"channellocks"?

[diesel research]

Slip joint pliers. Such a basic tool found in every box.

Was talking to a friend of mine. He is 4 months into the automotive field, working with a pad-slap shop. Part of their terms of employment is to have satisfied this check list of random "must-own" tools, including several useless ones, within the first 90 days. His hardline tools still consist of craftsman raised panel 260pc kit and clear screw drivers.

I wanted to know about completing his check list and he pulls out a fresh 4ft long matco tool receipt totaling $12,000. No hardline basic tools either. No impact sockets.

Intrigued, I mention

You know? Honestly, I do not even own a set of channel locks....

Before I could finish he runs off, throws a set at me, and replies "now you do". I roll my eyes before notcing they are snap on "90AP".

Then I finished my earlier statement by stating

Come to think of it, I cannot think of a single professional use for them?

He states "neither can I, I have 3 sets, that's why I'm giving you one"


Which leads me to my question. Where do you use channel locks in a professional auto environment? Every instance I can think of in the past was simply the wrong tool for the wrong job. Are they yet another "inspection purposes only" tool, just to say you have them?

 

[cheap bastard]

If they do exhaust work, they are great for the salesman to use when showing the customer how "deteriorated" his pipes are.

 

[diesel research]

There is only 3 things they will not do. Tires, air conditioning, and state inspection. Even then I still haven't found many uses that don't cause more damage then you started with.

I'm still happy for free chrome plated shiny stuff, but am curious. Have done this stuff for a while, but have never found my self reaching for them regardless of names.

 

[hrichard]

about the only use I have for them is when I have the spring style hose clamps and cant use the clamp tool bc of space or the same clamps on rad hoses

 

[turrican]

I use the 'smaller' ones occasionally, usually when pulling off rusted out exhaust heatshields. Sometimes on brake caliper slider pins, when I need to heat up the carrier part and twist the slider about a bit (a picture would explain this).

Then of course, larger ones for compressing brake pistons (scold me all you like, have only chipped a couple of phenolic pistons and no steel ones in 20 years).

Occasionally in other cases you may need a bigger jaw opening and more leverage than a pair of regular pliers.

So, are they a necessity? Perhaps not. But are they useful? I think so - and it's worthwhile to mention that it depends greatly on the user; I have certain tools I only very rarely use, while others in the shop use them all the time.

 

[Scout Driver]

Last time I used mine was at the junkyard. For pulling parts in a hostile environment where you travel light, a channellock is a tool that usually fits "good enough" to do the job. Last time I used one in the shop was doing a little bit of bodywork, The channellock had the right reach and angle to grab a sheetmetal lip and give it a good pull. Finished the job with the "correct" tools.

Oh yeah, like mentioned above, spring type hose clamps. Or those plastic hose clamps with the serrated jaws that interlock.

Scott

 

[00S4Boy]

I use channel locks and knipex cobras constantly.

Shock or strut removal holding the piston shaft while removing the nut.

Knurled inner tie rods while doing alignments.

Hose clamps.

Compressing fixed calipers.

Cobras are a good alternative vice grips when dealing with rusted or rounded bolts and nuts, less damage to the fastener.

Solid adjusting sleeves on alignments, split sleeves if they spin easily.

So many use's to many to list.

 

[crewchief888]

i have 2 sets with my work tools, a pair of 8" for general grabbing onto stuff, twisting stuck radiator hoses, and also turning a small diesel engine over when adjusting valves.
(the engine has a splined shaft on the crank pulley end)
and a large 18"-20" pair i used to disassmble hyd cylinders.

i have several pair at home, mostly used for plumbing, and general grabbing onto hot stuff.

 

[y2knole]

they're great for removing stripped torx head bolts that are going to be replaced with hex-bolts!

but im no pro. just a guy with a jeep riddled with torx bolts, on a mission to have a jeep NOT riddled with torx bolts!

 

[Thumper]

Stay in this biz long enuff and you will find a use for 'em.......

