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Anyone else like Channellocks?

CHI_Tool&Die

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Jul 20, 2021
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1,378
Location
Chicago, IL
I've wanted these curved jaw 442's from eBay for quite some time, but didn't need them badly enough to pull the $60 trigger. They recently went up to $99.95. I'm disappointed. I thought if I was patient enough, he'd eventually get tired of sitting on them and lower his asking price. Clearly I was mistaken. the ad says he's sold 16 of them and this is his last pair. I don't know if I believe that or not.
https://ebay.us/m/xv8nAK
1766419010627.png
Are those new old stock? They look completely different (better) from the ones I have.
 
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Meursault74

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Yeah. I'm not sure how long it's been since CL sold them in that packaging, but I know it's been a decade + since you could get an actual curved jaw. They went to the V-jaw, and I've never liked them as well.
Scarcity raises the price I suppose. I have the current 442 with the V-jaw. Seems they'll run about $20-25 these days at any local store.

Do you have a specific task that the curved jaw works better for your needs? That ebay price plus shipping is quite a lot those for what they are.
 

Tynee

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In the Heart of the Bluegrass
Scarcity raises the price I suppose. I have the current 442 with the V-jaw. Seems they'll run about $20-25 these days at any local store.

Do you have a specific task that the curved jaw works better for your needs? That ebay price plus shipping is quite a lot those for what they are.
Other than gripping pipe or round stock, nothing specific. Just general preference. Agree, it's a lot. If it were reasonable, I'd have owned them a couple years ago when I first started watching them.
 

Ohio Andy

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Outlawmws

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LOVE these! Have you ever tried (or needed) the really big pair? The number is 480 but they are referred to as "Bigazz"


I have mostly used the 480 for plumbing. I think I have a complete set of the straight jaw pliers.

Personally I've never found a pair of 480's in the wild or an equivalent in other brands; not spending what it takes new as I may never need them.

I do have multiples of 460's, 440's, 430's, and many 420's... those need to be "special" (Older markings) or free to come home now.
 

sparky 1971

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Central Iowa
Personally I've never found a pair of 480's in the wild or an equivalent in other brands; not spending what it takes new as I may never need them.

I do have multiples of 460's, 440's, 430's, and many 420's... those need to be "special" (Older markings) or free to come home now.
The first pair of 480's I ever saw was laying on a clearance table for $20 at Lowes around 1999-2000. I had to have them so they became mine. The first time I remember using them was on 3" conduit compression fittings the summer of 2024. I needed two pair and discovered that HF carries a clone with the Doyle name for $30. I now have one of each, and other than the handle color, they are pretty much equal in performance.
 

Ohio Andy

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Personally I've never found a pair of 480's in the wild or an equivalent in other brands; not spending what it takes new as I may never need them.
I noticed yesterday that my local Ace Hardware has these in stock. I am able to use these to remove certain plumbing plugs that I otherwise need to resort to a large very heavy pipe wrench even though I do not need the extra torque (cast iron sewer plugs).

I also needed them (but did not have them with me that day) to get something off a toilette; probably between a tank and the bowl that was screwed on. I ended up cutting it off which had a greater risk of breaking the toilette. Normally I do not need a wrench to get that piece off, but it required more strength than I had.
 

morgaj1

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Alabama
Personally I've never found a pair of 480's in the wild or an equivalent in other brands; not spending what it takes new as I may never need them.

I do have multiples of 460's, 440's, 430's, and many 420's... those need to be "special" (Older markings) or free to come home now.
I bought a pair of 480's many years ago to replace our pool chlorinator. Still have them, but don't think I've use them on anything but the pool
 
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Outlawmws

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The remnants of red paint is interesting. I guess I've never seen anything from CL in red other than hammers.
Likely a PO's doing...

I've never seen Blacksmith hoof nippers by CL... I'm guessing a fairly early offering? Neat find Jeff!
 

