Anyone else like Channellocks?

[Meursault74]

Ok, so CL sent an email 10% off Vault for next few days. I saw this and just ordered it. Never seen it before. I believe it's no longer in production. Looks like it might fit into certain places better due to the narrow jaws. Yeah, typical GJ mindset, I know. It's 10% off that price. I searched on here and I didn't see any reference to it. They list for a lot more on ebay from what I've seen.

They have some other items listed, but nothing else caught my eye or lightened my wallet.

From The Vault

Hardworking pliers made by harder working Americans since 1886. See for yourself why tradesmen and women trust CHANNELLOCK® tools to get the job done.

shop.channellock.com

12" Tongue & Groove (444)

CHANNELLOCK® Straight Jaw Tongue & Groove Pliers are built to last with a PERMALOCK® fastener to eliminate nut and bolt failure, patented reinforcing edge to minimize stress breakage and laser-hardened teeth to provide a better, longer lasting grip. CHANNELLOCK® Straight Jaw Tongue & Groove...

shop.channellock.com

 

[sparky 1971]

Ok, so CL sent an email 10% off Vault for next few days. I saw this and just ordered it. Never seen it before. I believe it's no longer in production. Looks like it might fit into certain places better due to the narrow jaws. Yeah, typical GJ mindset, I know. It's 10% off that price. I searched on here and I didn't see any reference to it. They list for a lot more on ebay from what I've seen.

They have some other items listed, but nothing else caught my eye or lightened my wallet.

From The Vault

Hardworking pliers made by harder working Americans since 1886. See for yourself why tradesmen and women trust CHANNELLOCK® tools to get the job done.

shop.channellock.com

12" Tongue & Groove (444)

CHANNELLOCK® Straight Jaw Tongue & Groove Pliers are built to last with a PERMALOCK® fastener to eliminate nut and bolt failure, patented reinforcing edge to minimize stress breakage and laser-hardened teeth to provide a better, longer lasting grip. CHANNELLOCK® Straight Jaw Tongue & Groove...

shop.channellock.com

You've really gone and done did it this time. You now have to buy something with air brakes so that you can properly use the tool.

 

[terrific]

That is a goofy looking pair of channellocks. Hope they serve you well!

 

[Meursault74]

Received the Channellock 444


Comparison to the 440



hoping this difference may help me out someday, likely in some plumbing application. Of course now that's it's new I'll use it for something right away.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

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:


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.



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.


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.


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.


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.

The adjustable wrenches are very good. The screwdrivers are really nice too but they do rust pretty easily. I actually like the handles though I know a common complaint is that they get slippery when oily.

As far as Channellock pliers, that was my first plier brand that I ever bought. I’ll always have some nostalgia for them but, man, once you start using what the Germans, Japanese, and Taiwanese are putting out, it’s really hard to keep buying the blue. Also, it kinda blows my mind to see you guys with older Channellock stuff and how crazy different the quality was then. Hell, just having the stamped branding back would be sweet.

 

[neophyte]

The adjustable wrenches are very good. The screwdrivers are really nice too but they do rust pretty easily. I actually like the handles though I know a common complaint is that they get slippery when oily.

As far as Channellock pliers, that was my first plier brand that I ever bought. I’ll always have some nostalgia for them but, man, once you start using what the Germans, Japanese, and Taiwanese are putting out, it’s really hard to keep buying the blue. Also, it kinda blows my mind to see you guys with older Channellock stuff and how crazy different the quality was then. Hell, just having the stamped branding back would be sweet.

I once did a cutter test on a bunch of pliers, cutting fine wire and fine thread, and the pliers were I had several or more pliers within a brand came out with Channellock having the most accurately tuned cutters across the cutters.
Bahco also came out almost perfectly, but I basically had a few of the same model, and a single other plier, so I can’t really judge the whole brand well based on that.
Knipex and Facom were next on the list, with Knipex being slightly better mated, although I think chrome plating may have thrown the Knipex precision off.
The first pair of Facom pliers I ever bought had cutters that couldn’t cut a paperclip cleanly though. (I haven’t had that issue since with numerous subsequent pairs).
I did not own enough Klein at the time to really test cutter performance.
Crescent was either spot on, or off enough were fine thread or fine soft wire could be an issue.
The Channellock pliers might have been a couple decades old or do at this point.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I once did a cutter test on a bunch of pliers, cutting fine wire and fine thread, and the pliers were I had several or more pliers within a brand came out with Channellock having the most accurately tuned cutters across the cutters.
Bahco also came out almost perfectly, but I basically had a few of the same model, and a single other plier, so I can’t really judge the whole brand well based on that.
Knipex and Facom were next on the list, with Knipex being slightly better mated, although I think chrome plating may have thrown the Knipex precision off.
The first pair of Facom pliers I ever bought had cutters that couldn’t cut a paperclip cleanly though. (I haven’t had that issue since with numerous subsequent pairs).
I did not own enough Klein at the time to really test cutter performance.
Crescent was either spot on, or off enough were fine thread or fine soft wire could be an issue.
The Channellock pliers might have been a couple decades old or do at this point.

