snap ring pliers for a transmission rebuild

So the GMC project has jumped into the transmission, and despite promises of "good" snap ring pliers from several friends for the lend, I have found them all to be nearly useless, preferring the "two-screwdrivers-and-a-prayer" method for removal. I want something more substantial for the assembly, since I can't destroy the rings I am using to put it together.

First off, all cheap snap ring pliers should be thrown away and destroyed immediately. It is your duty to complete this task.

Secondly, recommend a set that isn't ridiculously priced and can actually attach and remove snap rings both ID and OD, both with eyes and without. E bay, used, new, all considered.

Let's see what ya got.

I recently picked up a set of Channel-Lock brand snap ring pliers at Home Depot for pulling snap rings in the trans on my truck. Worked like a charm. They are substantial pliers, MUCH better than the auto parts store / Harbor freight type, and I think they were around $30. It seemed like a good middle ground between so cheap that they work like E36 M3 and great but need a home loan to purchase.

Okay, found them. Looks like $22 locally: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Channellock-8-in-Retaining-Ring-Pliers-927/100348008

I bought a set of Tecton(Tekton?) snap ring pliers from amazon. You can't swap or flip the heads, but that is just the way I wanted it. These were pretty cheap but they feel solid and don't wobble or have to be tightened constantly.

If you can find them, I was able to get a cheaper set of stinger from the cornwell guy, granted you can get them from amazon as well.

They have held up great for me over the past 3 years working on everything from my protege all the way to rebuilding large forklift transmissions and they are convertible so multi use is a great feature.

ultraclyde wrote: I recently picked up a set of Channel-Lock brand snap ring pliers at Home Depot for pulling snap rings in the trans on my truck. Worked like a charm. They are substantial pliers, MUCH better than the auto parts store / Harbor freight type, and I think they were around $30. It seemed like a good middle ground between so cheap that they work like E36 M3 and great but need a home loan to purchase. Okay, found them. Looks like $22 locally: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Channellock-8-in-Retaining-Ring-Pliers-927/100348008

After years of messing with cheap crap I have a set of these in my box now, worth every cent.

I picked up a set of Lang 1434 pliers a while back that are working very well. Off the top of my head they were in the $20-$25 range. Surprisingly enough, they are made in the USA.

http://www.langtools.com/

Knipex?

All mine are MAC outside of the Cornwell internal/external snap ring set.

The smallest pair there is what I use 90% of the time. I don't think I paid more then $15/ea, but that was nearly 9 yrs ago.....

I bought a craftsman one a couple months back and it was absolutely butter. http://m.sears.com/craftsman-professional-retaining-ring-pliers-internal-external/p-00947412000P?levels=Tools

I had some cheap HF set and those things didn't even make good hammers.

ultraclyde wrote: I recently picked up a set of Channel-Lock brand snap ring pliers at Home Depot for pulling snap rings in the trans on my truck. Worked like a charm. They are substantial pliers, MUCH better than the auto parts store / Harbor freight type, and I think they were around $30. It seemed like a good middle ground between so cheap that they work like E36 M3 and great but need a home loan to purchase. Okay, found them. Looks like $22 locally: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Channellock-8-in-Retaining-Ring-Pliers-927/100348008

I have a Channel Lock brand set to. It came with a selection of different size & angle tips. I like it, and it works great. The only thing I wish was it had someplace to store the tips built in. I actually have 4 snap ring pliers. One set of OD & ID, another convertible plier, and the Channel Lock brand. The Channel lock is the best of the bunch.

Hands down the best clip piers are Milbar brand made by Stride tool. I have several sets of clip pliers and I find my self always going for the milbars cause replaceable tip units just don't work in HD clips.

Milbar brand is now Imperial brand. Same plier made by the same people (Stride Tool) different name and blue grips replacing red grips

http://www.crawfordtool.com/retaining_ring.html

As a Cornwell guy myself, I prefer the OTC Stingers for the nicer handles. I sell maybe twenty sets of Stingers for every Cornwell set. The Stingers are Taiwan while Cornwell is of course made in the USA (with only US steel I might add).

Unless you have access to tool guys, buy the Channel locks. They are good and you have more warranty channels. Made in the USA to boot.

If you only want to buy one set for the rest of your life and don't mind searching for warranty outlets buy Knipex. Made in Germany, expensive as hell, and WORTH EVERY PENNY.

Crawford has Knipex units too.

Toyman01 wrote: I picked up a set of Lang 1434 pliers a while back that are working very well. Off the top of my head they were in the $20-$25 range. Surprisingly enough, they are made in the USA. http://www.langtools.com/

I have the same ones. They work well for me.