Snap Ring Pliers...just one or two?

[thr3squared]

Hey All,

I have a several SK ratchets that I am slowly cleaning up and upgrading to Double Tooth as time allows and was curious what size snap ring pliers are needed? Or can I get by with a small needle nose plier?

I know several companies make nice sets, but I don't do much work that requires them, so If I only needed one or two (without the interchangeable heads) I would consider going that route.

 

[matt_i]

The thing about snap ring pliers is....you don't really need them until you NEED THEM and its a high stakes unobtainum part down inside a bore that you are going to trash with other tools, its late on a Saturday and nothing is open Sunday.

Its my opinion. The Knipex were game-changers for me as far as ease of use and a huge jump forward in reliability.

A couple smaller sizes for internal, external and the corresponding ones in 90 degree right angle ought to get you thru most jobs.

 

[subroc]

I have 6 pairs of snap ring pliers here as well as a small spreader. That said, if you need 1 size and doubt you will need more or use them often or regularly buy exactly the size you need for the job you are doing. As time goes on if you find yourself doing more work that requires having them on hand, get more then.

 

[thr3squared]

The thing about snap ring pliers is....you don't really need them until you NEED THEM and its a high stakes unobtainum part down inside a bore that you are going to trash with other tools, its late on a Saturday and nothing is open Sunday.

Its my opinion. The Knipex were game-changers for me as far as ease of use and a huge jump forward in reliability.

A couple smaller sizes for internal, external and the corresponding ones in 90 degree right angle ought to get you thru most jobs.

Worth getting a set from Knipex or just buying individuals?

 

[thr3squared]

I have 6 pairs of snap ring pliers here as well as a small spreader. That said, if you need 1 size and doubt you will need more or use them often or regularly buy exactly the size you need for the job you are doing. As time goes on if you find yourself doing more work that requires having them on hand, get more then.

Any brand you recommend? I've been eyeing the set from Lang if I decided to get a whole set.

 

[cdods]

I have a pair of channel locks that come with a variety of different size tips, in both straight and 90 degree.

The single pair has covered every snap ring I've encountered, except one very large one that would be outside the range of most snap ring plier sets.

They are a little fiddly, and certainly wouldn't cut it if I was working with them professionally, but for the odd snap ring I encounter as DIY, they work great. One nice thing is that you can buy replacement tip sets inexpensively, if you happen to damage one.

Just another option.

 

[subroc]

Any brand you recommend? I've been eyeing the set from Lang if I decided to get a whole set.

Well, I don't know about a recommendation

Here is what I have. The red handled blue points in the middle are 35 or 40 years old. Work OK, although the small pair I always would tussle with them to use them with smaller sizes. The channellock are relatively new. Past year or so. No more than 8 or 10 snap rings of use since I have owned them They work as advertised and they close right up. So far I like them. I don't know if that is a recommendation but they don't ****.

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[9eight7]

...The channellock are relatively new. Past year or so. No more than 8 or 10 snap rings of use since I have owned them They work as advertised and they close right up. So far I like them. I don't know if that is a recommendation but they don't ****.

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I have the blue channellocks and they open or close just by flipping that red switch in the middle. They have different tips with pin sizes (the blue packet with white writing) so they should capture a majority of the snap rings out there.

 

[tarmy]

Well, I don't know about a recommendation

Here is what I have. The red handled blue points in the middle are 35 or 40 years old. Work OK, although the small pair I always would tussle with them to use them with smaller sizes. The channellock are relatively new. Past year or so. No more than 8 or 10 snap rings of use since I have owned them They work as advertised and they close right up. So far I like them. I don't know if that is a recommendation but they don't ****.

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I have about the same set up...including them fancy spreading pliers with the right angle lips on the right.

OP...there are larger sets, meaning for larger snap rings as well...you end up with a decent inventory after 30 years...!

