tool worth its weight in gold

[Katbird]

I had to change radiators in my wifes car (buick regal). the radiator switching was easy after I finally got the clamp off of the hose. I worked on that bottom clamp for 2 hours using every type of pliers that i owned and my son had to work his smaller hands behind the a/c lines to get to the clamp which was a self tightening clamp and on the back side of the hose. I bought this tool and it takes less than a minute to remove these clamps. sorta pricey at 147.00 dollars from mac tool but worth every penny to me. I could have been out on the lake crappie fishing those 2 hours.

 

[Thumper]

Yes, they are a valuble asset if working on late model GM cars. I have one identicle like yours and while it is pricey....if you work on cars as a pro it is a must have. I bought mine shortly before I retired and used it many times. Some of those clamps you can't get to with anything else but the right tool.

 

[dink]

Mayhew manufacturers these for everyone....the same company that makes really good punches and chisels


If you like that....Mayhew does a 2 piece also...here is the link

http://www.mayhew.com/products/2hcp.htm

 

[malibu101]

I have to agree that tool is needed if working with those type clamps. I have what is basically a pliers with an indentation on each jaw for the tang of the clamp to hold into. It works fine when you can get it on the clamp. My wifes old 94 Grand Am with the V6 crammed under the hood caused me to buy the "proper" tool as well. Lisle brand I believe.
Actually the tight confines and specialty tools specific to different manufacturers have caused my tool collection to really grow over the years
Most of my auto side work money just goes right into the tool box

 

[bmwpower]

Dang it... I could have used that the other night. Took my friend and I a good hour to get his damn clamps on his Cobra.

 

[REFLEXX]

Can you post a pic of it in use?

 

[Buck_nekid]

That is a valuable tool, I purchased one after swapping radiators in my nephews Grand Am.

 

[eschoendorff]

I think you can get basically the same thing from Craftsman for about $40.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00947390000


Seems more reasonable for a limited-use tool. They also offer the SK version, but I am willing to bet it's basically the same thing. Oh, and the one that they have pictured has hose clamps in it... that sorta threw me off when I first saw it.

 

[dink]

Yea the Sears one doesnt ratchet like the other one does...but does the same job...personally there is nothing wrong with the standard type.....

 

[GT350RC]

sorta pricey at 147.00 dollars from mac tool but worth every penny to me.

Mayhew 28630 - $80.34

http://www.atoolcrib.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=110&products_id=15093

Mayhew 28655 $101.03

http://www.atoolcrib.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=15071

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

When I needed these, I called the tool truck. Both were out of stock. one at $87 and one at $14+.00. I went home and placed my order with thetoolwarehouse.net, bought two (one for home) $25.00 each. Last year, Sears came out with theirs. I really like that place, although I am having trouble finding out about my last order. (still waiting on it, or a reply)

 

[cudacharlie]

Sixty-six bucks for the Mayhew at SJDiscount tools...

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/may28650.html

Fifty-five for an SK one....

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/sk90245.html

or the Astro-Pneumatic version for twenty-six bucks...

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/ap9409.html

Are these the same thing? I probably won't need one to get the rad hose off of my 70 Charger (will I?), but it looks nifty nonetheless...

 

[GT350RC]

Sixty-six bucks for the Mayhew at SJDiscount tools...

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/may28650.html

Fifty-five for an SK one....

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/sk90245.html

or the Astro-Pneumatic version for twenty-six bucks...

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/ap9409.html

Are these the same thing? I probably won't need one to get the rad hose off of my 70 Charger (will I?), but it looks nifty nonetheless...

may28650: http://www.atoolcrib.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=15069 $57.37

 

[kartracer55]

I felt bad because there was a "kid" trying to do a radiator in his 95 integra the other day, adn he was fumbling with those spring steel hose clamps on his main hoses. This tool might have helped, but I was lucky enough to be able to get the the lower hose from under the car, and the upper from up top. Just used a pair of channel locks, but I might get a pair of the cheapest US made ones I can find if you guys like them so much.

Jim

 

[mangomadness]

I agree nothing better than a tool that saves you time and frustration . I used to use channel locks and fight those clamps now every time i use the new tool, i always think about the 100 dollars i spent and smile!!

 

[cudacharlie]

Blam! aToolCrib strikes again! Nice price. I don't even know enough about the tool to know if those ones I found are even the equivalent.

What's up with Astro-Pneumatic always having a $13 version of so many tools? Is it just that they are Chinese-made? Or is there something even cheaper than Chinese-made?