ebinmaine 67,205 #1 Posted January 1, 2023 I'm looking for a usable set of inexpensive snap ring pliers. What do you folks use? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Freightliner Guy 1,327 #2 Posted January 1, 2023 well we have a pair of husky ones 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Freightliner Guy 1,327 #3 Posted January 1, 2023 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-8-in-Snap-Ring-Pliers-HSRPS8/204761089?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25T-025_001_HAND_TOOLS-NA-Multi-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-Hand_Tools_TopSell&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25T-025_001_HAND_TOOLS-NA-Multi-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-Hand_Tools_TopSell-71700000086053656-58700007291967538-92700072581141384&gclid=CjwKCAiA-8SdBhBGEiwAWdgtcBQDKBdHV8m3LhX_LItZO1qiW_nAoHZSmemWmG-T8Riz321fiJZk5BoCMnMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds these ones Kollin 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,579 #4 Posted January 1, 2023 @ebinmaine prefer the fixed or non changeable tips , they fail more than often . would mean buying the specific sizes you want . the depot model / type above is the type you want , pete 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,022 #5 Posted January 1, 2023 Those are the ones I use and Huskey tools are good quality. I have a set of Huskey 1/2" sockets that I bought in the early 1960s (long before HD opened their first store) and when the ratchet began to skip while tightening Home Depot gave me a new replacement about ten years ago, no questions asked. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GAJoe 841 #6 Posted January 2, 2023 (edited) 4 hours ago, ebinmaine said: I'm looking for a usable set of inexpensive snap ring pliers. What do you folks use? I got the Chanel-Lock that have a leaver to change directions. The copper colored inserts broke first try. I made some from the largest allen wrench that just barely fit in the holes and they did fine with those rings that I sent to you. $35 at Tractor Supply. Edited January 2, 2023 by GAJoe 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Newbie 7,051 #7 Posted January 2, 2023 (edited) 4 hours ago, peter lena said: prefer the fixed or non changeable tips , they fail more than often I can attest to that… I have a pair of the changeable tip type. They have done most of what I needed them to do, but on some of the larger snap rings they either slip or fail… Edited January 2, 2023 by Horse Newbie 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,579 #8 Posted January 2, 2023 @Horse Newbie make sure you penetrating oil soak those clips , before attempted removal , might even use a small punch to tap it from the open side , to get a slide going , keep it greasy , pete 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,205 #9 Posted January 2, 2023 9 hours ago, Horse Newbie said: I can attest to that… I have a pair of the changeable tip type. They have done most of what I needed them to do, but on some of the larger snap rings they either slip or fail… That's exactly why I posted this thread... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 16,980 #10 Posted January 2, 2023 For me it's those cheapie changeable type. For the small amount of snap rings I do, it makes sense. Had it for about 8 years now and I can still get snap rings off or installed without much issue (although I did grind the tip edges to grab better) https://www.toolplanet.com/product/Neiko-4-piece-Snap-Ring-Plier-Set/6217?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5fXP2sqn_AIVFrrICh11AQ0VEAQYBCABEgLa7fD_BwE 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,205 #11 Posted January 2, 2023 10 minutes ago, wallfish said: 11 minutes ago, wallfish said: cheapie changeable type I can still get snap rings off or installed Mine are a good brand. Lisle(?). Still just ain't rugged enough. I can do everything but the transmission axle lock rings. I've been using a screwdriver in combination with the pliers but even that is..... Challenging. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,302 #12 Posted January 2, 2023 16 hours ago, ebinmaine said: I'm looking for a usable set of inexpensive snap ring pliers. Often you need to choose "usable" or "inexpensive" pliers. I have several of the changeable pliers and they are almost useless. If I weren't so old, I would buy a complete set of fixed end. For the large snap rings on axles and hydraulic cylinders, I bought large pliers that are a perfect fit. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,205 #13 Posted January 2, 2023 10 minutes ago, lynnmor said: Often you need to choose "usable" or "inexpensive" pliers. I have several of the changeable pliers and they are almost useless. Absolutely agreed. I'm leaning towards this set, or one like it. Reviews are good overall. I've bought a few things from this company (not through the jungle site) and had decent success so far. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,302 #14 Posted January 2, 2023 (edited) 11 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: I'm leaning towards this set, or one like it. Reviews are good overall. I've bought a few things from this company (not through the jungle site) and had decent success so far. The jungle site has that set for $33.99, a real good set is ten times that much. I know, it is simply spin and win when buying anything these days. Edit, I just looked it up, same place from the same warehouse. Edited January 2, 2023 by lynnmor 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,584 #15 Posted January 2, 2023 I have a set of interchangeable ones that are more trouble than they are worth. So I mainly use Facom tools fixed snap ring (circlip) pliers for all my needs. Better quality and no losing the little tips. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,125 #16 Posted January 2, 2023 (edited) Like others, I do not encounter snap rings frequently enought to warrant dedicated tools. In your case, @ebinmaine, they may make more sense. I’ll add that more than once the right-angle access that the Channel-Lock tool’s interchangeable tips offer (in addition to the “straight in” access) has been essential Plus, being small, I can keep the one plier with the tips in my “go bag" Edited January 2, 2023 by Handy Don 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Newbie 7,051 #17 Posted January 2, 2023 2 hours ago, wallfish said: For me it's those cheapie changeable type. For the small amount of snap rings I do, it makes sense. Had it for about 8 years now and I can still get snap rings off or installed without much issue (although I did grind the tip edges to grab better) https://www.toolplanet.com/product/Neiko-4-piece-Snap-Ring-Plier-Set/6217?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5fXP2sqn_AIVFrrICh11AQ0VEAQYBCABEgLa7fD_BwE Now these that @wallfish are saying he has are different than mine. On mine only the tips are changeable, on the ones in Wallfish’s link, it looks like you change the whole business end of the pliers which probably works better… 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OldWorkHorse 3,044 #18 Posted January 2, 2023 Harbor freight ICON brand pretty heavy duty snd had no issues with them. Don't know what "cheap" is for these but this set is around $70 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,579 #19 Posted January 3, 2023 @OldWorkHorse done a lot of those rusty snap rings , penetrating oil , small flat punch from the side to get the ring to move , at the eye points , another spray , and clip out , pete 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyLittrell 3,877 #20 Posted February 8, 2023 I have something similar to these that I like better than the snap ring style when they will work. https://www.amazon.com/SPEEDWOX-Installing-Gearshift-Automobile-Transmission/dp/B07QWTB149/ref=asc_df_B07QWTB149/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475795165898&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5499200245034589397&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9023400&hvtargid=pla-870808789323®ion_id=972485&th=1 Randy 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites