Stuey
Well-known member
Yep, they haven't even been announced yet.
Zer0cell, very good eye! Did you just happen across them in the catalog, or saw them mentioned elsewhere?
Anyone else like Channellocks?
- Thread starter Jim C.
- Start date
Yep, they haven't even been announced yet.
Zer0cell, very good eye! Did you just happen across them in the catalog, or saw them mentioned elsewhere?
Daves69
Well-known member
Just bought a new pair of wire cutters today. I had forgotten how good a new pair cuts.
I wanted to see the updated catalog and noticed the new entries... those model numbers in the catalog are the only info I have about them. Odds are they should be appearing on the website in the next few months I'd think... unless they have been canceled don't you think?
Stuey
Well-known member
I'd agree that they're coming down the pipeline soonish. After all, the other new offerings, e.g. the screwdrivers and levels, have already come out, with the ratcheting drivers being launched most recently.
I wonder how big of a demand there will be for 10-1/2" lineman pliers.
PowerGenGuy
Well-known member
I have an older pair of 369's in my box and love them. They are much cheaper then Klien, (I also have a pair of those), and just as good. When I need them they are are easy to spot in my box because of the color. They have been used and abused and still do the job well. I would love to handle the new 369 with the pin relocation to feel the difference when cutting loomex.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
As you might expect, most of my Channel Locks predate the Blue handles.
Most of the Arc joint CL's; the second from the top are unusual, they are No. 415. anyone tell what is different? This is the only pair I've seen. The blue on the grips of the bottom pair are not factory, I dipped that about 30 years ago.
The "other" Channel locks; lineman's and their version of "vice grip" now discontinued. I like these add would by a second pair if reasonable and not buggered up. The blue handle got broke by being dropped, and I glued the large chip back in, then wrapped the break with 30 ga. steel wire, and painted it over with nail polish. it just got the old wire re-wrapped and a new coat of nail polish. (Lasted about 20-25 years...).
This was going to be a pic of "Not CL" but I found on another thread tonight the one pair of "No Name" were in fact CL. (Pic was take a couple of days ago). From the top: CL GL-10, another pair of "no name", Diamalloy, and Proto's with the slip joint style of pivot.
Lastly, the CL lineman's (Middle) compared to other makes: Crescent to the left, and Pexto to the 2nd left, Krauter's to the right, and R. Pennings (Fennings? first letter is pretty obliterated...) to it's right.
Most of the Arc joint CL's; the second from the top are unusual, they are No. 415. anyone tell what is different? This is the only pair I've seen. The blue on the grips of the bottom pair are not factory, I dipped that about 30 years ago.
The "other" Channel locks; lineman's and their version of "vice grip" now discontinued. I like these add would by a second pair if reasonable and not buggered up. The blue handle got broke by being dropped, and I glued the large chip back in, then wrapped the break with 30 ga. steel wire, and painted it over with nail polish. it just got the old wire re-wrapped and a new coat of nail polish. (Lasted about 20-25 years...).
This was going to be a pic of "Not CL" but I found on another thread tonight the one pair of "No Name" were in fact CL. (Pic was take a couple of days ago). From the top: CL GL-10, another pair of "no name", Diamalloy, and Proto's with the slip joint style of pivot.
Lastly, the CL lineman's (Middle) compared to other makes: Crescent to the left, and Pexto to the 2nd left, Krauter's to the right, and R. Pennings (Fennings? first letter is pretty obliterated...) to it's right.
Last edited by a moderator:
WRX/Z28
Well-known member
No "teeth" on the 415's...
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Actually, the second pair of Channellocks I ever bought were the 415s. I had a plumbing project going on at my house about ten years ago and bought them so that I wouldn't gouge the fittings with teeth marks. I use the 415s all the time, on various projects, for that reason alone. I bought mine at Home Depot, but like I said, that was many years ago. You really don't see the 415s too often anymore at the big box stores. My local Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and Menards don't stock them.
Jim C.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
That doesn't make them any less rare. I've been rooting through yard/estate sale, and Flea markets for decades, and mine is the only pair I've seen with smooth jaws (which was why I bought them). I'm sure they are out there, but few and very far between.
Mine went missing 10-15 years ago. I just got them back after finding them at my mom's house last weekend. I knew I left them there, but had no clue where they disappeared to...
Agreed. You don't really see the 415s too often. When I bought mine, they were actually hanging on a hook with the other plumbing tools and not with the pliers, wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, etc. I bought them for exactly the same reason you bought yours.... I liked the smooth jaws!! Even though you don't really see them in stores, I think they're still available directly from Channellock for about $16 (before shipping).
