Snap Ring Removal on the Cheap?

[Bessy]

I know, I know, I know. Use the proper tool. But in a pinch, what would the GJ brain trust recommend to remove and reinstall this *very tiny* spring clip on my band saw blade guide?

Further, while my reading has proven that asking for snap ring pliers recommendations seems to be a touchy subject, in Canada, what options can be recommended? Am I best to go with the 12pc Lang 3495 ($195CAD for 12) or is the knipex 8 PC set for $233 game-changingly better?

Appreciate you!

 

[lilredex]

Needle nose pliers will spread that.

 

[whateg01]

Not sure if Canadian tire has the equivalent but the Quinn brand at hf seem to be pretty decent quality.

Snap Ring Pliers with Reversible Action

Amazing deals on this Snap Ring Pliers Interchangeable Tips at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[southalabama]

I’ve got a buddy. Said as a young man he ruined his mothers “good scissors” by trying to remove a snap ring. Broke tip. 50 years later he still regrets destroying his mothers scissors.

 

[RTM]

I’m in the small needle nose pliers plan, used w two hands to get an easy spreading action.

 

[whateg01]

I’ve got a buddy. Said as a young man he ruined his mothers “good scissors” by trying to remove a snap ring. Broke tip. 50 years later he still regrets destroying his mothers scissors.

If my mom ever caught us cutting paper with her fabric scissors, it was a bad day for us!

 

[Grant Gunderson]

You can usually prime ‘‘em open with a flat head screwdriver. Having the proper pliers makes it a hell of a lot easier and is about the only way to reuse the ring.

 

[nbpt100]

I have pryied them off with a small flat blade screw driver in the past. A pic can also help. Two 90 degree pics can fit in those holes.

 

[Indexmill]

Sorry to have to say it; but, if you have to ask how to get tate simple snap ring off, then you really have no business taking if off in the first place.

 

[JJ99SS]

Right tool for the job even if it's a cheap option. That said....

I literally just bought the Knipex 8 piece set and got it on Wednesday. That thing has been sitting in my Amazon wish list for 2 years waiting for it's job calling. Well it came. I only need one set of those for this job, but I couldn't refrain from justifying the other 7 tools that will likely wait years for their calling. The last few years I've been on a Knipex binge because I realized I only had a few choices of old pliers and ****** cutters. I now have about 12 or 13 new pliers cutters and pliers wrenches, and cobras. It's a good expensive problem to have. I think all my Knipex tools have me in at $500...easy but they are nice and I use the hell out of them. This is the place to become a tool snob/hoarder.

 

[matthew]

On the cheap -

You might check Lowe’s. My store recently had the channellock interchangeable tip pliers on clearance for $10.

Even at more regular prices they work fine. They’re not as nice to use and don’t fit in as tight places as dedicated non-interchangeable pliers.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Speaking of having the right tool for the job, I have accumulated a pretty full collection of pliers for various snap rings. When you need them, you need them. They are the only way to properly do the job.


For the type the OP posted, I have found that I like the Wiha's the best.

The tips on them are slightly angled and notched. This prevents the rings from shooting across the shop when you remove them.

For rings with either the flat or angled ends, I like the Knipex special use pliers that I have or any of the Wilde ones (front of drawer). Wilde makes them for Snapon / Proto / Etc... they are all the same just different branding.

 

[ZRX61]

Nearly all the ones sold in the US are made by Strand. I got a set that said Craftsman on the box on sale for $32. The identical box that has SnapOn on it was about $200 at the time.

 

[silkman]

Basic Knipex snap ring pliers are about 12 eur here each. Buy only the one you need for the job, if you need another size/type get it later when need arises.

For DIY, getting sets of snapring pliers is a total waste IMO.

 

[lardy1]

I used a set of cheap convertible ones for a long time. As they got more distorted and harder to use I bit the bullet and bought the Lang set. No regrets. But the cheapo's worked fairly well until they distorted.

 

[Bessy]

Needle nose pliers will spread that.

Smallest pair I have the end of the laws is just over 3mm, slightly too large to get in there.

I’m in the small needle nose pliers plan, used w two hands to get an easy spreading action.

Sorry to have to say it; but, if you have to ask how to get tate simple snap ring off, then you really have no business taking if off in the first place.

Thank you for your concern. Maybe I wasn't clear when I was asking how to remove the ring without the proper pliers, because I'm in a pinch. I had a cheap set of four snap ring pliers in the past, but I've since either lost them or got rid of them for being junk.

The offending part is a bearing against which the blade runs on my band saw. It's an older saw and the blade has worn a groove in the bearing, causing it to throw the odd spark my way while in use. Not the end of the world, but I'm not normally one to leave a tool in disrepair out of laziness, especially when it's a simple fix. My plan is to take the old bearing off and flip it 180 degrees and see if that works while I order a new one. This is well within the normal range of my problem solving skillset but for the challenge given that the opening of the ring is about 2.4mm (0.094"). The shaft for reference is 6mm OD.

I can't seem to get needle nose pliers of any kind in there and still maintain a grip to spread it, much less actually retain the ring from flying off into no man's land.

Basic Knipex snap ring pliers are about 12 eur here each. Buy only the one you need for the job, if you need another size/type get it later when need arises.