 

[MJK]

****** snap ring pliers can make you angry like almost no other hand tool is capable of doing.

I suffered for years with a pair of cheap Irwin interchangeable tip jobs until I finally got frustrated enough to upgrade. It was, as predicted a weekend job, elbows deep in grease in an axle replacement. I would have paid almost anything for a decent pair. I bought 9(?) pairs of Knipex and a Proto duckbill set the next day.

If this is a one and done deal, ****** ones will do. If you work on cars enough, just pony up now for a decent set.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Any brand you recommend? I've been eyeing the set from Lang if I decided to get a whole set.

I bought the multi piece lang set, and supplemented my most used sizes and orientation (internal/external) with knipex. Use them for a while, if you're always using that one size for wheel bearing or whatever, buy a pair of knipex in that one style.

Those, and a cheap pair of quick change internal/externals for light duty stuff are the best dollar and cents solution, IMO.Toss in a pair of duck-bill style, for external earless clamps.

 

[Tim in Indiana]

I have somewhere around 30 sets, from very tiny to very large, 12" snap ring size.

In my opinion cheap snap ring pliers are worse than no snap ring pliers. They won't do the job and mess stuff up.

I like knipex and gedore the best. I also prefer dedicated size and direction pliers, not the interchangeable tip versions. I have several of the inside/outside versions that you swap around and they're ok but still not as good as the fixed types.

Buy the best you can afford as you need them. Over time you will build a nice assortment.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I started with Craftsman stamped lock ring pliers (flat wide jaws), and the Craftsman convertible changeable tip snap-ring pliers. I later upgraded to solid (forged?) Marco lock ring spreading pliers, and 3 or 4 of the SnapOn forged convertible fixed tip straight snapring pliers. I don't want 12 pair of something. I want the sizes I need.

 

[thr3squared]

I bought the multi piece lang set, and supplemented my most used sizes and orientation (internal/external) with knipex. Use them for a while, if you're always using that one size for wheel bearing or whatever, buy a pair of knipex in that one style.

Those, and a cheap pair of quick change internal/externals for light duty stuff are the best dollar and cents solution, IMO.Toss in a pair of duck-bill style, for external earless clamps.

Are you happy with the Lang set?

I was doing some searching and found the quick change Blue Points on eBay with different tips for $60-70


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[californiaHank]

The Knipex are probably worthwhile if you're a pro. I'm a DIY guy, and have bought the fixed-tip Langs in the styles I needed, as I needed them. They work fine for my light use. I found the interchangeable tip ones to be a bit fragile and frustrating to use. YMMV.

 

[thr3squared]

****** snap ring pliers can make you angry like almost no other hand tool is capable of doing.

I suffered for years with a pair of cheap Irwin interchangeable tip jobs until I finally got frustrated enough to upgrade. It was, as predicted a weekend job, elbows deep in grease in an axle replacement. I would have paid almost anything for a decent pair. I bought 9(?) pairs of Knipex and a Proto duckbill set the next day.

If this is a one and done deal, ****** ones will do. If you work on cars enough, just pony up now for a decent set.

I work on cars a bit but haven’t gotten into a lot of axle work which is why I typically haven’t needed them a ton.

For now it’ll mostly be for infrequent small jobs


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[thr3squared]

The Knipex are probably worthwhile if you're a pro. I'm a DIY guy, and have bought the fixed-tip Langs in the styles I needed, as I needed them. They work fine for my light use. I found the interchangeable tip ones to be a bit fragile and frustrating to use. YMMV.

Ok that’s my worry with the interchangeable tips. Do the little set screws that hold the tips strip out much or are the pretty robust?


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[jimmyin3D]

For the SK ratchet needle nose pliers will work, maybe with a small flat head screwdriver to help if the clip is tight.

 

[demarpaint]

****** snap ring pliers can make you angry like almost no other hand tool is capable of doing.

I suffered for years with a pair of cheap Irwin interchangeable tip jobs until I finally got frustrated enough to upgrade. It was, as predicted a weekend job, elbows deep in grease in an axle replacement. I would have paid almost anything for a decent pair. I bought 9(?) pairs of Knipex and a Proto duckbill set the next day.

