Snap Ring Pliers - Do Any Not Suck?

Mountain

Mountain

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I've had a few gun related projects lately that involve removing / replacing snap rings. Tried to find a better set of snap ring pliers a couple years ago but the pins still sucked. The pins that were stiff enough to do the job had too big of an end diameter to fit the holes in the rings.

Can anyone recommend a set of snap ring pliers that are pro grade quality? I'd prefer to not overspend for Gucci brands but will if that's the only viable option. @mac1911 ?
 
Mountain said:
I've had a few gun related projects lately that involve removing / replacing snap rings. Tried to find a better set of snap ring pliers a couple years ago but the pins still sucked. The pins that were stiff enough to do the job had too big of an end diameter to fit the holes in the rings.

Can anyone recommend a set of snap ring pliers that are pro grade quality? I'd prefer to not overspend for Gucci brands but will if that's the only viable option. @mac1911 ?
Click to expand...
I have SK branded ones from a time when SK did not suck a large pair for things like wheel bearings and a small pair. The small one is only good for outside rings

I have a set of blue points I bought 25 years ago . I hardly use them for the most part they fail me. I end up using the pick and pry method …….sadly
 
mac1911 said:
I have SK branded ones from a time when SK did not suck a large pair for things like wheel bearings and a small pair. The small one is only good for outside rings

I have a set of blue points I bought 25 years ago . I hardly use them for the most part they fail me. I end up using the pick and pry method …….sadly
Click to expand...
My father has the blue points, a little older than yours, his arent that great either, unless the holes in the ring are a perfect snug fit.
We have that blue channel lock ones in the video below your post, they seem to work a little better, but sometimes you need to remove a ring in a tight plave and they are too big
 
We buy them at Chadstoolbox.com.

Small business in Alaska.

Knipex - 44-46 (Old Style)Snap Ring - ChadsToolbox.com Inc

chadstoolbox.com chadstoolbox.com

Knipex - 48-49 Snap Ring - ChadsToolbox.com Inc

chadstoolbox.com chadstoolbox.com


These things are awesome for the tractor.

chadstoolbox.com

86 03 250 Knipex 10 inch PLIERS WRENCH

World's best tools for professionals: the latest coolest Tools from NWS and Knipex, largest inventory of quality tradesman tools by Knipex, screwdriving tools by NWS, Knipex, WERA and FELO. Full line of the latest greatest WERA Zyklop and Joker wrenches, Knipex pliers, NWS tools, and Gedore. Our...
chadstoolbox.com chadstoolbox.com
 
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Coming from a mechanics point of view. I had a set of 2 "universal" snap-ring plyers that I almost never used. Then I had snap-ring pliers bought for a specific use, somewhere between 10 and 12 different pliers.

Obviously this purpose bought approach may not work for you. More likely there are one or 2 jobs that you do often enough that a specific tool is a good idea. After that a good "universal" set will probably do. But don't go cheap. OP is concerned about small pin size and strength, that means higher quality materials and construction, cheap solutions will be cheap. And any set that has you swapping the tips is BS, these just have cheap replaceable tips, you're better off with a set of pliers all with fixed tips.

And people will bitch about snap-on, but if you find one of their guys with a bigger truck, he's going to to have variations on it that you haven't thought of. And if you ever need to replace them, that can be done via mail.
 
I've struggled with them over the years I have a lang set that I bought. 5 or so years ago well worth it. I'm a heavy equipment mechanic there are snap rings in all sorts of places and sizes I bought the master set for like 200. they sell a decent set for 100. Wish I could figure how to put a link but here are some on amazon. I've done high end and low end they don't get much better than these
 

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i went to sears, remember them?, back in the day, and bought their cheapest 3 piece set of snap ring pliers on the peg board, i believe they were craftsman, had black rubber on the handles when all the rest were red. i saw the same set of 3 at ace hardware (they sell the craftsman branded tools now). price was considerably higher than i paid those many years ago, but mine are still functioning as intended and i've never had to chase a dislodged snap ring on the floor. go check them out.
 
42! said:
Coming from a mechanics point of view. I had a set of 2 "universal" snap-ring plyers that I almost never used. Then I had snap-ring pliers bought for a specific use, somewhere between 10 and 12 different pliers.

Obviously this purpose bought approach may not work for you. More likely there are one or 2 jobs that you do often enough that a specific tool is a good idea. After that a good "universal" set will probably do. But don't go cheap. OP is concerned about small pin size and strength, that means higher quality materials and construction, cheap solutions will be cheap. And any set that has you swapping the tips is BS, these just have cheap replaceable tips, you're better off with a set of pliers all with fixed tips.

