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Oetiker (Ear) Clamp Pliers

Thunderbisciut

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 2, 2012
Messages
340
Location
Cape Cod
What's everyone's favorite? I have a cheap set, the only ones I could find locally when I needed a set, and it's time to get something worthwhile.

Knipex makes them for Oetiker, and sells them as their own as well. The second from the right being the most common it seems, with the ability to crimp from the front or side.
Details_PG_141-A.jpg


Here's a better picture of the business end:
images


Now what I never understood is why the front opening is round?

One issue with these is that if the ear isn't dimpled like in the above picture, those kinds of pliers will let it buldge up too much. In those cases you'd need something with a stop to prevent that, like these:
Trident_CV_Boot_Pliers.jpg


I myself have been eyeballing these side crimpers from Lisle:
30600_358985F094C22.jpg

30600in1_EE2C4778CB1A8.jpg


Lisle's straight clamps are the same as the Trident's with the orange handles above. The square cutouts are for use with a torque wrench.

So I'm just wondering what everyone else is using, and whether the Lisle ones are decent. I'm weary of Lisle since a lot of their stuff is hit or miss.
 
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MrSnicks

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 23, 2010
Messages
665
Location
Cameron, NC
My old Dodge Charger had those on every rubber fuel line connection. I used regular screw type hose clamps when I replaced the lines.

Patrick
 

SS5150

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 22, 2009
Messages
1,092
Location
NE IL
I've got the ones in the third picture, they work ok but not great, I don't do many CV boots anymore but they do the job.
 
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PowerGenGuy

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
299
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Memories! Back in the eighties I worked at the Oetiker plant in Alliston Ontario. I used to punch and assemble the pliers used to pinch the ears. I use the clamps today and my pliers are the the knipex. At one time Oetiker made the pliers themselves. What a great summer job that was!
 

Outlander

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Messages
5,154
Location
Quebec, Canada
Timely thread. I have to repair a cv boot. May go with the strap type rather than these. I did buy end cutters in case. Maybe the above is the right tool. More research to be done :)
 

Doug Arthurs

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
1,137
Location
Ontario
I just use end nippers. Haven't had a problem with them. I mostly use them on air and coolant hose connections on machine.
 

ezriderga

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 1, 2009
Messages
1,741
Location
NW GA
Same here. Have some inexpensive nippers. Just put oetiker clamp on my Harley today. Worked just fine.

e5cf462b6d6dc1e3048ea848b5fd42ee.jpg


8726897facc0eb9344eb2cf41881205c.jpg
 
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