Anyone else like Channellocks?

[Ton ton]

Sorry about the pinchy hand experience. I have the bent needle nose version of channel lock. They have the thin blue handle coating. But thanks for the heads up, Mr. Lemons.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I emailed channellock to see about buying one of their 2 in 1 pocket screwdrivers that I was only able to find in a jar of 50. The very nice folks sent me one plus a whole lot of extra goodies!!

 

[southalabama]

I found the channelock 2-1 screwdriver jars on some insane closeout on amazon a couple years ago. It was a plastic countertop jar. I bought the last one amazon had at the time. Everyone in my Christmas list got one.

 

[jeffmoss26]

got this one from a buddy yesterday!

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Jeff, I can’t make out what the tip is..... awl or ???


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[jeffmoss26]

Pocket screwdriver!

 

[Outlawmws]

Reversible - flat and Phillips?

 

[jeffmoss26]

Yessir!

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Cool!


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[DeeKay]

Thanks guys...

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That adjustable looks like a rebranded Irega?

 

[jeffmoss26]

correct

 

[DeeKay]

nice! I like my Irega stuff, I wonder if I can find the channel lock branded adjustables for cheaper

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

I just checked out the Irega website.. neat intro video. Very interesting parallels to Channel Lock manufacturing in Meadville...

 

[48548]

I bought the speed pliers 428x and the larger 440x from Harry Epstein and emailed Jori... The small pair slipped from day one on my pool aerator. He said to call channel lock... Not happy it cost me 14 to send them back, but this is what I got. Pretty cool and also not Juri's fault by the way..... now I am curious in my other pair is defective.....

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[metaldad]

sweet, 48!

 

[48548]

sweet, 48!

I love my welpers, the code blue are better. They earned my respect and future purchases.

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[metaldad]

out of my vast channey collection, i only have a few code blues.

 

[48548]

out of my vast channey collection, i only have a few code blues.

Much better the standard ones melt easier, but I am just learning to weld... the handles that is

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[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Ditto re low #s on the code blue.... need a high user to really compare and see if the difference is worth a few more pairs....[emoji38]


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[jeffmoss26]

may have posted this a while back but in any case...
back of a 41GS plier package on left
1986 commemorative keychain on right

 

[macgee]

I enjoy using my older Channellocks, I also have a bunch of Knipex and often fallback using the Channellocks, they're well made and work well that hold up to a beating, especially my small ones that I abuse and ask them to work above what they were designed for.

Fast forward to last week when I ordered their little 6" adjustable stubby (dare I say cresent) wrench. I sent it back, it was twice more expensive than the other non-US versions but while it looked nice, the jaws were loose, had slop and also not aligned well (overlap). They were made in Spain. I have cheap $12 versions (1/2 the price) that work better and I'm now going to try the very well review Lobster UM24 stubby version with a ball bearing in the dynamic jaw slide.

I'm afraid Channellock is going down the cheaper non-US factories to cut cost, Spain is usually very good but not with the 6" stubby at the price they're asking $25. Channellock has a chance to keep up quality that people are use to, and maintain their reputation that is considered better than most other new tools available at big box stores like Klein (all USA made).

 

[jeffmoss26]

Klein is not all USA made. Their pliers yes but a lot of the screwdrivers and other items are not.

 

[NKlamerus]

Collection is growing, we just started carrying the acetate handled drivers as well.

 

[macgee]

Klein is not all USA made. Their pliers yes but a lot of the screwdrivers and other items are not.

Actually, most of Klein screwdrivers you see at the big box stores are made in the USA.

Klein still makes all of their fixed blade drivers in the USA but Klein doesn't make their own hex bits and those drivers don't show COO. I would consider Klein and Channellocks the best hand tools found in big box stores.

 

[Negen]

I got a black holder with hex bits that came with a klien driver all are marked USA bought it a year or so ago from home depot.

Actually, most of Klein screwdrivers you see at the big box stores are made in the USA.

Klein still makes all of their fixed blade drivers in the USA but Klein doesn't make their own hex bits and those drivers don't show COO. I would consider Klein and Channellocks the best hand tools found in big box stores.

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[mr.lemons]

Irega adjustables are generally said to be good quality. I think Stahlwille and Hazet adjustable wrenches are Irega, so maybe a little unfair to say they are going for the cheap option. Are Klein wrenches US, there is no coo on the website?

Edit, Klein look to be Spain too, so Irega or Bahco.

 

[macgee]

I got a black holder with hex bits that came with a klien driver all are marked USA bought it a year or so ago from home depot.

