Is this Powerfist snap ring plier set any good?

[s45]

I want a complete snap ring plier set that's decent quality but I don't want to pay more than $180. Are these good? 12 pc Bent and Straight Snap Ring Plier Set. They look similar to the Lang Tools (3495) but they're Powerfist so probably made in China and super cheap so I guess the question is how good are these Chinese versions? I don't really like this design but meh.

I was hoping I could find like a Knipex set similar to the Icons or these where they have both small and large versions of the tool but I couldn't find anything. It's silly that Knipex does not offer a set like this and that they expect you to just buy singles. Storage is a huge consideration as well and I want the set to either come in a good pouch or blow molded case. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Pexto]

Personally, for that kind of money, I wouldn't be looking at mystery brands.

Knipex has lots of sets - take a look here: https://www.knipex-tools.com/products/tool-sets/snap-ring-pliers-sets.

 

[s45]

Personally, for that kind of money, I wouldn't be looking at mystery brands.

Knipex has lots of sets - take a look here: https://www.knipex-tools.com/products/tool-sets/snap-ring-pliers-sets.

They don't have what I need and almost all their sets are small snap ring pliers

 

[WWheeler]

Knipex snap ring pliers are excellent and they certainly make every size and type that is in the set you linked and then some.

If these are for a DIYer home use then the Lang, Gearwrench, Wilde, Icon, and maybe even your Powerfist sets will probably got the job done for you, for your money's worth. If you're planning on making an income using them then I'd strongly suggest that its best to buy a professional grade set, like the Knipex or Snap-on (bluepoint/bahco).

 

[signcrafter]

I bought the hf set maybe 10 years ago and they were junk, waste of money. That power fist looks just like the hf set I had. I have all knipex now. Keep adding to them as needed or when I see one I dont have. I'd much rather have quality bought individually vs a set in a case that may be good or may not be. I dont have experience with the lang set someone mentioned but lang is usually good stuff.

 

[Steve_P]

If I didn't want to spend the $ on Knipex, as I did, this is what I would get

Amazon.com: Lang Tools (3495) 12-Piece Fixed Tip Combination Internal/External Snap Ring Pliers Set: Automotive

Buy Lang Tools (3495) 12-Piece Fixed Tip Combination Internal/External Snap Ring Pliers Set: Snap-Ring Pliers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

The above aren't as good as Knipex, but they've been around forever and are great for the $

 

[old_smokey]

I've been using cheap snap ring pliers for years and was always breaking or damaging the tips, or having the snap rings fly off into oblivion. I got some used Mac pliers after and broke a tip as well

I bought a set of Knipex from Mister Worker on sale a year or two ago. They are amazing and a joy to use. I recently replaced my AC mag clutch on my truck and was able to easily remove and reinstall a few blind snap rings without a fuss. I'm genuinely excited now when I have a chance to use them.

 

[s45]

Knipex snap ring pliers are excellent and they certainly make every size and type that is in the set you linked and then some.

If these are for a DIYer home use then the Lang, Gearwrench, Wilde, Icon, and maybe even your Powerfist sets will probably got the job done for you, for your money's worth. If you're planning on making an income using them then I'd strongly suggest that its best to buy a professional grade set, like the Knipex or Snap-on (bluepoint/bahco).

Ok I'm buying the 48 31 J3 because they don't offer a set of larger snap ring pliers in their kits which is silly.

I bought the hf set maybe 10 years ago and they were junk, waste of money. That power fist looks just like the hf set I had. I have all knipex now. Keep adding to them as needed or when I see one I dont have. I'd much rather have quality bought individually vs a set in a case that may be good or may not be. I dont have experience with the lang set someone mentioned but lang is usually good stuff.

Yah I'm just going to buy Knipex singles and throw them in my plastic tool box even though I don't really want to treat expensive tools that way but I don't have a tool chest since I don't have a garage. I hate buying tools that don't come with their own storage.

 

[scooby074]

Whats your use case? Snap ring pliers for home gamers dont get used that much TBH, so Id say that for the price, the Princess ones will likely do, especially considering their warranty. I used to use some really old PA ones and the Channelock replacable/reversable tip ones at work even.

Now I have Snappys. Are the SO better, well yes, but then again they were almost 10x the price of the PA set.

 

[s45]

If I didn't want to spend the $ on Knipex, as I did, this is what I would get

Amazon.com: Lang Tools (3495) 12-Piece Fixed Tip Combination Internal/External Snap Ring Pliers Set: Automotive

Buy Lang Tools (3495) 12-Piece Fixed Tip Combination Internal/External Snap Ring Pliers Set: Snap-Ring Pliers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

The above aren't as good as Knipex, but they've been around forever and are great for the $

I don't like these they look ugly lol.

 

[s45]

Does anyone know what size pliers I would need for the external snap rings that hold the pully and clutch on an A/C compressor from a Golf MK4? Not sure if both are the same. This is part of a video of a guy taking out the snap rings for reference, looks like they are maybe 40mm snap rings? FFW to 7:02

 

[s45]

Whats your use case? Snap ring pliers for home gamers dont get used that much TBH, so Id say that for the price, the Princess ones will likely do, especially considering their warranty. I used to use some really old PA ones and the Channelock replacable/reversable tip ones at work even.

Now I have Snappys. Are the SO better, well yes, but then again they were almost 10x the price of the PA set.

Well I'm doing regular maintenance and repairs on a few cars right now so something good quality. I just ordered these from Amazon Knipex 48 11 J3. Will be buying a couple more or a set of the smaller ones even though having a set and then 1 single is going to drive me mad.