 

[american lockpicker]

Never used mine but then again I'm not a pro.

 

[Kirbot]

they're great for removing stripped torx head bolts that are going to be replaced with hex-bolts!

but im no pro. just a guy with a jeep riddled with torx bolts, on a mission to have a jeep NOT riddled with torx bolts!

I hear ya'!
Though personally, I prefer Vice grips for that.

 

[Rickster]

For gripping and turning screwdriver handles on stuck screws..

 

[Gary S]

A couple of Chanel lock pliers equal a full set of metric tools.

 

[diesel research]

For gripping and turning screwdriver handles on stuck screws..

A ratchet wrench fits on mine just fine.

I have saw a lot of times where they would suffice, but so far even the above listed items are for the most part merely substitution for the "right" tools. For example, channellocks vs cable operated hose clamp pliers on constant tension clamps. Or shock stud socket vs channellocks. Brake calipers, ect ect.

It's not criticism, I HAVE used them in such manners, but I hardly consider them intended for purpose or best tool for the job. More often than not, "best available", hence the reason I mention professional shop setting with the assumption any proper tools were available.

 

[supertooljunkie]

I work as a commercial electrician. There is no such thing as a wrench to most of these guys. It is all channellocks. Nuts, pipe, whatever.................it is a pair of channellocks.
I have worked in industrial maintenance also. Everyone has a couple pair of channellocks and they are used for everything. Just depends on where and what you work on.
If you have to lug around a lot of tools, you want something that will multi task.

 

[00S4Boy]

I have saw a lot of times where they would suffice, but so far even the above listed items are for the most part merely substitution for the "right" tools. For example, channellocks vs cable operated hose clamp pliers on constant tension clamps. Or shock stud socket vs channellocks. Brake calipers, ect ect.

I have cable operated hose clamp pliers, mobea and corbin style, and on certain occasions channel locks work better then any of them.

How about when a shock stud shears off because of fatigue or a nut that is severely rusted, or in a situation where you need to impact the nut.

Oh and a couple more use's.

To remove the retaining nut on Saab strut cartridges when they are rusted together.

My small 5 inch cobras are life savers when it comes to turning line fittings that are just a little to tight to turn by finger and in highly inaccessible places.

 

[asp]

I use mine to grab small parts that I just welded that are hot all the time.

I have yet to find a use for them that is the 'correct' way to do things, but it sure gets the job done when in need.

 

[D9H 90V]

and a large 18"-20" pair i used to disassmble hydraulic cylinders.

Thats what I use them for the most, that and S cams and slack adjusters, timing injection pumps on some Detroits(grabbing the pump and turning it to one side or another) hose clamps like said earlier, working on diesels/heavy equipment you use them alot, I use my 480 BIG AZZ pliers on the really big cylinders and big oil and hydraulic filters

 

[creativecars]

I always grab my big ones to pull off most any oil filter. One size fits all

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I would have a very difficult time doing my job without them. Great for seating cotter pins tight and bending them over, grabbing heater hoses and twisting them to break them loose, spring hose clamps, Lots of other uses. Sometimes there isn't a "right tool" for the job, but these work great.

This thread is akin to the "what do you use a 11/16 wrench for?" or "what do they make widget removers, I cannot see a use for one?" but whatever they are, they exist because a substantial number of people buy and use them, even if you don't see a reason for them.

Charles

 

[Ser50]

i use my Channel Lock 480 'bigazz' all the time.

although im not answering your question to do with automotive. since i work diesel.

im sure i could find a use (believe i once used a set for an inner tierod) in automotive if i had them in my box.


honestly i dont have much use for the average channel lock, but i use the giant 480 often.

common use is as a filter wrench (our filters run in the litre+ varieties), and for holding shocks if theyre spinning during removal

 

[fflintstone]

I am no professional, but I use channel locks a fair amount, but I never use regular slip joint pliers.
I use them most often with large plumbing nuts, and the retaining nut/ring on the fuel filters on my tractor. Basically anything over 1 ½” in a low torque application.

