Snap ring pilers

[bowlofturtle]

Doing ball joints on my car. I knew I needed snap ring pilers, I had a bluepoint set of 2 or 3 about 5 years ago but they seem to have grown legs.

Since this isn't something I've needed for 5 years, I went to HF and found the switchable head set for $3.

Turns out these suckers don't spread the snap ring wide enough to get it around the ball joint. Huge fail now...

I always thought any old snap ring pilers will do the job. I guess there are sizes. Where can I get a cheap set? Is there a certain size? Snap ring looks to be near 45-48mm.

I'ma hit up local home depot, Lowes. Hopefully I will be successful.

 

[dede2897234]

bowlofturtle,

I would not consider going to Home Depot or Lowes for snap ring pliers. Either store does not offer a quality selection or a plier that will expand to between 45-48mm.

McMaster-Carr carries forged, external 90 degree tip snap ring pliers (item# 5449A86) that should meet your needs. It costs $28.16 but you will not be disappointed when you use it like the HF plier. Here is the link to the McMaster-Carr page: LINK (click on the "Heavy Duty Fixed-Tip Retaining-Ring Pliers" link to get to the products page).


Dave

 

[1982fxr]

hf snap ring pliers find a way to be an epic fail every time.

 

[bowlofturtle]

hf snap ring pliers find a way to be an epic fail every time.

Yea seriously. Since I rarely use it I figured it couldn't hurt. Well it did cost me gas.

$20 isn't bad but I was hoping for something local. Sears, Napa, fastenal... are near me. amazon prime might be an option too


Who makes napa pliers? This is in stock at my local one.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...iers-Large-Convertible/_/R-SER3151_0006402589

 

[Zeroek]

Save up for the LAng set if you find yourself using them often. If not then I'd just buy the single pairs over at Sears.

 

[fourjeepin]

I've not had good success with the type with the replaceable tips. Yes they are replaceable, but they break on me often. Anyone else have the same experience or do I just have cheap tips?

 

[Sanny81]

Get the two pack set from Sears. Pretty sure it's under $20 for two pliers and they hold up great. USA made and I use them at work and I haven't broke one yet. I actually have Snap On pliers too that I don't really use because I'm saving them for when my Craftsman finally break but that hasn't happened yet.

 

[CJM8515]

I've not had good success with the type with the replaceable tips. Yes they are replaceable, but they break on me often. Anyone else have the same experience or do I just have cheap tips?

My channel lock replaceable tip set has had no issues. I do however make sure the tips are as far into the head as possible when working on whatever so as to not bend or break them.

 

[dede2897234]

Get the two pack set from Sears. Pretty sure it's under $20 for two pliers and they hold up great. USA made and I use them at work and I haven't broke one yet. I actually have Snap On pliers too that I don't really use because I'm saving them for when my Craftsman finally break but that hasn't happened yet.

bowlofturtle,

Here is the link to the two pack that "Sanny81" was referring to above: LINK. These are convertible pliers that are both internal and external pliers. The sets fits snap rings just under 48mm. However, you did not specify the ear diameters of the snap rings. These pliers have 0.038 and 0.070-inch tip diameters. Hopefully, these pliers will do the job.


Good luck,

Dave

 

[mrvm]

Get the two pack set from Sears. Pretty sure it's under $20 for two pliers.

Local Sears has a couple different sets on clearance made in USA some with replaceable tips and all were under $10. Grabbed a few of the hose clamps, hose pliers, disc pad spreaders and harmonic pulley pullers

 

[Adam.C]

Replaceable tip pliers ****. Plain and simple. If you have to do anything like this more than once in a blue moon, spring for the 4pc set from Knipex. They are SO much easier to manipulate.

Good snap ring pliers aren't two pieces of sheet metal screwed together. If the set you want to buy looks like that, move on.

 

[johndeereman]

Another vote for the set from lang they work great.

 

[rice rocket]

I just picked up the 2-pack craftsman ones for $11, they're nice. Made in the USA.

 

[1982fxr]

Lang if you can...

 

[bowlofturtle]

Get the two pack set from Sears. Pretty sure it's under $20 for two pliers and they hold up great. USA made and I use them at work and I haven't broke one yet. I actually have Snap On pliers too that I don't really use because I'm saving them for when my Craftsman finally break but that hasn't happened yet.

bowlofturtle,

Here is the link to the two pack that "Sanny81" was referring to above: LINK. These are convertible pliers that are both internal and external pliers. The sets fits snap rings just under 48mm. However, you did not specify the ear diameters of the snap rings. These pliers have 0.038 and 0.070-inch tip diameters. Hopefully, these pliers will do the job.


Good luck,

Dave

You guys are the best!!!

Got the C-man pliers and worked out great. Its right at the max of what i needed, but i didn't have to muscle anything.

Sadly my local sears didn't have it so i had to go 7 miles to the next one. Odd thing at the store, it was listed normal price of $19.99 with no sales sticker. Compared to normal only price of $21.99 but sale price of $10.97. Kid rang it up for $10.97 after i showed him my phone.

MADE IN THE USA and "LIFETIME WARRANTY". Sadly one of the tips wasn't the cleanest looking. Hopefully i dont come across these things too often.

THANKS GUYS!!!!!!