 

[lardy1]

The Lang work well for me. I couldn't justify the price of the Knipex for my infrequent use. That design has been around forever.

 

[PBCampbell]

WOW, those Knipex have gone up in price. I have all from 0 through 3 sizes, internal and external, straight and right angle, and I doubt I have more than $200 in them, of course they were bought more than a decade ago. Those Langs are perfectly usable and used to be rebranded by everyone from Sears to I believe Snap-on.

 

[s45]

The Lang work well for me. I couldn't justify the price of the Knipex for my infrequent use. That design has been around forever.

Yah I probably should have just bought those but I read that they unscrew or something also I don't like how they look but at least they have a case. I will not buy an ugly tool without a case, I care about silly things like that. The Lang style snap ring pliers aren't that bad but example of an ugly tool I won't buy without a case or pouch is hose grip pliers

WOW, those Knipex have gone up in price. I have all from 0 through 3 sizes, internal and external, straight and right angle, and I doubt I have more than $200 in them, of course they were bought more than a decade ago. Those Langs are perfectly usable and used to be rebranded by everyone from Sears to I believe Snap-on.

Well to be fair I probably got ripped off buying from Amazon but I don't want to wait like 2 weeks for them to arrive otherwise I could have maybe bought them cheaper off some Euro site. But yah everything is a scam these days.

 

[s45]

I've been using cheap snap ring pliers for years and was always breaking or damaging the tips, or having the snap rings fly off into oblivion. I got some used Mac pliers after and broke a tip as well

I bought a set of Knipex from Mister Worker on sale a year or two ago. They are amazing and a joy to use. I recently replaced my AC mag clutch on my truck and was able to easily remove and reinstall a few blind snap rings without a fuss. I'm genuinely excited now when I have a chance to use them.

Damn I wish I bought from Mister Worker too. Maybe I should cancel my order and buy from there. What size pliers did you use for the A/C clutch? I think I need to do the same thing on my car, replace the clutch coil.

 

[paulsomlo]

I bought the 8 piece Knipex set w/forged tips from Amazon.de a few years ago and added a few singles at the top and bottom of the range to round it out. Looks like $127.58 would make them yours, I'll attach a screenshot.

These are a joy to use - while women still snicker behind my back, and fish give me the finger, snap rings tremble at my approach.

 

[isb cornbinder]

That is a very good set for a fraction of what I spent. Princess Auto have an exchange policy that is there to make the customer satisfied. I do not think PA have a end date for their warranty. I would not hesitate to buy this set from PA.
I bought an SK set for work. The SK, SnapOn MAC and OTC are the same tool, the parts interchange.

 

[Etchase]

I’m very happy with the FACOM and Proto versions. The Wilde are good.

 

[s45]

I bought the 8 piece Knipex set w/forged tips from Amazon.de a few years ago and added a few singles at the top and bottom of the range to round it out. Looks like $127.58 would make them yours, I'll attach a screenshot.

These are a joy to use - while women still snicker behind my back, and fish give me the finger, snap rings tremble at my approach.

Just checked, they are going to cost me $200 CAD and take like 1-3 months to ship or something. Mister Worker has this set on sale right now for $220 CAD. It's the precision ones. I might buy them but I'm worried about the customs fees. Has anyone from Canada ordered off this site before? If so how much did you pay in duties and taxes for your order?

And yah I want to own every snap ring I run into going forward too. Those little bastards are so annoying and I hate whoever engineered them.

 

[s45]

That is a very good set for a fraction of what I spent. Princess Auto have an exchange policy that is there to make the customer satisfied. I do not think PA have a end date for their warranty. I would not hesitate to buy this set from PA.
I bought an SK set for work. The SK, SnapOn MAC and OTC are the same tool, the parts interchange.

Yah I use to hate Princess Auto but now I love them and I'm there all the time. My only pet peeve is that they always ask me for my number at check out. Below is another set that look just like the ones I posted before but cost a lot more. I wonder if these are made in USA https://www.princessauto.com/en/12-pc-snap-ring-plier-set/product/PA0008380891

 

[Steve_P]

That is a very good set for a fraction of what I spent. Princess Auto have an exchange policy that is there to make the customer satisfied. I do not think PA have a end date for their warranty. I would not hesitate to buy this set from PA.
I bought an SK set for work. The SK, SnapOn MAC and OTC are the same tool, the parts interchange.

No, Snap On has been making their own retaining ring pliers for years.

 

[isb cornbinder]

No, Snap On has been making their own retaining ring pliers for years.

I have SnapOn and the others I mentioned. the parts from each interchange. If I broke your bubble, no apology coming. Anyway, how do you know what you posted to be true?

 

[Steve_P]

Have you looked at the retaining ring pliers that Snap On (not Blue Point) has been selling for the last 3+ years? It's not the same as Lang/K-Star/Milbar/SK/old USA Craftsman......

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[bigfunwmu]

I have the Lang set, and I have a bunch of Knipex and a few Snap On. The Lang set is absolute garbage in comparison. The pliers flex, the screw comes loose, and when you tighten the screw (by hand, not with a tool) the threads are so soft that they deform and then they are f***ed forever.

I'm convinced that whoever says those are good has never actually used good snap ring pliers, or at the very least secretly hates themselves and wants to watch the world burn.

Life is to short to go through it with garbage tools.

 

[scooby074]

Well I'm doing regular maintenance and repairs on a few cars right now so something good quality. I just ordered these from Amazon Knipex 48 11 J3. Will be buying a couple more or a set of the smaller ones even though having a set and then 1 single is going to drive me mad.

Those are internal. I think, from watching the video you need external