hose clamp pliers?
- Thread starter thk2c
- Start date
billymade
Well-known member
Cheapest I have found and works well; not **** but does the job!
Craftsman Cable Operated Hose Clamp Pliers
Sold by Sears | Sears Item# 00947390000 | Model# 28650-998 $39.95
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...y Tools&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a
Craftsman Cable Operated Hose Clamp Pliers
Sold by Sears | Sears Item# 00947390000 | Model# 28650-998 $39.95
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...y Tools&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Search the old posts as this subject come up often. Mayhew makes great fixed and cable operated models. Schley tools makes nice expensive ones. I think there are two styles of cable operated hose clamp pliers offered by Snap on. The blue handled blue point version are rebadged Astro Pneumatic models. I don't know the source for the red handled Snap on cable operated hose clamp pliers that came out recently.
MrMark
Well-known member
The red handled Snap on pliers look like the ones Billymade linked from Sears. They are made in France, each of them. Coincidence? I think they are the same.
I was going to get the Astro ones but seeing the Sears models that look like the SO and the French COO makes me think the Sears are a better choice. Less than half the price of SO and possible to get online from Sears with some discounts. Maybe get them for 35 or so.
Easier to warranty too.
I was going to get the Astro ones but seeing the Sears models that look like the SO and the French COO makes me think the Sears are a better choice. Less than half the price of SO and possible to get online from Sears with some discounts. Maybe get them for 35 or so.
Easier to warranty too.
Nik_95Cobra
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2008
- Messages
- 241
The blue-point ones are way better than all the other brands I've used. I also just bought the new style snap-on cable pliers the other day and the design is a lot better than the older mayhew cable pliers like the ones in that sears ad.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Somebody in France must own the patent as even the Mayhew ones are made in France. Next time you're in Sears look at the back of the hose clamp pliers package. There's a statement about the cable and clamp assembly not being warrantied. The only other drawback to the Craftsman version is the handle spread is pretty wide and can be hard to close with a single hand until you compress the clamp slightly. I have both styles and they work ok.
wellstig1
Well-known member
I've had these for a couple years and they are my favorite.
http://www.etooldirect.com/manufact...le-hose-clamp-pliers-with-stay-put-cable.html
http://www.etooldirect.com/manufact...le-hose-clamp-pliers-with-stay-put-cable.html
MrMark
Well-known member
I saw that. So maybe I'm back to the Astro/Blue Points? Between the two the Craftsman or the Astro which do you go with? I value your judgment based on your demonstrated knowledge in your posts.
Do these style work on round wire clamps too? Or just the flat band clamps?
mkdive
Well-known member
I have the Cman set. They do the job.
billymade
Well-known member
The OEM for the Craftsman/Mayhew is GILLET OUTILLAGE http://www.gio-tools.com/
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BackTracker
Well-known member
Another vote for the Cmans, they have been fine by me.
Vinko
Well-known member
For Oetiker, I bought the Knipex. Got two new pairs on Ebay for btwn $13 and $15 ea.
benjamming
Well-known member
billymade
Well-known member
I don't know if there is a exact equivalent as GILLET OUTILLAGE apparently does a good deal of OEM work for many companies; I figured out who made them by seeing "made in france" on the pliers and looking up the patent #'s online. GILLET OUTILLAGE had the patent and then when looking at their production videos and pliers figured it must be made by them!
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cruiser808
Well-known member
I use these.
Yep, me too. And I can say they are a PITA when replacing heater hoses located on a 5.0L HO V8 between the engine and the firewall. I did this back in November and I became a believer. Now, I too am on the lookout for some good hose clamp pliers. What's the attraction of these new fangled hose clamps anyway? I still like the old school screw hose clamps best.
91_4x4runner
Active member
Yep, me too. And I can say they are a PITA when replacing heater hoses located on a 5.0L HO V8 between the engine and the firewall. I did this back in November and I became a believer. Now, I too am on the lookout for some good hose clamp pliers. What's the attraction of these new fangled hose clamps anyway? I still like the old school screw hose clamps best.
