Snap Ring Pliers that work?

[Bartcephus]

Ok, maybe its just me, but I havent found a pair that the snap ring will not slip of the pins and just "snap" right back into place when you are trying to remove the snap ring. Likewise when tring to install a snap ring, they slip off before you can get the ring to the part. Has anybody found a pair that actually work well? If so, please share the brand and where to get them. My frustration level with snap rings needs some relief....

Thanks,
Bart

 

[SPYDERLK]

Look for those that have replaceable tips. They usually have tip options available that have a slight angle formed on the tip to favor the clip staying on.
larry

 

[/pine]

Ok, maybe its just me, but I havent found a pair that the snap ring will not slip of the pins and just "snap" right back into place when you are trying to remove the snap ring. Likewise when tring to install a snap ring, they slip off before you can get the ring to the part. Has anybody found a pair that actually work well? If so, please share the brand and where to get them. My frustration level with snap rings needs some relief....

Thanks,
Bart

If you find a quality set...I would be interested in hearing about it...all I could find is the same (worthless) junk and some over-priced sets on e-bay...I suppose SnapOn makes one that works but $$$....I have settled for a quality set of needle point pliers...

 

[Denwa]

Ok, maybe its just me, but I havent found a pair that the snap ring will not slip of the pins and just "snap" right back into place when you are trying to remove the snap ring. Likewise when tring to install a snap ring, they slip off before you can get the ring to the part. Has anybody found a pair that actually work well? If so, please share the brand and where to get them. My frustration level with snap rings needs some relief....

Thanks,
Bart

Bart,
Lots of experience with snap rings here, mostly in working on SCUBA gear.
I think Mephistopheles had something to do with the creation of snap rings, but, to *minimize* problems, you need as close to a perfect fit in pin size. You also need pin proper alignment to the hole as related to direction of stretch or compression. There are both innie and outie snap rings.

The type of pliers that offer changeable pin tips are likely the worst choice in functionality in that the tips tend to slip as you apply pressure, causing loss of good alignment. If you use pliers that are too small for the job the tips will likely break off, even with a quality tool. The metal has to be pretty stiff to work as designed, but hence, brittle.

This is one of those situations where acquiring the best quality and appropriately sized tool available will make a major difference in functionality. The bite here is that one size in no way will fit all, and the more specific the tool to the job the better it will work. This is not the ideal tool to get at Harbor Freight.

I'm not endorsing Snap-On per se, but a web search will reveal lots of options. A selection can be seen here.
Snap-on Tools

Have fun,
Dennis

 

[IXLR8]

We have a bunch of the Snap-On snap ring pliers at work. They are the kind that have changable tips and convert between inner and outer snap rings... I HATE them all.. junk in my book. I prefer the kind that is single use, for an inner ring or an outer ring and the tips are fixed and the proper size for the job. It means lots of $$$ for lots of pliers.. but it also means no skinned knuckles and no chewed up snap rings.

 

[Bird]

The only ones I've had with the replaceable tips came from Homier; in other words a complete waste of money. The good ones I had were from Matco, but I'm sure Snap-On and MAC have some just as good, but they ain't cheap.

 

[LD1]

The best that I have personally found are channel lock brand.

I think I got them at lows. They will do inside and outside and do have the replacable tips. But they have worked for me everytime I have needed.

Channellock Snap Ring Pliers, Model# 927 | Snap Ring Pliers | Northern Tool + Equipment

Another good pair that I have used is the snap-on ones that lock. They dont switch between internal and external so you have to buy two pairs and they are expensive. But they are good none the less.

PR51, Pliers, Retaining Ring, Interchangeable Tip, Internal, 9 1/2"

 

[kenstrac]

I have had my Proto snap ring pliers for about 15yrs now,I bought them at a local bearing house. Like others have said you need to have the right size and angle for the job or you will be fighting it all day.
I was at a job one day and I couldn't find one of my pliers so I went to True Value and bought a pair,I was surprised to find they were made in the USA and looked identical to the Proto.
Also got a set of replaceable tip pliers at a liquidation co.that had quality tools they were also made in USA and would lock open and closed,where the tips go into are solid steel, pliers weigh about 1Lb.also work good.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Snap-on or Proto NON REPLACEABLE tip type. I'm sure there are other name brands too like Mac or other ones but stay away from the interchangeable tip type.

 

[TraderMark]

One thing I've found useful when using the reversible type pliers is to make certain that the pivot screw holding the jaws together is tight. I've often just screwed the halves of the pliers together, not paying attention to how tight the screw was and almost every time I do that, the jaws snap past each other and .... off I go, looking for a new snap-ring cause the one on the pliers took off like a shot.