If this is a one and done deal, ****** ones will do. If you work on cars enough, just pony up now for a decent set.

I'm with you. After cursing the cheap snap ring pliers I went with a set of Knipex. IMO it was a smart move and well worth the money.

 

[Sweetcorn]

****** snap ring pliers can make you angry like almost no other hand tool is capable of doing.

I suffered for years with a pair of cheap Irwin interchangeable tip jobs until I finally got frustrated enough to upgrade. It was, as predicted a weekend job, elbows deep in grease in an axle replacement. I would have paid almost anything for a decent pair. I bought 9(?) pairs of Knipex and a Proto duckbill set the next day.

If this is a one and done deal, ****** ones will do. If you work on cars enough, just pony up now for a decent set.

You aren't kidding. I've always just used what I thought were decent enough (Channellock, Lang) snap ring pliers and last week was the straw that broke the camels back. I was working on my Kubota trans and seriously ready to scrap the whole thing out due to one snap ring that would not cooperate with any of my pliers. Ended up ordering the set below from amazon and there is no comparison.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EXNT38/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It was more than I felt was reasonable to spend on snap ring pliers, but the mood I was in at the time pushed me into it. I'm so glad I bought them and wish I'd done it years ago. Lol, I actually look forward to using them again.

thr33squared - I'm not suggesting you buy the whole set, but I would suggest you spring for nicer ones of the size and style you want. I should have done it loooong ago.

 

[laser3kw]

Don't get the type with the replaceable tips! They drive you double crazy and you will lose the tips. And don't get the cheap thin set, they will bend.
I got a 12 piece convertible SK set and have already used 4 of the sizes / angle (that saved the day). Straight, 45° and 90° angle ends are extremely useful.

 

[Rinspeed]

Any brand you recommend? I've been eyeing the set from Lang if I decided to get a whole set.

I have a pair of Snap On with the different bits, very nice tool but I'm sure they are pricey.

 

[Benito]

In my experience is you own any less than 8 different snap ring pliers, the one you need will ALWAYS be the one you decided not you also buy

 

[txvwnut]

The thing with snap ring pliers is the snap ring it’s self. Snap rings while we know vary in size diameter the holes in the tangs vary in size as well. With that you need a SR plier that will cover your diameter and fit the hole as snugly as possible, smaller SR’s usually don’t prove to be much of an issue but when you get into larger SR’s in thickness and diameter you really need the tips to match the holes as closely as possible.

 

[slowtwitch73]

I bought the Knipex set of 4, and that's a good general set to have. Internal straight and bent, external straight and bent. They cover the vast majority of sizes. A joy to use.

I had a pair that had the interchangeable tips and they didn't work that well.

 

[thr3squared]

Lots of good replies...thanks guys!

Seems there are a lot of votes for the Knipex, and not everyone is a fan of the models with interchangeable tips. I think I'll look for a decently priced set with good assortment of pliers.

 

[thr3squared]

You aren't kidding. I've always just used what I thought were decent enough (Channellock, Lang) snap ring pliers and last week was the straw that broke the camels back. I was working on my Kubota trans and seriously ready to scrap the whole thing out due to one snap ring that would not cooperate with any of my pliers. Ended up ordering the set below from amazon and there is no comparison.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EXNT38/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It was more than I felt was reasonable to spend on snap ring pliers, but the mood I was in at the time pushed me into it. I'm so glad I bought them and wish I'd done it years ago. Lol, I actually look forward to using them again.

thr33squared - I'm not suggesting you buy the whole set, but I would suggest you spring for nicer ones of the size and style you want. I should have done it loooong ago.

Did the Lang pliers fail on you? Or were they not made well?

 

[Sweetcorn]

Did the Lang pliers fail on you? Or were they not made well?

They weren't up to the task at hand even though they should have been, but they didn't fail to the point of breaking the tool and needing to throw it away.