MattV

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Nov 29, 2020
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Canada
20260206_181837.jpg
I guess this belongs here. Canadian tire had a bit of a sale on the crimpers, the water pump pliers were on clearance. Not crazy about the latter, they just feel a little bulky and odd, but they'll make a nice set to throw in the holiday trailer and the price was right. I'm starting to collect quite a few sets of blue pliers, might need to take a family picture one day.
 

willf650

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Mar 10, 2010
Messages
789
Most newer channellock tools I see definitely seem to show the corrosion pretty quick. Those wire strippers for example.
Take that with a grain of salt. Those strippers are about 2 years old and have been wet from rain.

I don’t see any real difference in corrosion than any other brand I have that has a raw steel finish. You have to remember not everyone works inside all the time with their tools.
 

willf650

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Mar 10, 2010
Messages
789
Gotta throw some shade at Channellock for a few tools that are kinda bad. I bought some new tools to pack a lighter secondary bag so these are recent additions in the past year and a half or so.

I wanted a slightly slimmer version of needle nose than my standard Kleins hence I bought these:
IMG_2376.png

They seem nice but have an issue that would make me never purchase them again. The cutter has a gap at the end and I haven't a clue why. Literally every other brand of needle nose I have has a full cavity cutter for lack of a better term. These you attempt to cut a wire and there's a better than zero chance some of it will windup outside the cutting edge which will make you question your purchase.
IMG_2375.jpeg


The next thing I wanted was an American made flush cutter so once again the blue brand was on deck. They aren't exactly cheap in price but they are in performance. They are so spindly they flex and I question whether they will consistently cut a wire tie much less a copper wire. I think I'm going to literally throw these away.
IMG_2377.jpeg

The flush cutters are pictured above with some peers that are 1/3 the price and 3 times the quality. I just got the yellow ones today to replace the Channellocks in this particular tool bag.

I can't really complain that much about these demo drivers. They are pretty nice.
IMG_2379.jpeg

I previously posted that they were set up to turn with a 1/4" ratchet. That is not the case. I had the occasion last week were I needed to break a screw free with more torque than I could generate by hand so I busted out a ratchet. The striking cap is not attached to the shaft so the cap just spun. They do have a square shaft so you can grab them with a wrench on the shaft.
IMG_2368.jpeg

Finally here Channellock has a winner although it's a rebrand much like the screwdrivers. These wideazz adjustables are a winner. The slim jaw one in particular is very useful.
IMG_2378.jpeg
 
Last edited:

willf650

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Mar 10, 2010
Messages
789
Got these today along with a new hat!1776391586600.jpeg
So did I but my hat is stained and creased out of the box. Had to be stained when it was packed and kinda pisses me off as there was nothing to stain it in the box.

I emailed them and hope they ship me a clean one free of charge because I had to pay to ship it once. I’m not paying to ship it back.
 

neophyte

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Joined
Apr 23, 2012
Messages
9,570
Location
Pennsylvannia
Gotta throw some shade at Channellock for a few tools that are kinda bad. I bought some new tools to pack a lighter secondary bag so these are recent additions in the past year and a half or so.

I wanted a slightly slimmer version of needle nose than my standard Kleins hence I bought these:
IMG_2376.png

They seem nice but have an issue that would make me never purchase them again. The cutter has a gap at the end and I haven't a clue why. Literally every other brand of needle nose I have has a full cavity cutter for lack of a better term. These you attempt to cut a wire and there's a better than zero chance some of it will windup outside the cutting edge which will make you question your purchase.
IMG_2375.jpeg


The next thing I wanted was an American made flush cutter so once again the blue brand was on deck. They aren't exactly cheap in price but they are in performance. They are so spindly they flex and I question whether they will consistently cut a wire tie much less a copper wire. I think I'm going to literally throw these away.
IMG_2377.jpeg

The flush cutters are pictured above with some peers that are 1/3 the price and 3 times the quality. I just got the yellow ones today to replace the Channellocks in this particular tool bag.

