Channelock pliers

[sdguy55]

Sorry if this subject has been brought up before. How do you guys like channelock pliers as far as quality goes? I have some snap on and theres nothing wrong with them but i always need more and i am not one of those people that thinks that snapon makes the best of EVERYTHING.

 

[Outlawmws]

USA made Channelocks are good quality tools. Some don't like that they are a plain steel finish (they do now put some sort of clear coating on them but this is easily chipped) and some like that he get a patina over the years. in some climates rust can be an issue.

For the cost I rate them an excellent value

I have no experience with the imported tools being brought in under Channelocks name, and therefor no opinion, just be aware they do have an import line. I don't think this includes the "pliers" lines, just the "filler" tools to give them a more complete lineup

 

[sdguy55]

Well more specifically im looking at theyre bigger style of battery cable cutters. They cut up to 4/0 which is a must for the type of work i do. And the standalone crimpers, no strippers. But if anyone has suggestions on better ones for about the same price im open to suggestions.

 

[wornoutoldman]

As far as Duckbill and cutting type pliers in my opinion none are better than SO. Other styles? Channellock makes nice stuff.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Well more specifically im looking at theyre bigger style of battery cable cutters. They cut up to 4/0 which is a must for the type of work i do. And the standalone crimpers, no strippers. But if anyone has suggestions on better ones for about the same price im open to suggestions.

I have the stand-alone crimpers and have used them many times, they are outstanding.

Also, and related, I talked my father into buying a pair sometime ago after showing him mine and now that he's used them a few times, he's hooked too. They are an awesome value for the money and they work great.

 

[colt zantop]

I have a growing collection of channellock stuff and I like it all. I agree they are a great tool for the money.

 

[HotRoddersHaven]

My plier drawer is packed full of Channellock tools, I think I have one of every plier that they make, other than the bent needle nose. I absolutely love them, use them all the time, and have yet to have a single issue with any of them.

 

[JSBriggs]

The 909 is a good cutter/crimper, not to mention a good value at around $25.

No personal experience with the 911.

-Jeff

 

[MD11]

they're very good.. grab any of the USA made ones and don't worry. If you want to kick it up a notch however, try Knipex or NWS brand.... sometimes Sears has them, but you can go on line and get them all.

 

[sdguy55]

I am very glad you mentioned knipex. I bought a knipex cable cutter (smaller, only cuts up to 4ga. If i remember correctly) and it just felt like a solid tool. Just bought it time so havent had a chance to use it to much. Well now for the bigger cable cutter its gonna be a toss up between those two.

 

[Black89LX]

Channellock make great pliers... its all I own

 

[MD11]

I am very glad you mentioned knipex. I bought a knipex cable cutter (smaller, only cuts up to 4ga. If i remember correctly) and it just felt like a solid tool. Just bought it time so havent had a chance to use it to much. Well now for the bigger cable cutter its gonna be a toss up between those two.

They are absolutely great, but they're much pricier... being Made in Germany and all.

I always say.. "Buy the best you can afford"

 

[metaldad]

whaddya think?

 

[volunteers]

I have the following channellock pliers,cutters,etc, each one works perfect for me. The price is very good compared to other brands.

449 9" CURVED CUTTER
369 9" WIRE CUTTER LINEMAN PLIERS
426 6.5" ,
420 9.5"
440 12" tongue & groove pliers.

85 10.5'' 6in1 fence tool
350s 9'' ironworkers pliers
909 crimpers
437 7'' diagonal cutter

 

[thesilverone]

quality made pliers at a good price

 

[volunteers]

Right now the channellock 909 is $10 at Home Deport.

The 909 is a good cutter/crimper, not to mention a good value at around $25.

-Jeff

 

[sdguy55]

Well metaldad. I dont think you have enough of the tougne and groove ones. Might want to work a lil more on that.

 

[lametec]

The 909 is a good cutter/crimper, not to mention a good value at around $25.

Just picked up a pair at Home Depot last night.. $10.

 

[sdguy55]

Wish i had a home depot
Edit: could i order this online and get it for 10? Not including shipping.

 

[volunteers]

No, it is the price at local HD only.

Wish i had a home depot
Edit: could i order this online and get it for 10? Not including shipping.

 

[sdguy55]

No, it is the price at local HD only.

Well thats a bummer. To buy those here is 28 dollars. Even if i paid shipping it would still be cheaper.

 

[Dicholscrn]

I am very glad you mentioned knipex. I bought a knipex cable cutter (smaller, only cuts up to 4ga. If i remember correctly) and it just felt like a solid tool. Just bought it time so havent had a chance to use it to much. Well now for the bigger cable cutter its gonna be a toss up between those two.

I love channel lock and have my fair share but recently been collecting Knipex. Got the mini bolt cutters last week and they are one of the sturdiest little tools I've ever had. Been walking around the garage/house/work just looking for stuff to cut so I can use them.

