Which affordable snap ring pliers are worth buying?

[homesale]

I have a snap ring pliers with interchangeable points but it doesn't work that well.

Is it better to buy a multi Piece Snap Ring Pliers Set or is it better to buy snap ring pliers with interchangeable points/heads?



Is the harborfreight 11 Piece Snap Ring Pliers Set worth buying?

http://www.harborfreight.com/11-piece-snap-ring-pliers-set-92374.html

What do you recommend?

 

[scott37300]

The harbor freight set *****. I bought it on sale for under ten bucks and it wasn't worth that. The tips came bent and don't work very good.

I prefere the individual sizes over the interchangable tip style. I have a mix of snap on, mac, and knipex snap ring pliers.

 

[rayzor32]

NOOOO stay away from the harbor freight snap ring pliers, they are possibly the worst thing in the store.

 

[Hiball]

Any Imperial made brands are gonna be a good value, They can be found under a variety of different brands. Including Sears, Otc and Imperial to boot.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

NOOOO stay away from the harbor freight snap ring pliers, they are possibly the worst thing in the store.

That first word needs to be changed to HELL NOOOOOOO

On Ebay, you can find a USA made version of those, although my experience with that style made elsewhere has been mixed. The best value ones I have come across, are made by Stride tools. The best ones I have come across, are made by Knipex ($$$). I have also used the interchangeable tip ones, and when the tip have issues, time to replace them.

 

[back2class]

Craftsman has a set with interchangable tips with yellow handles. USA made and runs around $10-12. I have a pair and they work well. This is one of those tools where cheap just does not cut it. I have Proto in my main box but those Craftsman ones in the house box do the job.

 

[lipadj46]

This wilde set with interchangeable tips works OK for home use:

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/SnapRing/444K.html

If I had to use them every day I would get these or similar:

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/WildeChrome/537-SR.html

 

[Monte]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72550&highlight=snap+ring+pliers

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67104&highlight=snap+ring+pliers

 

[Indy_500]

HARBOR FREIGHT SNAP RING PLIERS ****!

My craftsman are ok. Someday i'll probably get that 4 pc. knipex set

 

[mrholeshot]

Been using a Craftsman set for about 20 years. One of my guys bought the HF set for like 10 dollars. Kinda cheezy but they worked OK. They got the snap rings out and back in. for ocassional use I guess they would be fine. For day in and day out use I wouldn't even consider them.

 

[Bolster]

I guess I'm the only guy here to have the Toptul set? So far so good, have done everything I've thrown at them! And inexpensive!

Oh, lookie here, I'm not the only one:

I use Snap ring plier for Hydraulic repair and i really enjoy using toptuls Snap ring Pliers set and it was rather affordable via Mike from Wren tools.

 

[Hiball]

I guess I'm the only guy here to have the Toptul set? So far so good, have done everything I've thrown at them! And inexpensive!

Oh, lookie here, I'm not the only one:

Nothing Wrong with the Toptul brand, I ended up selling them here in the classifieds. If you do buy the Toptul, Make sure you Pick up both 4 piece sets as they are similar to the Knipex where you need the proper size for the job as they are not tapered similar to Most of your brands.

 

[Bolster]

Nothing Wrong with the Toptul brand, I ended up selling them here in the classifieds. If you do buy the Toptul, Make sure you Pick up both 4 piece sets as they are similar to the Knipex where you need the proper size for the job as they are not tapered similar to Most of your brands.

You sold them because you wanted tapered style? Or other reason?

 

[Hiball]

You sold them because you wanted tapered style? Or other reason?

I actually sold them because i picked up a 7pc forged set from snap on courtesy of Ebay. I probably own 100 different pair of Snap rings, Most are Imperial (stride) ranging from Blackhawk, Craftsman etc... I will say the Most comfortable ones i own are the Newer Snap on, They have the cushy grip that blankets there pliers etc.. Now for the other "Other Reason" I made a move based on my "Personal Preference" to have a Tool collection entirely made of USA tools. Its not because i felt they where inferior or that they were junk as i used them to remove some heavy gauged Snap rings and they didnt flex at all. Regardless if your pliers are tapered or sized you need to make sure your using the proper sized tips, Even the best brands will fail account using too small of a tip for the job. Maybe FlatHeadRed can chime in on his experience with the Toptul pliers, As he is the New owner.

 

[Bolster]

Maybe FlatHeadRed can chime in on his experience with the Toptul pliers, As he is the New owner.

