The Klein Tool addiction thread! :)
- Thread starter Dennis Leigh Henry
- Start date
New 8in needle nose pliers! Much heftier than the 7in versions even though there's only an inch difference in length.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app
DSLTRK
Well-known member
DSLTRK
Well-known member
Freshly oiled after a rust remover soak. Long overdue...
Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
I really like those replacement handles.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Attachments
DSLTRK
Well-known member
Yep. When the plastic coating falls apart on the heavily used pliers they get the red grips.
They are a bear to put on though. I had to leave them in boiling water for a while just to soften them up.
Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I guess padlocks are tools.
Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
Oh man...never seen these
Definitely made by American Lock who used to be in Crete, IL
Attachments
redwrench60
Well-known member
Oh man...never seen these
Definitely made by American Lock who used to be in Crete, IL
A Klein lock? When I saw that post I was like yeah jeffmoss in 3...2...1...
davethorik
Well-known member
I believe Klein even calls them HD needle nose pliers. I was surprised too, I had the D203-7 and they are what I would call dainty. I got the D203-8 and holy ****, they are stout.
I also have an older pair of D302-6 bent nose.
Klein is hard to beat for needle nose (make sure to oil them as they will flash rust, no coating on the machined steel surfaces).
javyLSU
Well-known member
Nothing. The handles of the Klein needle nose pliers doesn’t let the business end hit the bottom of the pocket. The pockets for the drivers are fine so far, mostly because the only driver I have that hits the bottom of a pocket is the 605-6 driver.
decableguy2000
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2012
- Messages
- 650
If it is one of the canvas oval buckets, the ones with inside only pickets hold up well. If it has inside and outside pockets, the inside ones are shallow, and will pop the seam. I have worn out several over the years. I can not vouch for the nylon or hard side ones.
I much prefer the 8" Journeyman needle nose to any of Klein's others. It's not just the length but the handles are straighter than the 6" and 7" ones, and that works better for me.
My only 6" needle nose are my 'precision' CL 'little champ' which I like quite a lot, but are a bit more specialized anyway. All others are either shorter (for more precision electronics work) or are 8".
OP
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Oh man...never seen these
Definitely made by American Lock who used to be in Crete, IL
I spotted that right away....
OP
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
DSLTRK
Well-known member
I'll give you a 'u ****' for that score.
DSLTRK
Well-known member
Oh man...never seen these
Definitely made by American Lock who used to be in Crete, IL
Good eye Jeff. Very early 700 and 5260 series production. I think 1981? I'd have to look at the date code again..
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
Freshly oiled after a rust remover soak. Long overdue...
Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
What did you use to remove the rust?
Attachments
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
javyLSU
Well-known member
Ha, that’s awesome! I remember all the hysteria around Y2K...
OP
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Nice!!
DSLTRK
Well-known member
Man of Many Vices
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2012
- Messages
- 366
DSLTRK:
When/where did you find that March 1913 Klein lineman pliers? it is the oldest one I have seen since Klein's "World's Oldest Pliers" contest back in 2014 (which I hesitate to say I won with a 1904 pair).
I found mine in Yucca Valley, which is on the eastern edge of the San Bernardino Mountains, while you are apparently on the western edge 60 or so miles away.
When/where did you find that March 1913 Klein lineman pliers? it is the oldest one I have seen since Klein's "World's Oldest Pliers" contest back in 2014 (which I hesitate to say I won with a 1904 pair).
I found mine in Yucca Valley, which is on the eastern edge of the San Bernardino Mountains, while you are apparently on the western edge 60 or so miles away.
Last edited:
DSLTRK
Well-known member
Same as you. Found at a swap meet thrown in a pile of rusty chicom pliers. Did Klein allow you to keep the pliers? I would love to see another pic of them.
I do think our dry climate coupled with this state's busy history of construction allows us to find many old tools.
Man of Many Vices
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2012
- Messages
- 366
Do a google search under "Klein oldest pliers" for more details.
Klein kept the pliers and put them in a wall cabinet "museum" with numerous other artifacts. They flew me to Chicago, put me up in a classy hotel, fed me the fanciest dinner I ever had, gave me a tour of the factory and their drop forge plant, and treated me very well, They sent me home with a very nice thank you package of tools I picked out of their catalog.
In the few weeks I had before the flight to Chicago, I went to every coin dealer around and bought every 1857 coin I could get my hands on. I dumped the handful of coins in Mr. Klein's hand and told him that these coins were found in the same rusty box where I found the pliers. He was very pleased. He went back to his office and gave me a high polish, chrome plated journeyman's pliers in a velvet lined wooden case marking the 150th anniversary of the company in 2007. Others went to the mayor of Chicago and the Governor if Illinois.
I shook his hand again and told him that I was very proud that he kept Klein Tools a family business, that he manufactures his tools in the USA, and that he continues to make the best quality tools in the industry.
He declined my request to drive the Klein sponsored Indianapolis 500 race car on display in the lobby around the company parking lot.
Not a bad return on my $3.50 swap meet purchase of a pair of rusty pliers.
Klein kept the pliers and put them in a wall cabinet "museum" with numerous other artifacts. They flew me to Chicago, put me up in a classy hotel, fed me the fanciest dinner I ever had, gave me a tour of the factory and their drop forge plant, and treated me very well, They sent me home with a very nice thank you package of tools I picked out of their catalog.
