Snap on cutters stiff.....problem solved

[90zcar]

So I got a new pair of dikes yesterday. Snap on 87acf. Nice pair of cutters.

Anyways they were stiff as hell. I played with them and opened and closed them about 200 times and sprayed them with pb blaster and didn't make a difference.
I decided to soak the head in a cup of atf fluid. I just pulled them out. They were in there almost 24 hours. I must say that it actually worked! These feel a lot more loose now and manageable with one hand. Just wanted to post this in case anyone else had this issue.



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[metaleltr]

These things are super tight brand new, once they break in they are like butter. There are my absolute favorite dykes. Only brand to hold a candle to these is knipex

 

[90zcar]

I really like them aswell. If I could change one thing about them tho it would be to angle the head slightly and not have them be so "straight"


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[Hlidskjalf]

I really like them aswell. If I could change one thing about them tho it would be to angle the head slightly and not have them be so "straight"


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I agree, if they offset the cutting end I would buy a pair. Bunch of guys at my shop have them and they are a stout pair of cutters though.

 

[Brownsfan]

They make a set that is offset I believe. 388cf I think. I have these as well and when they do loosen up they are butter. I wish snap on and Klein would contact Knipex and find out how they make their pliers like butter straight out of the factory. Klein and snap on are some of the tightest when new.

 

[90zcar]

No the 388cf ones are the same way. Yes the head is angled but I'm talking about the whole lower portion. I'll take a pic of my old kleins that I keep in my car now and show a comparison pic


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[Brownsfan]

I know what you are describing now. I have the same set of Klein you are talking about.

 

[Wamsutta]

Damn! Those dikes are beautiful! I bet those grips are super comfy too.

 

[90zcar]

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[hautpot]

I like to smooth out my pliers the old fashion way.

 

[90zcar]

Yeah but it shouldn't be an "annoying" process. That's why I sped it up a little


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[Brownsfan]

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I have those and the 2000 series Klein. Like them both. The snap on handles are the most comfortable on the market I'm surprised they don't make anything like those Klein offset ones

 

[Fender1325]

I have the same klein pair and love 'em

 

[Flat-rate]

Will have to give the ATF soak a try. I bought a small set a few months ago and gave up on them, tossed to the back of the drawer. If it does not work any other ideas?

 

[K-Dog]

Looks like a cup of NyQuil.

 

[rlitman]

Will have to give the ATF soak a try. I bought a small set a few months ago and gave up on them, tossed to the back of the drawer. If it does not work any other ideas?

The most important pair of pliers to me are my Leatherman tools. They always come WAY too tight out of the factory, and are rough as heck.

I'll sit down at a TV show, and flex a new DRY pair up and back, up and back for the duration of the show (while twisting the handles to make them feel as rough as possible). It is important to wear in the joint DRY. Add any lube at this point just slows down the break-in process. Within a few minutes, the joint will actually feel warm (don't stop at this point).

Then, once they've had a good working in, I'll wash out the joint (a Leatherman is stainless, so I'll use soap and water, but I'd suggest a penetrating oil on a steel tool that can rust), blow out any remaining liquid and crud (there'll be lots of metal dust from the break-in) with compressed air, and then apply lube. For tools that go in the drawer, ATF is also my tool lube of choice (not for a Leatherman or pocketknife though). As soon as the lube soaks in, it'll suddenly move as smooth as glass.

If, for some reason you applied lube too early, you can always wash out the joint with brakekleen, and go back to step 1.

 

[bsosborne1]

Back when I was a rod buster we use to loosen up our fresh pairs of Klein's by rubbing some valve lapping compound into the hinge. You then work the pliers for a while and flush out the compound with some WD40. Made for a very smooth action pliers. Very important when your using a pair for 10-12 hours a day.

 

[garfunkle24]

Similar to above, some toothpaste in the pivot and some cycling will remove micro burrs and free them up.

 

[90zcar]

Looks like a cup of NyQuil.

Haha. I found a couple plastic cups from when my wife made Jell-O shots back on New Years Worked perfect


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[jt777]

I have the angle head kleins to. 3 in 1 oil makes them quite smooth

 

[jt777]

The most important pair of pliers to me are my Leatherman tools. They always come WAY too tight out of the factory, and are rough as heck.

I'll sit down at a TV show, and flex a new DRY pair up and back, up and back for the duration of the show (while twisting the handles to make them feel as rough as possible). It is important to wear in the joint DRY. Add any lube at this point just slows down the break-in process. Within a few minutes, the joint will actually feel warm (don't stop at this point).

Then, once they've had a good working in, I'll wash out the joint (a Leatherman is stainless, so I'll use soap and water, but I'd suggest a penetrating oil on a steel tool that can rust), blow out any remaining liquid and crud (there'll be lots of metal dust from the break-in) with compressed air, and then apply lube. For tools that go in the drawer, ATF is also my tool lube of choice (not for a Leatherman or pocketknife though). As soon as the lube soaks in, it'll suddenly move as smooth as glass.

