Show me your snap ring pliers!

[CarVac]

I have two AMW 54mm cases and the crappy snap ring pliers I have available always seem to let go at the wrong time.

What do you use/recommend, and what's good about it? Where did you get it? How much did it cost? Pictures would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[dixontj93060]

Most people will tell you Knipex. I have also cound this to be true, especially moving up to the larger tools/sizes for 75mm and 98mm. You can usually get appropriately sized Knipex tools for $25 to $35 each on Amazon.

 

[UPscaler]

Knipex for sure!




Braden

 

[cwbullet]

Knipex is what I us. I tried the cheap ones from Harbor Freight. How did they work? Not too good!

 

[cavecentral]

Heavy duty fixed tip in the top left.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#snap-ring-pliers/=lvrhdf

 

[troj]

For 54mm, I have Knipex, and I have Blue-Point. The latter were about twice as much, and I don't like them as much -- they have an annoying ratcheting lock that likes to lock at the wrong time.

Knipex pliers are relatively inexpensive and well made.

Really cheap snap ring pliers will just get you hurt.

-Kevin

 

[CarVac]

Really cheap snap ring pliers will just get you hurt.

My problem was the case, not me. It would let the snap ring go diagonally inside, and it would get stuck.

Regarding Knipex: there are these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002YYMDA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 and these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UHUD84/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 .

The latter are 3 dollars cheaper, but looking on the Knipex website it seems those are touted as better, due to the inserted spring steel tips?

 

[cavecentral]

I wouldn't touch the second pair based in the screw together looking pieces. As few moving parts as possible is what you want.

I have a fairly pricey pair from channel lock brand that are crap too. Better than the cheap stamped harbor freight ones, but not by much.

 

[dixontj93060]

My problem was the case, not me. It would let the snap ring go diagonally inside, and it would get stuck.

Regarding Knipex: there are these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002YYMDA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 and these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UHUD84/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 .

The latter are 3 dollars cheaper, but looking on the Knipex website it seems those are touted as better, due to the inserted spring steel tips?

I don't know for sure; I know I purchased the first type referenced above in both that size and one other size. They work very well.

 

[CarVac]

Thanks, everyone. I ordered the first type that I linked.

 

[ClayD]

Thanks, everyone. I ordered the first type that I linked.

you can also buy a 2.00 pair of needle nose at harbor freight and grind them off.
I havent done it, but i knew a guy that new a girl who knew someone that did that.

 

[JDcluster]

Are they still alive today?
Snap rings can hurt you if you use inferior tools.
Joke or no joke I wouldn't want to get hit in the head with a snap ring.


JD

you can also buy a 2.00 pair of needle nose at harbor freight and grind them off.
I havent done it, but i knew a guy that new a girl who knew someone that did that.

 

[ClayD]

Are they still alive today?
Snap rings can hurt you if you use inferior tools.
Joke or no joke I wouldn't want to get hit in the head with a snap ring.


JD

mechanicly not much different than the knippex i own.
It would not be very difficult to make said pliers.
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...-angle-long-reach-needle-plier-set-33202.html

when the cheap ones often fail, beause they are stamped crappy steel. Maching forged hardened steel to a proper snapring plier, isnt any unsafer in my book.

then move to bolted closures.

 

[mrhp]

snap on....forged

 

[kenstarr]

This is what I have by Channellock
https://www.channellock.com/retaining-ring.aspx
-Ken

 

[cavecentral]

This is what I have by Channellock
https://www.channellock.com/retaining-ring.aspx
-Ken

Those ar the ones I have and do not like. They beat the HF stamped ones by far. They have some side to side wiggle. I like ones with almost no wiggle. Some are like a loose pair of scissors and send snap rings flying. More features == more slop. YMMV.

 

[jd2cylman]

One thing to consider with snap ring pliers is shank width above the tips. This will come into play if the ring groove is a little further into the case. The shank can interfere with the sides of the case, keeping the tips from fully engaging the ring eyes. I don't know for sure if this could be the case, as I haven't graduated to snap ring cases.
I use these for work:

Adrian

 

[nraymondb]

One thing to consider with snap ring pliers is shank width above the tips. This will come into play if the ring groove is a little further into the case. The shank can interfere with the sides of the case, keeping the tips from fully engaging the ring eyes. I don't know for sure if this could be the case, as I haven't graduated to snap ring cases.
I use these for work:

Adrian

Ive used those and they work perfect. Though i only use them for 54 and larger. I think they are good for up to 6 inch, though I've never seen a 6 inch casing with snap rings.

