Anyone else like Channellocks?

[fm2176]

fm, most of the Channellock stuff you will find in Do it Best stores is rebranded imports made only for DIB.

I know that, but it's still amazing how many things Channellock has put their name on. To date, the only non-US tool I have is a Code Blue bottle opener.

Since you're on the forum I'm assuming you have the Internet. Just order what pliers you want online.

Internet? My ten free hours of AOL service are up for the month. Honestly, most of the fun was in visiting stores I'd otherwise pass by and supporting locally owned small businesses. I got to meet and chat with some nice folks and spend some time away from the omnipresent technological devices. Future binges will be spent at Amazon and other online retailers. I paid a premium for some of the stuff and could have saved a few dollars here and there with online ordering.

 

[TS3g]

New to this thread. I admit to being fond of a certain light blue colored tool brand, as seen by my latest haul...

 

[OCD]

New to this thread. I admit to being fond of a certain light blue colored tool brand, as seen by my latest haul...

That crimper is one of my favorite tools...

 

[thieltech]

Wow that was a long read ! all iam seeing is blue!

I had the blue fever some time back!

Travis has one awesome collection!
He hasnt posted any new blue in a couple days!
Wonder if his wife found his **** collection and murdered him!

 

[CGT80]

That is a lot of pages on just Channelocks. I don't like the smooth rubber grip, but the tools look like good quality and I didn't realize they still had USA made tools. The grip on the Cman is much nicer to me and the Cman is still USA made, as of a few months ago. The black grip on the Cman can chip or peel off from use and then that really *****.

My favorite are Klein Journeyman. I have the linesman pliers and side cutters in that handle style and they beat any other hand tool grip I have used. The klein strippers and screwdrivers are awesome as well. I don't bother with other screwdrivers now. A few months ago, I did pick up more cman pliers and then kicked myself for not getting klein instead. Klein is more expensive.

Damn it..............now I have to look at the Channellock tools next time I go out. I am a tool junky and have used tools to make my living for the last 20 years (from age 14 on). I might have a problem, as I sometimes buy tools even if i don't need them.

 

[thieltech]

I might have a problem, as I sometimes buy tools even if i don't need them.

Dont we all

 

[MagnumForce]

I love them, love the blue, love the finish, love the easily cleaned handles. Love the function.

I have knipex stuff too and I still prefer my Channies. Still fiercely made in Meadville, PA

 

[Jim C.]

New to this thread. I admit to being fond of a certain light blue colored tool brand, as seen by my latest haul...

Welcome to the thread!!

 

[Jim C.]

.......I'm not sure why I bought all of these..... I certainly did not need any of them beyond buying the #911. The last five tools were purely impulse, binge, purchases!!.......

........ I might have a problem, as I sometimes buy tools even if i don't need them.

Notice how I started the thread for that very reason!! Most of us here have the same basic problem......we don't need them, but still, we gotta have them.

Jim C.

 

[Jim C.]

I love them, love the blue, love the finish, love the easily cleaned handles. Love the function.

I have knipex stuff too and I still prefer my Channies. Still fiercely made in Meadville, PA

Hey Magnum,

Great looking collection!! Thanks for the photo.

JimC.

 

[jonjon1]

I buy a few pairs everytime i order from tool topia they seem to have the best price on them, I have like 20 pairs or so in the tool box and then another 10 pairs in my plumbing bags..

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Was off this thread for a few weeks.. got all caught up tonight. Nice adds all around, to all..

 

[OCD]

 

[ianguilly]

Recent picture of my pliers drawer, love my channellock.

 

[rick carpenter]

Have any Do-It-Best stores around? I visited one, and they are a veritable Mecca of blue: everything from a 1/4" impact driver to work lights.

fm, most of the Channellock stuff you will find in Do it Best stores is rebranded imports made only for DIB.

I went to the DIB site, and frankly was disappointed to see what Channellock had done with relabeling. But oh well, that's what they want to do. I'll just stick to their Meadville stuff, with maybe the exception one day of some of their new USA screwdrivers.

 

[kythri]

I visited a Do-It-Best store for the first time yesterday.

Horribly disappointed, but, it was a sorta-small coastal town, so I'm hoping that has more to do with it than anything else (though, the town is 10k people, and there ain't much around elsewhere, so, I dunno).

They had 2 different pairs of ChannelLocks, and a 2-pack of a 420/440. That's it.

The rest of the hand tools inside this store shared the same 3' wide by 6' tall end cap with the ChannelLocks.

 

[MagnumForce]

So I asked about getting some stickers for my toolbox on the Channellock Facebook page the other night. Like 2 nights ago. I got home from work to find UPS had left this on the porch. 4 awesome stickers, a neat book and a set of 440 12 inch Channies and a nice card! I am gobsmacked! How awesome is that? I love this company! Still quality, awesome, reasonably priced tools made in Meadville, PA, USA! #channellock, you guys rock and have made me a loyal customer for life!

 

[Jim C.]

^^^^^ All that stuff for free??? Including the 440s? I knew they sent out free stickers and brochures, but I had no idea they sent free tools too!! Were the 440s free??

