Snap on or Knipex snap ring pliers?!??
- Thread starter joedodge
- Start date
Grant Gunderson
Well-known member
For retaining rings here is a review I did on a bunch of them.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...pon-wilde-snapring-pliers.487307/post-9256947
For circlips think the Wiha are best. They have notches and angled tips that better hold the rings.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...pon-wilde-snapring-pliers.487307/post-9256947
For circlips think the Wiha are best. They have notches and angled tips that better hold the rings.
nbpt100
Well-known member
thanks for starting this thread as I am looking to upgrade my cheapo reversible snap ring tool from NAPA. When I bought it about 10 years ago it looked like it was well made and well thought out. Not really. I do not use it a lot but I am sick of it failing on larger and applications and not fitting on smaller ones. It sounds like a good idea to have replaceable tips but there are compromises.
I was recently looking at the Icon. Someone here said it was the same as some tool truck brand that I can not remember. I hope someone who knows chimes in.
I was recently looking at the Icon. Someone here said it was the same as some tool truck brand that I can not remember. I hope someone who knows chimes in.
Knipex piano wire tip style also have the bent tips and hold the snap ring. They are an absolute pleasure to use with nice handles. Look at the SO and look at the Knipex. Which is nicer? Which costs more?
There are a lot of threads on this here but if $ is not an object it seems to be
Knipex piano wire
SO
Lang
I have the Knipex, and I'm a home based mechanic. They are awesome. No more changing the pliers around for internal/external, etc. Yes, that means twice the pliers, but if you have the $, then go Knipex.
There are a lot of threads on this here but if $ is not an object it seems to be
Knipex piano wire
SO
Lang
I have the Knipex, and I'm a home based mechanic. They are awesome. No more changing the pliers around for internal/external, etc. Yes, that means twice the pliers, but if you have the $, then go Knipex.
1cargarage
Well-known member
The Knipex ones that have the inserted spring steel tips are the ones you want. This is according to everything I've read and heard regarding the Knipex ones. Which finish is best is up to you (black oxide vs chrome). I don't have the Knipex set, still working with my fussy interchangeable tip ones that I can't stand.
The Snap On ones looked very nice when last I fondled them on the truck (the ones that change from internal to external in a snap). Usually that sort of thing is gimmicky, but the lockup on them felt very solid in both positions and I was personally impressed. They seemed like a really nice product (and actually innovative).
That said, I don't own either one. Wish I did so I could help more.
The Snap On ones looked very nice when last I fondled them on the truck (the ones that change from internal to external in a snap). Usually that sort of thing is gimmicky, but the lockup on them felt very solid in both positions and I was personally impressed. They seemed like a really nice product (and actually innovative).
That said, I don't own either one. Wish I did so I could help more.
NFH2740
Well-known member
Knipex with pressed in tips. Nothing even comes close.
I was looking into a Knipex set to replace my crappy interchangeable tip set a couple years ago and found that even with currency conversion and shipping, if you can afford to wait a bit, the German (.de) amazon had great deals compared to .com. Just an example, search "00 20 04" on both. P/n suffix V01 looks like the ground tips and suffix SB the pressed tips.
Never did pick up a set. Now I really want to again.
Never did pick up a set. Now I really want to again.
paulsomlo
Well-known member
This question comes up about every three months or so, answer is always the same; buy Knipex, get 'em off Amazon.de and save a bunch. You can also look at the Gedore 8 piece set on Amazon.de, save you some money and they get good reviews here. I have the Knipex with forged tips, there's been some talk about the insert tips limiting access because of their size.
Yes, several people have mentioned an access issue (or maybe imagined) with the piano wire tips. No idea where this comes from, maybe just looking at them, but I'd love the data. I've never had an issue with mine but after reading this here, I actually checked this out and posted this before. I have a few old Lang/Kastar, whatever brands, and the knipex at the where the wire is inserted are just a few thousandths of an inch, like .010 or less, larger in the similar sizes I had. So I'm calling this BS. Yes, .01 might make the difference, but it's certainly not significant especially since I doubt that portion of the tool is controlled to .005" on any of the brands.
The Knipex are not black oxide; they have a gray or charcoal finish on them, I can't remember what it's called, but not BO.
1cargarage
Well-known member
You are correct. NOT black oxide, I was shooting from the hip.
garfunkle24
Well-known member
I started with a set of the Kastar quarter-turn ones relabelled by Mac, Matco and Proto among others. Never had an issue but upgraded to a full set of the Knipex Precision (ie piano wire tips) some years ago. I like them a lot but they take up a lot more draw space than reversible ones, especially as the handles are sprung wide open on the ones for external rings.
Guys I know who have the forged Snap-on ones really like them and have had no issues but I don't like the handles. Pick your poison but if you're going to lay down a chunk of cash on Knipex, I'd say it's worth stumping up the extra for the inserted tips.
Guys I know who have the forged Snap-on ones really like them and have had no issues but I don't like the handles. Pick your poison but if you're going to lay down a chunk of cash on Knipex, I'd say it's worth stumping up the extra for the inserted tips.
paulsomlo
Well-known member
Someone on here, a few years ago, said they had an access issue, I think it was one of the guys across the pond. I suppose it's possible with an internal ring where the holes in the ring sit very close to the recess.
I think Knipex calls that finish "atrimentized" or some such thing.