And people will bitch about snap-on, but if you find one of their guys with a bigger truck, he's going to to have variations on it that you haven't thought of. And if you ever need to replace them, that can be done via mail.
Click to expand...
I don't mind spending the $ on a set of fixed pliers. Besides firearms I have a couple motorcycles and vintage vehicles I maintain more or less all by myself, including engine work. Same for any outdoor equipment and anything mechanical around the house. Used to do all the work on our everyday vehicles but lately I'm doing less due to available time vs. available money and weather. It's one of those tools that will stop you dead in your tracks if broken or missing over a tiny retaining ring LOL.
 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JBIM2CU/ref=olp-opf-redir?aod=1&ie=UTF8&condition=new

I received a set of these astro ones from a secret Santa a couple years ago. I am not a mechanic so not used daily, but for my tinkering needs which sound similar to yours, they have been wonderful. having the different angled ones has come in handy. the spring is nice as well.

Pliers | Astro Pneumatic Tools
here are a few more of their offerings in different configurations with more to the set. their link brought me to Amazon fwiw.
 
So all this talk about snap rings reminded me of the broken ones I had.
Today being Snap On day I brought 2 out to the truck
And with out fail snap on failed and worsened the bad vibe

1st complaint was I took grinder to tips.
Nope thats how they came and they suck 2nd was a blue point - discontinued mo warranty for you

Also had to warranty my pitman arm puller as it was starting to crack- i was shocked there was not a warranty issue
As with most things - have to order it . Will be a few weeks.
Yet the tips on the 20 year old SK are holding up. ?
 

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In a pinch, the tip of a small punch in the hole can get one side out of the groove, and you can work it off.

[rockon] - I said "punch on the hole".
 
daveyburt said:
In a pinch, the tip of a small punch in the hole can get one side out of the groove, and you can work it off.

[rockon] - I said "punch on the hole".
Click to expand...
Thats usually how its done.
Plus so much rot bu the time I need to get any snap rings on and off pliers are usless

I have several custom tools for suck tasks
 
mac1911 said:
So all this talk about snap rings reminded me of the broken ones I had.
Today being Snap On day I brought 2 out to the truck
And with out fail snap on failed and worsened the bad vibe

1st complaint was I took grinder to tips.
Nope thats how they came and they suck 2nd was a blue point - discontinued mo warranty for you

Also had to warranty my pitman arm puller as it was starting to crack- i was shocked there was not a warranty issue
As with most things - have to order it . Will be a few weeks.
Yet the tips on the 20 year old SK are holding up. ?
Click to expand...
Snap on guys are hit or miss depends on how deep they got you problem most don't stick around. They usually get me with abuse. Like the 1in drive or 3/4 drive sockets I break it's always a fight. I usually contact snapon directly. I had a guy was great what ever you needed he passed couple years back.
 
Demoman said:
Snap on guys are hit or miss depends on how deep they got you problem most don't stick around. They usually get me with abuse. Like the 1in drive or 3/4 drive sockets I break it's always a fight. I usually contact snapon directly. I had a guy was great what ever you needed he passed couple years back.
Click to expand...
Directly related to the mortgage you have with them ……honestly the day they dont warranty a f***ing socket I will go out of my way to never buy another tool period
I dont need the snap on truck
Like You say can call or mail in if needed.
 
mac1911 said:
Directly related to the mortgage you have with them ……honestly the day they dont warranty a f***ing socket I will go out of my way to never buy another tool period
I dont need the snap on truck
Like You say can call or mail in if needed.
Click to expand...
Problem i have is everything is paid for bought in younger years i don't buy to much anymore but did have too get the new pliers couple years back that you can pickup a Nickle. Besides that it's rebuilds on torque multipliers or re cal torque wrenchs which my last ones I bought from cdi which is the manufacturer. I break sockets on the regular no mater who's cheap ones are good for low torque but explode at higher levels. Always wrap them in tape. I have hytorc stuff 1.5" and 2" drive that's good for over 30,000 ft lbs that shit breaks too but they are good about it. That's what we do the wind towers with.
 
mac1911 said:
So all this talk about snap rings reminded me of the broken ones I had.
Today being Snap On day I brought 2 out to the truck
And with out fail snap on failed and worsened the bad vibe

1st complaint was I took grinder to tips.
Nope thats how they came and they suck 2nd was a blue point - discontinued mo warranty for you

Also had to warranty my pitman arm puller as it was starting to crack- i was shocked there was not a warranty issue
As with most things - have to order it . Will be a few weeks.
Yet the tips on the 20 year old SK are holding up. ?
Click to expand...
Seriously, Blue Point isn't Snap-On, everyone knows that. It exists for those that don't want to pay for the Snap-On warranty. Bitching about it now is disingenuous.
And frankly, those Snap-On look "modified" to me too. They look like both the angle has been "adjusted" and at least one tip filed/ground.

And please tell me you usually clean you tools, those pliers and that cab are filthy .
 

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