good plier brand for autobody

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PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2020 9:20 pm
Hello all. I am in the process of changing my whole tool box and i am wondering what would be a quality plier and vise grip style clamps brand. i am not really on a budget but dont want to buy a brand just for the name, but i am willing to spend for quality.
I am enrolled in autobody school but not sure if i will be working in the field, kind of sold my life business of 25 years and to young to retire but to old to go in new endeavor (47 lol).
I have been eyeing brands such as channellock, irwin-vise grip, klein, and have even seen some interesting craftsman, stanley and fuller and mastercraft.
Any input would be greatly appreciated, like i said looking for pliers and clamps like the vice grips. thank you



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PostPosted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 5:13 pm
channel lock & Vise Grip are all I play with.
Proven themselves over the decades compared to others.
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.

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PostPosted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 5:51 pm
When I used to work in a large plastics factory they used literally thousands of pairs of both Channel Lock and Vise Grips. No problems even under pretty adverse conditions. The Vise Grips especially were used to jig aluminum fingers that pulled hot plastic siding into correct shapes before it cooled. Those were sometimes put into place and run 24/7 for 30 day runs.
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 7:15 pm
For locking pliers I agree with Dennis. Channel Lock or ViceGrip are the pick.

For other pliers you really have to select item by item and not necessarily stay with one brand. Reason for this is that a lot of the brands source different models in their range from different factories, so the quality/style/accuracy and comfort may vary from one to the next.

For example, I have some Japanese made Fuller pliers that are really good but the hard grips chip very easily. My "go to, every day" pliers and side cutters are Vietnamese made, bought from Jaycar, but easily as good, if not better than the NWS or Knipex. Go figure, but I checked out the factory and they supply to lots of very well known brands. For slip joint Sidchrome are the best I've ever owned but in the large size I've been really happy with a set of Stanley Fat Max. That said, the Stanley Fat Max normal pliers are easily the most uncomfortable I've ever owned - just don't fit my hand and the handles close up too close. I had a similar experience with SnapOn. Knipex are possibly the most consistent quality and design across their range.

For smaller pliers the Japanese made brands can be works of art. Needle nose pliers by Asaki are as fine as tweezers but seem to be made from indestructium. Their normal pliers are pretty good too, so nicely made that you almost don't want to use them.

So, generally stick with known, good quality brands and avoid the store brands. Don't necessarily stick to one brand and choose each tool separately. Don't buy on price. Only buy tools that come with a lifetime warranty.

Same goes for other tools. For R&OE spanners SP Tools Motorsport are equivalent to SnapOn but half the price. For ratcheting rings Gearwrench have not let me down and they're comfortable to hold and use, as are their R&OE spanners. The Gearwrench 120XP ratchets are lovely to use and very strong but the Premier 108T are virtually the same and also have a quick release/locking button, which I like.

For every day screwdrivers I've had a full set of Stanley that, apart from the yellow handles getting a bit grubby, show almost no sign of wear after more than 10 years use. Vessel have been my pick for JIS while Sidchrome are just awesome for through tang indestructibility.
Chris



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PostPosted: Thu Nov 05, 2020 8:19 am
imo, hand tools are another category(like woodworking machinery) where one company doesnt make the best of everything.
channel lock and vicegrip hands down for this category i dinked around with other brands for years before conceding. havent had to buy anything else in 10 years. theyve been used and sometimes abused and keep workin great.



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PostPosted: Sat Nov 07, 2020 11:44 am
thank you for all your responses. i noticed that irwin-channellock was moved to China. does that affect quality control. is there any american or canadian made pliers. i would like to keep my hard earned dollars in canadian or american pockets. thanks

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