Snap Ring Pliers - Which One?

[Skinny22]

Hey everyone! Just spent 130 bucks today on snap ring pliers from Knipex all the way to APT. Problem is, I didn't get the right one. I'm a fan of USA made, but am also a fan of quality, as most of us here, I believe. I've found two different pliers that are the type I want. They are both cheap but I only need one, question is... What would you buy, and why?

Lisle 44900

Proto 577-250G

 

[jesko10]

The lisle looks like it is made from sheetmetal.

So I vote for the proto. Also, the proto looks a little like a Knipex, so you can hide it in between.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I'd go for the Proto, they look almost exactly like a pair of old Mac snap ring pliers I have.

 

[Skinny22]

I was thinking the same thing as you guys on the Proto, little more expensive, but looks worth it. Anyone else got any recommendations?

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

I love Proto tools,they're very well made.

 

[wxm]

Off the two, the Proto looks nicer.

Not to further confuse you. I have the Wilde tool. I bought it from Wilde's website for about $22; Very nice quality, US made.

 

[dankicksass]

I know a lot of people don't like interchangeables, but I'm very much fond of my Channellocks.

 

[Monte]

Knipex

 

[ironfist]

I know a lot of people don't like interchangeables, but I'm very much fond of my Channellocks.

+1 . I love my channellock snap ring pliers also . Made in USA and there affordable too. I also love the ext. and int. switch .

 

[wheats71]

i have the lisle ones, they are a little flexxy and the spread is good for smaller snap rings
but say for the retaining ring in the rear half of a np263 transfer case they wont spread enough

 

[garfunkle24]

Those channellocks are the wrong kind of plier. Most guys I know refer to the style required by the OP as "transmission ring" or "lock ring" pliers.

I have had good luck with my Proto ones. The knurling works and lasts well and they have a pretty good spread. The older Mac ones I've seen looked to be the same as Protos.

 

[dclassical]

I got mine from Sears (Craftsman - Made in the USA) when I was rebuilding my transmission. They made the job so much easier and were around $20 when I bought them about 10 months ago.

 

[Steve_P]

I have this style Proto- the jaws open parallel which is very nice. not cheap, but work great on the heavy transmission locking rings.


http://www.toolfetch.com/retaining-pliers-577-251g.shtml

 

[dclassical]

Steve_P... I can see how these would be very useful.

 

[Thunderbisciut]

Ok, I'm bringing this back from the dead since it is a pain tracking these down. 9 times out of 10 searches will bring up snap ring pliers.

From what I've found it looks like all the major players are just rebranded Wilde, and since the Wilde pliers can be had for under $12 for straight or 90 degree ones from Epsteins, that seems to be the way to go. The compound leverage ones like Steve P linked are around $20.

Now if you need something a little beefier, or you crave variety, then Imperial seems to offer the widest selection. Prices are hefty though.

Being a newly converted NWS *****, I tracked down these. Crypticly named as "Special Mounting Pliers", and typical NWS pricing with only one size/version available. I don't work on big trucks or anything, so I'm hoping they'll be able to handle the size clips I'm used to. Here they are on NWS's site for a picture.

And just so there's no confusion, these are the types of circlips I'm talking about:

 

[royesses]

Wilde makes some very nice lock ring pliers:
http://store.harryepstein.com/search?q=lock+ring+plier

 

[crewchief888]

i have the snapon versions, both large and small
held up to daily use rebuilding transmissions and gearboxes for 8 years.

 

[Farmall450]

I have a Irwin Visegrip interchangeable set with 4 heads...90 & 45 degree, and 2 straight/180 degree ones. Pretty sweet actually. Paid about $20 for them on sale.