I have a radiator hose pick I bought at hf. It does the job but is kinda clumsy and seems to stretch the hose more than it should because of it's large diameter. I'd prefer made in USA but CO is not an issue if the tools are quality. What do ya'll recommend?
Looking for a good radiator hose puller/pick set
- Thread starter monster1
- Start date
Have to recommend the Snappy set as well. I thought I wouldn't use many of the odd shaped picks and I was very wrong. It's an awesome set that I use often. Don't really know of any other equivalents? Maybe look in the truck tool equivalent thread.
stonesfan68
Well-known member
I have the Craftsman Professional set and like it as well. I'm not a pro, just a DIYer.
I've read good things about the Mayhew 60008 set, too.
I've read good things about the Mayhew 60008 set, too.
Exceller8
Well-known member
What do you guys think of the Gearwrench set?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002EYI19M/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002EYI19M/?tag=atomicindus08-20
That gearwrench set doesn't look bad imo. However, it doesn't include a large 90 degree, which is the one I would usually reach for. You can most likely use the hook for the same purposes, just my preference.
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Garagebound1
Well-known member
Mac makes a real nice set , again spendy but I feel worth the price.
http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-80380.aspx
I picked these up and they are working great. I'm a marine mechanic so always have to get hoses off of Inboard and I/O engines and these have been holding up awesome. And for the price I can't complain a bit.
I picked these up and they are working great. I'm a marine mechanic so always have to get hoses off of Inboard and I/O engines and these have been holding up awesome. And for the price I can't complain a bit.
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Had some large Craftsman Pro picks. Tips kept breaking. Got the Snap On set. Work great. Haven't had a problem yet.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I bought a single Snap-On radiator hose pick many years ago and used it so much that I gave the single to my son and bought the complete set. I use the hell out of it and highly recommend it.
Mike.
Mike.
Jeeper
Well-known member
You have a model or stock number for that?
Jeeper
Well-known member
nevermind. Found it. Was searching for "Radiator Pick Set" when I should have been searching for "Hose plucker set"
PB Swiss PB 7674
gipraw
Well-known member
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I have the Snap On set. I don't really ever use them for radiator hose tools all that often. Doing automotive electrical various types of hooks and pics come in very handy. Very comfortable to use and fit my hands nice. I have the Craftsman pro set in my service van tool set and no complaints about them at all. The lisle set looks good for the money. Doing it over I don't think I would have bought the Snap On set. Just too pricey for how often I use them.
Thanks!
Are those the stinky CAB handles or something better? The deciding factor for me between Snap On and PB Swiss was that the snappy ergo handles obviously won't stink up a toolbox, and I was unsure about the Swiss ones.
jerseykat1
Well-known member
I've seen them and always just dismissed them as unnecessary. But if it saves me some time and effort I'll have to give a set of these a try.
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chrisnazzy
Well-known member
I opted for this Snap On set instead of the big 6 piece set....
https://store.snapon.com/Soft-Grip-Hose-Picks-Set-Radiator-Hose-Pick-Heavy-Duty-3pc-P646488.aspx
The 90 degree and 45 degree picks work for almost all hose and the smaller hook can also be used to pull even the largest cotter pins
If you wanted an additional hose pick for pulling you could buy this one separately.....
https://store.snapon.com/Soft-Grip-Hose-Picks-Pick-Radiator-Hose-Soft-Grip-9-51--P646480.aspx
The lisle set also looks like a nice complete set and obviously at a much more affordable price. Just an FYI, the Snappys are very proudly labeled USA on each handle if COO is important.
https://store.snapon.com/Soft-Grip-Hose-Picks-Set-Radiator-Hose-Pick-Heavy-Duty-3pc-P646488.aspx
The 90 degree and 45 degree picks work for almost all hose and the smaller hook can also be used to pull even the largest cotter pins
If you wanted an additional hose pick for pulling you could buy this one separately.....
https://store.snapon.com/Soft-Grip-Hose-Picks-Pick-Radiator-Hose-Soft-Grip-9-51--P646480.aspx
The lisle set also looks like a nice complete set and obviously at a much more affordable price. Just an FYI, the Snappys are very proudly labeled USA on each handle if COO is important.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I think anyone working on cars should at least have a long one and a short one. You can use them on connectors,clips, retainers, and hoses too 
Proto has some nice short ones. Their long ones they kind of missed the mark with. Gearwrench just came out with a four piece long heavy duty pick set.
The lisle set offers a lot at a decent price. Mayhew has a couple of sets but, i don't care for their handles but, that's just me.
Titan makes a nice short one with a great trilobal handle for less than $8. Shop around for something handy that fits in your coolant covered hand well.
Proto has some nice short ones. Their long ones they kind of missed the mark with. Gearwrench just came out with a four piece long heavy duty pick set.
The lisle set offers a lot at a decent price. Mayhew has a couple of sets but, i don't care for their handles but, that's just me.
Titan makes a nice short one with a great trilobal handle for less than $8. Shop around for something handy that fits in your coolant covered hand well.
mdtaylorjr
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2015
- Messages
- 37
I bought the Cornwell set because at the time they were only $20 good set and they hold up nicely.
i have some mac, and a set of the craftsman pros. they work good for me. no tips broken yet.
the issue with the craftsmans is my local store now stocks the taiwan replacement.
make sure they are usa before you spend the money on them if you decide on craftsman.
the issue with the craftsmans is my local store now stocks the taiwan replacement.
make sure they are usa before you spend the money on them if you decide on craftsman.
Askme42
Well-known member
I'd bet money mayhew is the maker of those craftsman pro sets.
Monkey Milk
Well-known member
I just made my own out of an old screwdriver. If for some reason you have to reuse the hose the pick style tends to poke holes in the hose where the one I made does not.
This, I have the snap on and the craftsman set. The best I ever used was a shop built one. Made with a long screwdriver, heated and bent backwards.
Dirtydan69
Well-known member
I just made my own out of an old screwdriver. If for some reason you have to reuse the hose the pick style tends to poke holes in the hose where the one I made does not.
I have to admit I've used that same trick quite a few times. I made a super slim pick out of a mini screwdriver once. I had someone sabotage a lock once with a broken toothpick. I had no idea it was there until after I inserted the key which pushed the pick deep into the cylinder and not allowing the key to line up. The pick I made pulled it right out.
jteck75
Well-known member
I have the Lilse set, I think I bought it at O Reilly's. Its been pretty good so far. Just about anything I've got that Lilse makes/markets has held up really well.
these are the stinky ones:
http://www.pbswisstools.com/en/quality-hand-tools-qht/screwdrivers/classic.html
(see text)
John in OH
Well-known member
I just made my own out of an old screwdriver. If for some reason you have to reuse the hose the pick style tends to poke holes in the hose where the one I made does not.
Nice!
Are both of the 90d bends in the same plane?
Did you grind anything off the blade to "smooth" the edges?
Do you think a round shank would be better than the square shank?
That's kind of hard to explain. I bent them at a 90d but then I bent the tip down then back up a little to give it kind of a offset. I debated about square vs. round but decided on the square for strength. I just put it in a vise heated it up and it bent like butter.