They flexed enough to where I couldn't put enough pressure on the snap ring to successfully remove it from the shaft without the ring popping off. The tips on the pliers weren't damaged, they were just crudely manufactured and that didn't help with ring retention. The tips on these are all part of the handle, made in one piece.

The Channellock ones are the internal/external all in one pliers with interchangeable tips. I'll most likely give them to someone who wants them. I don't see myself using them again. Pretty disappointed.

The Knipex tips are spring steel (very tough) and truly round. They are also set at just enough of an angle to help prevent the ring from popping off. Night and day difference between these and the others. Fair warning, though. I don't believe all Knipex have the same tips.

 

[slowtwitch73]

My Knipex will start flexing but only on the largest snaprings, and even then I can get the ring out of the groove at least and fudge the rest. For the vast majority of home shop use, they are killer.

 

[speed88]

Who makes the better of the two brands? Snap-on or knipex? I do like the Snap-on set because of being able to swap from internal to external in just a few seconds.

 

[Sweetcorn]

Who makes the better of the two brands? Snap-on or knipex? I do like the Snap-on set because of being able to swap from internal to external in just a few seconds.

That style can still flex and give you headaches. Good for many things, probably could be considered great at some of them as well, but I'd take the Knipex set I bought over those any day of the week.

Those SO's are the same pattern as the Lang ones I have that were never all that great. I do understand Lang doesn't equal Snap On, just saying...

 

[James-W]

I suggest getting a whole set of really good ones. If you just get one or two, odds are you will not have the right one when you need it. I have found this to be true for a lot of things. My opinion is that it is better to spend the money now and get a whole set of something rather than buy one at a time until you finally fill up the set. You know you will eventually have a full set of them, just bite the bullet now and get it over with.

 

[m6z]

Lang if you want a large set in a nice case and don't want to spend a fortune.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

I have an 8 piece set in a nice roll up canvas holder, I bought when a traveling tool dealer came to our fire house. Its nice to have the right snap ring plier when you need it.

These tool dealers used to travel around to fire houses and rescue squads, now with Harbor Freight, I don't see them advertised. The tools were no name HF quality.

 

[laser3kw]

I found the 12 piece SK set on Ebay for $159 - the set is $400 + from SK

 

[CJM8515]

i have 3 different channel lock sets with the tips. never ran into much of an issue, a cheapo HF set, a few cheap lang ones and some HF icon ones that are quite nice. never ran into much of an problem using any of them

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Are you happy with the Lang set?

I was doing some searching and found the quick change Blue Points on eBay with different tips for $60-70


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Oh, yes, great value for money at around $80? 12 pairs, reversible between internal and external rings.

The knipex have better tips, at $25 a pair, they aught to. The knipex are not reversible, so you need to buy twice as many. Because of the design of the Lang reversing mechanism, a set screw, the pliers can wiggle a hair, annoying on tight rings seized with rust. Stick a flat head in there, and walk it out at that point though. That's all the pliers are really for IMO, move it enough to walk it out. The body of the lang pliers is also slightly wider, which can cause clearance issues in recessed areas.


If my lang pliers where stolen, I would purchase another full set.

 

[ridervfr]

i have a one of those interchangeable set with the kit bag along with an allen tool to loosen tighten set screw on said pliers, they look like the blue channel locks but were made by Craftsman, have owned them for 20 years.

I have a set of convertible snap ring pliers from Mac Tools in a blow molded case that I got at the local flea market years ago. Not gona tell you what I paid for basically a beautiful set. Right time/right place.

 

[RoundedNut]

For simple things like ratchets, round nose pliers work fine, and they are underrated as a grabby bendy tool.

But I do have a set of small cheap plate steel ones for small/light snap rings and a 7" plier set for bigger ones. Don't think I'll need the larger pliers like 16" ones, but if I ever come across one, then of course I'll get a larger set instead of struggling.

 

[thr3squared]

I have a set of convertible snap ring pliers from Mac Tools in a blow molded case that I got at the local flea market years ago. Not gona tell you what I paid for basically a beautiful set. Right time/right place.

Nice find!!


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