My Channellocks cut well, better than my Kleins, but not as well as my NWS. I think they are often an overlooked brand for cutters. Knipex has been hit or miss. I like the electrical pliers with the shears but I find their normal diagonal cutters require a lot of effort from the user.

 

[Meursault74]

As far as Channellock pliers, that was my first plier brand that I ever bought. I’ll always have some nostalgia for them but, man, once you start using what the Germans, Japanese, and Taiwanese are putting out, it’s really hard to keep buying the blue.

Not a brand specific point, but an old school tongue and groove vs the newer micro adjust. It'll depend on what you're using them for. A couple weeks back I was getting my lawn sprinkler system tuned up to be used. Adjusted and changed a few out. Literally in the dirt and mud. From past experience, I reached for the old school tongue and groove pliers. I have some micro adjust Irwins, but when the dirt and mud get everywhere, the old school design is better for this particular task as they don't get locked up and are easier to clean after use.

Yeah, some of mine are CL. I also have some "Doyle" from Harbor Freight and out of the box some of the Doyle have "looked" nicer than the CL, so I do understand your view as well. Long term heavy duty use, I can't comment on really. I assume either brand will last a long time being used on plastic irrigation pipes and sprinklers.

 

[SixThirtyTwo]

My Channellocks cut well, better than my Kleins, but not as well as my NWS. I think they are often an overlooked brand for cutters. Knipex has been hit or miss. I like the electrical pliers with the shears but I find their normal diagonal cutters require a lot of effort from the user.

Incidentally, Wirecutter's top pick for wire cutters is the "Channellock 337CB Diagonal Cutting Plier":

The Best Wire Cutter

We put 13 pairs of wire cutters through relentless testing. Read on to see what we recommend.

www.nytimes.com

I would never buy anything based on their reviews, but I occasionally peruse their reviews to serve as a starting point or supplemental information for categories I haven't yet researched.

I wonder whether a pair mini bolt cutters would be a better a choice than diagonals for many cutting applications in which the latter are used, especially when the diagonal cutting ability isn't needed. I thought diagonals were intended for cutting "soft" materials such as copper. The technical specifications on Channellock's site are short on detail.

According to Wirecutter's "best" screwdriver review, the "Megapro 13-in-1 Ratcheting Driver 211R2C36RD" is functionally identical to the "Channellock 131CB 13-in-1 Multi-Bit Ratcheting Screwdriver":

The Best Multi-Bit Screwdriver

After 5 years of research and testing, we have a multi-bit screwdriver pick with great ratcheting action, bit storage, and bit selection. Read on for our picks.

www.nytimes.com

The Channellock is available at a much lower price, but unfortunately both models use double-ended bits. I want a standalone driver with which I can use my own bits. I know about the "automotive" of the Megapro... I'll stop here. This thread is long enough. I'll start a new thread if I want to discuss ratcheting screwdrivers.

 

[neophyte]

Incidentally, Wirecutter's top pick for wire cutters is the "Channellock 337CB Diagonal Cutting Plier":

The Best Wire Cutter

We put 13 pairs of wire cutters through relentless testing. Read on to see what we recommend.

www.nytimes.com

I would never buy anything based on their reviews, but I occasionally peruse their reviews to serve as a starting point or supplemental information for categories I haven't yet researched.

I wonder whether a pair mini bolt cutters would be a better a choice than diagonals for many cutting applications in which the latter are used, especially when the diagonal cutting ability isn't needed. I thought diagonals were intended for cutting "soft" materials such as copper. The technical specifications on Channellock's site are short on detail.

According to Wirecutter's "best" screwdriver review, the "Megapro 13-in-1 Ratcheting Driver 211R2C36RD" is functionally identical to the "Channellock 131CB 13-in-1 Multi-Bit Ratcheting Screwdriver":

The Best Multi-Bit Screwdriver

After 5 years of research and testing, we have a multi-bit screwdriver pick with great ratcheting action, bit storage, and bit selection. Read on for our picks.

www.nytimes.com

The Channellock is available at a much lower price, but unfortunately both models use double-ended bits. I want a standalone driver with which I can use my own bits. I know about the "automotive" of the Megapro... I'll stop here. This thread is long enough. I'll start a new thread if I want to discuss ratcheting screwdrivers.