If, for some reason you applied lube too early, you can always wash out the joint with brakekleen, and go back to step 1.

Yep my leatherman wave was so stiff when i got it. They need serious break in work.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I've got a pair of Klein lineman's pliers that have been stiff from day one. Never thought to use ATF, I'll have to give that a shot.

 

[90zcar]

Never had an issue with my kleins being stiff


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[bmwpowere36m3]

Nice... I got the same cutters with a plier set. However I don't recall them being that tight, actually smooth. My new Proto duckbills are TIGHT.

 

[hautpot]

Yeah but it shouldn't be an "annoying" process. That's why I sped it up a little.

I regret my earlier comment. I just realized I could use your process to smooth out some Snap-On Duckbill (or seldom used specialty) pliers that are really tight. I don't use them frequently, maybe about 4-5 times a year, so it will take too long to get them perfect.

 

[90zcar]

Just want to give an update. It's been close to 4 months now that I have had these and they have been smooth as butter since back in April when I soaked them in ATF. I thought maybe they would get stiff again once the atf dried up. NOPE.
So I give this a 10 outa 10 fix for anyone with a tight *** pair.


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[Farmall450]

I like to smooth out my pliers the old fashion way.

By using them?

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Huh, I got the same pair recently on warranty of my old pair, strait out of the box they were smooth as butter had and used them for a couple months now with no issue.

 

[90zcar]

Some say theirs are smooth from the get go and many others have complained they were stiff as hell just like mine


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[countryroad82]

On another note, you're a brave man keeping oil (in this case atf) close to anywhere around body filler. That's a big no no in my shop! I'm terrified of cross contamination.

 

[90zcar]

Meh it's only me in my garage...no need to worry about that


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[Bruce Wayne]

I have a pair of Snap On wire stripper/crimper I'm going to have to try this on.

 

[Strouty]

I tried the nyquil and it did not work at all.

 

[90zcar]

I have a pair of Snap On wire stripper/crimper I'm going to have to try this on.

Should work on them aswell. But I Can't tell u for sure as I don't have any of snap ons crimpers


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[90zcar]

I tried the nyquil and it did not work at all.

Just beat em down with one of the 100 hammers you own


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[NKlamerus]

The most important pair of pliers to me are my Leatherman tools. They always come WAY too tight out of the factory, and are rough as heck.

I'll sit down at a TV show, and flex a new DRY pair up and back, up and back for the duration of the show (while twisting the handles to make them feel as rough as possible). It is important to wear in the joint DRY. Add any lube at this point just slows down the break-in process. Within a few minutes, the joint will actually feel warm (don't stop at this point).

Then, once they've had a good working in, I'll wash out the joint (a Leatherman is stainless, so I'll use soap and water, but I'd suggest a penetrating oil on a steel tool that can rust), blow out any remaining liquid and crud (there'll be lots of metal dust from the break-in) with compressed air, and then apply lube. For tools that go in the drawer, ATF is also my tool lube of choice (not for a Leatherman or pocketknife though). As soon as the lube soaks in, it'll suddenly move as smooth as glass.

If, for some reason you applied lube too early, you can always wash out the joint with brakekleen, and go back to step 1.

Are you on Multitool.org? This sounds familiar for some reason?

From a fellow Leatherman Carrier

As for the ATF: OP have you had any seepage of ATF if hate for my tool belt to smell like ATF all of time.

 

[90zcar]

None at all. After the long overnight soak I worked them back and forth maybe 50 times and wiping them with a paper towel every couple of squeezes


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[rlitman]

Are you on Multitool.org? This sounds familiar for some reason?

From a fellow Leatherman Carrier

As for the ATF: OP have you had any seepage of ATF if hate for my tool belt to smell like ATF all of time.

No, never heard of it. Going to check it out later.

As for the picture. Interesting finger hole treatment. I have my own mod for that. I use a carbide rotary file to put a slight bevel on the hole, so that the opening in the back is wider than the front. This gives the edge that touches your finger more grip. Then I use a diamond file to take the edge off that corner so it doesn't tear your thumb.

ATF on a Leatherman, no way! The Leatherman is stainless, and doesn't benefit from the corrosion inhibition of a wet lube. Wet lubes attract grit. This is especially bad on a belt tool. The best dry lube I've found is White Lightning Dry bike chain lube. It sheds dirt amazingly.

 

[gasongasoff]

I'm soaking two very stiff 87ACF's in ATF right now. Will report back.

 

[gasongasoff]

I'm soaking two very stiff 87ACF's in ATF right now. Will report back.

What a let down. 24hrs later soaking in ATF and the cutters are just as stiff. I was unable to replicate the OP's success.

3 in 1 helped a little, but soaking in ATF didn't do anything further. I guess not all Snapon tools are that great.