jeffmoss26
Well-known member
oooh I am green with envy!
Anyone else like Channellocks?
- Thread starter Jim C.
- Start date
Kasal
Well-known member
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Has this thread really been dead since October? Bump bump bump.....
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Not dead Dennis, just dormant for a while. Here’s my collection to date, since starting the thread 7+ years ago, not including a couple larger pairs out in my shop. I have a half dozen or so that I use all the time, some I only use once in a while, and one or two that I bought just to scratch the occasional tool buying itch.
Jim C.
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Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Jeff, Jim.. good updates..
Re tool itch.. seems I have alot of that from time to time....
Re tool itch.. seems I have alot of that from time to time....
Tynee
Well-known member
Saw these in another thread. My kids don’t have any channellocks yet, so I bought a set for me, and 3 for them. May wind up selling 3 of the bottle openers, we’ll see.
https://m.lowes.com/pd/CHANNELLOCK-4-Piece-Household-Tool-Set/1000609297
Had to call several Lowe’s stores to track them down, they went
On clearance for $15, and started disappearing pretty quick.
https://m.lowes.com/pd/CHANNELLOCK-4-Piece-Household-Tool-Set/1000609297
Had to call several Lowe’s stores to track them down, they went
On clearance for $15, and started disappearing pretty quick.
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bubinga
Well-known member
No one around me has them.
That's OK, I don't need them.
Heck O a price though.
That's OK, I don't need them.
Heck O a price though.
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Picked up a rusty set of 537s at and estate sale.. cleaned them up and back into service..
View media item 90154
View media item 90154
bubinga
Well-known member
Yeah, The Channellock "Gas Pliers" I guess they are called are nice.
A great American made tool. A common commercial electrical specification calls for compression couplings and connectors. Channel locks are the tool of choice. We use different sizes depending on the EMT size. Plumbers like them too, theirs will be full of pipe dope.
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
This cant be right.. we haven't had a post since Jan? OM Goodness.....
Here ya go!
Probably my most used tool is a pair of Channellock 449 9 1/2 inch High Leverage Diagonal Cutting Pliers.
Tougher than nails! Literally! They will cut nails, but because they are offset, they will usually pry them right out. I use them for auto and lawn mower repair (cotter pins don't stand a chance). They are a best friend when it comes to electrical work. They cut heavy guage copper wire like butter. They are indispensable when removing old electrical boxes that are nailed into wall studs without tearing drywall to shreds.
I just recently had to replace a window pane in an old exterior door, and they were perfect for removing the old brads from the retaining slats in the frame.
They're not small, but not unwieldy. Perfect leverage when you need it.
Only complaints? They were a little tight when I first bought them. I spent about 10 minutes doing the old sand trick, and now they fall apart with gravity with no sloppiness. And they get a little surface rust every once in a while, but nothing you can't clean up with a wire wheel on a drill.
I've got a few Channellock tools, but this one is by far my favorite!
Probably my most used tool is a pair of Channellock 449 9 1/2 inch High Leverage Diagonal Cutting Pliers.
Tougher than nails! Literally! They will cut nails, but because they are offset, they will usually pry them right out. I use them for auto and lawn mower repair (cotter pins don't stand a chance). They are a best friend when it comes to electrical work. They cut heavy guage copper wire like butter. They are indispensable when removing old electrical boxes that are nailed into wall studs without tearing drywall to shreds.
I just recently had to replace a window pane in an old exterior door, and they were perfect for removing the old brads from the retaining slats in the frame.
They're not small, but not unwieldy. Perfect leverage when you need it.
Only complaints? They were a little tight when I first bought them. I spent about 10 minutes doing the old sand trick, and now they fall apart with gravity with no sloppiness. And they get a little surface rust every once in a while, but nothing you can't clean up with a wire wheel on a drill.
I've got a few Channellock tools, but this one is by far my favorite!
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Most likely on contract. I doubt CL makes them as its a bit out of there wheel house.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I have a new-to-me pair of orange 424s (branded Cornwell) from ebay. Will get a pic tomorrow.
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Scotty B, Outlaw, Ive, Jim C, and Jeff.. thanks for the posts.. I'll have to study my pegboard to see what my latest add is to the collection..
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
metaldad
Well-known member
been a pipefitter almost 40 years.
had to glue some 4'' pvc with a rolling set, in a tight spot. pipe wrenches wouldnt fit, if i had to make a quick adjustment.
had to get 2 pairs of 480's. never had a need for omg size.
wound up not using them, but, as the olde saying goes - better to have and not need it, than need it and not have.
had to glue some 4'' pvc with a rolling set, in a tight spot. pipe wrenches wouldnt fit, if i had to make a quick adjustment.
had to get 2 pairs of 480's. never had a need for omg size.
wound up not using them, but, as the olde saying goes - better to have and not need it, than need it and not have.
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Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
nice.....
ARFLY
Well-known member
Those are some Big Azz pliers. Nice.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
boblikestools
Well-known member
Vintage Channellock 422’s when they used to be a curved jaw instead of a more v-like jaw. Grips were pretty caked with grease, but I got them a little cleaner. 
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
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BarryWells
Well-known member
I have most all they make/made including the vice grip set in black and blue. Channellock is a real good bang for the buck.Unbeatable really $, I prefer older pliers, all metal like Utica and Kraeuter and the like.
BarryWells
Well-known member
Anyone ever whack the blue off a Channellock( accident or on purpse) to see what's underneath ?
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
yes, I did that on one pair of 430s. Just plain steel, nothing fancy.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Bob, SG works great to clean the plastic grips.
Tynee
Well-known member
Vintage Channellock 422’s when they used to be a curved jaw instead of a more v-like jaw. Grips were pretty caked with grease, but I got them a little cleaner.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
You’ve stumbled upon my single favorite, and most used tool. Congrats. I wish I could find about 3 more pair of them.
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NoahG
Well-known member
I wish someone in the US would make that jaw profile again I’m stuck using imports.
It’s kinda silly but it’s the best thing for getting caps off glue bottles.
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foolishpride
Well-known member
I know when I got in the electrical trade 31 years ago, you could buy them without any rubber on the handles. We used the bare handles to ream conduit. Don't know if you can get them that way anymore.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Elvie84
Well-known member
Most of my tools are binge buys haha
k1rodeoboater
Well-known member
After my experience with two sets of 911 cable cutters I'm leery about trying channel lock again. Because this....is BS
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7955099&postcount=166
My options for warranty were
A: Exchange them at any store which carries them (none near me do)
B: Mail them to Channellock on my dime, then they'll mail me a replacement if they deem it to be defective
C: Return them to Amazon (where I purchased them from, ironically the came direct from Channellock.)
I went with option C as it cost me no money out of pocket. Option A would have been acceptable if anyone near me carried this model. Overall I was impressed with their warranty policy, which I will admit does appeal to me and puts them in better standing
The second set was better but it too started showing chipping/deformation of the cutting edge after 10 cuts of 10/3 romex. Ended up buying a set of Kleins which have been great.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7955099&postcount=166
My options for warranty were
A: Exchange them at any store which carries them (none near me do)
B: Mail them to Channellock on my dime, then they'll mail me a replacement if they deem it to be defective
C: Return them to Amazon (where I purchased them from, ironically the came direct from Channellock.)
I went with option C as it cost me no money out of pocket. Option A would have been acceptable if anyone near me carried this model. Overall I was impressed with their warranty policy, which I will admit does appeal to me and puts them in better standing
The second set was better but it too started showing chipping/deformation of the cutting edge after 10 cuts of 10/3 romex. Ended up buying a set of Kleins which have been great.