Snap On plier info

[6PTsocket]

I have an old pair of 96ACP long nose pliers. They are just over 7", no cutter, jaws fall open but absolutely no slop. I have almost no Snap On but love the feel of those pliers. I wanted a second pair. That model is discontinued and replaced with 96BCP, which is also discontinued. The newer one replaced the smooth grips with textured grips, the handles are a hair shorter and the machining design at the pivot was changed but functionally they are pretty similar. The current model is quite a bit different, bigger, recurved handles and different grip pattern on the jaws. I have been trolling ebay for a 96ACP or 96BCP. I just got a pair of used 96BCP that look brand new. The only problem is the jaws were pretty tight. I tried WD40 and Superlube spray. They loosened up a bit Then I thought that I needed something to penetrate the pivot and I tried PB Blaster. As I worked them, a little black stuff came out of the pivot. I sprayed and worked them They are quite usable now but far from falling open. I have two questions. Should they be as free as my old ones or is this considered acceptable. If it is not normal I am open to suggestions. I probably should have bought the similar Knipex that somebody suggested.

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[Project_shadow]

Just need used, I have one pair of snap on pliers, high leverage side cuts, at first they were a bit aggravating to use one handed, but after about a month of daily use they fall open now

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[dtnel]

Pliers no matter who they're from are generally more stiff till they get some wear and tear on them unless they're designed with super tight tolerances. Think about it this way, if they're loose to begin with then 10-15 yrs down the road they'd be really sloppy. It also has to do with how much you'll be using them, daily, weekly or just every now and then? Some guys who may do electrical for example will use sidecutters more than the guy who spends more time using sockets based on their skills. In a professional shop environment some guys only like certain jobs so some tools will get used less unless of course their work they like is not there as often then they'll be more likely to take on other jobs that have them using other tools more often.

I myself like diagnostics being I have a scan tool and lots of diagnostic equipment but I have tools from when I worked on semi trucks that may only get used once in a blue moon such as a 3/4in drive socket which I may use as a seal driver of all things or every now and then on a differential.

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[plinker]

They just need to be broken in (IE: used). Some light oil in the joint can help the process.

 

[JBH]

Pliers no matter who they're from are generally more stiff till they get some wear and tear on them unless they're designed with super tight tolerances.

Good pliers have the aforementioned "super tight tolerances."

I have I think 13 pairs of 8" needle-nose pliers here right now, for a comparison I'm going to write up. Maybe 14. All of the ones I purchased for the comparison came out of the box with smoothly operating, low drag joints except for two: the Snapper and a pair from Schmitz. The Schmitz is very smooth at first but doesn't like being opened super wide.

Given Snapper's high pricing* and cost-cutting lap joint and dipped grips, they could definitely at least get the machining and tolerances right.

*considering US market pricing, SO was the second most expensive pair purchased. Only Hazet is more expensive (though I did not purchase HZ from a US source). Even Facom is a little less expensive from US sources!

 

[6PTsocket]

I worked those jaws many times more than they would ever see in daily use. I guess I will go with JBH and assume that is what you get from Snap On and they are not abnormally more screwed up than normal. I wish I had known this was a consideration My previous generation SO are so loose with no slop. I thought I was buying top drawer. Lesson learned. My old ones have only seen home use. They were free moving from the git go. Thanks, all.

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[kelpaso1]

I had the same problem when I bought a couple pair of SO pliers and cutters. They were so stiff. What I did was spray the jaws good with Sea Foam and work them full open to close a couple dozen times untill you can feel the joint getting warm. Then sprayed with brake kleen and blow them dry. Repeat these steps 10-20 times and they are tight but smooth and loose enough to open on there own. At first you will notice black stuff coming out of the joint which is normal "breaking in"

 

[anndel]

I love my 96ACP!

 

[Professional Tool User]

You're out of luck. The acp ones have been discontinued. I broke the tips on one of the older mini needle nose pliers. The warranty replacement has far beefier tips.

 

[6PTsocket]

I had the same problem when I bought a couple pair of SO pliers and cutters. They were so stiff. What I did was spray the jaws good with Sea Foam and work them full open to close a couple dozen times untill you can feel the joint getting warm. Then sprayed with brake kleen and blow them dry. Repeat these steps 10-20 times and they are tight but smooth and loose enough to open on there own. At first you will notice black stuff coming out of the joint which is normal "breaking in"

I got a little black stuff from the PB Blaster. I have $30 in the pliers which seemed like a good deal for mint condition discontinued SO, that has been replaced by the current model at $47 plus tax.They don't drop open but they are a lot better than when I got them. I can definitely use them. I have heard the name but have never used Seafoam. I see it is a line of products. Which did you use and are there similar alternatives?

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[6PTsocket]

I love my 96ACP!

My old ones have no marklng on them that I can read but I remember buying them off the SO truck. I thought they were 96ACP but mine have no cutter. I see the 96ACP printed on yours. See my photo above of new and old pair. Confused.

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[kelpaso1]

I got a little black stuff from the PB Blaster. I have $30 in the pliers which seemed like a good deal for mint condition discontinued SO, that has been replaced by the current model at $47 plus tax.They don't drop open but they are a lot better than when I got them. I can definitely use them. I have heard the name but have never used Seafoam. I see it is a line of products. Which did you use and are there similar alternatives?

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I use Sea Foam Deep Creep multi purpose penetrant and lubricant in a spray can. I get it from my local Canadian Tire but Wal Mart probably sells it too.

 

[anndel]

My old ones have no marklng on them that I can read but I remember buying them off the SO truck. I thought they were 96ACP but mine have no cutter. I see the 96ACP printed on yours. See my photo above of new and old pair. Confused.

