Proto vs Imperial Snap Ring Pliers

[gdocktor3]

Not sure if this is known or not, but the Proto J380 snap ring pliers set is the same as the Imperial IR44K set. Imperial can be had for $23, Proto is $32, and the Wilde can be had for less than for less than $20, but with no case.

It's listed under Mac, but not Proto on the truck tool equivalents thread. Same as Wilde 444K/BB and Mac PK100.

Sorry for wasting thread space...

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I think if you look around you'll find about 20 other different rebrands of those pliers...I've got an armstrong set, same exact pliers, same case, same tips...
Williams, same deal, and countless others...

Only issue is, they pretty much **** at any rings larger then 3/8-1/2" not a tool quality issue, just a right size tool for the job issue.

 

[gdocktor3]

Well I happened to be near a Sears today so I stopped and went in. I have tons of snap ring pliers, but they're mostly all worn or bent. I saw this USA made set so I decided to try them out. They seem decently made and I like how easy it is to switch from internal to external. There is also a sleeve with different sizes and styles of pins included. I'll give em a shot and if they're no good I'll bring them back.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Well I happened to be near a Sears today so I stopped and went in. I have tons of snap ring pliers, but they're mostly all worn or bent. I saw this USA made set so I decided to try them out. They seem decently made and I like how easy it is to switch from internal to external. There is also a sleeve with different sizes and styles of pins included. I'll give em a shot and if they're no good I'll bring them back.

Channellocks sells the same unit as does Lang ,only difference is the grips.

 

[davethorik]

Right before the last local Sears Hardware closed, I picked up a 2 pc set of the convertible snap ring pliers with the qtr turn nut. Craftsman had a name for it, I can't remember offhand. They are made in USA same as Imperial and the rest.

They were on the clearance rack for $9, one of the better purchases made there. On the regular shelf was made in China versions for more $.

I have an identical Imperial version of the smaller pair and they have held up very well in my machinist box.

 

[Fedwrench]

on a side note, Wilde is making most of Proto's red gripped pliers these days.

 

[afbrian13]

I have a smaller set like those, but ended up buying a Channel Lock set because I needed bigger ones for my truck. I picked them up at HD, and they've been great.

 

[gdocktor3]

Channellocks sells the same unit as does Lang ,only difference is the grips.

Are they any good? I'll test them out tomorrow at some point. My biggest concern are the tips bending or breaking, but I'm confident in all craftsman USA stuff these days.

 

[B_Bimmer]

They are great pliers. I have the channellock ones, amazingly easy and reliable to switch. The only time people have problems with them is when they use the wrong size for the job. Small pliers on big rings is obviously going to end poorly. I've also learned that making sure the ring is loose by making it moves a bit with a hammer and punch goes a long way in making tips last longer. The j380 and equivalent ones have always struck me as a bit cheesy.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Are they any good? I'll test them out tomorrow at some point. My biggest concern are the tips bending or breaking, but I'm confident in all craftsman USA stuff these days.

They're great. Snap On has a set of them too. The tips are hard to replace (expensive, have to buy from Lang), but I've never broken them. Just worried about losing them one day. Had mine for quite a few years now.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Channellocks sells the same unit as does Lang ,only difference is the grips.

That is kinda a huge difference since channellock blue is ****.

 

[four.cycle]

^ most likely several of the brands above are manufactured by Kastar/Lang or Wilde.

I have a pair of those little Craftsmans pictured above - made by Kastar/Lang.

hey.... looky there:

Google "kastar snap ring pliers site:www.garagejournal.com" about 497 results.

who knew?

 

[gdocktor3]

Man it is amazing all the rebranded tools out there. Before I joined GJ I thought Craftsman was Craftsman, Snap On was Snap On, Matco was Matco (boy was I wrong with that one) etc etc. I thought Snap On was the best and that was that. Which they may be, but why buy Snap On when I can buy from the OEM. Ya ya ya warranty, green handles, blah blah blah

 

[gdocktor3]

That is kinda a huge difference since channellock blue is ****.

I'm not going to argue with that, but the Channellock grips aren't the soft, textured, gripping material used on the others. They're instead the vinyl plastic like on everything else. Too bad they didn't use the blue and red cushion grip. It makes no difference, I was just saying...

Oh and FWIW its called CODE BLUE

 

[gdocktor3]

Anyone use the Gearwrench double x snap ring pliers? http://www.gearwrench.com/gearwrench-82110-2-pc-double-xr-snap-ring-pliers-set.html

 

[B_Bimmer]

Never even seen them. Experience with common uses of snap rings says if you don't have acceptable access to the ring, you probably don't want whatever is behind it coming out. Like anything though, they probably would be great for at least one thing. Those double x pliers have amazing spread with little movement, so that could be nice.

 

[four.cycle]

Man it is amazing all the rebranded tools out there

pretty much been that way for over half a century.
no matter how big the manufacturing plant, there's no way in hell every tool maker can gear up to make every widget under the sun - it's just not economically practicable.
so they all outsource stuff from each other - Kastar/Lang supplies dozens of other tool manufacturers with all kinds of stuff. so do Wilde, Proamerica, and a mess of others.
brand loyalty and "warranty" is all fine and well, but in some cases paying double or triple the price to have a certain name stamped on the item is, in my view, just nutty. I don't care how many times a week the guy with the big white truck stops by - it ain't worth three times the price for the same tool.

personally I prefer to go with the OE manufacturer if possible, regardless of how obscure or maligned their name might be. prices are usually better that way, too!

 

[Formula]

Amazon should just sell everything Snap On offers. It would be much easier to order what you want and have it delivered in a day or two, As opposed to the guy in the truck who wants to sell you a 1/2" metric socket set which Ive already owned for years and years.

 

[gdocktor3]

Amazon should just sell everything Snap On offers. It would be much easier to order what you want and have it delivered in a day or two, As opposed to the guy in the truck who wants to sell you a 1/2" metric socket set which Ive already owned for years and years.

In many cases they do, but with the oem manufacturers name on it. Last I checked, everything else that is made by Snap On can be ordered off their website and also delivered in a day or two...