Hose Pinch Off Pliers Recommendations

[oldschoolcraft]

Edited for clarity because @dscheidt corrected my terminology.

A pro mechanic buddy helped me some repair work and he didn’t have his full tool set at home and had some cheap **** hose pinch off pliers that we had to zip tie down.

As I learn more about car repair, I realize I want to add these to my tool collection. I don’t know which sizes or styles are best. And how many of each I need since we needed two of the same size on our project and can imagine some cases needing even more than two.

I‘m repairing a dishwasher this weekend and I don’t anticipate needing to clamp the drain hose but it makes me wonder if applications outside of car repair exist and if so, does that impact which ones I need for a complete set.

 

[dscheidt]

I know them as 'pinch off' pliers, or 'hose pinching' pliers. I have a couple of blue point ones, of this style: https://www.gearwrench.com/products...utomatic-locking-ratcheting-hose-pinch-pliers
that are big enough for a 2" radiator hose. (I don't know what the claimed capacity is, i pulled them out of a car at a junk yard 20 years ago). These work great on heater hoses, break lines, etc, where you want a fair amount of clamping pressure, on a radiator hose, they may let some leak past. They're big, and they're heavy, so they're not always the best choice. I have a couple sets of the plastic ones (like this: https://www.autozone.com/wrenches-p...ls-hose-pinching-pliers-set-3-piece/13529_0_0 ) which work on smaller stuff, like vacuum hoses or soft fuel lines. They'll work on a brake hose, but are a struggle, especially if you don't have strong grip strength.

 

[Blueshound_GJ]

I've always just used long nose vise grips. Sometimes a rag underneath to protect the hose, but usually not.

 

[tamaraw]

For small rubber hydraulics (automotive brake + clutch), I use straight jaw vise grips with silicone vacuum line stuffed over the jaws.

I probably wouldn't use that on really old rubber or braided line though, too much risk of damage.

For coolant, perhaps you could just stuff a cone shaped plug in the end of the hose?

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I learned Snapon sells three under the bluepoint brand. Curiously, they are made in the US. I thought bluepoint meant cheaper and imported?

The three models are:
PHP3A 5.5” model rated for hoses up to 3/4”
PHP1A 9.25“ model for hoses up to 1 1/4”
PHP2A 14” model for hoses up to 2 1/2”

They may be the same as Cornwell for less money. ML54Z, ML55Z, and ML56Z. The angled ones only seem to come in a 3-pack RBC1500.

My gut feeling is I might need two to four of the 5.5” and 9.25“ models and two of the 14” model to have a ”full set“

Maybe a starter set would be two of each of 5.5 and 9.25 and one of the big boy 14”

Cornwell also has a ratcheting KD145 that might work better/tighter on radiator hoses.

I don’t know what I don’t know though. I’d just hate to not have what I need when I need it.

 

[dscheidt]

I learned Snapon sells three under the bluepoint brand. Curiously, they are made in the US. I thought bluepoint meant cheaper and imported?

The three models are:
PHP3A 5.5” model rated for hoses up to 3/4”
PHP1A 9.25“ model for hoses up to 1 1/4”
PHP2A 14” model for hoses up to 2 1/2”

Historically, blue point meant 'not made by snap on'. That often means imported, especially these days, but not always. The PHP style plier is different from the ones I have, which are YA 965. I've used the PHP style (not BP branded, though), and didn't like them, because it's possible for them to come undone, if they're left flopping around, and they snag on something. Snap on has more than those options, too, they sell some SO branded ones (never used them), which are slightly different, and they also sell the plastic ones.

 

[Steve_P]

someone will chime in, but the bluepoint look like the Stride? or Kastar? or Imperial? or whoever makes them for almost all the US brands. I have these branded Craftsman that I bought 10+ years ago. They work well and are worth the price.

 

[619DioFan]

needle nose pliers with a piece of fuel line over each nose works well in a pinch.

 

[dnschmidt]

These seem like a good deal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPM1QS3G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[oldwino]

Pretty sure the Blue Points (at least the PHP Ones) are made by Lange. I’ve been happy with mine

 

[jsaw]

needle nose pliers with a piece of fuel line over each nose works well in a pinch.

Yes it does

 

[Fedwrench]

SKU : 1500 - 3-Pc. Hose Pinch Plier Set

Manufacturing professional tools since 1932

www.langtools.com

lang makes these for several brands.

Tool Aid also makes these that are sold under numerous brands:

Hose Clamp Pliers Set | Tool Aid

Use to clamp fuel injection, brake, vacuum and cooling systems hoses.Includes one each small, medium and large Hose Clamp Pliers in high visibility yellow.Smooth, rounded jaws prevent hose damage.Lightweight and non-metallic.Locks in closed position.Fast and easy to use.Hose Clamp Pliers are...

toolaid.com

 

[MOS3522]

I have these, they work on up to 1" hose:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O3NACS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Pexto]

needle nose pliers with a piece of fuel line over each nose works well in a pinch.

I see what you did there ...

 

[dchawk81]

I have the Gearwrench ones.

 

[milky2k]

I have a version of the Gearwrench above that I found at a flea market. Idk what brand they just say USA on the rivets. I also have a Pittsburgh vise grip version and some smaller no name wing nut style like the Lisle's below. I've used the small ones to pinch off vacuum lines and trying to clamp small glue ups, so yes they are useful outside automotive applications!

Radiator Hose Pinch-Off Pliers

Amazing deals on this Radiator Hose Pinch-Off Pliers at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/lisle/lisle-hose-pinchers/lis0/22850?q=hose+pinch&pos=0

 

[Old Man Roger]

needle nose pliers with a piece of fuel line over each nose works well in a pinch.

I see what you did there ...

Beat me to it..lol

 

[Mr_B]

lots of options and don't need be silly money, I like the type that more parallel jaw clamping as more even on pipe thus less chance of damage/leaking .
for fuel and brakes the wing nut type are great and they small and can not get knocked off like pliers type .
I had 3 piece pliers type off eBay for some years and they done fine in the shop and only like 10 bucks each if buy sets/multiples .
Bluepoint style ones are pretty nice if find at a decent price, fair few options for the rebranded pliers so shopping for best current brand deal is a must .


long nose vise grips with jaws ground down a bit and heater/fuel hose push over them super useful tool and can do these cheap and decent with bremen pliers .The thin edge tools will damage hose and you got be careful on larger heater hoses as can delaminate hose inner lining or cause cracking on older hose so good choice tool type and when use is a must .

 

[oldschoolcraft]

What are some places these pinch off pliers are useful other than radiator hoses? That’s the only place I’ve used them so far. Curious for both car and non-car applications, if they have any use outside of cars?

 

[texasprd]

Evap system hoses - part of the testing procedure for the evap system on the '05 Rav4 is to pinch the evap cannister "drain" hose closed.

 

[Ingram306]

Been very happy with the lang ones.

 

[NFH2740]

Lang.

Cripe Distributing has some NAPA pliers of similar design.

 

[Fatboy148!]

Lang.

Cripe Distributing has some NAPA pliers of similar design.

They look the same and half price of the Gearwrench at Amazon....

https://www.cripedistributing.com/p...-pinch-off-pliers?_pos=1&_sid=d53510fe1&_ss=r