Jim C.

 

[MagnumForce]

Yes, free

 

[fm2176]

I visited a Do-It-Best store for the first time yesterday.

Horribly disappointed, but, it was a sorta-small coastal town, so I'm hoping that has more to do with it than anything else (though, the town is 10k people, and there ain't much around elsewhere, so, I dunno).

They had 2 different pairs of ChannelLocks, and a 2-pack of a 420/440. That's it.

The rest of the hand tools inside this store shared the same 3' wide by 6' tall end cap with the ChannelLocks.

That's unlike the one Do-It-Best I've visited so far. There's one in Blackshear that I haven't stopped into yet, but the Baxley store (both in GA) carries a good selection of the Meadville tools, along with something in nearly every section--socket sets, screwdrivers and nut drivers, staple guns, impact drivers, and pretty much everything else Channellock makes or licenses. As brought up by others earlier, most of this stuff is of Chinese origin.

I picked up a couple more pliers earlier, the GL-6 and 414, and grabbed a catalog while I was at it. There was an order form in the back for dealers which mentions special incentives for those who buy a 2:1 ratio of pliers to other tools (or 1:1 for smaller orders). It's obvious that the company is trying to expand past being known for just their pliers.

 

[Jim C.]

Yes, free

Nice little score!!!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Yes, free

Can we see more pictures of the book?

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Nice little score!!!

Not sure if this qualifies for an official "you ****" but close..

Great to hear such a solid company doing so well in the USA and making their customers and fan base happy..

Dennis

 

[cm_osu]

Does anybody here know much about the channellock toolboxes, extension cords, garden tools etc that do it best stores carry? Are these rebrands or are they actually made by channellock in America?

 

[bsaint]

I like Channellock when Snap-On or Matco doesn't make what I need.

 

[Outlawmws]

I don't think CL makes toolboxes so they would have to be re-brands. The key question here is by who? Are they quality.?

 

[kythri]

I don't think CL makes toolboxes so they would have to be re-brands. The key question here is by who? Are they quality.?

I'm 99.999% sure that the blue Channellock toolboxes are the same manufacturer as the lower-end Craftsman stuff that typically sells for around $300-$400 for the triple stack.

So, imported Waterloo, or ??

 

[Travisnd]

I have a Channellock toolbox pictured below. It is not made by Channellock and is made in China. The quality is ok, serves it's purpose.

 

[MagnumForce]

It sure is pretty

 

[Jim C.]

I have a Channellock toolbox pictured below. It is not made by Channellock and is made in China. The quality is ok, serves it's purpose.

......and it looks cool too while housing the BEST NOS Channellock collection on the GJ!!!!

 

[redbarron57]

I recently bought a pair of v grooves. And if you keep them clean and oiled they don't rust. This also comes with frequent use. I never buy a tool just because I like the way they look. Also I don't buy a tool unless it has a different shape or thicknes if I already have the same tool but different brand. Especially in wrenches.

 

[Jim C.]

I recently bought a pair of v grooves. And if you keep them clean and oiled they don't rust. This also comes with frequent use. I never buy a tool just because I like the way they look. Also I don't buy a tool unless it has a different shape or thicknes if I already have the same tool but different brand. Especially in wrenches.

Makes sense.....but I suspect that many here on this particular thread buy Channellocks, and possibly other hand tools, just for the sake of buying tools.

Jim C.

 

[metaldad]

Makes sense.....but I suspect that many here on this particular thread buy Channellocks, and possibly other hand tools, just for the sake of buying tools.

Jim C.

naw. not here. not me.

 

[Jim C.]

naw. not here. not me.

Yeah, me neither....

 

[Travisnd]

Never.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I like the 215 oil filter pliers. Use them every day in heavy equipment service. Sometimes there is a filter they can't get off (that's what the big strap wrench and long ratchet is for) but they do a great job otherwise.

For $20 you can't beat them with a stick.

 

[HaroRider]

Just broke the tip on my 317 needle nose this weekend

 

[sonvolt]

I have a Channellock toolbox pictured below. It is not made by Channellock and is made in China. The quality is ok, serves it's purpose.

Wow that is sweet !

 

[kythri]

Makes sense.....but I suspect that many here on this particular thread buy Channellocks, and possibly other hand tools, just for the sake of buying tools.

Jim C.

Sure.

I certainly haven't NEEDED all of the Channellocks or ratchets that I've purchased.

If the application presents itself, I'll certainly use them. Nothing I've purchased is exempt from that.

But, yeah - I've bought here and there when on sale for models of pliers I didn't have, or new ratchets to play with or whatever.

That's actually been one of the best parts about tools. I can "collect" them, but they're all practical, rather than for display.

The upshot, too, has been an increasing number of instances where I needed some specialty tool or style of a tool, and I had it in my tool box, rather than needing to delay a job and buy it, or adapt something else to the job.

 

[Travisnd]

Recently got a few media pieces along with a 1992 Channellock catalog....more cool stuff coming soon!