Show your trim/clip tools

[LXCam]

Never saw this thread before. Here's what's left after my kid pilfered the good ones to keep in his car. The green one with the metal handle is one I machined out of fiber reinforced Bakelite for GM door panels. Works ok but after seeing that Mac unit think I might have to retire it and buy one.

 

[ddc9999]

haha, yea I revived a dead thread. I was looking to upgrade the tools I used for gentle poking and prying and stumbled upon this. I find these types of tools are the most interesting to see what other people use because most people have odd sets of stuff they found and just liked. It's not like a wrench, or a ratchet, sometimes something stupid is just the right shape and just strong enough to work so you keep it around.

Hell, I keep old gift cards / credit card plastic on hand sometimes since they make great shims to keep things dissasembled once your pry it apart so you can keep working down the joint. Not needed a lot with auto, but very useful with things like cell phones, microwaves, and other appliances.

 

[FigureItOut]

Thanks so much for all the info! I like how you have a nice blend of usable tools without overdoing it with 100 pieces of stuff. I do a lot of stuff on the go so some of these setups people have aren’t practical to me.

Can I ask you a couple more questions? The U Fork screwdriver with the ball, do you really use that much since you have the plastic ones? I have one that is a bit crappier looking than yours and I find I rarely go to it.

I do, yes. I've upgraded it to a snapon version since that picture however. The Lisle was starting to spin in the handle. I don't use it a whole lot, but when I need it, I need it, and the nylon tools just aren't going to do what I need

As for the seal remover tool, looks like the mini but is that the straight or curved one? I saw they have a set of 4 online but you save $1 on the set rather than buying individually so I’d rather just get the what is useful. Less money and less space that way. Do you ever even reach for the long ones? I feel like with that length it would just snap if used for anything that the little one couldn’t work for.

I use the short curved one. I have the whole set, and the longer one does occasionally come in handy, but I don't find it essential at all. The short curved is used so much that I always have a spare on hand. If I break one, the spare comes out and I order a new one immediately.

Lastly, do you even bother with a plastic spluger or however you spell it? I used to have one that I snapped so quickly. Since then I prefer just using a small flathead, but I don’t love doing it next to electronics

I'm not sure what that is I'm afraid. The Bojo tools when used properly don't break often. If I need a stronger pry tool but am worried about scratching trim, the skin wedge I linked above is very effective.

I believe that series of questions was directed at me. Answers are provided within the quote.

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[ddc9999]

Thanks so much for the answers! This really helps me out a lot. I am a new member on the forum so I couldn't reply to your message cause it had a link in it and I had <5 posts or something.

I can't post links still, but if you google "Spudger" and go to google images you'll see what I mean. It's basically the miniature version of the Bojo pry tools, plastic but with strength limitations. Commonly used more in electronics where strength isn't needed for safely popping off electrical connectors on circuits (think like cell phone size electronics) and things like that safely with no risk of scratching a board or causing a short.

And thanks again FigureItOut. Much appreciated you lending out your wisdom.

 

[FigureItOut]

I can't post links still, but if you google "Spudger" and go to google images you'll see what I mean. It's basically the miniature version of the Bojo pry tools, plastic but with strength limitations. Commonly used more in electronics where strength isn't needed for safely popping off electrical connectors on circuits (think like cell phone size electronics) and things like that safely with no risk of scratching a board or causing a short.



And thanks again FigureItOut. Much appreciated you lending out your wisdom.

Ah, I'd seen a spudger before but didn't know the correct name. I'm glad I could I help you out, I do a ton of auto trim R&I, I like to think I have it down pretty well. Welcome to the forum.



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[Brownsfan]

The ones on the right are more versatile and I use them very differently. They're handy for clips attached to larger, thin trim pieces like a sill plate, so I can get underneath and pry up on the thick part of the plastic right at the clip. They're also good for so called Christmas tree clips. The ones on the left I really only use for the two piece rivet type plastic clips, where you must lift the center pin portion in order to release the clip.

The left ones jaws are about 45°, and they work very well for their particular application, but I could do without them. The Steck pliers on the right are essential to me. I've added a new piece to my trim kit that I love. This little guy is stellar when there's a very tight little gap between large panels that are very firmly clipped in.

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I have that one but I got it free at the compustar training. It even says compustar on it. I actually love this little tool now

 

[ddc9999]

I was looking through the snap on catalog trying to find that U Point, screwdriver handle, trim tool (one you had the rubber ball on) that you recommended. I found a lot of different sizes and styles. Can you recommend the one you use if I haven't been enough of a bother already? I wrote the model numbers to the sets I found below if it helps, and I'd just get one in one size to use ideally, not the whole set

Snap On Sets: ASG103BR, ASGD102BR

Snap On Individual Black Handle Specialty: A161B, A161BO


And as for the plier tool on the left, what brand is that? Harbor Freight? I wouldn't need that enough honestly to warrant getting anything snap on quality honestly, so no interested in Snap On for that tool.

Thanks again!!!!

 

[M6erfan]

I have a mix of Blue-point and Snap on. But honestly... how do you guys know which tool to use? Blind luck, trial and error?

You don't always know. That's why you have a panel clip assortment in your box. Right?

 

[FigureItOut]

I have that one but I got it free at the compustar training. It even says compustar on it. I actually love this little tool now

It's my new favorite, great for when you really need steel to sneak in somewhere, but it doesn't scratch.

