snap ring pliers

[bigbob302]

Hey guy, I am sick of using crappy snap ring pliers. And by that I mean prying it apart enough to finish the job with screw drivers, punches, and language I wouldn't kiss my mother with, before my pliers bend or let go shooting the ring across the room. I really need a BIG pair, and a set of that will cover the usual automotive stuff as well. I have a pair on loan from my neighbor that are blue point but I have seen what appears to be the same set branded as every other company under the sun.

borrowed set:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...8&group_ID=768&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog these are not big enough for a few rings I have come across, but the ratcheting type is pretty much a must have for whatever big pairs I go with as some of the rings I find in gear boxes are pretty stout

I was on the Snap-on truck the other day and looking for a few big pliers and came across a few pairs of black pliers that were 108$ a piece ( I believe 15'' long) and another that was 29" long cant remember the price but they were all black and ratchet type. does anyone know if snap on makes these or re brands them? I could not find a link anywhere to these but If I recall correctly my dealer said they were aviation tools.

any of you transmission guys have any light to shed on your favorite sets and what you do about really big rings? I work on heavy equipment and run into big rings all the time. Thanks for any advice in advance everyone!

 

[pipsters]

Not sure what the definition of big rings is, but they must be big if you are looking at 29" long snap ring pliers! Damn!

I own this set 'cept it says Craftsman Pro on it and only cost $60 on eBay.

Does up to 4" rings, not sure if that is big enough. I like it, haven't had an issue with it flexing yet. The big one is a ratcheting type of plier, the smaller ones are the normal spring loaded kind. There is a switch that allows it to do external and internal rings.

 

[smogtech]

theres this set. OTC is a good brand
http://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-4513.aspx

channel lock also makes one. external and internal in one tool

 

[pipsters]

borrowed set:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...8&group_ID=768&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog these are not big enough for a few rings I have come across, but the ratcheting type is pretty much a must have for whatever big pairs I go with as some of the rings I find in gear boxes are pretty stout

Not that you are going to buy them but I find it hilarious people rag on Sears yet here is the EXACT SAME PRODUCT for 40% of Snap-On list ($58.49 w/ coupon vs $146.75)

Sears $58.49

vs

Snap On $146.75

 

[smogtech]

oh snap

 

[pipsters]

theres this set. OTC is a good brand
http://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-4513.aspx

channel lock also makes one. external and internal in one tool

I'm almost positive the Channellock ones are also rebranded A&E Tools, whom make the Blue-Point and Craftsman pros.

Here's my $60 Cman pro set

vs. Channellock

10" one

Smaller one

A&E Tools OEM

 

[back2class]

Something like this?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110092

 

[Olafur]

Beta, Italy; makes solid professional cir-clip pliers:

My current favourite.

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

I bought the 7 piece Snap On set a few months ago and wouldn't go back to any other. The tips don't even think of bending on those bad boys, they're heavy duty.

 

[bart1]

I've done a little reading on retaining ring pliers here. Never really been happy with mine, but don't use them too often anymore. I think next time will be the new Knipex ones.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I like Knipex Pros. Pricey, but worth it.

 

[ZRX61]

SnapOn snap ring pliers are made by Stride, who also make identical ones sold under Craftsman, Mac. Matco, Cornwell & other names.

I got the Craftsman ones on sale for $32... IDENTICAL ones with SnapOn on the box cost $200....

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

SnapOn snap ring pliers are made by Strand, who also make identical ones sold under Craftsman, Mac. Matco, Cornwell & other names.

I got the Craftsman ones on sale for $32... IDENTICAL ones with SnapOn on the box cost $200....

got any pics?

I think i paid 160 for the Snap On 7 pc set off the truck which is about 25 bucks a piece. Not bad in my opinion, and if one does happen to break i can get one replaced the day the truck stops by.

 

[ZRX61]

Somewhere, but not sure where, I could take one later

 

[Hawk Thor]

I´m with Olafur on this, Beta make great snap ring pliers (Pretty much anything they make is awesome.). I've never been disappointed by Beta.

 

[2oolhound]

I'm with KraftwerkMk1Jetta on this and like his 7 piece multi plier sets where you have separate pliers for inside - outside- and the different angles.

So you you need to pull a circlip, simple enough and only should take a few seconds but wait! There's another job ahead of that you need to do 1st, change the tips on your multiple tip circlip plier kit so your circlip pliers can work on the type and size you're up against. That's a waste of time, a 5 second job takes a minute. Multi tip circlip pliers belong in the same category as multi tip screwdrivers (you just need one of those in your box to fill your screwdriver needs, right)?

A guy needs 3 inside (1- straight tip, 1 45' tip and 1 90' tip)
and 3 outside with (1- straight tip, 1 45' tip and 1 90' tip)

AND if you often find they are too small for many of the circlips you come across you need 6 more sets in a larger size.

 

[Monte]

 

[bigbob302]

thanks for all the post guys! Back2class did that sale fall through? I have never herd of beta before i will look into that for sure. the knipex look great and I have never herd a bad thing about any knipex pliers but they sure are spendy. If they are worth the money I'm not afraid to spend it on quality tools. 2oolhound I learned that early on. I despise interchangeable tip pliers huge pain in the ***.