In the few weeks I had before the flight to Chicago, I went to every coin dealer around and bought every 1857 coin I could get my hands on. I dumped the handful of coins in Mr. Klein's hand and told him that these coins were found in the same rusty box where I found the pliers. He was very pleased. He went back to his office and gave me a high polish, chrome plated journeyman's pliers in a velvet lined wooden case marking the 150th anniversary of the company in 2007. Others went to the mayor of Chicago and the Governor if Illinois.
I shook his hand again and told him that I was very proud that he kept Klein Tools a family business, that he manufactures his tools in the USA, and that he continues to make the best quality tools in the industry.
He declined my request to drive the Klein sponsored Indianapolis 500 race car on display in the lobby around the company parking lot.
Not a bad return on my $3.50 swap meet purchase of a pair of rusty pliers.
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
That sounds like an awesome time!
OP
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Nice to see those oldie's ... and I learned their date coding system to boot.. now need to keep my eyes peeled.....
Dibiase77
Well-known member
So I found this in a top and bottom tool chest on side of road today. Just trying to figure out what it is and what it's used for. I know it's Klein just don't know anything else about it. Thanks in advance. Much appreciated.
Sent from my Alcatel_5044R using Tapatalk
Sent from my Alcatel_5044R using Tapatalk
Attachments
jayrush13
Well-known member
Its a clamp for pulling cable tight. Sometimes called a chicago clamp.
Dibiase77
Well-known member
Awesome. Doubt I'll have a use for it but you never know. Thank you for he help identifying
Sent from my Alcatel_5044R using Tapatalk
Sent from my Alcatel_5044R using Tapatalk
boomer12831
Well-known member
Dibiase77 That is not a clamp. It is called a " Chicago Bulldog Grip " It s used by lineman to pull copper conductors.
decableguy2000
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2012
- Messages
- 650
Its a bulldog or pork chop grip. It's for pulling strand, the teeth will cut into copper or aluminium conductors. The Chicago grip has a longer straight grip with no teeth. I have about 1/2 dozen of each in the truck. BTW the bull dog works well on barb wire fencing as well.
paulsomlo
Well-known member
OP
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Hello all. Nice find Dibiase77.. I'd hate to know how much that thing would cost... Great discussion figuring out what it is and used for...
ChrisLS8 - I haven't had that experience yet.. I use mostly Empire stuff anymore.
Paulsomlo - sure looks like an SK...
Latest find.. couldnt pass it up. Orphan at an estate sale.. Got it with a bunch of other stuff for $25.. so if I took the other stuff (maybe 25 lots of this and that, alum plate, 1/2 all thread, angle iron, angle grinder needing a cord, etc. including the stuff my wife got).. I'd say an average of $1 ea. is about just right.. so.. Not bad.. didnt need it but ...
It was in a shed, slight rust.. logo wasnt obvious. A little TLC and elbow grease.. and its back in service in my garage...
View media item 93180
ChrisLS8 - I haven't had that experience yet.. I use mostly Empire stuff anymore.
Paulsomlo - sure looks like an SK...
Latest find.. couldnt pass it up. Orphan at an estate sale.. Got it with a bunch of other stuff for $25.. so if I took the other stuff (maybe 25 lots of this and that, alum plate, 1/2 all thread, angle iron, angle grinder needing a cord, etc. including the stuff my wife got).. I'd say an average of $1 ea. is about just right.. so.. Not bad.. didnt need it but ...
It was in a shed, slight rust.. logo wasnt obvious. A little TLC and elbow grease.. and its back in service in my garage...
View media item 93180
redwrench60
Well-known member
Nice find Dennis. I can’t resist a pair of Kleins in a pawn shop loose tool bin or in a pile of rusty tools at a flea. If they’re in any kind of decent shape I snork em up if the price is right. I’ve got a pair everywhere. I even have a pair in a small toolbox mounted on my zero turn mower fender for messing with fencing or whatever.
OP
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Always good to rescue a quality tool.....
Just curious about this, has anyone here ever tried or used the replacement handle grips for pliers from Klein? 
If so what are your thoughts, views, opinions, etc. on them?
Are they worth it?
Apparently Klein offers three (3) different styles in lengths on these replacement handle grips.
If so what are your thoughts, views, opinions, etc. on them?
Are they worth it?
Apparently Klein offers three (3) different styles in lengths on these replacement handle grips.
Last edited:
Just curious about this, has anyone here ever tried or used the replacement handle grips for pliers from Klein?
If so what are your thoughts, views, opinions, etc. on them?
Are they worth it?
Apparently Klein offers three (3) different styles in lengths on these replacement handle grips.
hate them nasty *** smell & they are hard plastic not a softer grip unless maybe the shortest one I think might be a softer material
I'd get them and dip them like 5 + layers in like a plastidip and then maybe they would be ok
redwrench60
Well-known member
Just curious about this, has anyone here ever tried or used the replacement handle grips for pliers from Klein?
If so what are your thoughts, views, opinions, etc. on them?
Are they worth it?
Apparently Klein offers three (3) different styles in lengths on these replacement handle grips.
Personally I love them. They provide a nice textured grip to really get traction and make hard twists, cuts and pulls but not so tacky they get hung up going in and out of tool pouches and work pants pockets. They last damn near forever too. They do have a slight plastic chemical funk when new but it goes away quickly. They have to be soaked in very hot water a few minutes then pushed/hammered on. Once on they WON’T come off.
#89 Klein handles fit 9” linemans pliers which is all I use them on.