Toolfool
Well-known member
Mine showed up yesterday. ![20230310_074751[1].jpg](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/data/attachments/1689/1689553-71985dbc33446535103b55e16ffcabcf.jpg "20230310_074751[1].jpg")
New bestest pliers, SO LN47ACF
- Thread starter Buckgnarly
- Start date
Found a set of LN46ACF — man this form factor is even Mo’ better!!
Got them from a buddy out East who got them from his snappy guy — paid like $65 with shipping and some beer money for my friend!
An EDC set about 4” would be unreal too.
Kudos to Snappy for these — they legitimately are my goto for just about anything.
Got them from a buddy out East who got them from his snappy guy — paid like $65 with shipping and some beer money for my friend!
An EDC set about 4” would be unreal too.
Kudos to Snappy for these — they legitimately are my goto for just about anything.
wafrederick
Well-known member
Snap On says they are the only ones to have them and the first.CP The Tool Addict put out a video saying that is not true,A Japanese tool company did way before Snap On did.This one
4xdog
Well-known member
Found a set of LN46ACF — man this form factor is even Mo’ better!!
Got them from a buddy out East who got them from his snappy guy — paid like $65 with shipping and some beer money for my friend!
An EDC set about 4” would be unreal too.
Kudos to Snappy for these — they legitimately are my goto for just about anything.
My local driver finally got ahead enough with his customers who make their living with their tools (my insistence) that he had both LN47ACF and LN46ACF available for me. His latest shipment of 400 pairs of the LN47ACF are almost gone -- that product is a hit fershure. I got two pairs of the 7" LN46ACF knowing I'm visiting friends in Europe next month and these might make a good gift. Nope. They're both staying with me. The smaller pair really is a nice size.
The tips on all three of mine are perfectly aligned, perfectly ground, and all exactly alike. I appreciate that kind of quality control.
I'd be happy with a 4" set too, @winnievan.
my little one arrived in the mail too, I never realized from the pictures that it even has a smooth notch in the teeth for fuse pulling
I have very mixed feelings about it out of the box, it is way more coarse than the LN47ACF, but the size seems very good, so we will see
I have very mixed feelings about it out of the box, it is way more coarse than the LN47ACF, but the size seems very good, so we will see
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javyLSU
Well-known member
garfunkle24
Well-known member
I've been using my LN47s for a couple of months and have been very happy with them. I was excited to get the LN46 and in my mind actually thought they were a more "usable size" and that they'd be more of a go to than the LN47.
Well I've had the LN46 for just over a week now and so here are my initial thoughts should anyone care:
The jaw line up and fitment is absolutely perfect in all adjustment positions. This is in contrast to my first set of the LN47 which I had to return because they were way off side to side. Anyhow this set of LN46 I received is flawless. Teeth machining, jaw alignment, pivot, finishing, handles, all good stuff. They're very stout pliers with great grip and the range of things you can grip due to the adjustment is really handy sometimes. It's like the little 5" cobras which I use all the time; Sometimes it's nice to be able to grab pretty big things in tight spots. Giggidy.
That said, for me I think the LN47s fill a bigger hole in my pliers arsenal than the LN46s. LN47s just have a unique combination of reach, grip, stoutness, narrowness for access and overall length that has made them quickly become favorites for a lot of tasks.
Don't get me wrong, the LN46 are GREAT pliers and more versatile than many of my other pliers, they just don't feel as different from the others as the LN47s do.
But overall I think Snap-on nailed this one.
Well I've had the LN46 for just over a week now and so here are my initial thoughts should anyone care:
The jaw line up and fitment is absolutely perfect in all adjustment positions. This is in contrast to my first set of the LN47 which I had to return because they were way off side to side. Anyhow this set of LN46 I received is flawless. Teeth machining, jaw alignment, pivot, finishing, handles, all good stuff. They're very stout pliers with great grip and the range of things you can grip due to the adjustment is really handy sometimes. It's like the little 5" cobras which I use all the time; Sometimes it's nice to be able to grab pretty big things in tight spots. Giggidy.
That said, for me I think the LN47s fill a bigger hole in my pliers arsenal than the LN46s. LN47s just have a unique combination of reach, grip, stoutness, narrowness for access and overall length that has made them quickly become favorites for a lot of tasks.
Don't get me wrong, the LN46 are GREAT pliers and more versatile than many of my other pliers, they just don't feel as different from the others as the LN47s do.
But overall I think Snap-on nailed this one.
bubinga
Well-known member
I guess the SO web site is the best place to buy these WRT support if you don't have a Snap-On man?
Is snap-on generally around $18 for shipping, IIRC?
Is snap-on generally around $18 for shipping, IIRC?
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I got the big boys last week, baby version not yet in this market. My dealer probably sold 50 in 2 weeks I was paying attention.