Anyway, the 8 piece forged set will cost $124.59 shipped to the USA from Amazon.de, the insert tip set of 8 $152.54 and the forged Gedore $111.45. Let us know what you end up with.
I think Knipex calls that finish "atrimentized" or some such thing.
Anyway, the 8 piece forged set will cost $124.59 shipped to the USA from Amazon.de, the insert tip set of 8 $152.54 and the forged Gedore $111.45. Let us know what you end up with.
gerryw
Well-known member
I have both snap on and Knipex
Knipex is my fave
gerry
Knipex is my fave
gerry
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I really like the looks and feel of the Knipex ones but do not own them. A co-worker does but I haven't used them and he likes them.
I have an older full set of the Snap-on reversible snap ring pliers in straight, 45-degree and 90-degree pliers, plus many of my transmission snap ring pliers are either Matco or Snap-on. My retaining ring set is the version just prior to the quick change knob style Snap-on. These are the knurled thumbscrew style that have to unscrew, change from internal to external and then screw the thumbscrew back in. I love them even though they are the early version. They are the same thick body that the newer version Snap-on's have so they do not flex during use like many of the el'cheapo retaining ring pliers do, nor do they flip the tips past one another if they slip off the retainer ring like many of the thinner less quality brands do. The thumbscrew is quick and easy to swap them around but not quite as fast as the quick knob style.
I am an industrial maintenance mechanic so they got used heavily and I never had any issues with them but now they reside in my home shop where they still serve me well. At times I wish I would have held out a bit longer for the click knob style that came out just after I purchased the thumbscrew style but they function and perform identical and I can't justify replacing them just for the knob.
I have an older full set of the Snap-on reversible snap ring pliers in straight, 45-degree and 90-degree pliers, plus many of my transmission snap ring pliers are either Matco or Snap-on. My retaining ring set is the version just prior to the quick change knob style Snap-on. These are the knurled thumbscrew style that have to unscrew, change from internal to external and then screw the thumbscrew back in. I love them even though they are the early version. They are the same thick body that the newer version Snap-on's have so they do not flex during use like many of the el'cheapo retaining ring pliers do, nor do they flip the tips past one another if they slip off the retainer ring like many of the thinner less quality brands do. The thumbscrew is quick and easy to swap them around but not quite as fast as the quick knob style.
I am an industrial maintenance mechanic so they got used heavily and I never had any issues with them but now they reside in my home shop where they still serve me well. At times I wish I would have held out a bit longer for the click knob style that came out just after I purchased the thumbscrew style but they function and perform identical and I can't justify replacing them just for the knob.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Here are the pictures of my older Snap-on quick change style snap ring pliers. They are the same thickness and size as the quick change knob style but mine have the knurled thumbscrew. They are still rather quick to change but I would prefer to have the quick change knob.
The full set has straight, 45-degree and 90-degree in four pin sizes.
I have several pair of the transmission style of flat retainer ring pliers. These vary from Snap-on, Cornwell and Proto but I really like the Snap-on ones.
Close-up of the Snap-on retainer ring pliers to show the thickness of the body.
And I had forgotten I do have an old pair of the Knipex in a very small size. I remember I had to purchase these for a specific hydraulic pump that my others wouldn't reach in to but that was many years ago.
I asked my co-worker yesterday afternoon about how he liked his Knipex retaining ring pliers and all he said was "they do the job". That's all I could get out of him.
The full set has straight, 45-degree and 90-degree in four pin sizes.
I have several pair of the transmission style of flat retainer ring pliers. These vary from Snap-on, Cornwell and Proto but I really like the Snap-on ones.
Close-up of the Snap-on retainer ring pliers to show the thickness of the body.
And I had forgotten I do have an old pair of the Knipex in a very small size. I remember I had to purchase these for a specific hydraulic pump that my others wouldn't reach in to but that was many years ago.
I asked my co-worker yesterday afternoon about how he liked his Knipex retaining ring pliers and all he said was "they do the job". That's all I could get out of him.
anndel
Well-known member
Which brand did you order, Knipex? Snap-on? Wiha?
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
No experience with Knipex. But I don’t have any complaints with my snap on. They’ve held up great and work better than the cheaper alternatives.
The Knipex forged
Do you have the 00 20 04 set?
I recently got the 6-piece Knipex set. Haven't used them yet, but everything else I have Knipex are good tools.
I had the Snap On in the past, and nothing wrong with them either. Just more expensive and I wanted something different.
I had the Snap On in the past, and nothing wrong with them either. Just more expensive and I wanted something different.
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Ohio Andy
Well-known member
That's a nice set. Then I added four more to cover other sizes (smaller not larger)
Yeah, I figure you can always add to it as needed. But the 6-piece set will handle most general-purpose situations I might come across.
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
I could use those in the 6 piece set for the smaller things I do, just easier to have the smaller ones.
CGarage
Well-known member
Hazet
nbpt100
Well-known member
I ultimately purchased the Icon and have no regrets. I do not use them a lot but when I do they have always worked as they should.
Andres26tnt
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 11, 2018
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I got the Knipex 6 piece set black oxide, they have bent tips. Nothing I've used come close to them, excellent quality.
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
Do they say made in the USA? I heard they were
nbpt100
Well-known member
yes. I think someone said they are made by Lang but I am not positive.