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I bought mine in 1984.

 

[mr.lemons]

Already posted here but worth repeating a tip I picked up from another forum that works for me with stiff pliers. Adding oil reduces metal friction and wear so slows down the process of wearing the pivot smooth and looser. Clean out the oil with hot soapy water and then add some metal polish or polishing compound into the pivot. Open/close until the pivot is smooth and opens easily then clean it out and add oil to prevent more wear.

 

[6PTsocket]

Already posted here but worth repeating a tip I picked up from another forum that works for me with stiff pliers. Adding oil reduces metal friction and wear so slows down the process of wearing the pivot smooth and looser. Clean out the oil with hot soapy water and then add some metal polish or polishing compound into the pivot. Open/close until the pivot is smooth and opens easily then clean it out and add oil to prevent more wear.

I am not sure where it is binding but the pivot has no visible gap. I wonder how anything thicker than penetetrating oil, like an abrasive, could even get in there. I would also be afraid that if I did get some in there it would be very difficult to get out. I see your point about lubes. I may flush it out with something like brake cleaner, work it dry and then flush with penetrating oil. The first time I tried PB Blaster some fine black stuff came out of the pivot. Brake fluid, exercise, PB Blaster, repeat as needed will be my next attempt. It is much better than when I got it and it is definitely usable at this point. Thanks.

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[AngryBeaver]

I don't understand the problem.. if they are "almost new" then they are tight. no one wants sloppy wore out pliers from new...

they'll break in over time. Just like every other quality pair of pliers.

oh pssssssssst. knipex are the same way when new

 

[mr.lemons]

Knipex and other respected brands are generally not tight at all when new in my experience. Though admittedly one pair of Knipex I bought were. A lot of people like pliers to open on their own but have no play in the pivot. Not sloppy but precisely made so they work efficiently.

 

[6PTsocket]

Knipex and other respected brands are generally not tight at all when new in my experience. Though admittedly one pair of Knipex I bought were. A lot of people like pliers to open on their own but have no play in the pivot. Not sloppy but precisely made so they work efficiently.

That is exactly how my old SO was and I was disappointed to find out that is not how they are all made. If you don't know about a problem, you don't know to ask. Now I know to verify free action with no slop before buying.

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[JBH]

oh pssssssssst. knipex are the same way when new

Wrong. I figured I wasn't getting my Knipex needle-nose pliers back any time soon, so I bought a new pair. Their joint is smooth and low drag, just like Hazet, Gedore, NWS, Facom, etc. needle-nose pliers I recently bought for the forthcoming comparison. And Schmitz, over their much smaller intended opening angle. The new Snappers by contrast feel like they were not finished at the factory.

 

[PFSard]

6PTsocket >> Probably won't help you , but.... I have two pairs of 96ACP; neither "jaws fall open". My one pair of 95ACP (shorter than 96ACP) do fall open. No slop in any of the pliers. Nice products. All bought used.

Did you find a solution for 96BCPs that produced the desired result?

 

[M6erfan]

My 96ACP's were pretty tight when new but have freed up a bit with normal use.

Be careful if using abrasive compound in the joint. You can take this too far and get a pair of the floppiest pliers ever. If you do go this route, flush out the compound with brake cleaner or solvent REALLY WELL.

 

[dtnel]

After reading the post further I got thinking before my father in law passed away in 2009 I bought some snap on stuff off him including a black pair of wire cutters and a pair of needle nose pliers though worn on the front end. Do they work good? Yes. They're loose but they also can be manipulated with your hand while using with dexterity control.

I bought a set of pliers, needle nose and cutters recently from my snap on dealer. I told him I didn't trust needle nose pliers anymore as they seem to bend if used aggressively. He responded with " if you bend them on the end tips I will refund you your purchase price, replace the tool and you keep them still warrantied as well ".

Needless to say I need to torture test them because I've never had a pair not bend when being brutal to them in 30yrs but the few snap on's I have I can say have worked well with normal but not abusive testing now so far.

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[rsanter]

When pliers are too tight, I generally just work them open and closed while,watching TV till they loosen up a bit

 

[JBH]

When pliers are too tight, I generally just work them open and closed while,watching TV till they loosen up a bit

How much do they pay you for doing their final finishing and QC for them?

I prefer tools that are finished by the manufacturer.

 

[usdemt]

I dont know what it is with SO pliers but they are all super stiff when new except for slip joints.

What I have found is that the stiffness does not go away from movement but the pressure of using them. All the lubes, solvents and opening and closing of them makes no difference, but if you put them in the drawer and use them it goes away with not much use. I wonder if it is the anti rust coating that is squeezed out from the pressure of using them verses the other methods that it is resistant to. Thats my best guess.

 

[JBH]

I dont know what it is with SO pliers but they are all super stiff when new except for slip joints.

If you compare them to a high quality set of pliers the answer is obvious: Snapper makes them very cheaply and skips the machining steps that make high quality pliers so nice to use.

 

[mrspeed]

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[usdemt]

If you compare them to a high quality set of pliers the answer is obvious: Snapper makes them very cheaply and skips the machining steps that make high quality pliers so nice to use.

While I see where you are going with this and I would agree in some cases I challenge you to find another pair of pliers that has a Talon Grip equivalent. I own tons of Knipex but the cross hatching on Snap-On are by far the best. My favorite side cutters is by far Knipex till they just quit moving. Took both hands to make the cutters move but luckily for me that "lower quality" Snap On truck warranties Knipex so I now have a new favorite.