-Nik
TRA 6035

 

[troj]

I just grabbed my pliers, and I guess I lied.... I don't have Knipex for 54mm, I have Proto. My Knipex are for 38mm and 29mm.

The exact pliers I have are:

Knipex 44 11 J1 (29mm)
Knipex 44 11 J2 (38mm)
Proto 394 (54mm) - they work very well, and were recommended to me by Woody (maker of the infamous Purple Woody harder)
Blue-Point PR-51 (54mm) - cost me almost as much as the other three combined, and they drive me batty

-Kevin

 

[crossfire]

I purchased one from the Snap On Tool truck awhile back its works very well.
gp

 

[GRIFFIN]

It only took 21 posts.

Here are MY snap ring pliers.

I would recommend this brand as others have.

 

[Issus]

https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__10617__C_Clip_Ring_Plier_4_in_1_set.html is what i use. $2, works great.

 

[G_T]

Knipex. I find others flat out scary with 88mm and larger cases.

Gerald

 

[blackjack2564]

I just saw this thread:

I used Knipex medium & large for years.
Years back I was having a discussion with Paul R. [AMW] about snap ring pliers. He got out his.......I've been using them ever since. No more difficulty .....period. Mac Carr for 52.00 five yrs. ago.

Notice the tips have a slight angle to them.

When open they grab the ring at the correct angle to prevent them from flying off. [It does happen,was sitting in a RV while owner was loading a 75mm case.Ring flew off with enough speed to crack the windshield when it hit. 1800.00 replacement!]

I put the tips of the Knipex in a vise & bent them to the same angle. No more problems with 38mm's

Ken Allen sells these for 10.00 [Performance Hobbies] Knipex https://performancehobbies.com/secure/store.aspx?groupid=3102004347227

I use the Knipex for 38's & they will do 54's , but the large set does 54-75-98 & locks while using. The re-lease in conveniently positioned for 1 hand use,locking/unlocking with your thumb.

You get what you pay for in this case! I no longer let them get borrowed,because it's harder than hades getting them back before the launch is over to use them myself. Everyone that uses them gets converted.

 

[UPscaler]

https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__10617__C_Clip_Ring_Plier_4_in_1_set.html is what i use. $2, works great.

I have a set of these. They were given to me when we got our Kosdon 29mm hardware. I would highly recommend getting a better pair for larger motors. I struggled to use them with 38.



Braden

 

[troj]

I used Knipex medium & large for years.
Years back I was having a discussion with Paul R. [AMW] about snap ring pliers. He got out his.......I've been using them ever since. No more difficulty .....period. Mac Carr for 52.00 five yrs. ago.

Notice the tips have a slight angle to them. View attachment 122221

That bottom pair looks exactly like my Blue-Point pair, with the exception of mine having red grips where yours have blue. I paid about the same for them, too.

I prefer the Proto pair I have.

-Kevin

 

[Kaycee]

For 29-54mm snap ring motors, I use this Snap-on/Blue-Point set I've had for well over 20 yrs...

 

[Kaycee]

For 75-98mm motors, I use these... I purchased them a few years ago from Mc Master-Carr and am very pleased. They work well, are convertible to -external- if needed, and were delivered with an extra set of tips. I've not had a snap-ring slip yet....

 

[mrhp]

For 29-54mm snap ring motors, I use this Snap-on/Plue-Point set I've had for well over 20 yrs...

These are the good ones

 

[jd2cylman]

For 29-54mm snap ring motors, I use this Snap-on/Plue-Point set I've had for well over 20 yrs...

Yep. That's the set I have. We must have bought them in the same era :wink: I didn't have a photo, so I used a catalog pic of the new set. I actually have a couple of the new pliers in my tool box. The full set stays on the service truck.

Adrian