Specifically Speaking Channellock...

[kartracer55]

What do you guys think about Channellock stuff? Not "channellocks" but I mean, thier regular line of pliers. How does this stuff hold up compared to craftsman or Snap On? Is there any difference between the regular and code blue line aside from the grips? The Code blue says laser heat treated, but other "regular" pliers are being advertised as having been laser heat treated. Thoughts?

Jim

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

I have bought plenty of their stuff new and at flea markets. The only beef (and a small one at that) is that Channellock stuff loses its nice appearance very quickly (prone to small spots of rust). Other than that, performance-wise, it is excellent. The fact that their 20-30 year old stuff is still around in flea markets is testimony to its quality. I can grind the rust off of it. Their pliers do not bind up like craftsman and IMHO are superior to Craftsman.

Another thing, I have never broken a Channellock tool.

-BWP

P.S. I got the free catalog because the site was posted here.

 

[iiibdsiil]

I really like the Channellock tools. They just feel "right" in my hands when I get a chance to use someone elses, even over my Snappy/Mac/etc brands.

 

[l_bilyk]

I really like their tools. I would say it's between them and klein for best pliers/snips money can buy. Everything is always machined perfectly, and the cutters are usually mated so close you can use them to cut paper.

Code blue tools just have different handles as far as I know.

 

[Paradise Ridge]

Jim,

I was going to create a post about this same topic, but I never got around to it

I received a pair of crimpers and both large and small end cutters for christmas from my kids so I couldn't take them back. The castings look terrible, the clear-coat is blotchy, runny, and missing in some spots. Some of the bare metal already had surface rust.

The worst part? The Channel-Lock logo is PAINTED on! The old ones had a nice machined area where the logo is stamped in. Even the old ones you can still get the model # off the side. The nippers have the name, model #, and "Made In America" painted on the face right by the cutting edge. I've pulled a dozen nails with the small ones and the logo paint is almost gone.

Maybe they figure if the Made In America logo wipes off nobody will question where they were really made?!?

Scott

Edit: When I read your post, you hadn't rec'd a reply yet. 4 in the time it took me to take pics and post a reply. What a board!

 

[ImportTuner]

All my Channellock's are over 25 years old; they have a tendancy to rust so I keep them lightly coated with 3 in 1 oil ...

 

[wilbilt]

Maybe they figure if the Made In America logo wipes off nobody will question where they were really made?!?

I have had great satisfaction with Channellock. I have tools in upwards of 30 years old in daily use. Very recently, I saw ads proclaiming their "made in USA" philosophy. I hope it is still true.

I have some Channellock pliers I literally dug up out of my yard that are still usable. I know they are not mine, so must assume that they belonged to the original owner to develop this place...in 1973.

 

[-lecroix-]

I love my Channel Lock products ... nothing bad to say about them at all.

Keep an eye on eBay ... there are a couple guys that have 2 for 1 sales going all the time ... cheeeeeeeap too.

 

[chevy302dz]

Jim,

I was going to create a post about this same topic, but I never got around to it

I received a pair of crimpers and both large and small end cutters for christmas from my kids so I couldn't take them back. The castings look terrible, the clear-coat is blotchy, runny, and missing in some spots. Some of the bare metal already had surface rust.

The worst part? The Channel-Lock logo is PAINTED on! The old ones had a nice machined area where the logo is stamped in. Even the old ones you can still get the model # off the side. The nippers have the name, model #, and "Made In America" painted on the face right by the cutting edge. I've pulled a dozen nails with the small ones and the logo paint is almost gone.

Maybe they figure if the Made In America logo wipes off nobody will question where they were really made?!?

Scott

Edit: When I read your post, you hadn't rec'd a reply yet. 4 in the time it took me to take pics and post a reply. What a board!

Every pair of Channellock pliers have been great, the ones you have look like they never should have made it out of the factory.

 

[Paradise Ridge]

Every pair of Channellock pliers have been great, the ones you have look like they never should have made it out of the factory.

Depot @ Christmas.

Scott

 

[eschoendorff]

What do you guys think about Channellock stuff? Not "channellocks" but I mean, thier regular line of pliers. How does this stuff hold up compared to craftsman or Snap On? Is there any difference between the regular and code blue line aside from the grips? The Code blue says laser heat treated, but other "regular" pliers are being advertised as having been laser heat treated. Thoughts?

Jim

I have been buying more Channellock branded stuff lately because I, personally, am impressed with their quality. I am especially impressed by these:

http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/548_-_8_inch_Slip_Joint_Plier-_P75C10.cfm

And all this is coming from a guy who LOVES his Facom pliers....

 

[amishman]

I have a Channellock Socket Set I purchased from Sam's Club many years ago and it has served me well. The only item that had an issue was the small 1/4" ratchet. Still works but the button to let the socket go no longer needs to be pushed to let the socket off. The 3/8" and 1/2" Ratchets have been very durable for me. No big complaints for a cheap set.

tj

 

[the intimidator]

Paradise Ridge,

Those look like they are factory seconds I have never seen a pair of channellock pliers that look like that from the factory. were where they purchased? I would raise a stink with channellock themselves before takeing them back to the store but I would be interested to see if all the pliers in the store look like that?

 

[cc_rider]

I bought a Channellock fencing tool when I broke the jaws on a HF nail puller/end nipper. It freakin' rocks. It stays on the tractor so it gets pretty rusty though. I'll live with that if it means I've got a tool I can trust. Some of my other tools are not so reliable... he said, limply.

c.

 

[chad s]

I have a Channellock Socket Set I purchased from Sam's Club many years ago and it has served me well. The only item that had an issue was the small 1/4" ratchet. Still works but the button to let the socket go no longer needs to be pushed to let the socket off. The 3/8" and 1/2" Ratchets have been very durable for me. No big complaints for a cheap set.

tj

Channellock does not manufacture sockets/ratchets. Those sets they sold at SAMs club were re-branded Stanley tools. Husky sells the exact same tools now. They are pretty nice for the price, nicer than Craftsman standard (raised pannel) stuff, but they are made in Taiwan.

 

[z28toz06]

I have quite a few pairs, some for 20 years and counting. They come from the factory with a clear urethane coating and once you get some rust on them they do look like ****. You can buff them, degrease them and buy some gun blue and put that on them. at least they look better.

 

[Coach James]

I've never seen Channellocks that were cast that badly as the one in the photo. I've got several pairs bought in the last three years and they have been A+.
Coach

 

[strizzy]

After much searching I was able to find some cutter/crimpers that I liked and they turned out to be Channellocks. That turned out to be half the battle...I had a hard time finding them for sale anywhere but was able to find them at Summit and paid a bit too much for shipping... Finally happy that I found a pair like this.

Very happy with them.