A compression hose clamp like those shown can expand and contract with the hose and heat, whereas the screw style hose clamps are relegated to a single pressure (that you tighten it to). Think of how often you have to replace the screw style versus the compression style...
cruiser808
Well-known member
Thanks 4runner! I mostly work on older cars, so I'm kind of a dinosaur when it comes to these things. You just increased my brain cell count today.
l_bilyk
Well-known member
Does anyone have the gearwrench gearplier? Looks like a nice kit but I think it may be getting too fancy and complicated
bgott
Well-known member
http://www.tooltopia.com/search.aspx?find=hose+clamp+vise
Get a set of these! The smaller one won't fit the full sized radiator clamps. These little vises have a 1/4" square hole in the handle so you can use a ratchet or screwdriver handle to work 'em. I've went back to busting wrenches for a living and I've fallen in love with these little boogers. I have the regular pliers and the cable pliers and they all have their places, the vises fill out the line nicely.
Get a set of these! The smaller one won't fit the full sized radiator clamps. These little vises have a 1/4" square hole in the handle so you can use a ratchet or screwdriver handle to work 'em. I've went back to busting wrenches for a living and I've fallen in love with these little boogers. I have the regular pliers and the cable pliers and they all have their places, the vises fill out the line nicely.
Merkava_4
Banned
Vinko
Well-known member
The Knipex for ear clamps were on ebay, new, for about $14-$18 a while back. I picked up a pair.
Merkava_4
Banned
http://www.tooltopia.com/mayhew-tools-45650.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/mayhew-tools-28650.aspx
I'm wondering what the major differences between those two are.
http://www.tooltopia.com/mayhew-tools-28650.aspx
I'm wondering what the major differences between those two are.
bgott
Well-known member
30 bucks!
truckdriver
Well-known member
I've found that the Knipex Cobra's work alot better than regular Channelocks, but not as good as actual clamp pliers.
nexum1919
Well-known member
the best one i used is the matco version. Part#: HCPR20A http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=3893&select=&page=2
matco has much thicker cable, much less flex while squeezing, also it has fine ratcheting points through the whole range, so you don't have to expand the hell out of smaller clamps.
plus, it allows for adjustment so you can get the jaws completely close and lock. on newer cars, you have to completely open up the clamp ears to slide the clamp off and they'll barely clear the ******. anything less than a full squeeze and it won't clear the ******. i usually spray the hose around the clamp to make the clamp slide off easier. you don't want the cable flexing in that situation, since you'll never get the clamp open up all the way. most of the time i had to first insert the clamp first than push the hose over the ****** and into the clamp, which is pure pain.
if you ever have to deal with those 'zero tolerance' clamps, you'll appreciate the thicker cable and fine adjustment of the matco. plus they sell the repair kit for it.
matco one goes on sale from time to time, around $60. i have the mayhew one too, it'll do 99% of the clamps, should be enough for a home user.
also, the groove joint pliers with the 90 degree head angle also useful tool. regualar pliers are the fastest but when you need the special tool, you need it. i just changed upper/lower hoses and t/-stat housing on a 01 focus zx3, and honestly i cannot see how a person can do the job without the special hose clamp pliers.
matco has much thicker cable, much less flex while squeezing, also it has fine ratcheting points through the whole range, so you don't have to expand the hell out of smaller clamps.
plus, it allows for adjustment so you can get the jaws completely close and lock. on newer cars, you have to completely open up the clamp ears to slide the clamp off and they'll barely clear the ******. anything less than a full squeeze and it won't clear the ******. i usually spray the hose around the clamp to make the clamp slide off easier. you don't want the cable flexing in that situation, since you'll never get the clamp open up all the way. most of the time i had to first insert the clamp first than push the hose over the ****** and into the clamp, which is pure pain.
if you ever have to deal with those 'zero tolerance' clamps, you'll appreciate the thicker cable and fine adjustment of the matco. plus they sell the repair kit for it.
matco one goes on sale from time to time, around $60. i have the mayhew one too, it'll do 99% of the clamps, should be enough for a home user.
also, the groove joint pliers with the 90 degree head angle also useful tool. regualar pliers are the fastest but when you need the special tool, you need it. i just changed upper/lower hoses and t/-stat housing on a 01 focus zx3, and honestly i cannot see how a person can do the job without the special hose clamp pliers.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'm wondering what the major differences between those two are.
The cat's paw version is from Taiwan. The original Mayhew pliers are made in France.
Merkava_4
Banned
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Hmm... says "European made" in ToolTopia's link.
