What size pliers for 54mm and 75mm snap ring?

Needless to say, I quickly "outgrew" my little pair of Home Depot Channellocks for motor assembly. Hence, I need a nice pair of snap ring pliers for 54mm and 75mm motors. For 98mm, I use these Knipex pliers from Grainger:
https://www.grainger.com/product/KNIPEX-Retaining-Ring-Pliers-3JXK9?functionCode=P2IDP2PCP

They have .125" tips, but are just a hair too big for 75mm snap rings. So I am guessing those most call for .093" tips?

Any product recommendations for either size are welcome!

AlnessW said:

Needless to say, I quickly "outgrew" my little pair of Home Depot Channellocks for motor assembly. Hence, I need a nice pair of snap ring pliers for 54mm and 75mm motors. For 98mm, I use these Knipex pliers from Grainger:
https://www.grainger.com/product/KNIPEX-Retaining-Ring-Pliers-3JXK9?functionCode=P2IDP2PCP

They have .125" tips, but are just a hair too big for 75mm snap rings. So I am guessing those most call for .093" tips?

Any product recommendations for either size are welcome!

Click to expand...

I nabbed the one Loki recommended on the Faq for the 54/76mm https://www.lokiresearch.com/page/faq

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003UHUCF8/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

mpitfield said:

I nabbed the one Loki recommended on the Faq for the 54/76mm https://www.lokiresearch.com/page/faq

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003UHUCF8/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Click to expand...

Oh, good find! Thanks for posting that link. I gather these work well?

AlnessW said:

Oh, good find! Thanks for posting that link. I gather these work well?

Click to expand...

I use the technique that Scott demonstrates on his video and it works like a charm. He also recommends filing the ends of the pliers, which I have not done as the pliers work great as is so far.

mpitfield said:

I nabbed the one Loki recommended on the Faq for the 54/76mm https://www.lokiresearch.com/page/faq

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003UHUCF8/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Click to expand...

I'll double check, but I'm pretty sure these are the one's I used for my 3" hardware.

If you are planning on snap ring hardware for the long term, take a look at these:



Paul Robinson of AMW was using these at a launch, loading both 75 & 98mm hardware. After a brief discussion where he explained the virtues of the angled tips that "grab" the ring & the ratchet locking action with thumb release. I was sold. Once you have ring positioned the ratchet holds in place till you release. A godsend when dealing with large hardware.



The tips are easily replaced should you ever wear them out [doubtful] & for different size snap rings. As they come work fine for 75 & 98mm. Got them from Mac-Car 78.00 ,but that was 10 years ago. Ordered mine with 15 degree angled tip.

If you do go with the Knipex, put each tip in vise & bend lightly to get that angle. It will keep rings from "jumping" off the pliers.

Edit: after searching Mac's site, I don't see these, but other comparable ones at much better price....39.00
https://www.mcmaster.com/#snap-ring-pliers/=zeqhcz

Alright, here's what I have. The top pliers work just fine for 75mm rings and presumably 98mm. The bottom pliers for 38mm and I think 65mm. You can also see the lugs or tongs (what are they called?) that are already bent inward to promote a positive grip on the rings. Pretty sure I got these at McMaster but who knows.

Thanks all for the feedback - McMaster 5449A97 (Knipex?) seems to be what most people recommend for 54-75mm, I'm going to order some now.

And mission acomplished. A pair of pliers!


On the left is Knipex size 85-140mm (purchased from Grainger, as mentioned in my OP), for use with 98mm motors.
Then on the right is size 40-100mm (also Knipex, but McMaster doesn't indicate that anywhere) for use with 54mm and 75mm motors. I went with the ones Loki reccomends, but with 90 degree tips as I prefer that style. I didn't mess with filing them, though.

I put together a 75/6000 load last week with these pliers, and it was easy-peasy. I assembled most of my last batch of motors using those Channellocks I mentioned earlier, and it was a long and tricky business with safety goggles on, ensuring the rings wouldn't slip off under tension. With Knipex pliers, the tips are angled so as to avoid this.

McMaster part numbers 5449A98 and 5449A97, respectively.

Sometimes buying "the right tool for the right job" makes a big difference!

I have 3 different sizes that I have 2 of each of Knipex Snap ring pliers.

One set for home and the other for the rang box.
I was always leaving them somewhere other than the range box.
Now they stay put....

I have a single pair for 98 mm and above.
I do most prep work on them at home

JD