 

[diesel research]

This thread is akin to the "what do you use a 11/16 wrench for?" or "what do they make widget removers, I cannot see a use for one?" but whatever they are, they exist because a substantial number of people buy and use them, even if you don't see a reason for them.

Charles

Nah, it's a bit different. I think those were more rants, but I am actually trying to remember a good use for them or even learn a new one. Doesn't take long to realize there are some very crafty individuals around here, and someone mentions a technique I could learn from.

On the other hand, simply existing does not equal useful. (gatorgrip sockets for example...haven't found much use for mine yet)

I excluded my own channellock 215 pvc/filter wrench, as it's use is a little more apparent

I'm in about Ser50's position. In the past I have mostly done diesel and do not have as much use for them as some professional auto technicians might (yet), although I do like like large filter ones.

I of course have used them in plenty of odd ways especially around the welding shop to bend hot metal or twist hot fasteners ect ect.

Also I may have been afforded certain luxuries by having the ok to burn, cut, or otherwise mutilate many things that shear/round/or otherwise act difficult to remove. Something slightly more frowned upon in the light duty passenger world.

 

[usdemt]

Channellocks are mainly plumbers tools and they are indispensable for that use, however for automotive they are just a every now and then tool.

 

[Garys Garage]

Radiator petcocks, twisting off old hoses, rounded battery terminal bolts, holding brackets when wiggling the rusted bolts out of them........ How can you not use them.

 

[archirelic]

I've got a couple of the 16" ones and they were truly indispensable when I used to work as a leak technician on a country club golf course. everything we ran under ground was 2" piping and so any type of compression fitting involved needed a larger jawed device.

 

[Abbott]

I use the smaller ones for sliding hoses on and off of metal connections. Air hoses, fuel lines etc...

Large ones for radiator hoses.

I have an all purpose shop and my channel lock tools see a lot of use...I own several of them.

 

[cnc-me]

The big ones, work great on oil filters.

 

[diesel research]

How can you not use them.

Also I may have been afforded certain luxuries by having the ok to burn, cut, or otherwise mutilate many things that shear/round/or otherwise act difficult to remove. Something slightly more frowned upon in the light duty passenger world.

For example, stuck hose. in many cases i would have simply cut it off and threw it away, since I was probably in the process of replacing it. If it is going to be replaced, I make no special effort to remove it intact.

Sometimes a petcock socket is actually able to be used. (sometimes not)

Have a variety of tools for rounded bolts and just haven't found myself reaching for tongue and groove pliers. Had some in the past, they went missing, and made no effort to replace them. Quite typically if the bolt was rounded that bad, pliers only made matters worse. (also why I have avoided them on most types of fittings)

I am excluding "sweet lips" cannonplug pliers/soft jaw verisons, since they definitely had a purpose with commo/electronic equipment found in military/heavy duty vehicles.

 

[D9H 90V]

i use my Channel Lock 480 'bigazz' all the time.

although im not answering your question to do with automotive. since i work diesel.

im sure i could find a use (believe i once used a set for an inner tierod) in automotive if i had them in my box.


honestly i dont have much use for the average channel lock, but i use the giant 480 often.

common use is as a filter wrench (our filters run in the litre+ varieties), and for holding shocks if theyre spinning during removal

I work on diesel too

 

[mrholeshot]

I can't imagine not having them.

 

[moparmuscle88]

i have like 10 pairs and use em everyday, may not be the right tool, but i dont butcher anything with em

oil filters

spring hose clamps

grabbing stuff i welded, or torched,
pinching hoses shut,

pulling out stuff like shackle bolts, brag the had and beat on the pliers with a hammer to pull it out

drum brake springs until i bought the drum brake service kit

brass fittings, hydaulic fittings, tube nuts

twisting out exhaust pipes (yes theres a puller for that, but why $70 when you dont have to?)

they also make a good hammer, prybar, etc

cotter pins, bending stuff

i could go on and on really

 

[Big Bad Jon]

I can't imagine not having them.