For DIY, getting sets of snapring pliers is a total waste IMO.

This would be the route to go, normally, especially giving my love for knipex,save for their high cost. Buying single knipex or similar quality are about $50-60 CAD, a piece per Canadian Amazon for reference, so I'm better off buying an 8-12pc kit in the 200 price point rather than piece meal.

Do owners of the Lang, Knipex or Wiha sets happen to know if they consist of any external ring pliers that will fit inside of 2.4mm?

 

[lilredex]

Smallest pair I have the end of the laws is just over 3mm, slightly too large to get in there.

If they are nothing special, grind them to fit and groove the ends with a three corner file to retain the ring.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Do owners of the Lang, Knipex or Wiha sets happen to know if they consist of any external ring pliers that will fit inside of 2.4mm?

the smallest Wiha will do rings with a ⅛” shaft diameter. A0 that’s the size you want for the ring you posted the tips will fit the slots all the way down to 1.73mm in width.

The next size up is a J1 these are for the smallest size of rings that have the normal holes in the ends.

 

[Bad Eye Bill]

Sorry to have to say it; but, if you have to ask how to get tate simple snap ring off, then you really have no business taking if off in the first place.

That mindset could be applied to an awful lot of questions that get asked on here. However, it is more helpful to provide a possible solution with the hopes of someone learning something don't you think?

I'm sure you had to ask somebody, somewhere, sometime how to do something didn't you? I know I did.

 

[jayemm]

The OP said what to use in a pinch. Looks like a small straight slot screwdriver could pop it off or maybe we could commission Snap-On to create a special set of pliers. SMH.

 

[KnurledNut]

@Bessy
That's called a grip ring. And i wouldnt suggest spreading it much. It will likely shatter. They dont give like normal circlips. Their self locking design can be used on a smooth shaft without a groove because their thickness allows for high axial loads, but that makes them susceptible to fracture when removing/installing. Is yours riding in a groove? If not, try getting a pocket screwdriver under it to work it up.

 

[Bessy]

@Bessy
That's called a grip ring. And i wouldnt suggest spreading it much. It will likely shatter. They dont give like normal circlips. Their self locking design can be used on a smooth shaft without a groove because their thickness allows for high axial loads, but that makes them susceptible to fracture when removing/installing. Is yours riding in a groove? If not, try getting a pocket screwdriver under it to work it up.

I managed to get it off with a pair of small picks, and sure as sh*t managed to mangle it some. I have a kit of circlips one of which kind of fit (see second photo). I'll give it a go, else my next post I'll be trying to source grip rings, lol

 

[KnurledNut]

I managed to get it off with a pair of small picks, and sure as sh*t managed to mangle it some. I have a kit of circlips that I'll go through to try and replace it, else I'll have to get creative.

Unfortunately thats the experience I have had with that style too. Those small ones are very fickle. I would get a few new ones. Last time I used them, I broke 3 trying to reinstall.

 

[JJ99SS]

Why and how would any tool for DIY be a waste? Don't we need them for DIY? I have acquired many sets of tools for DIY and find that even if you just use one a few times it pays for itself and the whole set after a handful of uses. 70% of my tools are over 20 years old and have likely paid for themselves and many newer tools too. I don't see the waste.

 

[paulsomlo]

If you're going to buy the set of 8 Knipex, buy them on German Amazon, amazon.de, they're much cheaper.

 

[BlackHorseSaga]

Lang makes a great pair of retaining clip pliers that they sell to Snap-on, Craftsman, Channel Lock and a bunch of other companies. They're reversible with interchangeable tips for about $15-25. I stole the below image from Google.

They make a large pair, and a small to medium size pair. I've been using them for years now for everything. Unless you're doing transmission work, it's hard to beat the pair of them for $25.

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Craftsman 8 in. Alloy Steel Retaining Ring Pliers - Ace Hardware

Built to deliver twice the function of ordinary snap ring tools, these Craftsman professional retaining ring pliers internal/external swap easily between functions to make room in your box. Both pliers and the included color coded tips are crafted from rugged alloyed steel to deliver superior...

www.acehardware.com

Channellock 8 in. Alloy Steel Retaining Ring Pliers - Ace Hardware

Solid construction and unmatched reliability. CHANNELLOCK® Retaining Ring pliers have the kind of accuracy and engineering that'll keep them in your toolbox for years to come.Find the RETAINING RING PLIER 8 at Ace.

www.acehardware.com

The irony is the Snap-on date stamp is on all the pairs, regardless of brand. I have the Craftsmans but I think Channel Lock are probably the least expensive.

 

[lilredex]

PAL has a reversible set for $2.51........

https://www.princessauto.com/en/internal-external-snap-ring-pliers/product/PA0008947475

 

[paulsomlo]

PAL has a reversible set for $2.51........

https://www.princessauto.com/en/internal-external-snap-ring-pliers/product/PA0008947475[/URL

That's a bargain - only $2.51 for $20 worth of frustration!

 

[seber]

Two screwdrivers will do it but anything other than the proper tool will most likely mean you need to have a new one to replace it.

 

[Bessy]

Update: the saw lives to cut another day! Now to find an intelligent place to store the 99 surplus clips and 19 surplus bearings where I'll remember I have them the next time it wears out.