Jim C.
Last edited:
Recently there's been a thread on the GJ talking about Lowes clearing out its stock of Knipex and Channellock tools. Based on that thread, I took a ride by my local Lowes and found that the Knipex stuff is literally gone from the hooks, but there's still a pretty good selection of Channellock tools on hand at discounts of approximately 40%. Yesterday I picked up a pair of the basic 420 pliers for about $11 regularly priced at $19. There's good deals to be had, so get them while you can.
Jim C.
Jim C.
AmericanPreferred
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 8, 2013
- Messages
- 159
I hear a lot of folks talk about certain wrenchs as being knuckle-busters, I have been hurt by less than Channellock channellocks more than anything. For needle nose and linesmen I prefer Kline, but for arc-joints Channellock all the way. My oldest pair is from the 80's has been used where a pipe wrench was called for, exposed to heat too many times to remember, spent 6 years lost in a dank boat, has purple primer spots all over the grips, and probably more use than any tool I own, I would still trust my knuckles to them without reservations. The only issue I have ever had was the teeth getting clogged with pipe dope, flux ect. and they do clean up. My 909's have cut many things they were not intended to, never a claim with any Channellock product, and mine have been abused in many ways. And yes I have tried and, gave away Knipex pliers.
Last edited:
Here's my most recent purchase.
Last edited by a moderator:
ex-x-fire
Well-known member
Chuck122
Well-known member
I would like to know how you guys keep the handles looking so clean?!? When I use them for a while, especially around oil, they seem to soak up and take a kind of yellow/green color. I tried to wipe them but it looks soaked in
Not that I mind, really does give them personality but I also like to keep my stuff clean
Not that I mind, really does give them personality but I also like to keep my stuff clean
A couple of months ago I decided to replace all my Craftsman pliers with Channellocks. Main reason was for tool visibility as nothing blended in quicker in an engine bay than a black handled pair of Craftsman pliers.
To say the least though, it has been a mixed bag in terms of quality of the newer Channellocks I have been picking up. I have ordered from multiple place like Amazon, HJE and even a few direct purchases from Lowes and Sears.
Issues I have seen is that in all of my 6", 7" and 8" needle nose pliers, not one of them has the tips ground square with maybe a slight 20-30 degree slope. Have one pair of 386 right angle 6" needles nose that was finish ground by a drunk with numerous divots. I currently have that set sent off to Channellock for a workmanship warranty replacement.
There also seems to be less refinement of the "bulk" packaged packaged items over the retail packaged ones I have bought. The bulk packaged cutters finish grinding is more coarse than the retail one I bought.
Lastly, the needle nose teeth cross hatching does not extended down as much as I have seen on other pliers. At this point, it is probably a nitpick but something I have noticed. To be fair, the tongue & groove pliers along with the slip joints are top notch compared to the cutters and needle nose I have received with no complaints there. In the future, I will probably never mail order any Channellocks and only buy direct retail where I can hand inspect before purchase.
Below is pictures showing my 386 pliers I sent in for warranty and the uneven tips of one of the needle nose.
To say the least though, it has been a mixed bag in terms of quality of the newer Channellocks I have been picking up. I have ordered from multiple place like Amazon, HJE and even a few direct purchases from Lowes and Sears.
Issues I have seen is that in all of my 6", 7" and 8" needle nose pliers, not one of them has the tips ground square with maybe a slight 20-30 degree slope. Have one pair of 386 right angle 6" needles nose that was finish ground by a drunk with numerous divots. I currently have that set sent off to Channellock for a workmanship warranty replacement.
There also seems to be less refinement of the "bulk" packaged packaged items over the retail packaged ones I have bought. The bulk packaged cutters finish grinding is more coarse than the retail one I bought.
Lastly, the needle nose teeth cross hatching does not extended down as much as I have seen on other pliers. At this point, it is probably a nitpick but something I have noticed. To be fair, the tongue & groove pliers along with the slip joints are top notch compared to the cutters and needle nose I have received with no complaints there. In the future, I will probably never mail order any Channellocks and only buy direct retail where I can hand inspect before purchase.
Below is pictures showing my 386 pliers I sent in for warranty and the uneven tips of one of the needle nose.
sberry
Banned
I have some, the 440 is almost a perfect tool and even though I have 6 pairs I can feel a vaccuum when a pair gets sidelined. I bought one from a flr\ea a while back for 7 in good shape where the finish matches the rest of them. I wasted someon those square cut jaws, got 2 pairs I would trade for one standard.
