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Quality snap ring pliers?

gdpolk

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May 16, 2016
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I'm looking for some quality snap ring pliers for infrequent, DIY use. I can get the Channelock 927 pliers locally. Is there another fairly affordable set that I should look into as an alternative to these?
 
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kctyphoon

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The channellocks are good.. I wanna say they are rebranded Wilde, and I think so are the craftsman, and Lang also.. I'm not 100% on that, but if memory serves, I believe they are all the same..
 
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exmaxima1

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Jun 25, 2011
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Midwest
I'm looking for some quality snap ring pliers for infrequent, DIY use. I can get the Channelock 927 pliers locally. Is there another fairly affordable set that I should look into as an alternative to these?

I have the 927's and they work very well.
 

1982fxr

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Get the Lang 12 piece set for like $75 and be done with it, same pro level set rebadged by everybody but for less $$$ under the Lang label
 

kctyphoon

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I'd say your channellocks are a safe bet....

image.jpg


image.jpg


image.jpg
 

colin39

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Mar 3, 2014
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I bought the facom set

This set 18 months on and used weekly once or twice and they are showing no signs of wear and tear. Think i payed £35.0 for them here in the uk
 

Bigblue&Goldie

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Get the Lang 12 piece set for like $75 and be done with it, same pro level set rebadged by everybody but for less $$$ under the Lang label

I'd say your channellocks are a safe bet....

image.jpg

I've got the Lang 12pc set and a Napa branded version of the above; save your money and get the Lang 12pc set if you work on anything large (3/4 ton truck or bigger).
 

hogdaddy

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May 1, 2015
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Alabama
I bought the 927 recently and I like it. The only problem is no case to store the tool + tips.
 

gdocktor3

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Apr 18, 2015
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Connecticut
I also have the 927 rebranded Craftsman version. Very nice pliers. I also have Proto, Bluepoint, Pittsburgh, and some older Wilde snap ring pliers. The Pittsburgh ****, the rest work great. There are a few sets on Amazon Warehouse right now for cheap.
 
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KEH

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Jan 31, 2010
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5,142
IME snap ring pliers are not something you want to go cheap on. I have a set like the Channellock pictured and like it. Got it after trying cheap ones.

KEH
 

L.Cheapo

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Oct 23, 2014
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I bought these. I got so tired of all those other styles.

50b24b659e4c884125cc910789a2b72a.jpg

I bought those too. I give them a "meh". They aren't bad, but they aren't great either. The forgings make it tough to get into tight spots and its still about a 50/50 chance of the snap ring going flying. :sad:
 
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Skin

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Feb 24, 2010
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its still about a 50/50 chance of the snap ring going flying. :sad:

Wiha Magic Tip. The clips friction lock in place when they're under tension, its a really good idea. Im still waiting for a good long term review. I'd buy them myself if I removed enough snap rings.
 

L.Cheapo

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Wiha Magic Tip. The clips friction lock in place when they're under tension, its a really good idea. Im still waiting for a good long term review. I'd buy them myself if I removed enough snap rings.

Thankfully I don't deal with snap rings very often either. On the large rings, the Knipex design works well. Its on the smaller rings that the limitations of the design become much more apparent--and frustrating.
 

colin39

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I bought those too. I give them a "meh". They aren't bad, but they aren't great either. The forgings make it tough to get into tight spots and its still about a 50/50 chance of the snap ring going flying. :sad:

Now da ya know what, i toyed witg the knipex and only bought the facom as they came up as cheep as chips, and have always wondered if i made the wrong move. Im so supprised but also in some amazon reviews people mention similar issues.
I do wish the tips were slightly longer at times, but these are by far the best ive had so far.
 

T45

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Nov 20, 2014
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knipex make smaller ones in precision series, but you have to buy separate

they are size '0' iirc, while sets start at '1'
 
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maxpower_hd

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Apr 17, 2015
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Massachusetts
I don't know if I was just unlucky but I had the Channelock ones for a while and they worked well for occasional use at home. I used them twice at work and they broke internally so now they will not open or close. Not even sure when they broke to be honest. I used them one day and they worked...went to use them another day and they didn't.

I did like my experience with Astro and their work light so I might give them a try for these as well.
Then I bought a set of the Tekton and broke a tip the first time I used them. I have been looking for a decent set since. I have used a shop mates Snap Ons and they seem nice but are a bit pricey for the amount I need them.
 

jallyn

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Jun 29, 2015
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448
Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Lang Tools is the OEM for Wilde, ChannelLock, Craftsman, and maybe other brands of universal snap ring pliers. Made in the USA and snap rings don't care what color the handles are. Cheapest way I have found them is on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/LANG-TOOL-1...:g:waoAAOSw8cNUOG1Z&item=301349175955&vxp=mtr

If I was going to spend real money on a set of nice snap ring pliers it would be Knipex. There isn't a Knipex tool I have met that wasn't the best in its class.
 

Astro_Pneumatic_Tools

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Oct 30, 2013
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South El Monte
Glad some of you found our new 94220 and 94221 Snap Ring Pliers. They're pretty good, I still like my Knipex set a lot and am not about to throw them in the bin - but have been using these in their stead for around 6 months and been doing well for our guys in the tool repair department.

Of course, you can break the tips on any snap ring pliers, so they won't replace your pick and awl either.

I did like my experience with Astro and their work light so I might give them a try for these as well.
Then I bought a set of the Tekton and broke a tip the first time I used them. I have been looking for a decent set since. I have used a shop mates Snap Ons and they seem nice but are a bit pricey for the amount I need them.

I still expect them to come down in price a little bit more online since they are still rather new. Tell you what, pick up one size tip set and I'll send you the other size tip set just shoot me the address after.
 

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gdocktor3

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Apr 18, 2015
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Connecticut
Used some snap ring pliers today. Completely forgot about Waldes Truarc, the retaining ring originators. While they are no longer a USA only company, a lot of their older stuff can be found on eBay for cheap. They're now part of Rotor Clip Tools who like everyone else, was originally founded in the USA, but are now worldwide, using Global components. Still quality stuff though. Everyone talks about the popular, big name companies, while forgetting about the small, O.G. companies.

http://waldestruarc.com/pdfs/Pliers.pdf
https://www.rotorclip.com/index.php
 

heytrid

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Dec 25, 2014
Messages
112
had the channel lock 921's as a cheap at home soution, used them once and gave them away, do yourself a favor and buy solid tip style from any reputable manufacturer and never have to replace them again.
 

lbhsbz

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Jan 13, 2010
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1,172
Location
Long Beach CA
I have the forged snap on pliers and they're good...better than any of the stamped flexy sheet metal offerings. Don't be cheap with snap ring pliers...
 
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