snap ring pliers....

[scale]

I had a real cheap reversible removable tip one that broke. IT lasted me years but i rarely used it.

I am noticing a trend as i try to find a replacement. They are either all copies of the piece of garbage one i had or they are very very expensive or even more expensive if you get the whole kit full of separate ones.

Vise grip sells one that is is just the same copy with the VG name on it and costs more than 2x the cheap one at harbor fright. I am thinking of getting the one at HF as it is like 6 bucks

I am betting even my old tips will still work with it.

Those units are flimsy but i have always worked for me i guess. THe part that broke was the spring pin that allows you to swap out the tip. The little tiny hinge in there came out and got lost.

No real point to my ramblings i guess. Have a good weekend everyone!

 

[anndel]

I have a SK snap ring plier set (2) with interchangeable tips and a Lang set with many different sizes, both reversing and non. The Lang set is the exact same Snap-on (at that time) set at 1/3 the cost.

 

[flynfrog]

I got the Knipex ones a few years ago and dont regret it. They are a little spendy but they dont deflect and the tips are hard.

 

[1982fxr]

I got the Lang 12 piece set of convertibles for $80 or whatever and never looked back.

Can't deal with interchangeable tips. Those kind tend to go flying through the air into a neighboring zip code on a random hot miserable Phoenix summer day.

 

[gearhead1]

I hate cheap snap ring pliers. I ponied up and got Snap-on set very gently used on eBay. No more issues.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Just last night I modified a Flambeau box to hold my collection of snap ring pliers. My original tool is a KD that I have had for over 40 years; it has removable tips and has this single handle that rotates through a threaded cylinder that opens and closes the tips, so it holds position until you increase/decrease the tip distance.
And I have a set of GRIP brand that I bought on @m@zon - one each of straight tips and angled tips. The KD ones are really solid, but not perfect.
Makes me wonder what I am missing ... and I will go take a look at some of the others.

 

[JT2018]

I got the new ICON series snap ring plier set from HF for $50 a while ago. I've used them a few times and they seem well built and are very grippy.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[bwringer]

I got the new ICON series snap ring plier set from HF for $50 a while ago. I've used them a few times and they seem well built and are very grippy.

Yep, this set is very dang nice for the money, and made in Taiwan last time I checked.

I hate the removable tips. Damn things never really seem to work.

 

[laser3kw]

I looked at the HF Icons. They are a nice set. But, I can't remember why exactly I didn't buy them. Seems like the tip sizes weren't what I wanted, didn't go small enough or something. I ended up with a nice SK 9 piece set off Ebay for $125

 

[Arcoril]

Anyone have any experience with the Quinn removable tip snap ring pliers at HF? They look a lot like the Channellock equivalent which tends to get good reviews. I believe the tips are compatible too.

 

[Wamsutta]

I like the Imperial brand snap ring pliers with fixed tips.

 

[TXpintail]

I got a used Proto 12-piece reversible set several years ago. Perfectly functional for me and no more tip changing. There isn’t anything phenomenal about them, but not a tool that I expect to “feel good in the hand” really, just work when I need it to with minimal hassle.

 

[xin]

I looked at the HF Icons. They are a nice set. But, I can't remember why exactly I didn't buy them. Seems like the tip sizes weren't what I wanted, didn't go small enough or something. I ended up with a nice SK 9 piece set off Ebay for $125

The money for a NICE Quality USA set is not much more and the worst thing is spending 20 minutes on a snap-ring. My time is worth more to me, than chinese junk.

 

[xin]

I like the Imperial brand snap ring pliers with fixed tips.

USA made, these are great quality.

 

[gatlibs]

The Imperial, Lang, Kaastar, Craftsman, SK, Snap-On et cetera made in U.S.A. ones are all the same. Pick your favorite color for the grips or the best price.

 

[ku17]

Most of the good USA snap-ring pliers are rebranded Langs. You could probably save a few bucks by buying direct through Lang. I have the Proto rebrands and they're sturdy and work when I need them.