Mark

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have S-K Tools interchangeable tip type and a Channelock interchangeable type as well. The SKs will go into smaller places. A good set of tips will let you do small to medium rings fine, but since the tips are based on 3/32 allen wrench stock they will flex some when applied to bigger stronger rings. Those are what you need the dedicated pliers for. A good replaceble tip type will do everything else and you only have to buy them once. Good quality tips are cheap and come in all sizes.
larry

 

[LD1]

I have S-K Tools interchangeable tip type and a Channelock interchangeable type as well. The SKs will go into smaller places. A good set of tips will let you do small to medium rings fine, but since the tips are based on 3/32 allen wrench stock they will flex some when applied to bigger stronger rings. Those are what you need the dedicated pliers for. A good replaceble tip type will do everything else and you only have to buy them once. Good quality tips are cheap and come in all sizes.
larry

Have you had good success with the channelock ones as I have.

I agree though, that the big snaprings need a dedicated pair of pliers.

I also have a pair of blue-point pliers for external snaprings. But they are for the kind of snapring that doesn't have the holes. Rather just taper to a point. The bluepoint pliers are flat on the ends like paddles with a little depression for the point so it doesnt slip off.

These type of snaprings are found a lot in transmissions/transfer cases. If you come across one of these type of snaprings, the pliers made for it are priceless.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Have you had good success with the channelock ones as I have.

I agree though, that the big snaprings need a dedicated pair of pliers.
.

My Channelocks are the 907G. They look about the same overall size but are built more massively. I like the depth to which they hold the tips to support them near their point for greater rigidity. The SKs are a slimmer profile 2 pc inner/outer set and let them hang out further. In comparing i see that the SK tips are longer and could be interchanged with the CL tips as needed. Ill have to remember that for future use. Im not sure why the bias against ones with interchangeable tips - theyll do everything up to nearly 2" with just an assortment of tips. Perhaps its medium to large bent tip configuration and plain out big stuf. Thats the only shortcoming I see. :confused3:
larry

 

[Birdhunter1]

The best that I have personally found are channel lock brand.

I think I got them at lows. They will do inside and outside and do have the replacable tips. But they have worked for me everytime I have needed.

Channellock Snap Ring Pliers, Model# 927 | Snap Ring Pliers | Northern Tool + Equipment

Ditto, bought a pair just like them a few years ago and never have regretted it. I don't use them often but they sure are nice. About $30-40 if I remember right.

 

[Bartcephus]

Well, I suppose it goes to the name brand pliers, favor the dedicated (non-interchangeable) tip ones. Get a pair for inside and a pair for outside snap-rings. Hmmmmmm Christmas is around the corner, I better start being good....
Thanks for the comments. It really helps to know that there exists some pliers that work.

Bart

 

[Scotty370]

No real help here...but I'll second the opinion, that quality=cost! The cheap ones get you swearing, the pricey one will do the deal..........~Scotty

 

[crazyal]

I have a set, don't know who makes them as the name is long gone off all three of them, that has three different size handles and the tips are replaceable but can only be set in two positions (can't rotate). You don't squeeze them but instead they have handles on them like screwdrivers and you just turn the handle and they open or close depending on which way you turn them and you turn the tips 180 degrees depending on if you are removing an internal or external ring.

They are the best set I've ever found since you can put the ring on them, open it up, and then set them down and leave the ring open ready to be installed.

 

[crazyal]

KD makes a set sort of close but the tips screw into place and they are for larger snap rings.

 

[Bison]

in all my years of wrenching i have to come across a good durable snap ring plier yet.

Dedicated ones are the best but it seems like every **** size snap ring needs its own size plier,so the ones i have don't fit half the time.
I've broke expensive brandnew plier tips on the first try cause the tips weren't strong enough even though they fitted the holes perfectly.Sorry...no..waranty

The flat faced tranny ring pliers jaws often don't open wide enough to get the ring from its groove,so one ends up ffing up the rings any way.

 

[CurlyDave]

I am not a heavy user of snap ring pliers, but have been very satisfied with the ones I got at Sears, many years ago.

Not the cheapest, but good enough quality to work well.

Get both innies and outies, and while you are there look at the lock ring pliers. A lock ring looks like a snap ring without the eyes, typically comes in larger sizes, and requires a special spreader.

I have had no luck at all with the replaceable tip ones, worse than junk because you think you have the right tool, until you try to use it. I always ended up teaching the neighbors some new words, until I bit the bullet and paid for the right ones.