right thread! :rocker:
 
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cole_CT

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Oh and by the way, I never thought I would love a pair slip-joint pliers until I came across the Channellock 526! That tight joint and those aggressive jaws make these just awesome pliers.
 

Outlander

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I do now.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3273545&postcount=9722
attachment.php


I'm thinking that my dark blue Mastercraft set needs to transition over to the light blue Channel Lock color. Heaven help me...Garage Journal is killing me!
 
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Jim C.

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Only have 5 so far. They are my first real pliers as I am 17. I adore my new Channellocks and I plan on getting MANY more. I guess I found the right thread! :rocker:

Looks like you've got the basics covered and you're off to a good start! If you read the first post in this thread, you'll see that I started off with only a couple pairs of Channellocks. Now, only a couple years later, I have sixteen (and counting). They certainly can be addicting. They're good tools for the money, and I like the fact that they're still made in the USA. Keep us posted as your collection grows. We like like pictures!

Jim C.
 

Carsandtools

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There's a lot of Channellock fans here. We'd all like to see you collection! Take a few pictures and post them.

Jim C.

Well here are a couple of quickie pictures that I took. My Channellock collection is spread throughout five or six tool boxes. Some of them are at the cottage, some in the maintenance trailer for working on rental houses. They are separated in separate collections for plumbing, electrical, carpentry and mechanical.

These pictures are from my travel tool box and from my plier drawer of my garage roller. My Channellocks share a drawer with Craftsman USA, Wiss USA, Klein and other USA brands.
 
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cole_CT

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Looks like you've got the basics covered and you're off to a good start! If you read the first post in this thread, you'll see that I started off with only a couple pairs of Channellocks. Now, only a couple years later, I have sixteen (and counting). They certainly can be addicting. They're good tools for the money, and I like the fact that they're still made in the USA. Keep us posted as your collection grows. We like like pictures!

Jim C.

You're totally right. The price for what you are getting is quite unheard-of. Now what do you suggest my next Channellock plier should be?:drool:
 

Holt

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The Channellock #758 flush cutting pliers. They're rated for cutting plastic and 10 - 20 AWG copper wire. Did I need these? No. Did I get a great price on them? No. Am I spiraling out of control? Maybe....... I couldn't resist.

Oh Jim you made my signiture.
 
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Jim C.

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Well here are a couple of quickie pictures that I took. My Channellock collection is spread throughout five or six tool boxes. Some of them are at the cottage, some in the maintenance trailer for working on rental houses. They are separated in separate collections for plumbing, electrical, carpentry and mechanical.

These pictures are from my travel tool box and from my plier drawer of my garage roller. My Channellocks share a drawer with Craftsman USA, Wiss USA, Klein and other USA brands.

Thanks for posting a couple pictures. You weren't kidding, you do have a nice collection of Channellocks! I think you're addicted! :thumbup:

Jim C.
 
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Jim C.

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You're totally right. The price for what you are getting is quite unheard-of. Now what do you suggest my next Channellock plier should be?:drool:

You know, there's several that I'd add to your collection. Like I said, it looks like you've got the basics covered. Depending on what you do at work, home, etc., will possibly determine what you "need" next. I'm not a pro mechanic, but rather a serious DIYer. A few Channellocks that I've really liked and used since I bought them have been the #911 cable cutters. These are great! They leave a clean cut and work well. I like the #357 end nippers for cutting heavy wire and brads. I think a pair of #410 Nutbusters might come in handy for rounded off fasteners, and I really like my #422 and #442 pliers with the V jaws. I use my #442s all the time, mostly when working on my in-ground irrigation system. I'm sure others have their favorites. Sooooo many choices!

Jim C.
 

cole_CT

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You know, there's several that I'd add to your collection. Like I said, it looks like you've got the basics covered. Depending on what you do at work, home, etc., will possibly determine what you "need" next. I'm not a pro mechanic, but rather a serious DIYer. A few Channellocks that I've really liked and used since I bought them have been the #911 cable cutters. These are great! They leave a clean cut and work well. I like the #357 end nippers for cutting heavy wire and brads. I think a pair of #410 Nutbusters might come in handy for rounded off fasteners, and I really like my #422 and #442 pliers with the V jaws. I use my #442s all the time, mostly when working on my in-ground irrigation system. I'm sure others have their favorites. Sooooo many choices!

