Anyone else like Channellocks?

[Stevie-Ray]

I've got a ton of Channellock slip-joints, including a couple pair of the little ones, that we used to keep in our shirt pockets, and 3 pair of 460s that we used to put 3" conduit together. Everything in-between, also. Probably used 430s the most, while at work, as an electrician.

 

[jpickar]

I've got a ton of Channellock slip-joints, including a couple pair of the little ones, that we used to keep in our shirt pockets, and 3 pair of 460s that we used to put 3" conduit together. Everything in-between, also. Probably used 430s the most, while at work, as an electrician.

430's are what I used too as an electrician!

John

 

[IMCA38]

I kind of like them......

 

[demolitionman]

channel locks are rust magnets to me. I look in my box of pliers and the channel brand looks way way worsely oxidized than everything else in my box. What's with that? They work well but I'd rather buy Knipex, and no the rust doesn't affect their performance. . . yet anyways

 

[d.mcfarland]

channel locks are rust magnets to me. I look in my box of pliers and the channel brand looks way way worsely oxidized than everything else in my box. What's with that? They work well but I'd rather buy Knipex, and no the rust doesn't affect their performance. . . yet anyways

I'm guessing the high carbon steel they use has some affect on the oxidation.

 

[Old Donn]

Have every pair of Channellock tongue & groove pliers, from tiny to industrial size. Even have a pair that belonged to my dad before the blue handle era. When you need them, nothing else will do. Well, almost nothing.

 

[Outlawmws]

Have every pair of Channellock tongue & groove pliers, from tiny to industrial size. Even have a pair that belonged to my dad before the blue handle era. When you need them, nothing else will do. Well, almost nothing.

 

[Outlawmws]

Not exactly what I intended to do, but it works!

 

[sicnarf247]

"channel locks are rust magnets to me. I look in my box of pliers and the channel brand looks way way worsely oxidized than everything else in my box. What's with that? They work well but I'd rather buy Knipex, and no the rust doesn't affect their performance. . . yet anyways"

do u live near the beach? I live in LA and never had any rust issues. I did have 1 issue though. I have all the sizes and the 16 in is the one i use most. The FIRST 16 in one i bought had a factory defect: i would have to muscle it to open or close 3 out of 4 times, only about 1 out of 4 times it would go smoothly. I returned it and got another one (i know its a good company cause my uncle has OLD ones that still work perfectly in daily use) and the new one worked flawlessly. Now i needed help from a friend about a month ago and i was using his 16 in channelock pliers and guess what.... he had a factory defect but he never returned it (lol i didn't tell him but i was laughing in my head).

so anyways great tool, if you get a bad one return it and get a new one.

 

[mjoekingz28]

Is there a fix for this factory defect?


I ask because sometimes mine will get stuck at about half closed. It seems to happen when everything is contorted trying to open a clamp down in the engine bay on low light- so it is more than an inconvienience. It is like once you get the jaw size just right and have to hold it just so, so it doesnt fall into another groove or joint, then it just hangs up..........not fun

 

[Jim C.]

I kind of like them......

Great collection!! Thanks for the photo.

 

[Jim C.]

channel locks are rust magnets to me. I look in my box of pliers and the channel brand looks way way worsely oxidized than everything else in my box. What's with that? They work well but I'd rather buy Knipex, and no the rust doesn't affect their performance. . . yet anyways

Sorry to hear that. I noticed that you're in Ohio. Do you store your tools in an unheated garage/shop? Big temperature and humidity changes in the "rust belt" will definitely take a toll on tools, machinery, cars, etc. It was 30 degrees here yesterday and 2 degrees today. Rust loves condensation and that comes with weather condition changes. Living in the Midwest myself, I ended up insulating and heating my shop to avoid rust. I know it's easier said than done, and there's the expense too, but that took care of the problem.

Jim C.

 

[gmwelder86]

It's not so much a defect as them needing to be broken in. Some near pairs are tighter than others. I've gone through dozens at work and sometimes you just need to work them in a bit.

 

[yamaha0343]

I have the 420 and 319 pliers (USA), Code Blue adjustable wrench (Spain), and a screwdriver set from Sam's. My pliers are a combination of Knipex, Klein, and Channellock.

 

[77Mini]

I new a mechanic/auto electrician once who had all snap-on yet he said to me don't buy snap-on pliers buy klein or channellock, when I buy pliers I will buy from those two brands so even though I don't have any yip I like channellock to.

I have a bunch of Klein pliers. Really nice stuff. I would probably take Klein over Channellock but I like my Channellocks too.