I would not trust the New York Times for tool reviews, especially since their comment on the Bahco 2101G cutters misses one of the main points of the Bahco 2101 cutter design, that the cutters are “multipurpose” with a finer more flush cutting cutting design at the cutter tips, which progresses back to a much sturdier cutting edge towards the pivot joint, allowing easier precise cutting of both fine wire and hard thick wire.
The Bahco 2101 cutters are also made in at least a few sizes, from 5” up to 8” in length, as well as various handle designs.

 

[SixThirtyTwo]

I would not trust the New York Times for tool reviews,

I don't trust their reviews in any category, even if their recommendations coincide with my ultimate choice on rare occasions.

especially since their comment on the Bahco 2101G cutters misses one of the main points of the Bahco 2101 cutter design, that the cutters are “multipurpose” with a finer more flush cutting cutting design at the cutter tips, which progresses back to a much sturdier cutting edge towards the pivot joint, allowing easier precise cutting of both fine wire and hard thick wire.
The Bahco 2101 cutters are also made in at least a few sizes, from 5” up to 8” in length, as well as various handle designs.

This is one reason that GJ is great. My knowledge of hand tools is fairly basic at present, but it's just been augmented with new information about the Bahco 2101 cutters, a tool I barely knew existed until I moment ago. Thanks!

 

[Sturgeon]

Been a big believer of channellocks for the last 30 yrs +. Never have had a pair fail even when being abused.

 

[genog]

I like Channellocks!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Picked these up on sale at Menards

 

[ecotec]

So, at this point, I probably have over 20 pairs of Channellocks.

I prefer the older ones, that are thinner in the body, to the new ones.

Been a big believer of channellocks for the last 30 yrs +. Never have had a pair fail even when being abused.

While I don’t find them physically broken, I often find them bent far out of square.

I wonder how they do it.

 

[Outlawmws]

While I don’t find them physically broken, I often find them bent far out of square.

I wonder how they do it.

I have one pair of 422 curved jaw that the top jaw tip was snapped off. never understood how that happened - it took years to find one that was whole.

 

[willf650]

So, at this point, I probably have over 20 pairs of Channellocks.

I prefer the older ones, that are thinner in the body, to the new ones.

While I don’t find them physically broken, I often find them bent far out of square.

I wonder how they do it.

I broke a pair of Channellock pump pliers before at the joint groves. The frame cracked causing the pliers to skip. This only happened once.

I've also broken two of the crimpers. One pair was about 5 years old at the time and dropped it off an 8' ladder and it landed on the tip and broke off at the hinge.

I bought a replacement set and it litterally broke at the hinge on the first crimp. This one pissed me off. I returned them and got a set of Kleins.

I loose them way more than I break them.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Picked these up over the weekend

 

[SixThirtyTwo]

Picked these up over the weekend

Nice. Where did you get them?

 

[jeffmoss26]

Nice. Where did you get them?

 

[Ohio Andy]

Nice. Where did you get them?

Zoro also sells the gloves. I don't know if they have that specific love, but they do sell gloves from channel lock

 

[jeffmoss26]

I was honored to be able to attend the Channellock 140th anniversary celebration in Meadville yesterday. There were a ton of people: public, present employees, and the best part - a ton of retirees. It was so cool to talk to the people who make the tools I love so much. Here are pictures (may take more than one post) I picked up some items from the onsite store, will post tomorrow.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Plant 1: every pair of pliers starts here. Even though the machines weren’t running, it was HOT!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Plant 2: final assembly, handle dipping, packaging and shipping. Only got a couple pics there.

 

[Outlawmws]

That's cool Jeff!

 

[KnurledNut]

I was honored to be able to attend the Channellock 140th anniversary celebration in Meadville yesterday. There were a ton of people: public, present employees, and the best part - a ton of retirees. It was so cool to talk to the people who make the tools I love so much. Here are pictures (may take more than one post) I picked up some items from the onsite store, will post tomorrow.

Sounds like an awesome time. Looking forward to seeing what you got from the store!

 

[willf650]

Channelock is not all that far away from me. I wish I knew that was going on I would have made a trip.

I can’t help but notice a bunch of red handled pliers in bins. I wonder where they are headed.

 

[KnurledNut]

Channelock is not all that far away from me. I wish I knew that was going on I would have made a trip.

I can’t help but notice a bunch of red handled pliers in bins. I wonder where they are headed.

I have some Bluepoint that are Channellock with red grips which may explain the CHN sign as thats the prefix for these BP part numbers.
They also rebrand ones for Cornwell with orange grips as the other sign shows.

 

[Monte]

Plant 1: every pair of pliers starts here. Even though the machines weren’t running, it was HOT!

Nice Lasco german forging hammer

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have some Bluepoint that are Channellock with red grips which may explain the CHN sign as thats the prefix for these BP part numbers.
They also rebrand ones for Cornwell with orange grips as the other sign shows.

I also spotted some Urrea branded pliers being packaged.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Here is what I picked up. The screwdriver was purchased at a hardware store on the way home.