Snap Ring Pilers..Choices???

[~UB~]

School me on Snap Ring Pilers. Who make a good set that won't break the bank. Should I buy the ones that have interchangeable tips or separate pairs???

As Peter Frampton said: " Show Me The Way'!!

 

[Spookrider]

knipex Bar none when it come to plier or any like item!

 

[Farmrod]

I took some time picking my set I ended up choosing mac I tried out my coworkers snap on but got tired of unscrewing and screwing them back together when i needed to switch from internal to external they were good pliers but i did break a small set twice and havent been able to break my mac set yet working on the same equipment
http://www.mactools.com/product/tabid/120/p-319773-pk1250.aspx

Chris

 

[padronanniversary]

knipex especially if you can get them on blowout on amazon

 

[Sh1thead]

Knipex have always performed flawless for me just like their cobra pliers. Before my knipex set i had a craftsman pair of convertable inside/outside with interchangable tips that worked ok but the added hassel of changing the tips was just plain annoying

 

[Aklass]

alot of people on the forum has recommended the channel lock pliers to me

 

[~UB~]

i took some time picking my set i ended up choosing mac i tried out my coworkers snap on but got tired of unscrewing and screwing them back together when i needed to switch from internal to external they were good pliers but i did break a small set twice and havent been able to break my mac set yet working on the same equipment
http://www.mactools.com/product/tabid/120/p-319773-pk1250.aspx

chris

Good Stuff. But Ouch...$279!!!

 

[ecotec]

first, interchangeable tips are a pain in the ***.

second, weak and flexible snap ring pliers are also a pain in the ***. you want something solid and well made.

i have the craftsman that are fixed tip but change between internal and external. they are okay, not great. padronanniversary mentioned the knipex set. if you can afford that set, or find them on blowout (as he mentioned), buy them.

i have a couple vintage vespas and my wife has a third. vespas have an insane amount of snap rings. after i have completely upgraded my work tools, i am going to buy the knipex set.

 

[~UB~]

Which Knipex Set???

 

[street131]

man, i really want that knipex set, but its so damn expensive. I havent been able to find the same kind of snap ring pliers that are made in america.

 

[Farmrod]

Good Stuff. But Ouch...$279!!!

I grabbed my set on sale for $190... you obviously havent searched and seen the price of the knipex set yet

 

[nissan_crawler]

knipex.

If you're going to buy interchangeable tip pliers, you might as well get the Craftsman Pro, exact same as snap-on, down to patent numbers, without the funny feeling when you walk away.

 

[Aklass]

http://www.tiretoolsonline.com/KD38...chanics-Pliers-Set-KD-Tools-3859_p_24556.html
How about these by KD? made in the USA

 

[MBeaty]

Another vote for the Knipex camp here. Ever since I have first used my set of the Knipex Precision snap ring pliers, I have not looked back.

One thing that would help us to help you would be what your general usage of the snap ring pliers would be. I continually see those large "master" sets of snap ring pliers from the tool trucks, but can not honestly think of many situations where that many are necessary. The knipex set that I have only contains 4 (2 internal and 2 external) straight blade pliers, but covers 95% of my needs. Yeah, they are pricy, but if you look around the 4 piece set can be found for about $75 or less. Not to mention the feeling of being able to remove/install a snap ring with pliers that seem very secure makes it worth every penny.

Here is a link to the set I have

Knipex 4 Piece Snap Ring Set

 

[~UB~]

I grabbed my set on sale for $190... you obviously havent searched and seen the price of the knipex set yet

You are right I haven't searched yet. Going to need a good set in the near future though.

 

[psychoclaw84]

I have always wanted Knipex snap ring pliers, but I don't run into many situations that require snap ring pliers. As a result I have not invested in a set due to return on investment.

The SK pliers look quite nice, but I am not sure of the cost: http://www.skhandtool.com/products/pliers/product.aspx?ID=4510&view=view

So far I have gotten by using a set of PowerBuilt snap ring pliers, I have exchanged the broken ones when Checker/O'Riley carried them. But they stopped carrying PowerBuilt, I guess now I am in the market again.

 

[browntown]

I know this place has its own knipex cheering section, but my knipex snap ring pliers broke on their first use. I'm still hunting for something better.

 

[Skin]

I think thats the most Knipex cheerleading i've ever seen at the start of a thread as well. Honestly they [the non-interchangable non-switchable style] are stupidly expensive if you try to outfit yourself with a set so unless you plan on dropping half a grand i'd rule that out.

My 2 cents, get the 12pc set thats rebadged by just about everyone, i believe the OEM is Stride? Cman is the best deal at ~$100 + lifetime replacement. The truck and industrial brands sell the same thing at $300-$400.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...21x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=00950464000P

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...id=771&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/AR..._-Pliers-_-3UWG2&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=3UWG2

 

[ZRX61]

The tooltruck ones are relabled Strand. I paid $32 for mine on clearance.. absolutely identical to the ones SnapOn charge damn near $200 for..

 

[ajchien]

I'm of the opinion of getting ones with interchangeable tips, but not interchangeable heads. Craftsman or channellock are affordable and seem to work well for me. Please stay away from HF on these.

 

[MBeaty]

I know this place has its own knipex cheering section, but my knipex snap ring pliers broke on their first use. I'm still hunting for something better.

Those are the old style Knipex pliers. The new "precision" ones have a hardened steel "piano wire" insert in the tip.

 

[DiscoBerry]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...1&group_ID=771&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I love my snap on set

 

[shampoop]

For home use, interchangeable tips.

For professional use, fixed tips.

Fiddling around with tips is extremely annoying when you're doing it for a living, but when you're just using them occasionally at home, it's not worth the cost difference.

I have a craftsman interchangeable tip model that's worked great so far, and I also have a huge SO fixed tip set that are very nice and very strong.

DON'T GET THE HF SET!!! They will bend the first time you use them. That's what i first bought when i didn't know anything about snap ring pliers. Worst HF purchase ever.

 

[~UB~]

This is why I like GJ!!!
Wish I knew about this site long time ago!!!
Thanks Folks!!!

 

[moronmountain]

This is one tool set I have yet to upgrade as I don't use them that often. I've been using a cheapo MiT set from a Ma and Pa tool store. I think the set of 4 was under $20 iirc. They probably would bend on something super hard, but they've done ok rebuilding a power steering gearbox and a few U-joints just fine. I figure that if I ever bend one, then I'll spend the $$ on Knipex or something along those lines.

 

[ekeller]

Channel lock or sears professional set that has the lever on them to change from internal to external in less than a second! Snapon has the same ones for more $!

 

[Honda 1]

I have the Sears Professional pliers with the lever external/internal. They get the job done for me so far. The price is reasonable and they sometimes are on sale.

 

[Az Scooter]

I have a set with interchangeable tips that I love, I think that they are OTC. It has pliers for internal, and pliers for external. They are great, and work perfectly. I have another set that I paid more for, that is switchable from internal to external. I bypass them every time.