Jim C.
Thanks for all these suggestions! I hope to expand my tongue and groove section and I think a V-Jaw pair may be yet another good addition. Where is the best place to buy new Channellocks? So far I've bought all of mine in either the Lowes electrical section and in Home Depot...
Although, On the Harry Epstein site, it did seem like they have some decent deals. I've also looked at Tooldiscounter.com.
 
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Jim C.

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Thanks for all these suggestions! I hope to expand my tongue and groove section and I think a V-Jaw pair may be yet another good addition. Where is the best place to buy new Channellocks? So far I've bought all of mine in either the Lowes electrical section and in Home Depot...
Although, On the Harry Epstein site, it did seem like they have some decent deals. I've also looked at Tooldiscounter.com.

Well it seems that Lowes is starting to phase them out. My local Lowes has almost nothing, but my local Home Depot still has a fairly good selection of the basic stuff. My local Menards and Ace Hardware stores also stock them. Epstein's is probably a good place to look and I think Channellock might sell them directly to end consumers. If you're diligent, you might find them used at garage sales, flea markets, etc.

Jim C.
 

jakemac

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Normally I prefer to buy my tools used but, no thanks to this thread, I just pulled the trigger on a brand new pair of Channellock #960 Locknut pliers.
attachment.php


They've been taunting me every time I go to the store, even though I don't do much electrical work any more. Lowes had them on clearance for $11.38 and I finally succumbed to temptation.
 
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cole_CT

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Normally I prefer to buy my tools used but, no thanks to this thread, I just pulled the trigger on a brand new pair of Channellock #960 Locknut pliers.
attachment.php


They've been taunting me every time I go to the store, even though I don't do much electrical work any more. Lowes had them on clearance for $11.38 and I finally succumbed to temptation.

Nice buy at eleven bucks! Next Lowes purchase hopefully will be the Channellock 8 3/8" Pincers Pliers:D
 
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Jim C.

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Normally I prefer to buy my tools used but, no thanks to this thread, I just pulled the trigger on a brand new pair of Channellock #960 Locknut pliers.
attachment.php


They've been taunting me every time I go to the store, even though I don't do much electrical work any more. Lowes had them on clearance for $11.38 and I finally succumbed to temptation.

You know, I've looked at those same pliers on several occasions myself. Let me/us know how you like them.

Jim C.
 

RCStocker

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I have over 30 pair of all sizes and types.
I pay $2 or $3 for them and for the large pump pliers I never pay more than $5. I have been using them for 40 years and never had one go bad. The come all the time at the swap meets. I like their dikes. I have a lot of other brands but no truck brand pliers or dikes. They cost way to much and I like my money to much to be foolish enough to waste it on over priced tools.

I just picked up another 10 inch for $2. Out here in California they seldom have any rust on them. They are a great product.

If you ever find old Diamond pliers they are ever better. They bring good money on Flee bay.

I think they are one of the best tools for the money on the market. New or used.
 

jakemac

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Nice buy at eleven bucks! Next Lowes purchase hopefully will be the Channellock 8 3/8" Pincers Pliers:D

La-La-La-La-La-La-La- I can't hear you La-La-La-La-La-La-La-
(I have a pair)


You know, I've looked at those same pliers on several occasions myself. Let me/us know how you like them.

Jim C.

I tried them out on a hex nut on a toolbox lock - meh.
I know that that's not what they're supposed to be used for, but it was the only thing handy at the time. The closure lock is REALLY stiff, but that will ease up in time. Without the spurs on the nut, like on electrical locknuts, they slipped. But I can see how handy they could be for electrical work. I always ended up using a hammer and screwdriver to tighten the locknut in a box. It usually ended with ****** knuckles or cuts (and a ruined screwdriver). I'm not too crazy about stamped metal tools but, I wish I had these back in the day.
 
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