Oh....Owner of your Toptul snap wring pliers, you mean. Whew, for a second there I thought you were saying Mike Wren was gone.

 

[Hiball]

Oh....Owner of your Toptul snap wring pliers, you mean. Whew, for a second there I thought you were saying Mike Wren was gone.

Yeah the Pliers....lOl

 

[dede2897234]

I own a similar Craftsman 12 piece convertible (internal to external) snap ring plier set to this one:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950464000P?keyword=craftsman+snap+ring+plier+set&viewType=gal&mv=tr. This set includes like mine straight, 45*, and 90* offset pliers.

I used them last year when replacing the 2 front hubs on a 2003 Subaru Forester. They are of good quality and value. You will not be disappointed with them.


Dave

 

[fourfeathers]

Check out Milbar too. OEM for the Blue point pliers. Military surplus available, here at least. Looks like they may be stride-group tools. Also check out Hi-tech.

 

[arkangel06]

Channellock.

 

[gwis2]

I have the channellock ones too and am very happy with them..

 

[ZRX61]

Stride brand are relabled for Craftsman, SnapOn, Matco, Cornwell, Mac etc...

 

[Hiball]

Stride brand are relabled for Craftsman, SnapOn, Matco, Cornwell, Mac etc...

Negative on the Snap on, They make there own pliers currently.

LET me clarify, The forged tip models are made by snap on. I have no idea about the Bluepoint models.

 

[crewchief888]

ive never bought any sets of convertible pliers, i picked up what i needed, when i needed them, i have mac, matco, and SO
everthing from small convertible, flatnose transmission pliers, and the large SO ratcheting int & ext pliers with interchangable tips.

 

[homesale]

There are 6 different style sears craftsman snap ring plier styles. Which one is the best?


1.

Craftsman Professional 3-Pc. Internal/External Convertible Retaining Ring Pliers

Sears Item# 00947394000 | Model# 47394

$71.99

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947394000P?prdNo=21

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.

Craftsman Retaining Ring Pliers Kit, Set of 2

Sears Item# 00947219000 | Model# 50R706

$62.99

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947219000P?prdNo=79#reviewsWrap

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.

Craftsman Professional 2 pc. Ring Pliers Kit

Sears Item# 00950460000 | Model# 94706.1

$35.99

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950460000P?mv=rr

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4.

Craftsman 2 pc. Qtr-Turn® Convertible Retaining Ring Pliers Set

Sears Item# 00947385000 | Model# 47385

$19.99

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947385000P?prdNo=4

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5.

Craftsman 2 pc. Universal Retaining Ring Pliers Set with 16 Tips

Sears Item# 00947387000 | Model# 47387

$19.99

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947387000P?prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6.

Craftsman Snap Ring Pliers

Sears Item# 00945358000 | Model# 45358

$10.99

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00945358000P?prdNo=1

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

#3 is what I have in my home box. The ones I have at the shop are no longer listed by Sears, but sold elsewhere.

This style is also sold as Imperial/Stride, and quite similar to the above mentioned Channellocks.

 

[mrholeshot]

None of the above for mine. My Craftsman came as an 13pc set. Look like the Snap-On set

Much like this but one more pair

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ftsman+snap+ring+plier+set&viewType=gal&mv=tr

 

[Hiball]

None of the above for mine. My Craftsman came as an 13pc set. Look like the Snap-On set

Much like this but one more pair

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ftsman+snap+ring+plier+set&viewType=gal&mv=tr

The Craftsman set is made by Imperial/Stride and look similar to the Snap on's but they are different. As many said, Imperial makes Pliers for many different companies including Cornwell, blackhawk (older), Sears, Matco, Mac just to name a few,and you can always identify them by the manufacturing mark on the upper handle. To the OP, You cant go wrong with any of the Imperial brands as they offer all the options needed and if you do your research you can find some great deals out there. Here is a Cornwell set i seen last night that seems decently priced.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cornwell-6pc-plier-set-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3f019e379fQQitemZ270610085791QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

 

[purpony]

I was in a pinch and bought the HF set... they worked, but do ****... lol.
I ended up buying the 12 piece Armstrong set on ebay brand new for $57.00. I think they retail $200 new. They are very nice. My dad has the sear 11 or 12 piece kit and they look as nice at my Armstrong set. I like the set better then the changeable tip ones..

