Anyone else like Channellocks?
- Thread starter Jim C.
- Start date
I have a pair of 909s, STA-KON 112s, a pair of SO crimpers that never get used anymore, and multitudes of those crimper/stripper/cutter/hand manglers that everyone hates.
The 909s are great but the STA KONs are just a little bit better. But you would only really notice if you crimp ALOT of terminals in the field.
The different colored handles make it easy to grab them correctly when you are in an awkward/dark place. They also require a little less force and make a neater looking crimp. Not really worth 2-3x the price of the 909s IMO, but they are nice to have.
Don't even get me started on ratcheting crimpers...
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I have a pair of those and really like them.
Nothing beats original Channellock waterpump pliers for pushing brake caliper pistons back.
PhantomEB
Well-known member
I am currently retrofittin my whole plier drawer with nothing but channellocks!
plinker
Well-known member
+1 (or whatever the current number is)
My Dad has some Snap-on badged Knipex pliers, dont care for them myself, but I'll say they are good pliers.
Channellock is my favorite for the tounge & groove style of pliers.
Most of my pliers are kinda a mixed bag of qualitiy pliers (mostly Channellock and some Klien). You cant beat the value and quality Channelock offers.
lwlobo
Well-known member
Thanks for your that input. I've seen those Sta-Kons, they're really nice, but I'm sure the Channellocks would do quite well for my use. Is it fair to assume that the others brands within the "multitudes" (Klien, Ideal, etc) rank behind the 909's?
Does anyone have their bottle opener:
BOCB BOTTLE OPENER
I wonder how it compares with the Wera bottle opener being discussed in this thread:
Wera question
-Bp
BOCB BOTTLE OPENER
I wonder how it compares with the Wera bottle opener being discussed in this thread:
Wera question
-Bp
GoBlue
Well-known member
I love Channellocks. I have a ton of them and use the hell out of them. I have never been let down.
Gregg33
Well-known member
I own several pairs of Channellocks in different types and sizes, all purchased new on sale (very hard to find good used pliers). They not only look **** but work good too. The side cutters are so precise I've used them to cut tape. Never had any problems with any of my Channellocks. 
Indy_500
Well-known member
I own a 12" tounge & groove pliers and LOVE it. I really want to upgrade all my pliers to channellock, just waiting for my cheapo HF pliers to wear out (I have a lot of HF stuff and like most of it, but their pliers really ****). Next channellock i'm FOR SURE purchasing is the needle nose.
William Payne
Well-known member
Buying pliers has proven to be as confusing to me as buying tools has been. As I posted earlier was advised by a guy I know to buy channellock or klein, yet those two brands plus knipex get alot of good reviews on here and I have easy access to all three brands yet have no idea which ones to buy.
lwlobo
Well-known member
I have both the Wera and Channellock bottle openers and they're both nice. I like the Wera better. Channellock opener is from china as are the similar Code Blue screwdrivers, I think.
shampoop
Well-known member
I absolutely love channellocks, probably my overall favorite tool brand. But I actually like my craftsman bottle opener more than I would like those ones.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...21x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=00944500000P
It's very large, beefy, and heavy. But the best part is that you can open it upwards like those ones, or by pushing down. It's so much easier doing it downwards. Just set the bottle on a table, grip the base, and push down on the handle of the opener. It's the kind of detail that sounds frivolous until you use it. Plus I like the all metal look better.
I just bought this recently on a random site for just over $20 http://www.channellock.com/318WS-Long-Nose-Plier.aspx
They are VERY nice! I think I like them better than the stolen SO pliers that they're replacing!
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Recoil Rob
Well-known member
i repair, spas, whirlpools and steam baths and have been using Channellocks T&G pliers since day one. Every so often the teeth get clogged up with silicone sealant, I wire brush them out and good to go. Mine have no finish left from the water and chemicals but still get it done.
My latest find was the 209 oil filter/PVC pliers, perfect for 2" PVC fittings in tight spaces. Before I found them I had taken a hacksaw to the handles of a pair of large Craftsmans but they were still awkward. The 209's are perfect for the application.
My latest find was the 209 oil filter/PVC pliers, perfect for 2" PVC fittings in tight spaces. Before I found them I had taken a hacksaw to the handles of a pair of large Craftsmans but they were still awkward. The 209's are perfect for the application.
thetreshon
Well-known member
Does anyone have their bottle opener:
BOCB BOTTLE OPENER
I wonder how it compares with the Wera bottle opener being discussed in this thread:
Wera question
-Bp
Have to say the Craftsman (US made) bottle opener is by far the best. It looks like a ratchet.
thetreshon
Well-known member
After reading your other posts after this one, I'm not sure if this will help you, but I would suggest looking for NOS needle nose Channellocks - they may be closer to what you're hoping for in a 'perfect' pair. I've boughten a lot of old stock in the original pouch packaging. Love them.
bart1
Well-known member
Speaking of "looks like a ratchet", those clever Germans were able to find a use for thier dead or test ratchets:
The Wera bottle opener is for metric bottles
Guess we'll have to get one of each: Wera for metric; Channellock for SAE.