I was looking through the snap on catalog trying to find that U Point, screwdriver handle, trim tool (one you had the rubber ball on) that you recommended. I found a lot of different sizes and styles. Can you recommend the one you use if I haven't been enough of a bother already? I wrote the model numbers to the sets I found below if it helps, and I'd just get one in one size to use ideally, not the whole set

Snap On Sets: ASG103BR, ASGD102BR

Snap On Individual Black Handle Specialty: A161B, A161BO


And as for the plier tool on the left, what brand is that? Harbor Freight? I wouldn't need that enough honestly to warrant getting anything snap on quality honestly, so no interested in Snap On for that tool.

Thanks again!!!!

It's a HF, but I've handled the Gearwrench and they're significantly better. I'm not sure the model number on my SO clip popper, but I can get it for you. It doesn't have the little cushion ball which is needed at times, and honestly I think the Lisle version is fine. I had two that started spinning in the handle, but I've never heard of anyone else with that problem. I just got tired of my bad luck with them.

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[ddc9999]

It's my new favorite, great for when you really need steel to sneak in somewhere, but it doesn't scratch.



It's a HF, but I've handled the Gearwrench and they're significantly better. I'm not sure the model number on my SO clip popper, but I can get it for you. It doesn't have the little cushion ball which is needed at times, and honestly I think the Lisle version is fine. I had two that started spinning in the handle, but I've never heard of anyone else with that problem. I just got tired of my bad luck with them.

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Thanks a ton! I was thinking I’d get the snap on clip popper that you’d suggest and just use electrical tape to make a ball for the rare times I need to.

Either way, I feel a lot of things can be added after getting the Bojo Pry Tools and the Steck Pliers along with a little pick set, pocket screwdriver, and hoping to snag some of those seal pullers snap on has too.


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[FigureItOut]

Can you recommend the one you use if I haven't been enough of a bother already?



Thanks again!!!!

Here you go. It's ASG186B.


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[ddc9999]

Here you go. It's ASG186B.


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You are the man. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bobioz1]

It's my new favorite, great for when you really need steel to sneak in somewhere, but it doesn't scratch.



It's a HF, but I've handled the Gearwrench and they're significantly better. I'm not sure the model number on my SO clip popper, but I can get it for you. It doesn't have the little cushion ball which is needed at times, and honestly I think the Lisle version is fine. I had two that started spinning in the handle, but I've never heard of anyone else with that problem. I just got tired of my bad luck with them.

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Take the cushion ball off your junk Lisle and put it on your Snap on. That’s what I did when my Lisle crapped out.

 

[Fedwrench]

Here are a few I keep on my cart:
KD Push pin pliers: Simple but, very handy on recessed push pin retainers
Matco Trim pliers: Made for older christmas tree type retainers, pull & hold type, better on older OE type retainer. The jaws will move past the retainer top on cheaper retainers.
East Wood round trim tool: handy for door switch panels, dull so as not to cut anything.
Long Nylon Trim tool:Generic but, very handy.
Mueller Kueps trim tool:These are quickly becoming one of my favorite trim tools. nice finish, different lengths, angles, opening sizes. well made.

Freebie Weatherstrip Tool: Trade show swag but, useful.
SK Pin Retainer Tool: very useful for those center pin retainers found on Asian vehicles. Use the pin side to push the center inward to the release position, then use the pry bar side to remove it.
PB Swiss small & Medium Trim Removal Tools: I can't stand Snap on's Instinct handle so, these work perfect for me.
MATCO Trim Removal Tool: I think this is made by VIM for more than a few brands. I like this one for door panels because of its chisel edge and wide blade. the wide blade distributes the pulling pressure across a wider surface so, you're less likely to crack a door panel.
SK Adjustable Trim Pry Bar: My favorite trim tool. Got it when they first came out and were much cheaper then now. The notched foot can be rotated into several different angles to match your situation. Best thing since sliced bread if the retainer you're working on is the right type.

Not shown are the long and short Gearwrench trim tools that Cripe used to sell cheap. Well worth having not only for trim but, handy when trying to disengage a buried electrical connector.

Lastly, trim retainers are changing as often as the cars you find them on. The older Christmas tree type push in retainers have given way to push pin connectors, and center pin connectors. A lot of the new retainers you can't just pry out on to remove. Retainers aren't cheap either so, it's important to know your retainers to avoid damaging them so, you can reuse them.

 

[MINIz guy]

Finally went and bought a set of the push pin pliers today after seeing the video a page back. I went to HF and found the set where the tips aligned perfectly as I saw complaints that ones that didn't align didn't work. Otherwise, I have a large Bojo kit that didn't do the push pins on a project car very much justice.

 

[superautobacs]

My assortment


Prying / Picking / Wedging / Pushing / Lifting Tools by ChrisCas aka Superautobacs, on Flickr


My two most frequently used ones live in my chest pocket. The red one is MAC and what I like about it is the bent tip. The composite one is an SK (made in France, interestingly).


Prying / Picking / Wedging / Pushing / Lifting Tools by ChrisCas aka Superautobacs, on Flickr


The MAC was a 2-pc set

Prying / Picking / Wedging / Pushing / Lifting Tools by ChrisCas aka Superautobacs, on Flickr