Well guys it seemed that my Husky pliers are getting tired (They are 6 years old). Do I save up for Snap Ons? Or are the Mac and Matco one comparable? What other brands do you guys like? I don't need 15 pairs so a standard three or four piece would do. Thanks!
Need New Pliers...
- Thread starter JoeyMitch
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Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Channellocks are a great value, other than that I like the Snap Ons. Probably the two I would prefer.
hifi_hokie
Well-known member
For T&Gs, I've liked Channel Locks.
Needlenose, the Kleins have served well...same with their linesman's set.
For more delicate work than I'd like to attempt with the Channel Locks, a pair of Knipex 12-inchers have definitely been worth it.
Would like to try an NWS pair next...
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
This is probably the second most asked question behind "What ratchet/sockets should I get?" Search old threads.
otis66 and I agree. In fact, Harry Epstein has new old stock Channllock pliers that are supposedly slightly better than the new ones, but there is no definitative proof.
Find used Utica pliers online or in the classifieds.
Buy outrageously overprices Snappy's even though many members here have advised against it for the money.
Get Craftsman and use them hard, hey, free replacement.
Some like Klein too, so keep them in mind.
otis66 and I agree. In fact, Harry Epstein has new old stock Channllock pliers that are supposedly slightly better than the new ones, but there is no definitative proof.
Find used Utica pliers online or in the classifieds.
Buy outrageously overprices Snappy's even though many members here have advised against it for the money.
Get Craftsman and use them hard, hey, free replacement.
Some like Klein too, so keep them in mind.
kunkernator
Well-known member
I am planning to purchase some Wilde USA made pliers this Wednesday with the group buy. They seem good.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Channellock, Klein, Wilde, Snap-on, Craftsman (made by Western Forge)
I own various pairs by all of the above manufacturers, as well as some old Crescent, Utica, etc.
The very small and very large Snap-on T&G are rebranded Channellock. Cornwell pliers are Channellock, even some of the Ideal pliers are rebranded Channellock.
I own various pairs by all of the above manufacturers, as well as some old Crescent, Utica, etc.
The very small and very large Snap-on T&G are rebranded Channellock. Cornwell pliers are Channellock, even some of the Ideal pliers are rebranded Channellock.
padronanniversary
Well-known member
vote for knipex
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
I have never been let down by Craftsman arc joint and slip joint pliers in several decades of use.
For slip joints, I like C'man and Channellock due to price and warranty.
For arc joints/toungue and grooves I use Channellocks or Knipex Alligators.
I have both C'man and Knipex Cobra pliers (C'mans are made for C'man by Knipex in Germany) for the push button adjustables. And Knipex plier-wrenches as well.
Linespman pliers I use Channellock, Snap-On and Greenlee.
Snap-On has a variety of specialty pliers that I like and use and while I;ll often drink the "Kool-Aid" , I don't feel ROI is high enough for me for the std. arc joint and slip joint Snap-On pliers.
It's all a matter of price point and what fits your need and quality for that price point.
Knowing more about what type of pliers you need will help narrow things down.
For slip joints, I like C'man and Channellock due to price and warranty.
For arc joints/toungue and grooves I use Channellocks or Knipex Alligators.
I have both C'man and Knipex Cobra pliers (C'mans are made for C'man by Knipex in Germany) for the push button adjustables. And Knipex plier-wrenches as well.
Linespman pliers I use Channellock, Snap-On and Greenlee.
Snap-On has a variety of specialty pliers that I like and use and while I;ll often drink the "Kool-Aid" , I don't feel ROI is high enough for me for the std. arc joint and slip joint Snap-On pliers.
It's all a matter of price point and what fits your need and quality for that price point.
Knowing more about what type of pliers you need will help narrow things down.
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shoturtle
Well-known member
Go with the Germany made ones, way nicer then the US made ones. Knipex or NWS as others have pointed out.
cburnscrx
Well-known member
Aren't the Husky's lifetime warranty? If so, just replace them. If not, I would agree with many other people, Channel Locks. Some of the other brands are just too overpriced for what they do in my opinion.
allinon72
Well-known member
If you're on a budget, get yourself a 12" pair of Knipex Cobra and fill in the rest with Channellock
shoturtle
Well-known member
If you are on a budget, get the craftsman rebrand of the knipex set. The build the rest around knipex or nws when they go on sale, or you can contact Ash for NWS.
Yes they are lifetime warranty but the new style of pliers they came out with seem like garbage.
stonesfan68
Well-known member
The $29 price at Lowes for the 7" & 10" Cobra pliers is hard to beat.
