snap ring pliers, ICON = best?

[billt460]

Having used both quality and cheap snap ring pliers, I will say If you have to deal with more than one snap ring ever in your lifetime it is absolutely worth paying for a quality snap ring plier. If you buy a quality snap ring plier set you're probably never going to buy another as if you do ever manage to screw one up you're just going to get it replaced under warranty.......

Yes, I believe it is worth buying quality snap ring pliers. I DON'T believe you have to pay $430.00 to get them.

 

[Legion Prime]

Fair enough, but for many the ease of warranty replacements being only a couple days away may be worth it to them when not having them in hand costs them money. For those without tool truck access the cost of a second set to ensure they have to correct one on hand despite warranty lag still comes out to a comparable price. Over the length of a career making money with your tools the difference would be barely noticeable.

 

[billt460]

There is zero guarantee, or proof that a $430.00 set of snap ring pliers won't break just as easily as a $70.00 set. Just because something is more expensive doesn't guarantee it's any better quality. And there comes a break off point when it becomes just plain ridiculously over priced.

 

[Legion Prime]

My goodness, then that must mean that there are different individuals out there and on this forum with different cost/benefit considerations than you. What a terrible thought, shall we proceed to burning the heretics?

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I have a full set of the WIHA ones. Best ones I have used and that includes both Snapon and Knipex. The difference is in the tips. Especially when dealing with small rings in bike suspension. The notched tips keep the rings from going flying.
https://germantoolblog.com/tag/wiha-magic-tip-pliers/

 

[billt460]

....... shall we proceed to burning the heretics?

Why? Let them waste their money. They're great for the economy.

 

[Mr_B]

As a professional I find warranty would be useless rely on to get job done unless gets you replacement tool in about 4hrs .
Most stuff we got duplicates, employees tools, family members tools or friends tools to borrow if proper stuck, very rare I been able get snapon or mac truck turn up day I bust something and snapon man these days likely be several days or longer if not stocked .
Napa can get me a tool delivered in 2hrs, would only take me hour do round trip to a hardware store or even HF if out of easier/quicker options ...

 

[mikew13]

What about Wilde?

 

[dstblj52]

As a professional I find warranty would be useless rely on to get job done unless gets you replacement tool in about 4hrs .
Most stuff we got duplicates, employees tools, family members tools or friends tools to borrow if proper stuck, very rare I been able get snapon or mac truck turn up day I bust something and snapon man these days likely be several days or longer if not stocked .
Napa can get me a tool delivered in 2hrs, would only take me hour do round trip to a hardware store or even HF if out of easier/quicker options ...

the upside of somewhere like harbor freight is push comes to shove you can toss the spare hand in a car and tell them to get this thing warrantied

 

[billt460]

As a professional I find warranty would be useless rely on to get job done unless gets you replacement tool in about 4hrs.
Most stuff we got duplicates, employees tools, family members tools or friends tools to borrow if proper stuck, very rare I been able get snapon or mac truck turn up day I bust something and snapon man these days likely be several days or longer if not stocked.
Napa can get me a tool delivered in 2hrs, would only take me hour do round trip to a hardware store or even HF if out of easier/quicker options ...

This is the exact reason buying tools off a truck is ridiculous in my opinion. The accessibility to the claimed warranty is all but useless. At least in any kind of timely fashion. Who knows when these guys are going to show up again? And when they do, you have no idea if they're going to have what you need in stock, inside their small truck... If they don't, you're going to be faced with more waiting on a tool you need, but don't have. It doesn't matter in the least how supposedly wonderful their quality is, if there is nothing in your hand when you need it, because it broke.

I have a 16,000 Sq. Ft. Harbor Freight store just 10 minutes from my home. Just like everyone else who lives and works there. I can get any tool replaced in a few minutes. And Harbor Freight has most everything in stock. Especially regarding hand tools. Their warranty is as good, or better than the old Craftsman Tool warranty from back in the 60's and 70's. Just bring it in, and they'll replace it... No questions asked.

They keep records of everything you purchase from them on a nationwide database. So you don't even have to save receipts. They'll know you purchased it, regardless of which store or location it was.