 

[oak_park]

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[davethorik]

Just got this Champion DeArment #407 today, it looks similar to the 307 batter pliers, not sure what the difference is.

 

[Jazz1]

Whenever I see a pair for $1.99 CDN I scoop them up. Can never have too many, same as the Visegrips

 

[3200fps]

I am starting to think channellock made pliers for both MAC and Sears. Anyone know if that is true? The pliers are VERY similar, I have a set of Sears USA needle nose and a few pair of MAC including needle nose and duck bills. The design and handle and feel is almost identical minus the handle color and the stupid clear coat on the MAC metal.

 

[MarkG]

lol.....I took this pic before I saw your post! They have their own place in my trim carpentry box! I probably use them for pulling nails through the back of trim more than anything.

 

[jeffmoss26]

the 524 are new - I "need" to get a set!

 

[Yv.]

You can never have too many Channellocks!

 

[NUTTSGT]

369's I bought today.

 

[Jim C.]

369's I bought today.

You can never have too many Channellocks. For the money, the 369's are a nice pair of heavy duty pliers.

 

[coleman10]

Here's my modest collection. Have a few more in mind.

From left to right: 148-10, 410, 420, 526, 337, 436, 3017, 326.

 

[winlinmac]

Channellock fans, how do you find the Groove Lock Pliers compared to Wilde's version?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Channellock is slightly better only because they specialize in pliers and have a known history. Both will get the job done though.

 

[four.cycle]

... errrr... and Wilde specializes in... toasters? bread slicers?

... and it was who that was supplying the US military with pliers during WWII ??

 

[d.mcfarland]

As in their stuff works...

What I meant was channellock pliers have a known history on this forum of working well. Wilde isn't as widely know or used. Hence, my recommendation in this "channellock" thread that he choose them over the Wilde made ones.

 

[winlinmac]

This got me wondering, http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/bayo_points_22.htm

Wilde mass produced pliers during WWII, interesting fact, thanks

... errrr... and Wilde specializes in... toasters? bread slicers?

... and it was who that was supplying the US military with pliers during WWII ??

 

[four.cycle]

^ yeah... they apparently made a lot of bayonets as well, which are highly prized collector items now.

d.mcfarland, it is my humble opinion that the Wilde name isn't as well known as Channellock because while Channellock was busy selling their own product and building brand recognition, Wilde was off on the sidelines supplying government contracts and damn near every pair of "Craftsman" pliers that Sears was selling, like my little un-marked 4513 ignition pliers here - identifiable only by the tiny "W" stamped on them:



I have no beef with Channellock, and don't question the quality of the product, but I would place Wilde on at least a par level, if not a notch above (because of the fastener system used at the joint.)

(And I really don't like that color blue on the handles - I guess I'm just more partial to that nice bright red.)

 

[hautpot]

Anyone prefer the 957 curvy insulation removers? I use Snap-On and Knipex pliers exclusively, but I can't hold my temptation for the the Channellock's ~ they look so good I think I am going to sin.

 

[Jim C.]

Since when is buying yourself a new tool a sin? Go get 'em.....

 

[toolmutt]

I have GOT to delete all traces of Garage Journal from my computer! Yet another pair of pliers (524) I have to buy!

 

[mfa81]

any good place to buy right now? found good price at cpo outlets.

 

[kctyphoon]

I would like to try a set of the Wilde.. There is a lot of play in the joint of channellock's grove lock. Like, ALOT.. My Knipex alligators are much better, but obviously more expensive.. For general use channellock is fine, but they won't "wow" anyone.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

I was at a hardware store yesterday and happened upon several NOS (shelf-worn and filthy/dusty) Channel lock ratchet with adjustable sockets. I searched this thread and saw the adjustable nut driver but not that one. This particular hardware store was a treasure trove so my mind was in overdrive and I sped right past them (didn't pick one up to bring home). I didn't search the balance of GJ on this subject since I feel this thread is the epitome of Channel Lock info..

Did I fall into a honey pot of CL ratchets w/ adjustable sockets or is this something that has been documented well here / elsewhere?

Thanks...

 

[arz71]

Like Snap-On (pliers they make) the Wilde ones have a bit of flex (like in the handle region) not metal weakness. It gives you a better feel of the tool and to me much easier to work with. The Channel locks seems very rigid feeling and the Wilde ones (have better precision) and the Channel feel more like a hammer (rigid feeling no flex).

 

[MagnumForce]

That is the most ridiculous explanation I have ever heard. Thanks for the chuckle.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

 

[Allaround]

Is there some place online that archives older Channellock catalogs for reference ? Something on the order of the collecting Snap-On site ?