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Good to know, website currently doesn't state COO on their bits.

Irega adjustables are generally said to be good quality. I think Stahlwille and Hazet adjustable wrenches are Irega, so maybe a little unfair to say they are going for the cheap option. Are Klein wrenches US, there is no coo on the website?

Edit, Klein look to be Spain too, so Irega or Bahco.

Perhaps it could be a little unfair, but what I received was far from high quality for the price and my experience with their China made Code Blue screwdrivers was disappointing and doesn't compare to the nice fit and finish quality of my old tried and true Channellock lineman's, tongue & groove's and set of jewelry pliers & diag. cutters that are still going strong. Not trying to bash them, just noticed a change.

I do have a really well made 15 inch "Zubi-Ondo" adjustable wrench made in Spain (Basque), even came with some Channellock blue on the handle; does that count?

Had no clue Kein sold adj. wrenches, I mostly know them for their good US made electrical tools & strippers and screwdrivers.

I guess everyone is trying to branch out and going global with various degrees of quality.

 

[measuredtwice]

Irega adjustables are generally said to be good quality. I think Stahlwille and Hazet adjustable wrenches are Irega, so maybe a little unfair to say they are going for the cheap option. Are Klein wrenches US, there is no coo on the website?

Edit, Klein look to be Spain too, so Irega or Bahco.

Klein adjustable wrenches are also Irega. The Klein/Irega dipped handles are quite nice and I prefer them over the thicker rubber on the Channellock/Irega. But I prefer the slightly pointier jaws on the Channellock/Irega over the more traditional shape of the Klein/Irega. I ended up choosing the Klein extra wide.

Wright USA is also using Irega Spain for their adjustable wrenches.

...

The discontinued Klein glow in the dark screwdrivers (posted earlier in the Klein topic) were made in Taiwan. But their glow in the dark pliers are made in the USA-- I think the pliers are still available.

Channellock's x-in-1 screwdriver is advertised as 100% made in the USA. The Klein is made with global materials.

 

[cheechi]

got this one from a buddy yesterday!

I want one of this, do you have an item # or something perhaps? thanks in advance.

Also I like your collection of CL stickers and swag. it matches mine when (I think it was a T shirt?) I ordered something directly from them and asked for 'a sticker or something' and they sent me all that too. They are really great.

 

[measuredtwice]

I want one of this, do you have an item # or something perhaps? thanks in advance.

Also I like your collection of CL stickers and swag. it matches mine when (I think it was a T shirt?) I ordered something directly from them and asked for 'a sticker or something' and they sent me all that too. They are really great.

CJ21CB Code Blue, Made in China

There's also CJ21A Acetate handle, Made in USA

Amazon sells them in bulk... around $40 for 20 from USA or $50 for 25 from China. Both on the same page --> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002JGQ08O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I think I've seen them sold individually in some local stores.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Collection is growing, we just started carrying the acetate handled drivers as well.

Very nice... for a minute I thought you were in my basement shop....[emoji106]


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[metaldad]

Collection is growing, we just started carrying the acetate handled drivers as well.

i LIKE that plier hanger. great idea!
im now going to have to make a few.

 

[handmadeMI]

Collection is growing, we just started carrying the acetate handled drivers as well.

I never thought I would say this, but that is a **** collection of pliers you have there.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

View media item 109654

 

[jeffmoss26]

I could work at that bench!!

 

[Lesserstore]

I got a black holder with hex bits that came with a klien driver all are marked USA bought it a year or so ago from home depot.

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It looks like Ideal industries makes Klein's bits. I got this set a few months ago and the bits look identical.

 

[radio2000]

Collection is growing, we just started carrying the acetate handled drivers as well.

What are the screwdriver holders above the pliers?

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[NKlamerus]

What are the screwdriver holders above the pliers?

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That is a "crawford 5.5 screwdriver holder"

I really like that it takes up some depth, had to drill out some of the holes to accept some of the larger sizes of the bigger craftsman flatheads

You definitely need 1/4" pegboard not 1/8"

 

[radio2000]

That is a "crawford 5.5 screwdriver holder"

I really like that it takes up some depth, had to drill out some of the holes to accept some of the larger holes for the bigger craftsman flatheads

You definitely need 1/4" pegboard not 1/8"

Got it! Ordering some now.

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[NKlamerus]

Got it! Ordering some now.

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They also make some of the best drill holders, look and hold good only downside i found was they take up some space of pegboard because you need room to lift the tool out