 

[mikew13]

I will never ever do business with Harbor Freight. I just hope they will eventually go out of business.

 

[Retroman]

I will never ever do business with Harbor Freight. I just hope they will eventually go out of business.

That seems a little harsh, Nobody is forced to do business there and some of us shade tree DIY homeowners like the option of buying tools there. I got 3 of the US general boxes I don't need or can afford a Snap on box. I also got the Daytona Jack good jack at affordable price I don't use it everyday but its there when I need it. If not for HF I probably would not have a floor jack.

 

[billt460]

That seems a little harsh, Nobody is forced to do business there and some of us shade tree DIY homeowners like the option of buying tools there. I got 3 of the US general boxes I don't need or can afford a Snap on box. I also got the Daytona Jack good jack at affordable price I don't use it everyday but its there when I need it. If not for HF I probably would not have a floor jack.

I agree. In fact, it's not "harsh". It's idiotic. Harbor Freight employs over 20,000 people in 48 states. To wish for them to be out of a job is ridiculous, and just plain stupid. If you don't want to shop there, fine, take your business elsewhere. But to wish for over 20,000 fellow American citizens to be put out of work, is borderline insane. Especially with all of the nonsense going on in this country right now.

I have a total of 6 US General tool boxes. The cost to quality ratio is impressive to say the very least. Snap On roller cabinets are insanely over priced for what they are. Which is basically nothing more than a powder coated, sheet metal box to store tools in. But if people want to spend $20K instead of $2K for what amounts to the same thing, it's fine by me. These people are great for the economy. I worry more about my own.

I have yet to be disappointed with anything I have purchased from them. And as I said, if anything should go south, they're only a 10 minute ride away. And they're open 7 days a week. And their warranty is one of the best in the business.

 

[jonshonda]

Oh for plucks sake aren't you people tired of b!tching about Snap On prices yet? In every single segment of the market there is the hi/med/low end. And in every single segment there are the people who buy what they want because they can.

The sooner you come to realize that, the more life will make sense! Plus when people buy American make, they are supporting the American people.

 

[billt460]

Plus when people buy American make, they are supporting the American people.

So who are the 20,000+ people who work for Harbor Freight? And who is Eric Smidt their owner, Mongolian? That argument holds less and less water every time it's used. Like it or not, we live and operate in a global market and economy. Am I "buying American" if I buy a Ford made in Mexico, or a Honda made in Marysville, Ohio? Or a Toyota made in San Antonio, Texas?

 

[jonshonda]

So who are the 20,000+ people who work for Harbor Freight?

I should have clarified, American manufacturing. The 20,000+ at HF are not what I would consider skilled in any trades.

 

[GeoBruin]

I bought the icon set because of this thread (not because they were necessarily highly regarded, but because I needed some immediately).

The very snap ring I needed to remove was ever so slightly smaller (holes closer together) than the tips of the pliers. No problem, I'll just bend them a little!

Yeah, I spent the next ten minutes plying escalating amounts of force until I wound up smacking them with a hammer against the anvil.

Once I had them narrow enough, I realized the tines were slightly too large for the holes in the ring. So I got out a hand file and spent another 10 minutes carefully grinding down both tips until they would fit and those tips are hard as a rock.

After having gone through this, I'm at least satisfied with the stiffness of the pliers themselves and the hardness of the tips.

 

[putergod]

So who are the 20,000+ people who work for Harbor Freight? And who is Eric Smidt their owner, Mongolian? That argument holds less and less water every time it's used. Like it or not, we live and operate in a global market and economy. Am I "buying American" if I buy a Ford made in Mexico, or a Honda made in Marysville, Ohio? Or a Toyota made in San Antonio, Texas?

It's not just the workers, but where the profits for the product go as well.
Sure, buying a HF tool supports the cashier at HF, but buying a quality American tool supports the vendor, the American workers at the forge, and the American company.

Buying a Honda made in Ohio supports the workers at that plant, but the profits still go to Japan. Buying a Chevy made in Flint, MI also supports the workers at the plant, but the profit stays in the US.