The crimpers are great as are the dykes, I rarely use a needle nose, I can get by with most anything but the 12 inch is another matter. It often replaces a pipe wrench. I have a lot of similar ones but if I got a choice its the blue 440.
The crimpers are great as are the dykes, I rarely use a needle nose, I can get by with most anything but the 12 inch is another matter. It often replaces a pipe wrench. I have a lot of similar ones but if I got a choice its the blue 440.
anthonyfilice
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2012
- Messages
- 30
i love channellock. As a starting out apprentice they are cheap tough made in the usa tools, what more can you ask. all my pliers are channellock.
mrbreezeet1
Banned
l got a pair of them, there nice. Work well.
After one too many crimping failures with my Cman terminal crimpers, I went with these from Channellock. No issues whatsoever. Perfect crimps every time.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I have a lot of them too. T&G, long nose, diagonal, 909 crimper, end nippers, etc.
My most recent obsession is finding all of the mini pliers they used to make. Here is what I have so far:
I have a pair of the mini end nippers on the way from eBay.
My most recent obsession is finding all of the mini pliers they used to make. Here is what I have so far:
I have a pair of the mini end nippers on the way from eBay.
ganymede
Well-known member
The last pair of CL thin nose I bought were poorly ground. One jaw was much thinner at the tip than the other jaw. So much so that it was easy to imagine the thinner of the two halves bending.
After bending some hardened wire it did.
Went back to the store and others were the same way so I kept mine and ground them into special purpose pliers.
Big slip joint CL's I bought about a year ago were not 'Greatest Generation' quality either but overall I still like Channellock.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
I'm too cheap to buy new. I just grind my duplicates down. Pick em up for a buck at a yard sale and then get home and make smoothies. I do it with vise grips too.
Last edited by a moderator:
Irony is that I bought a pair of those thin nose pliers and they are probably the best quality pair of the bunch.
I have a lot of them too. T&G, long nose, diagonal, 909 crimper, end nippers, etc.
My most recent obsession is finding all of the mini pliers they used to make. Here is what I have so far:
I have a pair of the mini end nippers on the way from eBay.
Nice Jeff! I didn't even know Channellock made minis. I'll have to keep an eye out for them. I wonder why they stopped making them?
Jim C.
ganymede
Well-known member
That's why I won't write off Channellock . I'll just be more selective when I grab my next pair.
rick carpenter
Well-known member
I really like my old nutbusters. There's not much they don't fit on, and what they don't fit on always gets a good cussin'.
metaldad
Well-known member
minis............... i need.
nice grouping, Jeff
nice grouping, Jeff
That's why I won't write off Channellock . I'll just be more selective when I grab my next pair.
I have to admit that I always look at several pairs and try to pick out the best one. Yesterday when I bought that pair of 420s, I looked at all six pairs that were hanging on the hook. I think I got the best pair. There were definitely noticeable differences in how they were ground, and how the jaws mated together when closed. Of the six pair that I looked at, two were not good and I would not have purchased them. I'm still a Channellock fan, but I am selective, and I always inspect them pretty carefully before I buy them.
Jim C.
ganymede
Well-known member
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Thanks guys. No idea why they stopped making them.
Epstein's had a bunch NOS around this time last year. It always starts with just a few, in my case the diagonals and long nose. (Bottom left and center)
Someone on the lock forum posted about using the needle nose for pinning locks so I found two pairs from members here after eBay came up empty. One has serrated jaws and one is flat. (Top left and right)
Slowly I've been finding the rest on eBay!
Epstein's had a bunch NOS around this time last year. It always starts with just a few, in my case the diagonals and long nose. (Bottom left and center)
Someone on the lock forum posted about using the needle nose for pinning locks so I found two pairs from members here after eBay came up empty. One has serrated jaws and one is flat. (Top left and right)
Slowly I've been finding the rest on eBay!
Farmall450
Well-known member
As do I.
Exceller8
Well-known member
I love my Channellocks! I picked up some 318's tonight on clearance at Lowe's for $18. They have never let me down, but if I had the $$$ I'd go with Knipex. With my budget, Channellocks all the way!! 
Conductor562
Well-known member
I hate them so much I have 24 pairs of blue handled pliers
ianguilly
Well-known member
Channellock is the ****. I buy them over snap on sometimes.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
41 diagonal cutters
42 end cutters
43 needle nose
44 duck bill
45 round nose
46 hose clamp
47 needle nose with cutter
48 flush nipper
50 long needle nose