Channellock 548
- Thread starter joedodge
- Start date
I like them too. Only option I know of right now is to keep an eye out for a nice lightly used pair on Ebay. They don't sell cheap though. Often around $40 shipped. That being said, patience might pay off in this case. The 546 plier is the 6.5" long version of the 548 (8" plier) you want. They stopped making the 546 and the 548 pliers at about the same time. I noticed a month or two ago that Channellock has the 546 plier available to buy from their website again, so maybe the 548 will come back as well.
shop.channellock.com
546 Slip Joint Pliers | Shop CHANNELLOCK®
No tool box is complete without CHANNELLOCK Slip Joint pliers. They're versatile, easy to use and come with legendary strength and reliability.
shop.channellock.com
jsackin
Well-known member
I ordered these from Channellock before Epstein's Day hoping they would come in but still haven't seen them. Maybe they're on backorder for everyone right now?
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I on
I couldn't help myself and ordered a pair which showed up in less than a week. But, it was only one pair.
jsackin
Well-known member
Just got off the phone with Channellock. Apparently they only found a small amount of these and so they're not wholesaling them. Only place you'll find them is on their website and when they're gone they're gone.
Which one? The 546 or 548?
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Not Channellock but probably as close as you'll get. Matco also has a version
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
I got two sets of Matco ones on eBay brand new for less than the Carlyles cost (around $75 with shipping and tax for each set)
NoahG
Well-known member
Oh, sad to hear it was a small cache and not a special run. Now I’m even more glad I snagged two.
I'm curious; what is everyone's fascination with these particular pliers all about?
The 546/548 are slip joint pliers with jaws that are a little longer than the "traditional" slip joint. What do they do different/better or what specific use do they excel at?
The 546/548 are slip joint pliers with jaws that are a little longer than the "traditional" slip joint. What do they do different/better or what specific use do they excel at?
They grip well. They undo spring clamps well. With the narrower snout I can clean a mug welding nozzle out in a pinch. I can pull fuses from a packed fuse panel. Stuff like that. As a diesel mechanic welder they just come in a lot more handy
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
Ordered myself some.
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signcrafter
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- May 9, 2012
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- 12,663
Doesn't look like any stores around have any in stock but des moines warehouse does so can have shipped to whatever napa you want and pick up tomorrow. Or if you work close by just stop at the warehouse and get them. It's right behind habitat for humanity off 235 and Euclid.
BlackVersa2
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- May 9, 2023
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- 73
I have a 5410, can confirm, good pliers. Never tried the smaller sizes tho.
chohdog
Active member
Reviving this old thread for a little more info. I too became a fan but couldn't find those 548's, so decided to buy the rebranded Matco pair as I found them for a great deal on Ebay. A few days later, found out that Carlyle had some NOS inventory at an even greater discount. So I did what every GJ member would have done, and bought those too! They are very close, but obviously the Matco/Channellock have the upper hand for final workmanship and details, steel thickness and overall feel. Both likely like the get the job done in the same manner, but thought you'd all like to see the comparison.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
You got a nice older pair of Matco pliers. The ones I see on the truck are laser etched and have a double dipped handle. I need to talk with my rep but Matco just rolled out a three position plier set so these may be headed to the graveyard.Reviving this old thread for a little more info. I too became a fan but couldn't find those 548's, so decided to buy the rebranded Matco pair as I found them for a great deal on Ebay. A few days later, found out that Carlyle had some NOS inventory at an even greater discount. So I did what every GJ member would have done, and bought those too! They are very close, but obviously the Matco/Channellock have the upper hand for final workmanship and details, steel thickness and overall feel. Both likely like the get the job done in the same manner, but thought you'd all like to see the comparison.
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Got a set of these Matco pliers a few years ago on ebay brand new. Used a few times. Pretty nice.
Could let go of the set if someone wants.
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NoahG
Well-known member
I’ve seen Knipex use that term.
I see them as a descendant of gas/gas fitters pliers. I hated them until I discovered American made 8” and 10” versions. All I ever knew growing up were cheap imported 6” variants.
Early in my career I had a boss who grew up a Wisconsin farm boy and did EVERYTHING with a pair of “common pliers” (as he called them) and a circ saw. Ever seen a man freehand a circle cut and then plane a board with a circ saw? I have.
Dave455
Well-known member
Cycle pliers look similar, from some pictures, but they generally have much thinner jaws.
This side view of a pair of Knipex angled bicycle pliers shows the thin jaws. Some are even thinner.
The 548’s are basically narrow jaw slip joint pliers. They’re good tools. If you’re going to use slip joint pliers they generally work much better than the wider jaw models. I don’t know why Channellock discontinued them.