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Channel lock brand

the mick

Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2013
Messages
5
Location
so. IL.
I'm getting a new assortment of pliers, I'm tired of junk. I've been looking at the channel lock brand, I can get a assortment of 4 to 6 for less than $80. What do you use?
 
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DTB

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Jun 12, 2011
Messages
541
My whole pliers drawer is full of blue if that says anything...Can't go wrong with Channel lock but I've been using some Knipex and they are great as well.
 

Gary S

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Joined
Dec 27, 2008
Messages
2,972
Location
Bismarck, ND
I have mostly Channel lock pliers in my toolbox. They are US made, and are a good quality plier.
 

Brownsfan

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Joined
Apr 16, 2012
Messages
5,974
Location
Cleveland Ohio
Mostly channellock here as well. Followed by Snap on. The only snap on pliers I have are things channellock don't make(long reach needle nose etc). Never broke any at all
 

kts

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 9, 2012
Messages
158
Location
MD
I just bought my first Channellock plier the other day and wow it's so much nicer and a pleasure to use than the old who know's what brand that I had been using. I'm planning to replace all my other pliers and cutters with more Channellock soon.
 

foreverfalcon40

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Joined
Feb 12, 2013
Messages
856
I use Craftsman Arc Jointers...all of them up to 16in". What I like about Craftsman...is that if the teeth get worn...warranty them out for new ones. Just keep mine lubricated well so it is not a p.i.t.a. to use.
 

stonesfan68

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Joined
Apr 19, 2012
Messages
2,758
Location
Houston, TX
You cannot go wrong with Channellock. I have their linesman pliers, 6.5" to 16" slip joints and several other varieties. They are still made in the USA.

In terms of customer service, I recently sent a pair of pliers to Channellock for warranty. I mailed them in with a note (no receipt or proof of purchase) and a week later a brand-new pair showed up in the mail. It isn't as convenient as Craftsman, but I thought that was really good service.
 

Applesauce

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Joined
Mar 12, 2013
Messages
273
Location
Canada, eh
I absolutely love all my Channellocks (two pairs of side cutters, and four or five pairs of slip-joint pliers from 6" to 18", and lockring pliers that I don't absolutely love).

I got a pair of Klein side cutters recently, and they're sharper and cut easier than the Channellocks, but they just don't feel as nice. I'm not going to retire them just yet, but they're not replacing any Channellocks yet, either.
 
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RedFordTruck

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Joined
May 10, 2012
Messages
921
Northern tool often has really good prices on Channellock. I got a 3-piece set of V-jaw pliers for $17.99 after sale priced at $22.99 and then I used a $5 off $15 coupon.

Regular priced at $29.99
 

PowerGenGuy

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Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
299
Location
British Columbia, Canada
What BUCO said. Good price and good tools. CT always puts them on sale. - have several pair, 369 for my electrical work, love em, not keen on the dykes, klien has the good dykes hands down, and water pumps, great, cable cutters, awesome, 460 are good
 
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eddie1278

Banned
Joined
Mar 2, 2013
Messages
344
I'm an electrician so I need pliers for conduit fittings and Channellock is what I use and lots of other pros do too. Knipex is really good too but I like to support my country and companies with long histories in the USA.

I have the 440 and 460s. Thinking about getting a pair of 480s those things are so big you can grip someones neck with them!:lol:
 

rusty65

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Joined
Mar 20, 2012
Messages
2,279
Location
Pekin,IL
I have channel lock linesman needle noose and dykes and of the three the dykes are my least favorite not to say that they are bad but I am not a fan of the knife and anvil cutting edges....
 

wise

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2013
Messages
182
Location
Ontario. In Canada.
All my Pliers are Channellock, USA Mac (Which look identical to channellocks except for the handle colour), and Snap-On. Never had a problem with channellocks in any way and they hold there own against pliers that are two or three times as expensive! Even my side-cutters which have been used bajillions of times, and often abused, still cut like brand new.

Also, I've never seen anybody talk about Channellock Spanish Made mini-adjustable wrenches on here, but they're amazing for hydraulic lines. They look exactly like the snap-on ones (which are also made in Spain), but for a much better price!
 

arbadacarba

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Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Messages
53
If your in Canada, Canadian Tire often runs sales. I bought my entire collection this Christmas at 40% off. Worked out to 10 - 17 dollars each.
 

senlow

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Joined
Apr 26, 2008
Messages
2,228
Location
Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Also, I've never seen anybody talk about Channellock Spanish Made mini-adjustable wrenches on here, but they're amazing for hydraulic lines. They look exactly like the snap-on ones (which are also made in Spain), but for a much better price!

Yes, Irega adjustable wrenches are great. I have a few. There have been numorous mentions of these adjustable wrenches.
 

buttface

Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2013
Messages
20
Channel locks rule, proudly made in Pennsylvania USA. Excellent quality, comfortable feel, durable... MADE FOR LIFE
 

d.mcfarland

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Joined
Jun 18, 2012
Messages
6,566
Location
Western PA
I am in the same dilemma ... could use old mixed pliers or could get a full set now and have them for the rest of my life.

I'm going Channellock for quality, price, customer service, and pride. A company that specializes in pliers wouldn't stay in business if they didn't make a top notch product. I've decided to put my trust in them.
 

wise

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2013
Messages
182
Location
Ontario. In Canada.
d.mcfarland, you're making a good call. You seriously can't go wrong with Channellocks. The only plier I think is better than Channel locks is Snap-On's Talon grip Slip Joint vs Channellocks Slipjoint. Which is weird because I use Mac's Slip-Joint and have never had an issue.
 

ihateminimumwage

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Joined
Jan 26, 2012
Messages
3,960
All my new pliers are Channellock with some Klein dykes, wire strippers and crimpers thrown in.
Besides those two brands, all I have are some misc ancient Williams USA & Snap-On pliers, and Craftsman ignition pliers.
 

atwageman

Banned
Joined
Nov 13, 2012
Messages
1,140
Location
NC
I've got several of Channel Locks offerings. Great bang for the buck. Some of what I have is pushing 20 years old.
 

crewchief888

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Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
13,741
Location
NW indiana
the very 1st "good" pliers i bought were channellock

still in daily use 30 years later :thumbup:

i'll grab 30 year old channellocks before some nearly new mac's

i do i have a pair of knipex dykes that are really nice.


:beer:
 

ADSR

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Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
10,713
Blue is best! And buying blue supports the USA.

Nuff said.
 

Applesauce

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Joined
Mar 12, 2013
Messages
273
Location
Canada, eh
As others have said, if you're in Canada, Canadian Tire puts all Channellock products on sale four times a year (I think). I don't think I paid more than $25 for my 18" slip-joints.
 

MPOWERD

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 7, 2011
Messages
578
Grew up using my Dad's Channel Locks. They never failed. I have the complete set today but they are black handled, not blue. They say Channel Lock and USA... They work as well as my fathers did...

All Spec has the 3 piece set of tongue and groove pliers for only 35.32

https://www.all-spec.com/products/GS-3.html

gs-3.jpg
 
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cburnscrx

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Joined
Jan 15, 2013
Messages
1,751
Location
Indianapolis
Also a Union product if anyone is into that.

Are you saying that as a reason not to buy? Or pro union...just checking. I have my opinion of unions, but I won't air it here.

I like Channel Lock (see earlier post), but I don't really think they're all that much better than many other offerings like Kobalt. I have both, so it's not like I don't have a head to head comparison. That said, if it's a toss up, might as well pick the USA product. :beer:
 
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