Agreed......But finding NOS tools isn't always easy. Like I said earlier, I'm VERY happy with Channellock tools, and maybe I'm just being too picky about their needle nose pliers. I'll eventually find a pair that will satisfy me.
Jim C.
W650Mike
Well-known member
Lots of blue pliers here + one bottle opener hanging over the bench.
Bart's Hazet opener has me thinking...
Bart's Hazet opener has me thinking...
kissmeimgerman
Well-known member
Speaking of "looks like a ratchet", those clever Germans were able to find a use for thier dead or test ratchets:
Bart I need to open a brew, send that thing my way!
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I've got the Craftsman ratchet bottle opener, and both Klein and Craftsman screwdriver handle bottle openers
3 at 8
Well-known member
Whats the funny handle shape for on these 350S for?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I1LJUG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I1LJUG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
YZ Rider
Well-known member
Its for better leverage when you twist wire.
3 at 8
Well-known member
Makes sense to me. Thanks YZ
arizonaadam
Well-known member
Channellock is running "125 days of deals " on their facebook page right now. Nothing too stellar yet but i'll be keeping an eye on it. Today is if you spend $50 you get a free pair of anniversary 440's.
Too bad they weren't running the same deal a few months ago because I would have cashed in. That's when I was buying Channellocks left and right for no good reason. I'm still feeling the urge to buy more "blue handle" tools, but I think I'm slowing down a little bit.
Jim C.
I really like Channellock pliers - great value. I had some trouble getting mine replaced under warranty at Lowes, but an email from Channellock customer service cleared that up. I also appreciate that they're made in the USA.
I am equally impressed with their adjustable ("crescent") wrenches. The jaws are nice and tight and they're marked in both inch and metric.
I am equally impressed with their adjustable ("crescent") wrenches. The jaws are nice and tight and they're marked in both inch and metric.
Channellocks are awesome. 
I've been using them for as long as I can remember. When I was a young kid I thought channellock was the type of tool not brand as that's what everybody called tongue and groove pliers in those days.
Any tool will rust if you abuse them. I would rather take 30 seconds to clean and spray them every so often than pay $$$$$$ for knipex.
CL's are a steal for a quality made in the USA tool. Get'em while you still can.
I've been using them for as long as I can remember. When I was a young kid I thought channellock was the type of tool not brand as that's what everybody called tongue and groove pliers in those days. Any tool will rust if you abuse them. I would rather take 30 seconds to clean and spray them every so often than pay $$$$$$ for knipex.
CL's are a steal for a quality made in the USA tool. Get'em while you still can.
onemore
Well-known member
The blue color stands out nice at yard sales and the flea market!!!
bart1
Well-known member
I drug us off topic a bit earlier, sorry for that. I like CL!
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Monte, what is that in the background, a poster?
chevy302dz
Well-known member
Channellocks are awesome.
Any tool will rust if you abuse them. I would rather take 30 seconds to clean and spray them every so often than pay $$$$$$ for knipex.
CL's are a steal for a quality made in the USA tool. Get'em while you still can.
Most people I know still do that LOL. Kinda like ViseGrips for locking pliers or Kleenex for tissues. Now if Channellock would start making locking pliers to fill the quality/price/origin void left by ViseGrip moving production they could corner the entire plier market.
Picked up a set of channel lock 8in. Long nose pliers on the way to work. It just feels good in your hand. I just used em to pull a few electrical connectors and body clips. They work great. Next thing for my box is replace my pliers with channellocks.
Orchard Hardware Supply seems to have some pretty competitive prices for channellocks. Cheaper than walmart and sears. The prices are close to tooltopia. My 8in longnose were 22.83 out the door in california. tooltopia sells the same ones for 19.57. So unless you are buying 99.00+ to get free shipping the difference is negligible. It's also nice to hold the tool in your hand before you buy it.
Orchard Hardware Supply seems to have some pretty competitive prices for channellocks. Cheaper than walmart and sears. The prices are close to tooltopia. My 8in longnose were 22.83 out the door in california. tooltopia sells the same ones for 19.57. So unless you are buying 99.00+ to get free shipping the difference is negligible. It's also nice to hold the tool in your hand before you buy it.
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a Channellock catalog