New Snap On Cutters?

[T45]

Anyone compared these to the older version? There are a lot of mixed reviews out there on the original CF cutters (#87CF). The new ones (#87ACF) are specifically based on a new "tightly tolerance" parallel closure...whereas the old ones had that V- shaped closure.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/search.php?searchid=19717307

(Pic is a 2014 ACF with new stanping/markings.)

 

[90zcar]

They look a lil different but what's so different?? Haha

I have a pair of the 87cf ones and I love em.


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[T45]

Maybe see this thread for background...

Snap-On Quality Control On Diagonal Pliers...The Hell?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2347945&postcount=1

...some people lov them and others seem to have had issues with production variances...

Looks like the powers at be at SO changed the design, tho.

 

[E.Marquez]

I have a set of the 87ACF but do not have the older 87CF to compare to. I can say, the 87ACF set I have, exhibits none of the issues commonly complained about with the 87CF model.

The cutting jaws are perfectly aligned, and the handles move freely for one handed use straight off the truck and made better by flushing some swarf from the joint and lubing with dry film lube (in a solvent carrier)

 

[90zcar]

I have a pair of the 87cf ones. They are only a year old. Mine do not say power edge and there isn't anything wrong with how the jaws line up. Maybe they came out with these as a revised version before the 87acf ones?






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[E.Marquez]

A Friend and SO dealer is asking the designer for me (us)
Other then a different production / design on the cutting edge, he is not sure what else is claimed as different between the Old 87CF and new 87 ACF

 

[Dust Devil]

big logo and usa stamped into it instead of just laser etched.

Snap on pliers are the best (IMO) never felt a better handle on any plier.

 

[90zcar]

big logo and usa stamped into it instead of just laser etched.

Snap on pliers are the best (IMO) never felt a better handle on any plier.

I love SO pliers and I do like my cutters aswell. I'm not gonna lie tho for me personally I think the KLEIN journeyman diagonal cutters work n feel the best. I kinda wish I would have got another pair of them instead of my snap on ones. Guess I can always sell mine


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[66354dream]

Maybe see this thread for background...

Snap-On Quality Control On Diagonal Pliers...The Hell?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2347945&postcount=1

...some people lov them and others seem to have had issues with production variances...

Looks like the powers at be at SO changed the design, tho.

Those pliers are like that on purpose, I have a set

 

[BottomLineReviews]

Thread rescue. Has anyone tried these? I just got a pair and they blow my channellock and craftsman out of the water! I highly recommend these.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

every 87CF I have seen have different tolerance, so I don't know if it's normal or not.

bought Knipex 10inch cutter and cutting area was nicer than my 87cf.

with gap like that, how is it going to cut fine wire or zip-tie?

 

[Adam.C]

87acf have differentially hardened jaws. Basically, the jaw cutting edges are harder than the rest of the tool and likely harder than other companies' jaws (who do t differentially heat treat). Usually, industrial heat treatment is an all or nothing affair. If you want the cutting to be 60Rc, the handles will be as well. 60 is probably too hard for handles, so the whole tool would have to be softer.

The acf's harder jaws should allow you to cut harder steel, and they will cut all metals better and will stay sharp longer. I have a pair, they are nicer than my otherwise comparable Knipex cutters.

Snap Ons pliers are seldom praised highly enough. I think they are superior in every measurable way to Knipex

 

[Skin]

with gap like that, how is it going to cut fine wire or zip-tie?

Bingo. The old power edge basically couldn't cut soft or braided materials worth a damn. Electricians probably don't care since they have a few pair depending on what they're cutting and a desired cut but for a mechanic side cutters quickly become a general purpose snip. In that regard the Snap-Ons were trash. The power edge did make for a great marketing video showing how great they cut clothes hangars. Snap-On announced they were getting rid of it a year or so ago and making the flush cut like normal.

Snap Ons pliers are seldom praised highly enough. I think they are superior in every measurable way to Knipex

Snap-On has some gems but they aren't the best in everything pliers. Far from it. I mainly only like their slip joint and super long needle nose, which are excellent. Some of their electronic pliers are really nice too. Knipex and Snap-On both make good standard length needle nose. Knipex makes better water pump (obviously), snap ring (all styles), and side cutters. Knipex also makes things like the mini bolt cutters, way better crimpers and wire strippers, and a much bigger array of hose clamp pliers.

Point is your cheating yourself if you don't buy from both brands.

 

[neophyte]

87acf have differentially hardened jaws. Basically, the jaw cutting edges are harder than the rest of the tool and likely harder than other companies' jaws (who do t differentially heat treat). Usually, industrial heat treatment is an all or nothing affair. If you want the cutting to be 60Rc, the handles will be as well. 60 is probably too hard for handles, so the whole tool would have to be softer.

The acf's harder jaws should allow you to cut harder steel, and they will cut all metals better and will stay sharp longer. I have a pair, they are nicer than my otherwise comparable Knipex cutters.

Snap Ons pliers are seldom praised highly enough. I think they are superior in every measurable way to Knipex

I don't think you've read enough about the way many companies manufacture and heat treat their tools.

Differentially hardening tools, whether hammers or pliers or occasionally vises, is common nowadays amongst better manufacturers.

Some companies use electrical induction hardening to make sure plier jaws and cutting edges are hard enough for materials like piano wire. Knipex is one company that advertises this, and I believe I've seen videos from Facom that also show this.

Channellock uses a laser hardening process on the cutting edges of most of their pliers and cutters which does the same thing as induction hardening.

I believe I've read that Klein differentially tempers their plier handles to reduce vibration when cutting. Klein also likely induction hardens the cutting edges on their cutting jaws, at least on the 2000 series pliers.

 

[platform389]

Bingo. The old power edge basically couldn't cut soft or braided materials worth a damn. Electricians probably don't care since they have a few pair depending on what they're cutting and a desired cut but for a mechanic side cutters quickly become a general purpose snip. In that regard the Snap-Ons were trash. The power edge did make for a great marketing video showing how great they cut clothes hangars. Snap-On announced they were getting rid of it a year or so ago and making the flush cut like normal.

...and here is the new vid

 

[90zcar]

I like my snap on cutters. Had them for about 2 years now. I'm gonna be honest tho..... I just can't get used to them. I had a pair of Klein journeymans before and they felt awesome. But of course when they wore out I just had to get the snap on ones lol



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[Brownsfan]

I have the 87cf and 86cf and I have no trouble cutting zip ties or anything like it. They work as described. Fine cutting at the tip and more power and leverage at the back. I like them a lot.

 

[Dust Devil]

87acf have differentially hardened jaws. Basically, the jaw cutting edges are harder than the rest of the tool and likely harder than other companies' jaws (who do t differentially heat treat). Usually, industrial heat treatment is an all or nothing affair. If you want the cutting to be 60Rc, the handles will be as well. 60 is probably too hard for handles, so the whole tool would have to be softer.

The acf's harder jaws should allow you to cut harder steel, and they will cut all metals better and will stay sharp longer. I have a pair, they are nicer than my otherwise comparable Knipex cutters.

Snap Ons pliers are seldom praised highly enough. I think they are superior in every measurable way to Knipex

 

[Brownsfan]

They do also have the most comfortable grips I have EVER used. The needle nose are the best (Klein is a close second) . I actually like the "power edge" design cutters. They probably changed them because people thought they were bad when they were supposed to be that way. I have not had any issues at all with them.