 

[crewchief888]

i've been using channellock brand for over 25 years, i do have a few pairs of mac & SO, but none of them get use much.

i do like my knipex dykes,
maybe it's because both pair of my channellocks are badly worn,
and the knipex were free

 

[alan camby]

whaddya think?

You need to try the 442 style with the V cut jaws. I like them a lot more then the 440. Nice collection.

My only gripe with their (and all the copies) tongue and groove plier is if you slip off of what you are holding, the handle can pinch your fingers.
Knipex design does not do this.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

The 909 is a good cutter/crimper, not to mention a good value at around $25.

No personal experience with the 911.

-Jeff

I have both of the above also, and they work well.

 

[ajchien]

whaddya think?

You're missing the nutbusters!

 

[alan camby]

Guys,
What is your opinions of the nutbusters and the griplock.

Do the griplocks grab like a Knipex cobra/alligator, once grabbed on the the work piece all that is required is pressure to the top handle, no squeeze required?
Do the nutbusters grab better then standard channellock groove joint pliers.

Besides Knipex, never found pliers that grips a pipe as well as a Rigid pipe wrench.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I've never met a pair of pliers Channellock makes that I didn't like.
My uncle passed that down to me from being a plumber for 40 years

 

[Neodogg]

klein makes good pliers and cutters

 

[thesilverone]

klein makes good pliers and cutters

too bad this thread is about Channellock and not about Klein

 

[metaldad]

Right now the channellock 909 is $10 at Home Deport.

10 bills? i'm getting a couple of pairs.
I do have about 5 of the Klein ones.

 

[tbobbo]

I have quite a few channlock products. Only the pliers and I love em all. I bought a snap on side cutters and they were better at first, but after some use my old channel locks are better.

 

[metal1313]

im hoping to pick up more assorted tools like the cutters, since i have a large selection of doubles of channel lock slip joints already

 

[Robbie UK]

Until a couple of months ago I would have raved about my range of Channelocks but I have had a shocking run with their side cutters recently. First pair lasted many years but the replacements have lasted days before being returned under warranty. No problems getting them replaced but it became such a pain I bought some Knipex as I was convinced that the replacements were from the same bad batch.

As part of the deal the Knipex came bundled with the mini-boltcutters; not having used them before they were quite a surprise and are thoroughly recommended!

 

[Andy Griffith]

I was in HD the other day and wondered over to the tool aisle to look at the Channelock pliers that I had heard so much about on this forum.

I purchased the crimpers for $10. They feel like quality pliers but I am concerned about the finish on these pliers as Outlaw mentioned previously. I was going to also buy the fencing pliers but put them back until I could research the finish subject further.

They would probably be ok living in my roll-around in the shop, but don't know how they would fair in the tool bag. Working on a farm in western WA means tools get wet, frequently. Yes I try to take care of the tools and wipe them down but the simple fact is sometimes they get put away wet or not wiped down fully.

 

[sdguy55]

If i did have one gripe about my channelock side cutters is the finish you guys are talking about. I know it isnt oil but i cant help but try and wipe it down every time i pick it up. And you can tell its starting to come off. But what do you do? I could care less about finish, performance is all i care about.

 

[geologist]

Channellock has never let me down. COO is clearly marked and even their Chinese screwdrivers are nice which was rather surprising.

 

[John316]

I have a lot of channellock stuff. It's fantastic, durable, US made and inexpensive. I actually don't have too many of the waterpump pliers because for this style prefer the knipex cobras.

As for needlenose, long reach and cutters they are excellent. My only criticism is that because in manufacturing there is some hand grinding, you will get some irregular pieces from time to time. Got a 3037 once where the blades were different thicknesses, a 718 where the tip/edge was not completely square and a 748 where the cutter was not flush with the tip. I have seen in stores where the needlenose tips are not straight, but were ground a bit of an angle, but I passed over these and found a good pair. This is a bit of a pain also for me as I have no local retailers that carry some models, so exchange is a mail order process.

The Home Depot deals are super! In my area they sell the 8WCB for $14, the #909 for $10, the #437 for $10, the #85 for $13 and the #350s for $13 For what you get, these are amazing deals.

As has been mentioned elsewhere on GJ the adjustables are made in Spain and are fantastic. I have the 6,8,10,12&15". The 12&15 I grabbed recently as NOS from ebay "buy it now" for $25 shipped ;-)

 

[shoturtle]

The 911 has been a very good pair of cutters. I have cut unto 4/0 without issues with it. But it is a hand workout. Anything bigger, I use a ratcheting cutter. Most of my pilers are channels. I would have gotten a 909 but I got a freebie klein form work.

 

[shoturtle]

too bad this thread is about Channellock and not about Klein

Only problem with klein's are that not all their pilers are US made. And they hide that fact on some of their tools with tiny coo on the packaging. Not etched on the tool. Channellocks pilers are all USA made.