They have their place... Oil filters, exhaust, turning over engine stands, general gripping, ext. I like their feel better than vice grips. I think they are a personal preference thing.

 

[bart1]

My trusty companions for a long time. They have turned a lot of big stuff on my Jeep, bent sheet metal, picked up itmes after torching/welding... Never an issue with them.

 

[crewchief888]

Nah, it's a bit different.

Also I may have been afforded certain luxuries by having the ok to burn, cut, or otherwise mutilate many things that shear/round/or otherwise act difficult to remove. Something slightly more frowned upon in the light duty passenger world.

+1
we get away with using sledgehammers, torches, and welders a lot more than the automotive guys do.

i was asked one time, "why do you have a 16lb sledgehammer?"

cuz i cant swing a 20lb'r for very long.



a lot of jobs that i used to do, i'd torch off more bolts than i unscrewed.

 

[diesel research]

i have like 10 pairs and use em everyday, may not be the right tool, but i dont butcher anything with em

oil filters

spring hose clamps

grabbing stuff i welded, or torched,
pinching hoses shut,

pulling out stuff like shackle bolts, brag the had and beat on the pliers with a hammer to pull it out

drum brake springs until i bought the drum brake service kit

brass fittings, hydaulic fittings, tube nuts

twisting out exhaust pipes (yes theres a puller for that, but why $70 when you dont have to?)

they also make a good hammer, prybar, etc

cotter pins, bending stuff

i could go on and on really

I understand they perform atleast marginally in a wide variety of tasks. What I was trying to ask, is, is any of the above mentioned tasks best performed with channelock type pliers of the typical size (compared to other tools)?

Also in other areas such as a junkyard bag, road box, plumbers box, they have more practicallity, it seems, but the question is geared towards working on automobiles on a regular basis, equipped with the tools typically owned by those in the profession.

For example, a hammer makes a better hammer, a prybar a prybar, hose pinch off clamps for hoses, flare nut wrenches for fittings, brake spring tools for brake springs, ect ect.

In those cases and most other common uses, I can think of a more suitable tool.

A few cases mentioned above, the channellock seems to perform atleast as well as most other available tools. Round things that need to be rotated (oil filter, pipe, ect ect. Although even then it may be possible that another tool is more desirable.

Bending stuff seems to be one time they typically work as well as other available hand tools.

Picking up hot items, sometimes they seem to work better than welders tongs.

 

[kylefitz]

The small ones are great for pulling relays.

 

[Jeeper]

They are a great 'improvisational' tool, meaning when you are in a situation that is out of the service manuals, they help you get something done. Might mean getting a rusted bolt out or bending some metal back. No service manual says to use them, but sometimes nothing else will do.

 

[zer0cell]

I have used them quite a bit for gripping purposes when I was tinkering around with the truck but the main reason I started buying them was when I was doing some electrical work and running conduit and tightening lock-nuts and so on. They were also particularly useful for various plumbing projects. They are definitely worth having around...

I took an electrical class some years ago and the electrician said the tools you will be using the most and will be required to buy are:

- A hammer (preferably with a straight claw)
- Linemans pliers (he recommended klein)
- #2 phillips and a slotted driver (klein was recommended)
- Wire strippers
- Channellock 420 or similar

Since then I have bought some dykes and various other pliers and screwdrivers for electrical work but he was right, these are definitely the ones I use most including the channellocks.

On a side note:
Indeed I did use all of these tools extensively. The funny thing is, the Klein drivers I have are still used regularly and have relatively minimal wear even though they experienced heavy usage and sometimes even abuse. This was back in like 2004 I believe which was before Klein apparently decided to lower their screwdriver quality. The linemans are still in pretty good shape too. Sadly, the new klein drivers, although they often provide a nice tight fit, appear to have tips which are far more brittle