I can put them on a section of our tire racks, and support my body weight. They held tight to the main drum brake spring on a Toyota to remove and install. Great for the hold down pins too.
I'm very pleased with them, I'll expect to buy the baby version when I can. I believe they were $65 roughly off the truck. Well worth it.
I can put them on a section of our tire racks, and support my body weight. They held tight to the main drum brake spring on a Toyota to remove and install. Great for the hold down pins too.
I'm very pleased with them, I'll expect to buy the baby version when I can. I believe they were $65 roughly off the truck. Well worth it.
demarpaint
Well-known member
$65 for the set plus beer money? If that's the case you did well.Found a set of LN46ACF — man this form factor is even Mo’ better!!
Got them from a buddy out East who got them from his snappy guy — paid like $65 with shipping and some beer money for my friend!
An EDC set about 4” would be unreal too.
Kudos to Snappy for these — they legitimately are my goto for just about anything.
Retroman
Well-known member
You guys got me again, got the 9" green ones got tired of waiting on the 7"
4xdog
Well-known member
I ended up giving my second pair of 7" LN46ACF pliers to friends in the Netherlands who run a high-end classics restoration shop. Alan liked them so much he wanted a pair for his home shop. Nope. Not available over there (yet).
They're at work in his tool chest at the shop.
They're at work in his tool chest at the shop.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I've got my pair of LN46's ordered but I'm told I won't see them until early June when my rep runs them on promo. Not a problem as I'm not destitute but I can wait another month or so and get them on promo vs. paying top dollar. I do like my LN47's though and find myself using them quite a bit.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Got a text from my Snap-on dealer this morning as he was pulling in letting me know my LN46's had arrived.
LN46ACF's are back on the website.
"Backordered (Est. in stock 6/5/2023)"
https://shop.snapon.com/product/LN46ACF - Red
https://shop.snapon.com/product/LN46ACFG - Green
https://shop.snapon.com/product/LN46ACFO - Orange
"Backordered (Est. in stock 6/5/2023)"
https://shop.snapon.com/product/LN46ACF - Red
https://shop.snapon.com/product/LN46ACFG - Green
https://shop.snapon.com/product/LN46ACFO - Orange
It appears the RED pliers are indeed back in stock today, according to the link you posted.LN46ACF's are back on the website.
"Backordered (Est. in stock 6/5/2023)"
https://shop.snapon.com/product/LN46ACF - Red
https://shop.snapon.com/product/LN46ACFG - Green
https://shop.snapon.com/product/LN46ACFO - Orange
bcradio
Well-known member
Hopefully I can figure out a way to get in touch with a local dealer. I'd like to get the larger and smaller pairs, but have no interest in paying $30 for shipping.
4xdog
Well-known member
Easy-peasy. Talk to a shop nearby or one you use for your vehicles. They'll let you know who's their driver and when he's there.
I meet my shop's driver at their place on his visit day when we need to do some business. Texts between me and the Snap-on guy usually coordinate what I need being held for me.
bcradio
Well-known member
I usually have been doing my own repairs at home lately. Maybe I can stop by one of the local shops and just ask them.
Didn't take a picture, but my dealer finally had the red handled LN46 version on the truck today and I snagged a pair. My larger LN47 are also red handled, because there was no green at the time.
Anyway, I definitely see myself using the smaller LN46 way more often. In fact it will probably replace the LN47 in my cart and those will go into my big box.
Anyway, I definitely see myself using the smaller LN46 way more often. In fact it will probably replace the LN47 in my cart and those will go into my big box.
Meursault74
Well-known member
The Red, Green and Orange in 9" have dropped (or on sale) in price on the SO website to $61.45 at the moment
Blue is at $68.25
Blue is at $68.25
I just received my LN46 and LN47 from SO. The LN47 is solid and smooth, but the LN46 has a good amount of play in the slip joint. Compared to the LN47, the LN46 has subpar quality and I'm thinking about exchanging it for another.
Does anyone else with the LN46 have excessive side-side play in the slip joint?
Does anyone else with the LN46 have excessive side-side play in the slip joint?
Got the 46s last week. Only thing I think is wrong, is the model numbering. The 47 should be 49 being about the same size as the regular 49 slip joints. That way SO could have made the 47s be in between the current two. 
Why? Because three sizes is better than two sizes! 
Seth
Why? Because three sizes is better than two sizes!
Seth
Harbor Freight is showing an ICON slip joint long nose pliers at SEMA 2023. I haven't seen it in person, just saw it in a very short video from HF about 5 new pliers they are introducing. I wonder how much it will be a copycat of the Snap-on.
SEMA Show 2023 | - Harbor Freight Tools
SEMA Show 2023 | - Harbor Freight Tools
Meursault74
Well-known member
here's 2 screen shots from the video. Yeah, we all knew it was only a matter of time. No matter for me at this point as I have both the Snap-On versions now.