My goal when I shop for just about anything, is to find an American company employing American workers (and not just the brass while manufacturing is done in China). Am I always successful? Hell no, but I do my best wherever I can.

For this snap ring discussion, I'd buy the Lang. Made in USA, and just as good as the $430 Snap-On set.

 

[dstblj52]

It's not just the workers, but where the profits for the product go as well.
Sure, buying a HF tool supports the cashier at HF, but buying a quality American tool supports the vendor, the American workers at the forge, and the American company.

Buying a Honda made in Ohio supports the workers at that plant, but the profits still go to Japan. Buying a Chevy made in Flint, MI also supports the workers at the plant, but the profit stays in the US.

My goal when I shop for just about anything, is to find an American company employing American workers (and not just the brass while manufacturing is done in China). Am I always successful? Hell no, but I do my best wherever I can.

For this snap ring discussion, I'd buy the Lang. Made in USA, and just as good as the $430 Snap-On set.

is the snap on set right lol

 

[billt460]

It's not just the workers, but where the profits for the product go as well.
Sure, buying a HF tool supports the cashier at HF, but buying a quality American tool supports the vendor, the American workers at the forge, and the American company.

Harbor Freight is wholly owned by Eric Smidt. He has a net worth of over $4.3 Billion U.S. Most all of it from the profits and success of Harbor Freight, which he and his father founded back in 1977. He is also a major philanthropist. He has donated hundreds of millions to hospitals, schools, and the like. The companies in China that manufacture his tools, make the same as the Chinese companies who manufacture just about everything that is under the hood of your "American" car. From the fan belts, to the ball joints.

Americans can buy, sell, and own stock in Honda, Nissan, and Toyota. Many do, and they're good investments. As I said, we live in a global market and economy. Sure, it's all good to wave the flag, and buy American. It's just today it's getting all but impossible to do. And when you do, you're more than likely paying far too much for what you're buying. "My Pillow", and Snap-On are 2 perfect examples.

And just because it's made here, doesn't insure it's quality is anything better than what's manufactured overseas. Many times it's not as good. If you're old enough to remember, that's how Honda and Toyota gained their foothold in the American car market. Back in the late 70's and early 80's, most everything that rolled off a Detroit assembly line, was a certified pile of ****. Lee Iaccoca admitted to that very fact after he took over Chrysler. It took him years to turn it around.

Look at the present day Craftsman brand. It's nothing but a shell of what that company used to be. The Craftsman name used to be synonymous with quality. Today they're nothing even close to what their tools used to be. I will take Harbor Freight over Craftsman 7 days a week, and twice on Sunday.

The lazy and overly greedy auto workers unions destroyed American quality and jobs. Just like the same unions destroyed aircraft manufacturing in Southern California. And steel manufacturing in Indiana and Pennsylvania. Our problem is we quickly become a victim of our own damn creation.

 

[Hiball]

Snap On, HF, My toolbox is better than yours, you’re Anti American and finally.. It’s the Unions fault.

Yep we have went full GJ circle and it only took a Snap ring plier thread.

Some things never change.

 

[lardy1]

Thanks for acknowledging it. I've been sitting on my hands.

 

[mikew13]

Harbor Freight is wholly owned by Eric Smidt. He has a net worth of over $4.3 Billion U.S. Most all of it from the profits and success of Harbor Freight, which he and his father founded back in 1977. He is also a major philanthropist. He has donated hundreds of millions to hospitals, schools, and the like. The companies in China that manufacture his tools, make the same as the Chinese companies who manufacture just about everything that is under the hood of your "American" car. From the fan belts, to the ball joints.

Americans can buy, sell, and own stock in Honda, Nissan, and Toyota. Many do, and they're good investments. As I said, we live in a global market and economy. Sure, it's all good to wave the flag, and buy American. It's just today it's getting all but impossible to do. And when you do, you're more than likely paying far too much for what you're buying. "My Pillow", and Snap-On are 2 perfect examples.

And just because it's made here, doesn't insure it's quality is anything better than what's manufactured overseas. Many times it's not as good. If you're old enough to remember, that's how Honda and Toyota gained their foothold in the American car market. Back in the late 70's and early 80's, most everything that rolled off a Detroit assembly line, was a certified pile of ****. Lee Iaccoca admitted to that very fact after he took over Chrysler. It took him years to turn it around.