 

[homesale]

Are the more expensive sears craftsman snap ring plier sets better than the cheaper sears craftsman snap ring pliers? I like craftsman's warranty / return policy.

 

[MAD]

Negative on the Snap on, They make there own pliers currently.

LET me clarify, The forged tip models are made by snap on. I have no idea about the Bluepoint models.

The Craftsman set is made by Imperial/Stride and look similar to the Snap on's but they are different. .

Snap-on has put the Snap-on name on some of the Stride retaining ring pliers at times, now they seem to be marking them Blue Point. Here is one style that was Snap-on branded-
http://cgi.ebay.com/SNAP-TOOLS-prh406-RETAINING-RING-PLIERS-SET-PLIER-NR-/300456479597?pt=Pliers&hash=item45f49a0b6d



These were sold branded Craftsman as well at one time.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Snap-on has put the Snap-on name on some of the Stride retaining ring pliers at times, now they seem to be marking them Blue Point. Here is one style that was Snap-on branded-
http://cgi.ebay.com/SNAP-TOOLS-prh406-RETAINING-RING-PLIERS-SET-PLIER-NR-/300456479597?pt=Pliers&hash=item45f49a0b6d



These were sold branded Craftsman as well at one time.

Those were the ones I purchased on closeout ($20) that are at the shop. I personally prefer them, but the original poster didn't list them as a choice (assume trying to deal with local store/pickup).

 

[Skin]

i've used the Irwin/Vise Grip Convertible for a bit, its sufficient for occasional use. Tips appear to be of good quality. The locking mechanism could be a bit better. Its cheap though [$10-$15] so cant expect top quality

For heavy use I'd get the large set of individuals before i'd touch the "heavy duty" interchangable tip sets. You spend more friggan time locating the correct tip then playing with those screws than you do removing the ring.

 

[Hiball]

Snap-on has put the Snap-on name on some of the Stride retaining ring pliers at times, now they seem to be marking them Blue Point. Here is one style that was Snap-on branded-
http://cgi.ebay.com/SNAP-TOOLS-prh406-RETAINING-RING-PLIERS-SET-PLIER-NR-/300456479597?pt=Pliers&hash=item45f49a0b6d



These were sold branded Craftsman as well at one time.

Yes, the Convertible models are/where stride, But as i said the "Forged tip" models are Made by Snap on and there is NO comparison. Its easy to spot a Imperial made Plier by looking for the makers mark on the upper shoulder.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Heres a nice set from Channelock
http://www.google.com/products/cata...TMujDKHaMbGdxf4E&sa=image&ved=0CAgQ8gIwADgA#p

 

[MAD]

Yes, the Convertible models are/where stride, But as i said the "Forged tip" models are Made by Snap on and there is NO comparison. Its easy to spot a Imperial made Plier by looking for the makers mark on the upper shoulder.

I was not disagreeing with you, only pointing out that Snap-on has put the Snap-on name on the same Stride pliers that everybody else sells. I was attempting to point this out to show that any confusion regarding similarity with Craftsman (and other brands) is completely understandable even if it is not the case with every model. Sorry that didn't come across, I am not at my best at 6 AM before coffee.

 

[MrMark]

Yes, the Convertible models are/where stride, But as i said the "Forged tip" models are Made by Snap on and there is NO comparison. Its easy to spot a Imperial made Plier by looking for the makers mark on the upper shoulder.

I agree the forged ones are worth the SO money. They are really nice.

 

[ZRX61]

Negative on the Snap on, They make there own pliers currently.

LET me clarify, The forged tip models are made by snap on. I have no idea about the Bluepoint models.

I have a set of Craftsman/Stride that are 100% identical* to a friends SnapOn set. These are the reversable ones that work on inside & outside rings.

*Ok, there is one difference: the sticky label on the box

Edit: the ones Mad posted.

 

[MrMark]

The forged ones are convertible too.

 

[Hiball]

I have a set of Craftsman/Stride that are 100% identical* to a friends SnapOn set. These are the reversable ones that work on inside & outside rings.

*Ok, there is one difference: the sticky label on the box

Edit: the ones Mad posted.

The forged ones are convertible too.

I guess im not being clear, The ones in Mads post (cam lock) where Stride produced and also sold under the bluepoint name, These:


http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=15546&group_ID=771&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Are Snap on made..

 

[rayzor32]

wow the irwins look exactly like harbor freights, probably made in china too.