 

[Show7d3]

I bought a set of Imperial snap ring pliers from McMaster-Carr around five years ago to use at work. They have never let me down.

 

[dan360]

Have an older set of the Snap-ons with the lighter color, 'forged' vs stamped or whatever. dunno. bought them used like usual and they've done me well. Set minus plastic box at a pawn shop wheel'd and deal'd for about $80 or so, can't really remember had them over nearly a decade at this point. Before that it was Craftsman and Proto hodge podge.

have some Knipex, actually broke the ends off two of them, which was weird. Got warranted but they seem soft for some reason. Will probably sell them.

 

[laser3kw]

The money for a NICE Quality USA set is not much more and the worst thing is spending 20 minutes on a snap-ring. My time is worth more to me, than chinese junk.

I am wondering if you are commenting on the Harbor freight or the SK?
As I stated, I bought the SK, made in the USA ( actually about 30 miles from me)
But the set I bought is $350 new from SK, quite a bit more than $55 for the Harbor Freight set.
I got lucky and found a set on Ebay for $125

 

[Spacey_G]

have some Knipex, actually broke the ends off two of them, which was weird. Got warranted but they seem soft for some reason. Will probably sell them.

Are they the ones with one piece turned tips and smooth plastic grips or the ones with music wire insert tips and textured plastic grips?

In my experience, the one piece turned tips are soft and bend over or break. The inserted music wire ones are very hard and durable.

 

[jmhinkle]

I recently coughed up the cash for the Channellock RT-3 3 piece set on Amazon when it was on sale. Worth the price and has functioned flawlessly for me so far.

 

[kelpaso1]

Replaceable tip style are junk IMO and never seem to work that well. The angled tips seem to twist in the holder. Plus, when I need them for a job, I don't want to fawk around for 5 min's changing tips.

When it comes to snap ring pliers it does't pay to go cheap. Best are fixed tip and all mine are snap on. But expect to pay 200 for a quality, well hardened set. Cheap sets might work in new parts but in the real world rust and corrosion world it pays to buy quality.

 

[jmhinkle]

Replaceable tip style are junk IMO and never seem to work that well. The angled tips seem to twist in the holder. Plus, when I need them for a job, I don't want to fawk around for 5 min's changing tips.

When it comes to snap ring pliers it does't pay to go cheap. Best are fixed tip and all mine are snap on. But expect to pay 200 for a quality, well hardened set. Cheap sets might work in new parts but in the real world rust and corrosion world it pays to buy quality.

I used to feel the same way until I bought a good set. I've got plenty of bent and broken fixed tip versions around.

 

[nev]

I have a couple of facom sets and a cheaper Draper with the different heads. The facom are my favourite.

Sent from my SM-G960F using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[matt_i]

Some Knipex were a life-changer. No longer even worry about snap rings. It was worth the cost imo.

 

[brollona]

Anobody have experience with TOPTUL snap ring pliers? This set is really cheap to buy in Europe and since I will probably use it only once per year while playing around moped, I wonder is it any good.

https://www.toptul.com/en/product-323565/4PCS-Retaining-Ring-Pliers-Set.html

 

[Mr_B]

Toptul set pretty nice finish and tips better shaped over the generic sets.
I got the 7" toptul and generic in several size sets up to 11", all work pretty good and no broken tips .

 

[dr_clyde]

I have a set of USA Williams fixed tip ones I like a lot.

I just bought a new Matco branded set, the mechanism for switching from ID to OD is the best I’ve seen. They’re very good pliers. Not sure who the OEM is though.

 

[brollona]

Toptul set pretty nice finish and tips better shaped over the generic sets.
I got the 7" toptul and generic in several size sets up to 11", all work pretty good and no broken tips .

Ok, thanks. This set is half price of the competition so I'm skeptical. Toptul also has ''heavy duty'' set which looks better quality, but unfortunately this dealer doesn't have it.