Look at the present day Craftsman brand. It's nothing but a shell of what that company used to be. The Craftsman name used to be synonymous with quality. Today they're nothing even close to what their tools used to be. I will take Harbor Freight over Craftsman 7 days a week, and twice on Sunday.

The lazy and overly greedy auto workers unions destroyed American quality and jobs. Just like the same unions destroyed aircraft manufacturing in Southern California. And steel manufacturing in Indiana and Pennsylvania. Our problem is we quickly become a victim of our own damn creation.

Snap On, HF, My toolbox is better than yours, you’re Anti American and finally.. It’s the Unions fault.

Yep we have went full GJ circle and it only took a Snap ring plier thread.

Some things never change.

Its not that. Its pure ignorance. Keep buying HF there will be no more USA tools left because someone wanted to pay less. Im not claiming my toolbox is better. I care about putting money in the pocket of the worker making USA items not for PRC to go on a arms shopping spree with your hard earned money.

 

[930dreamer]

Please play nice.

 

[Ryan]

Hey fellas... I'm gonna stop with these posts and just start deleting.

So, you don't shop at Harbor Freight? Nor do I... You don't like to buy Chinese made tools? I don't either.

So... Just stay the hell out of the posts about that stuff.

 

[billt460]

Its not that. Its pure ignorance. Keep buying HF there will be no more USA tools left because someone wanted to pay less. Im not claiming my toolbox is better. I care about putting money in the pocket of the worker making USA items not for PRC to go on a arms shopping spree with your hard earned money.

If you've ever been inside a Wal-Mart, you have no argument. I worry about my economy first. Anyone who say's differently is either a fool or a liar. I already mentioned what happened to Craftsman. I bought Craftsman tools 50 years ago.... And plenty of them. I still have most of them. They weren't the cheapest by any means. But they were of remarkable quality for the price. Today they're pure ****. And I'm not buying them.

Especially when I can purchase better quality with a better guarantee at Harbor Freight for less. Today Craftsman wrenches are made mostly in China and Taiwan by Apex Tool Group anyway. So people who buy them, thinking they're American made are only paying more, and fooling no one except themselves in the process.

Again, go look under the hood of your "American" car. Good luck trying to find anything that says "Made In Detroit". But you'll see, "Made In Mexico" along with, "Made In China" everywhere. Just a few weeks ago Ford had thousands of brand new trucks sitting, they couldn't sell because they were all waiting on computer chips back ordered from..... You guessed it CHINA. So this whole argument of, "I'm not supporting China and their army" is all ******** from the get go. You're doing it in one way, shape, form, or another. Regardless if you like it or not.

I'm retired on a fixed income. If I can find tools that offer the same or better quality than Harbor Freight, that are made here, I'll buy them. But I'm sure as hell not going to throw money away on ridiculously overpriced products like Snap-On, that are nowhere near worth what they're charging, just to play the part of being some ******** flag waver. If someone else want to pay those idiotic prices, more power to them.

But the thing is this. And there is no getting around it. I enjoyed retiring at 62. It's very nice to get up and have the whole day, every day to yourself. And not have to sell 5 out of 7 of them to someone else. And I sure as hell didn't get there by throwing my money away on overpriced products, just because they're "made here".

 

[mikew13]

I agree. In fact, it's not "harsh". It's idiotic. Harbor Freight employs over 20,000 people in 48 states. To wish for them to be out of a job is ridiculous, and just plain stupid. If you don't want to shop there, fine, take your business elsewhere. But to wish for over 20,000 fellow American citizens to be put out of work, is borderline insane. Especially with all of the nonsense going on in this country right now.

I have a total of 6 US General tool boxes. The cost to quality ratio is impressive to say the very least. Snap On roller cabinets are insanely over priced for what they are. Which is basically nothing more than a powder coated, sheet metal box to store tools in. But if people want to spend $20K instead of $2K for what amounts to the same thing, it's fine by me. These people are great for the economy. I worry more about my own.

