Best circlip pliers?

[kaymccampbell]

Bit of a story.
I used to have two pair of circlip pliers, one for expanding and one for contracting. They had ribbed aluminum handles and at least a dozen pairs of different size and shape hardened "jaws" and came in a nice little steel box. Some POS stole them and I have been struggling along on **** for years. I needed circlip pliers today while I was mounting the ramps on the lift and although I was able to grind a pair of **** HF pliers to do the job, I really wished I had a nice set again.
So.
Who makes nice circlip pliers with hardened jaws that I can enjoy in my declining years?

 

[kv501]

I've had these for several years and been totally pleased.

https://store.snapon.com/Snap-Ring-Pliers-Pliers-Retaining-Ring-Fixed-Tip-Convertible-0-176-038-tips-6-7-16--P636942.aspx

For being Snap On they're not too expensive. They are convertible which some people don't like, but I switch them back and forth all the time and have never had a problem. I like not having two different pliers.

 

[KnurledNut]

Knipex.


BTW, do these KD''s look like your old ones:

 

[larry_g]

https://store.snapon.com/Interchang...etaining-Ring-Convertible-3-pcs--P647260.aspx

I've had the above set for years and it has served me well from small machines to backhoes. I like that it ratchets and locks open the ring if you have to pry it out of the slot.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[raiderhillbilly]

I just ordered these from KCtools:

View media item 54421

 

[sledneck32!]

I been happy with my Channelocks brand. Convertible inside to outside. With many sets of interchangeable GOOD HARD tips of different size and angle.

I dont like the ones with a one piece plier/tip. Snap a tip off and the whole thing is junk.



Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

 

[kaymccampbell]

BTW, do these KD''s look like your old ones:

Identical. So you're the scrubby ****** that swiped my pliers. ;-)
Now I know what they were. They were stolen over 30 years ago and they were not new then. And now that I think about it there was a K-D readily visible on the little clear plastic box that held the jaws that fit in a pocket in the metal box that held the pliers.

 

[AA/FC]

I been happy with my Channelocks brand. Convertible inside to outside. With many sets of interchangeable GOOD HARD tips of different size and angle.

I dont like the ones with a one piece plier/tip. Snap a tip off and the whole thing is junk.



Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

You're certainly entitled to your opinion but these are FAR FROM the best circlip pliers...... which is what the OP was asking for. I've had two of these and they are junk!

My vote is for Knipex.


.

 

[stearn786]

I just bought a set of Lang pliers from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lang-Tools-12-Piece-Combination-Internal/dp/B005MVB6TG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445776314&sr=8-1&keywords=Lang+snap+ring

I've only used them a couple of times but they seem very nice, and they're US made.

 

[organ]

Knipex are the best.

 

[KnurledNut]

Identical. So you're the scrubby ****** that swiped my pliers. ;-)
Now I know what they were. They were stolen over 30 years ago and they were not new then. And now that I think about it there was a K-D readily visible on the little clear plastic box that held the jaws that fit in a pocket in the metal box that held the pliers.

Glad i could help.
If you want to go that route again for nostalgic value, try ebay or put up a post in the "Wanted" section here at GJ.
IF i had a pair, id glady give them to you!

 

[kaymccampbell]

I think ACE Hardware still sells them. At least they have a picture purported to be KD snap ring pliers. I will have to buzz by there on my way home this week. If that doesn't work out, Sears has the Snapoff $177 set of three, rebranded for $75, with the locking pair for bigger clips. Since I just realized my odd locking circlip tool is missing too. The same ****** that clipped my KDs probably got that too. I'm going to need them all now as my lift has about 50 of the bleeping things on it.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I just bought a set of Lang pliers from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lang-Tools-12-Piece-Combination-Internal/dp/B005MVB6TG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445776314&sr=8-1&keywords=Lang+snap+ring

I've only used them a couple of times but they seem very nice, and they're US made.

That's the set I use. Little aggravating to change but they are great otherwise

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I just bought a set of Lang pliers from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lang-Tools-12-Piece-Combination-Internal/dp/B005MVB6TG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445776314&sr=8-1&keywords=Lang+snap+ring

I've only used them a couple of times but they seem very nice, and they're US made.

