Anyone else like Channellocks?

[metaldad]

Got these from ebay, now looking for the rest to fill in!

nice pick up, Jeff.

I didn't have a choice. Recently, I had to purchase one tool from each of Channellock's product lineup. And you know what? I don't regret my purchasing decisions at all. I'm still keeping my Craftsman (Knipex) Cobra Pliers for Plumbing work, but for all other applications, Channellocks have become my go-to.

Does anyone have feedback for this particular model? Should I spend a few dollars more for the heavy duty 318? I think the E318 is for tighter spaces but the 318 alone is considered heavy duty.
Channellock E318CB

go for the 318. beefier tip. i snapped the tip of a 317 way too easily

When I ordered my adjustable wrench from my post yesterday I ordered two more to go with it to give away as gifts. One of the things I was disappointed in was the overall poor machining. The finish was rough and lines didn't look straight or even. Also a lot of slop in the jaw. I got to looking at the other two I ordered and one of them looked pretty much the same as the first but the 3rd looks quite a bit different. It didn't come across too well in the photos but the wrench on the right has a much more even finish and the edges are smoothed instead of flat. Also the face of the wrench is polished instead of flat and there is no slop in the jaw. Both packages say made in Spain. Not sure why they're so different.

because 1 was made before siesta?

 

[Jeremy77]

My meager collection from around the shop.

 

[winlinmac]

What else from Channellock is made in Spain? Just the Adjustable wrenches?

Also, what are your thoughts on Code Blue? Is it just marketing hype? I only own Channellock tools with the classic Blue grips

 

[jeffmoss26]

thanks guys, I have a 4 in 1 in the same handle style and when I saw the nutdrivers I had to buy them!

 

[MagnumForce]

What else from Channellock is made in Spain? Just the Adjustable wrenches?

Also, what are your thoughts on Code Blue? Is it just marketing hype? I only own Channellock tools with the classic Blue grips

The adjustables only. They are the best there is although my WF Craftsmans are really nice too.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

 

[upgrading]

 

[Dookie2122]

Picked this set up at Lowe's on 11/22/15, on sale for under $30

 

[jetdawg]

Channellock is ok, bottom of the barrel with regards to US made stuff. Still much better than chinese imports thankfully.

 

[arz71]

Channellock is ok, bottom of the barrel with regards to US made stuff. Still much better than chinese imports thankfully.

I agree they are 'ok' very rigid feeling and the dykes and pliers are so-so.

I got some of them Snap-On dykes and other pliers and they have flex in them and it is like night/day difference when you are using them for long periods of time.

 

[winlinmac]

If it wasn't for this thread, I would have not gone on a Channellock Shopping frenzy in recent days, haha. I'm glad that I did. I had a much older set which was passed on from the family. However, I wanted my own set, a set which I can baby, and I got them. Now I need to relocate rusty tools and perhaps keep them in a bucket of Evaporust.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Got this to add to my set - disappointed it's not a hex shank like the others but it was cheap on ebay

 

[Jim C.]

Hey Jeff,

Nice get...... I always like completing a set.

 

[Travisnd]

Got these little guys in the mail today!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Finally found a pair of #49 bent nose mini pliers!

 

[Travisnd]

Nice Jeff! I saw those cheap on ebay, nice!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Is there a #46?

 

[SantaAna12]

Finally found a pair of #49 bent nose mini pliers!

Nice!

I didn't know they made that one. I have four others....my best
Channellocks.

 

[Travisnd]

Is there a #46?

Yes, but it looks a bit different.

 

[d42jeep]

I found an unusual set at the flea market on Saturday. I hadn't seen these before. The number is 568. They don't have channels.
-Don

 

[Jim C.]

I found an unusual set at the flea market on Saturday. I hadn't seen these before. The number is 568. They don't have channels.
-Don

Wow! That's an old timer. Nice find!! Thanks for the picture.

Jim C.

 

[Outlawmws]

That one sort of baffles me: it has the old Champion DeArment grips, but not the markings...

 

[d42jeep]

Me too. I couldn't find any information on them in AA or anywhere else on the Internet. Here is a close up of the markings.
-Don

 

[upgrading]

 

[Travisnd]

Nice!!

 

[mjoekingz28]

I like ChannelLocks,....sure hope they can keep on keeping on.

These 420s may be worn or the wrong tool for radiator hose clamps, but I sure do struggle holding the clamp wide open, wiggling it to break the seal, then having to back it off to clean the underlying pipe so I can then remove the hose. It gets done but is sure a hassle.


I inherited the old pair and got the regular/new pair about five years ago at a Sears downstate...

 

[Gidge]

Someone over here likes them as they are "hand tools".

 

[metaldad]

wish i could find the new USA drivers in a store here.
farm and fleet had them, no longer stocked.

 

[Roberts210]

I love Channellocks. I've got a bunch of them from 6" to really big ones.

 

[Exceller8]

I love Channellocks but the last few pairs I bought have awful finishes. The forging just looks really bad. I'll try and take some pictures.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Tog-L-Lock

From my father's auction / estate..

View media item 56831
View media item 56833
View media item 56832

 

[jeffmoss26]

Wow, nice!

 

[d.mcfarland]

Those you don't see everyday!

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Yeah, they once had a blue coated release lever....

 

[Outlawmws]

Tog-L-Lock

From my father's auction / estate..

I've seen you post thsi 2X now; You had to buy back your dad's tools?

and my condolences on your loss..

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

I've seen you post thsi 2X now; You had to buy back your dad's tools?

and my condolences on your loss..

Long story.. I'm dealing with his second wife..my step mother. She's been great to me, and I've reciprocated. I got most of the things that mattered to me when I moved out, and later before / directly after he died (several years ago). He collected an immense amount of "stuff" after I left the home, some of it I saw for the first time all laid out at the auction. He and his brother (my Uncle Pat) were orphans most of their lives living with various family members, being handed off, etc. through their formative years.. For my father, there was a bit of bitterness in his mode of operation with the family especially when it came to his property.. I was the only child (of five) that stayed with him after the divorce from my mother.

Anyway.. I got what I wanted and picked up a few items like these Tog-L-Locks..which are super cool. They appear to be a bit impractical since I haven't seen many and I could imagine the release lever would cause headaches if "wrenching" on something in a tight space..

Thanks for the condolences..

 

[Farmall Cub]

They also have magical properties.
If you have an old Sloan type flush valve that won't stop running, just use the "hammer" end of the pliers and hit the top of the valve while chanting.... Stop f*&king running you stupid f@#king ratzafratzing valve. It will stop.
Don't believe me?
Look at the dings on any old public toilet or urinal valve.
Also, a few wacks can loosen said cap when stuck.

 

[jallyn]

Knipex, sure. But dollars, to donuts I'd take the channellocks. Well, I'll take both...

+1. ChannelLock pliers are great for lots of applications. Knipex makes some pliers ChannelLock doesn't and has some improved features if you need a special function or high end pair of pliers.

 

[d42jeep]

I found a few 420s recently at an estate sale and took a picture of them with the ones I already had.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

I found a few 420s recently at an estate sale and took a picture of them with the ones I already had.
-Don

Don, I think you need at least 5 more pairs of 420's (Then maybe people will stop looking at me funny...)

 

[toolmiser]

I've recently noticed that a lot of Channellock "stuff" is showing up at Liquidation Places. And it isn't just one or two pieces, both have had 15+ different items, are they changing something and getting rid of old stock, or is there something else I am missing? Prices I've seen aren't much cheaper, but I've seen one or two things that were a deal and jumped on them.