Snap Ring Pliers?

[karoc]

I am tired of messing with these 5.00 snap ring pliers.Guys I know that you get what you pay for but what can I look for that will do inside/outside rings that maybe is in middle of the road far as quality is concern?You know Good Better Best Something that is the best that I can look for on auction site but maybe if I come across good I would go with it.I'm talking about maybe from 1/2 up to maybe 1" or so.What do you have that works for you,any links or what brand and #'s.Thanks guys for some insite

 

[AmericanMechanic]

Channellock with the interchangeable tips if you aren't using them multiple times per day (due to the need to change tips).

If you're using them multiple times per day, I'd consider the lang set with ~12 pieces for under $100. I don't have it, but it's something I'd like to have

 

[mdnelson86]

I bought the Lang set a couple years ago. There are multiple sizes and tip angles (non interchangeable tips). And you switch them from internal to external by removing and changing a thumb screw to a different position.

I bought them based on word of mouth here and other reviews I had heard. I have to admit, when I first got them, I was pretty disappointed. They just didn’t feel very high quality to me. Having used them for a couple years now though, I don’t think I’ve ever had a snap ring fly off or do anything other than exactly what I wanted it to do. So that’s what matters most and would rate them very highly today.

 

[smuro04]

I sprang for the Gedore pliers and I’ve been happier than a pig in sh*t with them. They are of excellent quality and price through Amazon was fair.

 

[Yarpo]

I would not even consider ones with changeable tips.

Same, I've never used one but just the premise behind them seems terrible.

I just got these OP, only used them twice and it was on ratchets snap rings but I like them, they're brand new and I paid 90 dollars shipped. Only a few things I'll use them on at work, but I like being organized and appreciated these came with a foam tray.

The others I was considering personally where lang but I opted to splurge. Langs are solid tho

 

[Magnum440d100]

I use the proto’s if it isn’t precision work, since they’re kinda worn.

Otherwise I use the craftsman in the upper left corner of the drawer.

Done hundreds with the proto and a few dozen with the craftsman.

No complaints here.

 

[txvwnut]

I’ve got Mac, Matco and SK snap ring pliers and what I have found is, while a generic size plier will work 90% of the time there have been snap rings that I’ve needed the tips to match the hole in the tang perfectly to get them on and off. So I have ended up with quite the selection of snap ring pliers.

 

[scissorman]

I love my MAC convertible snap ring pliers. I would NEVER go for the interchangeable tip style, they plain ****.

 

[DFB]

I am tired of messing with these 5.00 snap ring pliers.Guys I know that you get what you pay for but what can I look for that will do inside/outside rings that maybe is in middle of the road far as quality is concern?You know Good Better Best Something that is the best that I can look for on auction site but maybe if I come across good I would go with it.I'm talking about maybe from 1/2 up to maybe 1" or so.What do you have that works for you,any links or what brand and #'s.Thanks guys for some insite

Smaller dia. tips are most likely what you need for the ring sizes you have described...

Reversible/removable interchangeable tips are ok IF you have a good tool

And the reversable Channelock offering for me has been good never broke a tip same design can be sourced under several other brand names too. the tips are .038 .047 and .070

And I swear the cheapie stamped steel ones with a screw to locate the tip ought to be outlawed.

I just bought a fixed set the HF Icons I think they be too big for your needs

Or do you want big .090 tips???

Truck service comes to mind for them.

My buddy paid dearly for his Mac set

https://www.mactools.com/en-us/Plie.../12-PC-Quarter-Turn-Retaining-Ring-Pliers-Set

Squawked when he seen the Icons

He made the point that he liked the reverse option on each tool vs separate tools. Personal preference really...your normally not using both options at the same time

Overall IMO if you USE them A LOT a full set of fixed tips with all the angle options are handier for shop work. Reversing switch is your call...

Though for limited service and smaller averaged sized snap rings GOOD interchangeable tips are just fine IMO (like the Channelocks or similar )

Your money...

 

[CJM8515]

The harbor freight icon set is hard to beat for the money.

 

[shockwave]

Knipex snap ring all day

 

[brollona]

How are those Gedore pliers? I'm interested in buying 8 pices set since they are cheaper than Knipex, Vigor, or Facom. I didn't have either of them in my hands, but on pictures all of these look finer designed than Gedore.

 

[raiderhillbilly]

I have a set of Gedore snap ring pliers that I use daily and they are great! I might give these a try if I were in the market again:

https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-precision-snap-ring-pliers-63841.html

 

[L.Cheapo]

I consider the forged SO ones, a luxury version of the Lang (and other rebrands).

The new version is quick release. (towards end of video)

 

[bpankratz]

channellock with the interchangeable tips if you aren't using them multiple times per day (due to the need to change tips).

If you're using them multiple times per day, i'd consider the lang set with ~12 pieces for under $100. I don't have it, but it's something i'd like to have

no dont listen to this. These are junk!

 

[DFB]

no dont listen to this. These are junk!

What's junk..the Lang set???

 

[paulsomlo]

Good = Lang etc. (stamped)
Better = Astro (forged)
Best = Knipex (forged - $100 delivered set of 8 from amazon.de)

Don't bother with convertible pliers or interchangeable tips, you're already frustrated. Many, many threads on here regarding circlip pliers, there was one recently. Search is your friend.

 

[JBH]

but on pictures all of these look finer designed than Gedore.

How so? I don’t have a lot of experience with other brands, but my Gedore set is as well made as Gedore’s Austrian pliers typically are. Also, nobody else has figured out that they need to color-code the handles to distinguish internal from external.

 

[plinker]

I've had this 3pc interchangeable tip Lang (Matco) set for years, No issues other then clearance on an 4wd F250 spindle snap-ring. https://www.amazon.com/Lang-LNG-1465-Switch-Pliers-Pieces/dp/B01508V4TW

Not really sure what the deal is with interchangeable tip pliers being called junk, if you match the tip to the snap ring you shouldnt have problems. If you deal with snap rings a lot a dedicated set would likely be better. Most people I know have Snap-on.

 

[brollona]

How so? I don’t have a lot of experience with other brands, but my Gedore set is as well made as Gedore’s Austrian pliers typically are. Also, nobody else has figured out that they need to color-code the handles to distinguish internal from external.

I think we all will agree that color code is last thing we will look when picking what tool to buy, but facom has color code too

https://www.conrad.hr/Set-klije%b9t...nrad-hr&pi=1299555&ci=SHOP_AREA_17604_1517022


Those Gedore pliers jaws (or "legs", don't know how to call them) look ticker than these other brands that I mentioned, so I wonder could they have problems reaching rings in tighter places? For example bike forks or similar.

 

[modifier73]

I also went with the Gedore, they are good.

 

[Jason280]

I just bought the Lang 1pc set, definitely worth the money.