I too own this set. While I am certain better/nicer options exist, I have zero complaints.

 

[hawaiiysr]

You're certainly entitled to your opinion but these are FAR FROM the best circlip pliers...... which is what the OP was asking for. I've had two of these and they are junk!
My vote is for Knipex.
.

I have never used knipex. I have this same channel lock c-clip pliers and I'm very please with them. This one tool does inside and out. Tips are replaceable and made in the USA. These have yet to met me down. I'm sure there is a better tool for the job when is there not?

 

[wkndwarrior29]

I bought a set of these, Napa branded double-x snap ring pliers through cripe for around $25 shipped iirc. They are great for hard to reach areas and ok for general use.

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?nav=item.view&id=221773456388&alt=web

 

[Kensgarage]

This will get a chuckle but it's what I use. No playing around. Grab the right one and do the job.
http://www.gripontools.net/store/product.php?id=57146

 

[2oolhound]

Oh what the heck, here's some food for thought:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=212476

 

[shockwave]

Knipex precsion are the best check out chads toolbox for them

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I have this Snap On set. I think I got them for about $80 off ebay, used but like new. I have used them a lot without issue.

https://store.snapon.com/Fixed-Tip-Convertible-Pliers-Set-Retaining-Ring-6-pcs--P634255.aspx

 

[SM Racing]

Knipex, hands down. I bought my six or 8pc set years ago and never looked back.

 

[L.Cheapo]

At the advice of the general consensus here, I bought the big set of the precision Knipex. They're ok. I guess all snap rings and pliers kinda ****. My gripe with the Knipex, is due to their design, it can be tough to get an internal recessed snap ring out. The forgings around the pins require a fair amount of space. The quality is there, however.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I swung by the local ACE to check out the KD they supposedly stocked. No luck. But I did discover that ACE is now stocking Craftsman. Which I have a soft spot for. So I picked up a pair of reversible snap ring pliers with six sets of tips. They are the Snapoff, Channellock, Blupoint ones with the little hex tips. They easily remove every circlip I have, so I guess I found the best for me. Thanks for all the recommendations! I will keep them in mind if I ever go back to professional snap ring wrangling.

 

[gbh]

Does anyone have any experience with KTC circlip pliers with changeable points?
I'm looking at some and would like to hear good or bad feedback.

 

[Askme42]

I swung by the local ACE to check out the KD they supposedly stocked. No luck. But I did discover that ACE is now stocking Craftsman. Which I have a soft spot for. So I picked up a pair of reversible snap ring pliers with six sets of tips. They are the Snapoff, Channellock, Blupoint ones with the little hex tips. They easily remove every circlip I have, so I guess I found the best for me. Thanks for all the recommendations! I will keep them in mind if I ever go back to professional snap ring wrangling.

When was the last time you were at ACE? Craftsman has been there for at least a few years

 

[juiced10]

You're certainly entitled to your opinion but these are FAR FROM the best circlip pliers...... which is what the OP was asking for. I've had two of these and they are junk!

My vote is for Knipex.


.

I am with you. Bought these 927's and first time that freaking spring shot across the yard never to be found. Made me very happy

 

[maxpower_hd]

I been happy with my Channelocks brand. Convertible inside to outside. With many sets of interchangeable GOOD HARD tips of different size and angle.

I dont like the ones with a one piece plier/tip. Snap a tip off and the whole thing is junk.



Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

The guts broke out of two of these so I haven't been happy with them. I can get them from work though so I will likely end up with another pair.

 

[pcmeiners]

Used a number of low end pliers, broke most or struggled to get some circle clips out, at times causing damage. Ended up getting a Knipex set, a great relief. At the time I thought of the money but after pulling apart some pumps with 4 clips each the pliers were well worth it.

 

[AA/FC]

The problem with the "inner/outer, removable tip" universal circlip pliers is strength. Somethig the pliers posted above do not have. The tips just plain ****. Period. Either the weak tips bend, or they slip out of the tip holder. Between weak tips, and tip holders that can't hold tips tightly enough to remove stuborn, rusted, seized snap rings make that style of plier useless to me.

 

[anurag1990]

Though not the best, but still these are forged ones. Turned tips for both external and internal snap rings.
size: 19-60 mm