Tips look smooth, but maybe it's just a prototype as that wouldn't make any sense to have that smooth.
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It was only a matter of time. The only innovative idea HF has ever had was copying SO and making the tools available in B&M. I wonder if smooth tips was to avoid patent issues, just stupidity or WIP? That kills their usefulness IMHO.
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Dakotadadv8
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 30, 2021
- Messages
- 1,496
Will add the Snap on plier to the Christmas list.
Your patent comment was interesting, as I didn't think there was any patent on these. But there is a patent 8051749 printed on the plier which applies to the pivot joint. It was granted in 2009 and set to expire in 2029 per Google. So, I would assume that HF has to pay a royalty in order to copy this plier- specifically the joint design? I wouldn't think that SO would accept this, but unless a lawsuit is pending....
here's 2 screen shots from the video. Yeah, we all knew it was only a matter of time. No matter for me at this point as I have both the Snap-On versions now.
Tips look smooth, but maybe it's just a prototype as that wouldn't make any sense to have that smooth.
I saw a video where the tips had a fine set of teeth and the guy talked about the progressively-more-aggressive teeth as you went back, so definitely not smooth tips.
I'm not an IP attorney, but have been tortured by many over the years (and have a couple granted patents myself).
I'm 100% confident that HF isn't paying SO to license a patent (not that I think SO would be willing), but I'm not able to suss how easy it is or isn't to design around that patent. It seems like there would be an absolutely massive amount of prior art in this area to navigate. They cite quite a bit in the patent, and I'd guess there's a ton more. Based on that alone, this probably would have gone to "Publish" in my company (the idea/design/concept is published somewhere so it enters the world as prior art and thus can't be patented. The company doesn't get a patent, but saved all the cost/effort of the process and ensured nobody else would either) - that always made me mad since the bonus for a "Publish" was a lot smaller than if it got all the want to a granted patent.
Anyway, it looks very specifically-written, so my guess is HF's design varies in some way based on prior art or the design navigates the specifics of the patent to avoid any infringement.
Given how juicy a target HF is as a privately-owned entity, I can't imagine the legal team there hasn't done their homework to avoid infringement. As I've said before, I think how directly they copy SO's look and feel is a little silly and unnecessary, it doesn't bother me as violently as it does some here. There's a LOT of blatant copying in the world that goes mainly unnoticed and not commented on. In this case, anyone buying the Icon product is never going to consider the Snap On 99.5% of the time (similar for Knipex too - the entire universe of GJ fits into a tiny fraction of that remaining 0.5%).
WWheeler
Well-known member
Yeah, the HF guy at SEMA called the end a "really fine cross-hatch (on the end) that really allows you to grip onto really anything, and then you get more aggressive as you get further in the jaw"
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Hard to see but looks like micro diamond serrations...
The copying doesn't meet my approval along with some other reasons I prefer to avoid them. But, in their defense, if they weren't doing it someone else likely would (and will). I haven't heard much about the many, many versions of the pliers wrench. Mostly a copy if not a direct copy. No noise about Stahlwille, Hazet, Capri or any of the multitude of other close copies. But HF got drug through the mud when theirs came out.
Pinemarten
Well-known member
Maybe HF copied the Igarashi IPS pliers which have been around for decades. The same company Snap-on seems to have copied. The tool world is full of copycats!
Armstrong Bros. Tool Co. came up with a ball detent to retain sockets on a ratchet anvil in 1935.
Should people only buy the legacy ball detent brand? My purchasing a competitor's brand or withholding my purchase to virtue signal in the name of social justice, will have no appreciable impact.
Armstrong Bros. Tool Co. came up with a ball detent to retain sockets on a ratchet anvil in 1935.
US Patent: 2,008,367 - Detent
US patent 2,008,367 Detent was issued to Harry A. Rhinevault of Chicago, IL. It was granted on 07/16/1935. The detent ball is locked in place by a pin turned by a screwdriver. This feature was marketed as the "Drivelock." This patent is noted in Rhinevault'
www.datamp.org
Should people only buy the legacy ball detent brand? My purchasing a competitor's brand or withholding my purchase to virtue signal in the name of social justice, will have no appreciable impact.
Exactly. I try to save my outrage for the actually-outrageous.
Meursault74
Well-known member
I bought these ICON from HF
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-3-position-slip-joint-pliers-59169.html. They seem to be of high enough quality for me. I know they copied Snap-On. I wasn't going to pay Snap-on prices as these were an option and are good enough for me.
I bought the two (at different times) SO long nose pliers we are discussing here because there were no others like it that I saw at the time. That design in general beckoned me. If HF had the ICON copy at the time I would have gone that route. I'm not going to get the HF long nose as I have the SO.
So in my case Snap-On 2, HF 1 for 3 position slip joint pliers.