Knipex 9K 00 80 54 D4A
If you want to go Channellock then the price for the 3-piece set at Lowes is, again, hard to beat:
Channellock GS-3S
I have both sets and I don't think that you can wrong with either brand.
FWIW, I just warrantied a 30+ year old set of Channellocks (mailed them in) and they sent me a brand-new tool with no problems.
Knipex 9K 00 80 54 D4A
If you want to go Channellock then the price for the 3-piece set at Lowes is, again, hard to beat:
Channellock GS-3S
I have both sets and I don't think that you can wrong with either brand.
FWIW, I just warrantied a 30+ year old set of Channellocks (mailed them in) and they sent me a brand-new tool with no problems.
G1GRANDEUR
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2009
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they have few models.
hifi_hokie
Well-known member
I bought mine off of Amazon.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
A lot of Mac pliers are channellock as well. The have the same channellock part number with mg in front of it, Cornwell puts ccl in front of the channellock number. The other part numbers from both are imports
sberry
Banned
A Channelok 12 inch 430, a couple Kliens or Diamonds, a number 9 hi leverage linemans and a pair of hi leverage dykes. The 3 staples for any ********* tool abuser, trade level tools. All the rest I can get buy with most anything.
Justin1776
Well-known member
At work (construction) I use Channellocks because they get absolutely abused but I have Knipex cobra's in my home box, they are much better slip joints. I bought the 2 piece kit (7 and 10") and also picked up the 12" at Lowes in the electrical department. Matco and Craftsman sell the same pliers with their name on them.
For pliers other than slip joints, Channellocks (all styles) are damn good for the money, and thats what I have in my work bags (needle nose, linesman, dykes etc.) but in my home box I have Knipex equivalents
For pliers other than slip joints, Channellocks (all styles) are damn good for the money, and thats what I have in my work bags (needle nose, linesman, dykes etc.) but in my home box I have Knipex equivalents
Justin1776
Well-known member
The Lowes in my area has cobras, alligators, dykes, linesman, bolt cutters, needle nose, insulated pliers and insulated screwdrivers. They are all on sale currently too, just bought some 10" dykes the other day.
wornoutoldman
Well-known member
Whatever you choose be sure to get a pair of these:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675118&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
It will become a favorite pair.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675118&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
It will become a favorite pair.
kiatech
Well-known member
I have to agree.
Jut in Sears today, their pliers are still US made, looked nice next to the Channellocks which are good.
Mac pliers are nice and smooth working.
I bought CeeTee pliers years ago and they have been good. I guess that's Crescent Tool, also while in Sears I was disappointed to see that Crescent had gone to China. That's my third area of disgust with tool brands going overseas, behind Craftsman and Visegrip.
KEH
Mac pliers are nice and smooth working.
I bought CeeTee pliers years ago and they have been good. I guess that's Crescent Tool, also while in Sears I was disappointed to see that Crescent had gone to China. That's my third area of disgust with tool brands going overseas, behind Craftsman and Visegrip.
KEH
N.I.
Well-known member
Some of the Proto pliers are made by NWS.
jbighump
Well-known member
knipex if money wasnt a problem and channelock if it is... the crescent tool double x needle nose i have are good if coo doesnt bother ya
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ganymede
Well-known member
Count me among those who feel Channelock aren't what they used to be. I've bought 3 new pairs in the last 5 years and they just aren't as nice as my older ones.
SMKS
Well-known member
I like Wilde or Channellock for USA made and decently priced. Perhaps the German pliers are better than the US brands, but they're not worth the price premium to me. The ones I've owned or handled were nice, but overkill for what I do and too pricey for my tastes.
I especially like the new Wilde flush joint pliers. They're available from Harry Epstein.
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/SlipJoint/G262FP.NP.CC.html
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/SlipJoint/G263FP.NP.CC.html
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/GrooveJoint/G271FP.NP.html
I especially like the new Wilde flush joint pliers. They're available from Harry Epstein.
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/SlipJoint/G262FP.NP.CC.html
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/SlipJoint/G263FP.NP.CC.html
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/GrooveJoint/G271FP.NP.html
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tjmonsen5
Well-known member
chadstoolbox.com seems to have the lowest prices on Knipex that I was able to find.
bcradio
Well-known member
Just not better than NWS or Knipex.
N.I.
Well-known member
Would someone mind explaining the point of slip joint pliers (as posted above) and what they use them for?
They seem to be the biz in the states, yet are unpopular and more of a rarity here in the UK. What do they do over and above standard combination pliers, that a pair of cobras, vise grips or adjustables don't?