Help With Channellock Choices

[Treeman]

Hey Guys,

I'm upgrading my workplace toolbox general use pliers, cutters, etc.. This is a community toolbox used by many, so tools gets abused and lost. Channellock meets the value aspect that I seek and the blue handles will assist keeping track of them. It would be a shame to stock the toolbox with very expensive tools under these circumstances, but I prefer U.S. made. Channellock is a good fit.

I am an old school guy, but am open to the new designs Channellock offers IF they are good. Please offer opinions if you have experience with these.

Longnose Pliers: Is the XLT version an improvement over old school?:
OLD - 326 vs XLT E326 (bottom)

Linemens Pliers:
Traditional 347 vs. Combination E347 XLT (bottom)

Diagonal Cutters:
Traditional 436 vs. E336 XLT (bottom)

Again...Old school, tried and tested vs. new fangled "better"?

The e series XLT tends to be slightly smaller in footprint and they try to market it as more leverage, easier to use.

Sincere thank you for anyone who can chime in with experience or recommendations.

https://www.channellock.com/ ....If you want to compare for yourself.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I upgraded to the E326 XLT Needle nose and couldn't be happier that I did. The toothed section is great for gripping hoses & fuel lines to pull them loose.

All depends on what you work on, I suppose.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have the E336 cutters. I love how small they are. I use them pretty much every day all day. I like them better than the normal 336 cutters.

 

[woody 73]

I own the following set and I must say it is one of the nicest sets I have ever used.

https://www.channellock.com/CBR-8-Gift-Set.aspx

 

[NoahG]

Why 7" linesmans? 8" is the smallest I'd go, but I greatly prefer 9" linesmans.

They did a nice job with the E series, it's a good choice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Two Speed]

Apples to oranges. The old vs new IMO are two very different designs, which you choose depends on what you intend to do with them. Small flat stuff, small wires, quick straightening of a bent edge? Old style. Are you using them as impromptu wrenches? Then the new style may be better suited, or if you need to grab hold of larger diameter materials.
For linesmens, I've always gone back to the traditional style. Bend a bracket or something, the traditional works better.
Cutters, the anvil on the inside of the old style handles is a great tool in itself.
They are inexpensive enough, buy one of each and get feedback from the people that are going to use them.

Alex.

 

[Wamsutta]

Judging by the specific choices you have pictured, you must have some extra small hands. One of my pet peeves is nose pliers with short handles; I hate them with a passion.

 

[Treeman]

Thanks for the initial feedback. I do have somewhat smallish hands and to be honest, I just listed the smaller sizes above to keep things simple. I have already decided to go with bigger linesmens and may go up one size on the others. And, I might buy two sizes of some of them.

I apologize that the real feedback I wanted was the "head" design differences. Two Speeds' comment about the traditional linesmens is the same thought that I came up with.

I was looking for comments whether the "newer" versions were somehow superior to sway me to buy them. I understand that preferences are subjective. It would be so much easier if I could hold them prior to purchase. Thanks everyone.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

It would be so much easier if I could hold them prior to purchase. Thanks everyone.

Any chance you have a Lowes nearby? I picked mine up from them, and they had a decent enough selection to check out.

 

[Trey T]

I use 716 and e388 pretty often, so those are the two specialty channel lock I would highly recommend