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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default Can I pick the collective brains about circlip pliers ?

    Hi folks

    I would like to trawl the collective knowledge about circlip pliers sets.

    I have just finished a little job which required the use of external circlip pliers.Naturally I did not have the correct type and found the task harder than it should been .I want to buy some , a set of them.

    Hence, I would like advice on paperclip pliers suitable up to 50mm (2'') diameter.

    Of course I don't want to go too cheap and conversely not too expensive.The uses are probably only for occasional use, but! when you need them ,you need them.

    Ladies and Gentlemen what have been your experiences and opinions with circlip pliers?. What are those to avoid and the ones worth chasing up?

    The suitable to my needs circlip pliers. Who sells them? I had a quick look at the usual suspects -Total tools and Sydney tool but nothing stood out.

    Thank you in advance.

    Grahame

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    473

    Default

    I bought a set from super cheap.(their housebrand, tti maybe?
    Seem as good as any at launching circlips across the room.🤣
    Haven't used them a lot but so far ok.

    Russ

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Lindenow
    Age
    50
    Posts
    869

    Default

    I have quite a few brands in my arsonel that I have collected over the years, But like Russ I bought a set of the Super Cheap ones and have used them quite alot over the last year or so. I am no expert, but they seem as good as any. I have had no drama with them and would expect them to perform perfectly for home hobby use and price is very reasonable.
    The usual applies.
    I'm not affiliated etc etc.
    Matt
    Warning Disclaimer

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Adelaide
    Age
    68
    Posts
    1,373

    Default

    I swear by Knipex pliers, they've never let me down at the race track, unlike some el-cheapo brands I've used, they grip the circlip securely so you don't need to play hunt-the-escapee... You pay a bit more but I reckon they are well worth it.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    35
    Posts
    1,522

    Default

    Yeah I use knipex, I flog them pretty hard and I've never had a tip snap, whereas every non knipex pair I've ever owned has died.

    I do have some internal external ones made by Wright tool in the USA with interchangeable tips, but I use these for little ones. They are good though.

    Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    1,105

    Default

    I have a set of 4 from Repco, internal and external, bent and straight. I have had them for nearly 15 years now without any issues, they don't see a lot of use but handy to have around.

    Any of the cheap brands such as what is sold at supercheap should be sufficient I would think, quality of chinese tools has come a long way.

    Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    I have a reversing set that also has interchangeable tips made by Snap On and a couple of pairs of Knipex.

    Search snap ring pliers, unfortunately Australia is becoming an annexe of the US and a lot of tool suppliers are using US terminology.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Toorloo Arm, VIC
    Age
    39
    Posts
    1,270

    Default

    My tip is not to bother with the style where you swap the tips around... Never laid my hands on a pair of those that were any good, way too much wobble between the body and the tips, and usually weak steel as well. You probably can get decent ones if you spend enough money, but I don't need to look.

    I use Snap-On ones that swap between internal and external by unscrewing the pivot screw, rotating one handle so the tip is on the other side of the other tip, and screwing it back together.

    I've a couple of them, but my go-to 95% of the time is this one: https://shop.snapon.com/product/Snap...Red)/SRPCR7090

    I also have a 45 degree pair with smaller tips, and a straight pair with the same size tips, as well as a duplicate pair of the above.

    I don't think the price is unreasonable, given that I was working as a mechanic at the time I bought them, and one of those 90 degree pairs has seen service in that role for over 10 years, before entering 'semi retirement'. It's released circlips that have had bearings jammed hard up against them, and had a ridiculous amount of force applied to it that would have destroyed a lesser pair - trust me, I binned more than a few of those before I got the Snap-On. The reason I have a duplicate pair is I threw the remains of a cheapo interchangeable tip set over the back fence in absolute rage one day when working on something at home, and went straight on the rape truck the next week and bought the duplicate pair for home use.

    The advantages of those Snap-On style are that you only need one pair for both internal and external, and because the pivot bolt is just a thumbscrew, you can always take out any flex between the two handles, which is usually the other killer on cheap ones. Spreading the circlip is only half the battle, any decent circlip often then needs to be twisted out of place as well. The Snap-On ones are so rigid that most times you can just lift the circlip out with the pliers, whereas a cheaper set of pliers requires you to get a pick or small screwdriver in there as well, because putting any side load on them makes them slip out.

    Probably sound like a rabid fanboy about now, but I can assure you that contrary to how it may sound, there is only a smattering of Snap-On gear in my big rollcab, carefully selected and mixed in with plenty of other brands. A lot of the Snap-On stuff is absolutely ridiculously overpriced and not worth it. Some of it is only worth the price if you're in a trade and using it every day, or have specific jobs you need them for - stuff like my long ring-ring spanners with a 15 degree offset, and a couple of other selected sizes of combination spanners, and the 1/2 and 3/8 drive flex head ratchets with really long handles. Not worth the cash to someone who doesn't spend all day dealing with inaccessible or gorilla torqued bolts. And some things they make are absolute gold for the price even for the average punter in their shed - those circlip pliers for my vote are one of the best examples of the latter.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    North Brisbane. Qld. Australia
    Age
    70
    Posts
    1,511

    Default

    I have the Knipex straight and bent in external and internal. They are excellent. If not in a hurry, wait for a special from one of the tool retailers. There is also a place for the cheap interchangeable tip type, for small awkward places. They have saved me a few times. I also have a cheap set of miniature ones for small circlips with very small pin holes.
    Nev.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,540

    Default

    I have Knipex internal and external sets, as well as a Kincrome with the changeable jaws as Jekyll and Hyde mentions. The biggest problem I have with that is the spring wants to play hide and seek all the time. Other than that, no problems with them. (mine are so old they have red handles)

    Screenshot 2021-12-14 195856.jpg
    Total tools have them as a special order for $35, but others would stock similar.

    Michael

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    North Brisbane. Qld. Australia
    Age
    70
    Posts
    1,511

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    Kincrome with the changeable jaws. (mine are so old they have red handles)


    Michael
    Mine are much like this but some other brand. They are so old I think I paid $5 for the set at a Crazy Clarks store. Still as good as new.
    Nev.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jekyll and Hyde View Post
    Probably sound like a rabid fanboy about now….

    To hijack the thread for a moment..
    You espouse the virtues of their circlip pliers, I will never buy another ratchet that is not a Snap On 80 tooth
    After trying a Snap On 80 tooth ratchet after they first appeared about 10 years or so ago I promptly ordered a set of three and sold every other ratchet I owned at the time.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    1,322

    Default

    I have a set of those wobbly multi-head pliers that others have mentioned, and are handy to have for the oddball scenarios, but 90% of the time I use a pair of straight Knipex.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    Used the SnapOn ones many years ago, but I didn't own them - they were provided by work. Awesome!
    Knipex ones are mostly what I use now, but do have an interchangeable tip style for small/infrequent stuff.

    Regarding dealing with the ping "ah-crap!" style of circlips, the best tip I've ever been given is to put the part in a clear plastic bag, or at least cover it with one.
    Better than using a rag for containment as you can still see what you are doing. Plastic bags are also great to use for any part that has small bits like ball bearings or springs that tend to escape.

    Steve

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Thanks everybody,

    I went for the KingChrome ones like MichealGs .

    None in Mackay ( naturally) so it will be an after xmas present.

    Thanks for the feedback.

    Grahame

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