Spend some money and find out for yourself. You can't be a tool ****** forever, and buy some Gearwrenches while you're at it.
jethro29
Well-known member
those are maybe ok for some jobs.but they make an easy thing hard.my advice would be to get the mayhew set and also a short set with a 45 degree angle and you life will be so much simpler.but my needs may differ from yours as i am a professional auto tech and have to deal with these friggin things everyday
Merkava_4
Banned
Are you saying the Matcos are little more heavier duty than their Mayhew 28640 cousins?
http://www.ntxtools.com/ Search OTC-4496
Occasionally you will also need the cable type. They wear out and should only be used when needed.
Occasionally you will also need the cable type. They wear out and should only be used when needed.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
He maybe but, they're not. Look most tooltrucks sell a rebadged version of the mayhews or a rebadged version of the Astro Pneumatic. On a side note, Mayhew is releasing model 28650 which is a new upgraded pair of cable operated hose clamp pliers that resemble the new Snap on model.
For what it's worth the Mayhew site under new products, lists the Cats Paw hose clamp pliers as being made in France but, every Cats paw product I've seen was made in Taiwan.
nexum1919
Well-known member
there's a significant difference between the typical mayhew/catspaw/astro pneumatic/made in france version and the matco (HCPR20A)
i have the blue $30 blue handled astro pneumatic one, been a year in service and not much left in it. so i got the $30 catspaw 45650 (made in france) as a back up, essentially the same setup and grade of materials.
then i saw the matco version on sale for $60. I can say it's easily worth the regular $90 price...
matco has thicker cable, a return spring inside the head (in addition to the one in the handle) that keeps the jaws seperated, so you don't have to manually seperate the jaws after a 'miss'. plus matco has the kink relief right where my astro pneumatic one starting to rip apart. matco has a threaded adjustment nut on the end of the cable, and that enables you to squeeze the clamp all the way, which is critical on newer cars, because you'll never be able to slide the clamp over the ****** without squeezing all the juice out of it! they all close nice and tight when unloaded, but as you can see in the pictures, the catspaw one bottoms out (the handles touch each other) and the clamp is not squeezed all the way. and if you look carefully, the remedy for this situation is to grab the clamp ear with the 'inside' edge of the tool, which is not a design intent and very likely to end up slipping and possibly shooting the clamp across the shop...also, matco has ratcheting positions throughout the squeeze range, so you don't need to squeeze the hell out of smaller clamps just to get the tool lock. (i think mayhew 28640 has the ratcheting feature too)
here's the catspaw closed, no load, nice and tight:
ah, here's the catspaw under load all the way(handles hitting each other), not that tight anymore, clamp is not squeezed all the way: (it only gets worse as the cable stretches out in time, and there's no mechanism to make up for that slack on catspaw)
that's the trick to squeeze the clamp all the way using the 'inside' rail of the head: (wear safety glasses!!)
catspaw open, barely making it:
matco has a little more room (notice the return spring inside the head, very handy feature):
matco squeezing the clamp all the way and locking at thte same time, thanks to the threaded adjustment:
matco close-up, ratcheting mechanism and kink relief and adjusting nut (you can always tighten it up as the cable flexes over timem, you'll never bottom out the handles without closing the clamp all the way) i think the release lever is much better positioned:
more photos to followw...
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nexum1919
Well-known member
heads up, matco is on the right:
side by side:
sorry for the cellphone pics. the mayhew catspaw laser etched 'made in france' and "US Pat 6.189.190
the matco stamped "FRANCE PAT 0012910" and "USA PAT 6370985"
i'd get the $30 regular made in france stuff, then wait for the matco sale, then get the matco one. this way you'll have a backup while waiting for the repair kit in case the matco fails....
side by side:
sorry for the cellphone pics. the mayhew catspaw laser etched 'made in france' and "US Pat 6.189.190
the matco stamped "FRANCE PAT 0012910" and "USA PAT 6370985"
i'd get the $30 regular made in france stuff, then wait for the matco sale, then get the matco one. this way you'll have a backup while waiting for the repair kit in case the matco fails....
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the matco stamped "FRANCE PAT 0012910" and "USA PAT 6370985"
on this website the product description says that the Astro pneumatic version has the same patent numbers like the Matco version.
atari
Well-known member
I have the craftsman unit also. I dont know how I lived with out them for so long. I got them about 3 years ago and they still work well.