I can't really complain that much about these demo drivers. They are pretty nice.
IMG_2379.jpeg

I previously posted that they were set up to turn with a 1/4" ratchet. That is not the case. I had the occasion last week were I needed to break a screw free with more torque than I could generate by hand so I busted out a ratchet. The striking cap is not attached to the shaft so the cap just spun. They do have a square shaft so you can grab them with a wrench on the shaft.
IMG_2368.jpeg

Finally here Channellock has a winner although it's a rebrand much like the screwdrivers. These wideazz adjustables are a winner. The slim jaw one in particular is very useful.
IMG_2378.jpeg
The gap could be intended for stripping wire insulation.
Older Bell/Telephone pliers routinely had a narrow gap area in the jaws, which is usually specified as an “insulation crushing slot”.
 

Meursault74

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 1, 2019
Messages
21,900
Location
Southern California
Gotta throw some shade at Channellock for a few tools that are kinda bad. I bought some new tools to pack a lighter secondary bag so these are recent additions in the past year and a half or so.

I wanted a slightly slimmer version of needle nose than my standard Kleins hence I bought these:
IMG_2376.png

They seem nice but have an issue that would make me never purchase them again. The cutter has a gap at the end and I haven't a clue why. Literally every other brand of needle nose I have has a full cavity cutter for lack of a better term. These you attempt to cut a wire and there's a better than zero chance some of it will windup outside the cutting edge which will make you question your purchase.
IMG_2375.jpeg


The next thing I wanted was an American made flush cutter so once again the blue brand was on deck. They aren't exactly cheap in price but they are in performance. They are so spindly they flex and I question whether they will consistently cut a wire tie much less a copper wire. I think I'm going to literally throw these away.
IMG_2377.jpeg

The flush cutters are pictured above with some peers that are 1/3 the price and 3 times the quality. I just got the yellow ones today to replace the Channellocks in this particular tool bag.

I can't really complain that much about these demo drivers. They are pretty nice.
IMG_2379.jpeg

I previously posted that they were set up to turn with a 1/4" ratchet. That is not the case. I had the occasion last week were I needed to break a screw free with more torque than I could generate by hand so I busted out a ratchet. The striking cap is not attached to the shaft so the cap just spun. They do have a square shaft so you can grab them with a wrench on the shaft.
IMG_2368.jpeg

Finally here Channellock has a winner although it's a rebrand much like the screwdrivers. These wideazz adjustables are a winner. The slim jaw one in particular is very useful.
IMG_2378.jpeg
155807467.jpg

random image from the web shows the gap. But on yours, is it on both sides or just one?

could be used for stripping as mentioned above.

I've had some CL stuff that wasn't that "pretty" recently as well, but still functional.
 

willf650

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Joined
Mar 10, 2010
Messages
789
155807467.jpg

random image from the web shows the gap. But on yours, is it on both sides or just one?

could be used for stripping as mentioned above.

I've had some CL stuff that wasn't that "pretty" recently as well, but still functional.
The slot is as pictured and is through both sides.

The gap could be intended for stripping wire insulation.
Older Bell/Telephone pliers routinely had a narrow gap area in the jaws, which is usually specified as an “insulation crushing slot”.
I don't believe it's a stripping slot but I will test the theory over the weekend. I have a few other pliers with a stripping slot and it's in the center of the the cutter or in the case of others it's actually a v notch ground into an exterior edge and not in the cutting blades at all.
 

willf650

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Joined
Mar 10, 2010
Messages
789
Those Channellock pliers definitely don't have a stripping notch.

Here's a set of diagonals with the two styles of stripping notch I’ve seen before. This is the specific gauge hole in the center. I have a couple differs types of pliers with this style.
IMG_2381.jpeg

These also have the V notch like a set of electrician’s scissors.
IMG_2382.jpeg

And to keep this Channellock related here is a set of 30 year old grandady nutbusters I don’t think are available anymore. They are the size of a 14” pipe wrench.
IMG_2383.jpeg
 
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