I have yet to be disappointed with anything I have purchased from them. And as I said, if anything should go south, they're only a 10 minute ride away. And they're open 7 days a week. And their warranty is one of the best in the business.

Its not "idiotic" its the truth. Your argument is irreverent. 20,000 Habor Freight jobs mostly paying minimum wage jobs vs 20,000 lost domestic blue collar factory jobs due to Harbor Freight. People cannot get by on 20,000 Harbor Freight minimum wage jobs. Whats left after someone wanted to "save more money"?

 

[billt460]

Its not "idiotic" its the truth. Your argument is irreverent. 20,000 Habor Freight jobs mostly paying minimum wage jobs vs 20,000 lost domestic blue collar factory jobs due to Harbor Freight........

Those jobs were not lost, "due to Harbor Freight". They were lost because people refuse to grossly overpay for inferior products, just because they're made here. If you cannot compete in business, you go broke.... PERIOD. That is how a capitalist economy works. And it doesn't matter what you're selling. If you're depending on customers to pay your inflated prices out of the goodness of their hearts, and to "wave the flag", guess what? You're not going to have ANY.

It was the same with the American auto workers. They were grossly overpaid and lazy, and produced an inferior product. People stopped buying their cars, and began to purchase Japanese vehicles instead. (Toyota and Honda). It wasn't until they got their act together in the quality department, back in the late 80's, and trimmed the fat, got rid of the unions, and hired people who were willing to do an honest day's work for more competitive wages, that people started buying American again.

What you don't understand, (or refuse to accept), is that in business, you don't "have a right" to a share of the marketplace, based simply on where your factory is located. You have to EARN IT. And people are not going to overpay for products with their hard earned money, just to keep someone else working..... Unless they're stupid.

As I stated before, I would not have been able to retire at 62, if I was foolish enough to overpay for products, just to keep someone else employed. My goal was to retire and not work. Not foot the bill so they can. THAT is sheer ignorance. I buy what offers the best value and quality for the price. I don't care where it's made, or for that matter, who made it. Because it's irrelevant.

 

[putergod]

Those jobs were not lost, "due to Harbor Freight". They were lost because people refuse to grossly overpay for inferior products, just because they're made here. If you cannot compete in business, you go broke.... PERIOD. That is how a capitalist economy works. And it doesn't matter what you're selling. If you're depending on customers to pay your inflated prices out of the goodness of their hearts, and to "wave the flag", guess what? You're not going to have ANY.

It was the same with the American auto workers. They were grossly overpaid and lazy, and produced an inferior product. People stopped buying their cars, and began to purchase Japanese vehicles instead. (Toyota and Honda). It wasn't until they got their act together in the quality department, back in the late 80's, and trimmed the fat, got rid of the unions, and hired people who were willing to do an honest day's work for more competitive wages, that people started buying American again.

What you don't understand, (or refuse to accept), is that in business, you don't "have a right" to a share of the marketplace, based simply on where your factory is located. You have to EARN IT. And people are not going to overpay for products with their hard earned money, just to keep someone else working..... Unless they're stupid.

As I stated before, I would not have been able to retire at 62, if I was foolish enough to overpay for products, just to keep someone else employed. My goal was to retire and not work. Not foot the bill so they can. THAT is sheer ignorance. I buy what offers the best value and quality for the price. I don't care where it's made, or for that matter, who made it. Because it's irrelevant.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume you don't have kids or grandkids, etc. One would assume, if you did, you'd want them to grow up, and their kids grow up, etc, in a strong American economy. Doesn't seem like you care about the future of America's economy with statements like that, so rock on.

And I'll add that the vast majority of products made in USA vastly outperform and/or out last those made in China/Taiwan, etc. Vastly.
No to mention that there's many products from those countries that don't carry the low price tag some of us demand from those countries. It is quite literally about greed. You talk about American greed, but are failing to see that when a Chinese product is only marginally cheaper than an American product, yet the cost to make that product is VASTLY cheaper than the American product, who is really the greedy one?

 

[Ryan]

Closed... because while "I'm right and you're wrong" politics is prevalent in this country these days... it's not gonna be here.