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I'll start by addressing the moderator(s) on the forum. If you feel this thread does not belong here please move it to the proper forum. I was hoping to catch the eye of the majority and this forum seems to have the most visitors. Since this thread has to do with tools that repair small engines and mowers I was hoping it can stay here.

To the technicians out there I am seeking your opinion on a set of snap ring pliers. I already own a 5 piece internal/external reversing set made by Snap-On that I purchased over 30 years ago and they still work great. The issue is I need a second set for my field repair box and do not want to spend $200.00+. I also don't want a low quality set that bends or breaks. The overwhelming majority of my tools are made by Snap-On but I also own tools made by many other manufacturers including Harbor Freight. However the set of snap ring pliers from HF have a low rating so I'll pass on those. I'm too poor to buy cheap :laughing: and I'm willing to spend a fair amount for a good set of tools but I just can't bring myself to pay over $200.00 for a set of snap ring pliers.

So, knowing all this, I'd like to hear recommendations from the people who actually use snap ring pliers on a somewhat regular basis. What brand and/or set would you buy if you had to go out and purchase a set today? Including a link and/or tool number would be a big help.

Thank you in advance for your reply

I use craftsman, and they are made by the same company that makes the snap-on set.

I have two sets one is OTC and the other is Blue Point ( Snap On). Both sets look alike to me other then the name.

craftsman holds up pretty well

Micah Haarhoff said:

craftsman holds up pretty well

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I was just looking at the craftsman snap ring pliers. It looks like they have the end tips that are removable for different sizes. That was the very first set I bought and it was junk. Beware get the set that uses non removable end tips.

reynoldston said:

I was just looking at the craftsman snap ring pliers. It looks like they have the end tips that are removable for different sizes. That was the very first set I bought and it was junk. Beware get the set that uses non removable end tips.

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I have never had good luck using snap ring pliers that have removable tips. So, as I already mentioned, I bought a set from Snap On 30 years ago and they still work great after countless uses.

Any other technicians out there have a recommendation?

I have two sets also, Snap-On at the shop (solid ends) And Proto at home (also solid ends). Both have served me well, never replaced a single piece.

I'm pushing 70 yrs. now, most of my 4 toolboxes ( had to add metrics for the changeover ya know ) I purchased, when I first got in to wrench-bending.
Over the years they have served me well and they still do ..... "No Rust N No Dust", I bought many brands, Snap-On, Mac, Craftsman But I also "found some GREAT tools at local Swap-meets, Flea-Markets, & yard sales. Many times I bought " use for this task & throw away " at various stores ...
you can tell when you pick up a tool (usually) if its the right choice , just as many mech.s have that inner feeling when you know its tight ... and when you'll snap it off. Just for economics, if I can pay a few dollars for a tool that will let me do the job , I'm not going to spend 20 or more dollars for the same device or whatever, that will do the job. Usually I can get "good" quality tools at ( NorthernTool.com ) ,but they also have the "throw-aways I mentioned, you may have one close by. Biggest problem buying on line is you cant "feel" the tool & SHIPPING CHARGES ....... be aware of that !! Best wishes in your decisions,
One further thing......... take good care of your tools & they'll take good care of you . .......Boobala ...:thumbsup:

Agree nothing worse than flimsy snap ring pliers. The HFrt stuff is cardboard, but $200 makes my eyes water.

motoman said:

Agree nothing worse than flimsy snap ring pliers. The HFrt stuff is cardboard, but $200 makes my eyes water.

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Knowing all this, what brand do you own?

And, if you had to go out and buy a set today, what would you buy?

Found a few items that might be of interest to ya........

Pliers & Vise Grips | Pliers-Snap Ring | Reversible Snap Ring Plier Kit, 5 Piece | B641152 - GlobalIndustrial.com

Snap Ring Pliers | Pliers + Pliers Sets | Hand Tools | Northern Tool + Equipment

Astro 9401 10-Piece Snap Ring Pliers Set - Snap On Tools - Amazon.com

Snap Ring Pliers Set - 8-Pc Astro Pneumatic 9401 (AST9401)

Sears.com

Cant hurt to look , the Craftsman site has a good selection if you scroll around on it, some are "pricey" but its all in what you're after, hope I was of some assistance , Good Luck.....Boobala :smile:

motoman said:

Agree nothing worse than flimsy snap ring pliers. The HFrt stuff is cardboard, but $200 makes my eyes water.

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$200 divided by 20 years is 2 cups of coffee a year,,, cheap.

What is $ 200 now days, 1 days profits ?

I just don't get it.
When I bought the A65 BSA it had a tiny tool box ( tray really so I went to the tool store and bought the thinnest lightest ring / Open Enders that had.
These were Stahlwillies and cost around $ 40 each which was 2 days pay in those days.
Expensive at the time , yes, but I still have those spanners and use them daily so from 1972 till 2015, $ 215 / 43 years = $ 5 /year.
And without sounding like a deviant , they give me so much pleasure to use, light comfortable in my hand and able to squeeze into the tightest of spots.

The other thing about good tool that are not cheap, you seldom forget about them and leave them behind.

I understand that professionals look at tool cost in a different way. I looked at my motley assortment. Several are bent low grade junk that failed in use. The best one is a Craftsman with 90 degree pins. I do have one set that is very old which takes several different pins. It is ok on small jobs. No brand name on it.

In 1972 I was a metallurgist, not a mower mechanic so essentially they were for private use.
Good tools was a thing I got from dad, fewer good tools in your box is a lot better than many bad ones.
Then as you need more, you buy what you need rather than what the tool company wants to sell you so you don't end up carrying a chest full of spanners you never use.
Cheap tools are a false economy, even snap ring pliers.
A good quality one will hold the snap ring firmly, won't allow it to pop off so you don't spend an hour crawing through the grass looking for the projectile snap ring.
And like a lot of things good tools have become comparatively cheap.
The same Stahlwillies that were a two days pay each in 1972 are now two hours pay in 2015

motoman said:

I understand that professionals look at tool cost in a different way. I looked at my motley assortment. Several are bent low grade junk that failed in use. The best one is a Craftsman with 90 degree pins. I do have one set that is very old which takes several different pins. It is ok on small jobs. No brand name on it.

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When I was making a living as mechanic a cheap broken tool was useless and it would cost me money to be without it. That is why I paid big money for top quality tools. Now that I am retired and doing this more for a hobby, Harbor Freight tools are working just fine for me. It is a surprise how well HF tools do hold up.