Unsticking Snap On Pliers: Not all sticky pliers are the same. A crunchy joints is a quick fix!

Unsticking Snap On Pliers: Not all sticky pliers are the same and a crunchy joints is a quick fix!

[@frankrosemeck9898]

Many many years ago, as an electrician's apprentice, i learned the proper way to loosen the pivot joint on a new, stiff pair of Kleins - plunge them into a pile of sand on the jobsite, then use them. Works every time.

[@mike4food]

I know you have said this before about sticky pilers. But I really like my pliers to be sticky. I find it really helpful when I’m in a tight spot. Keep them half open with one hand. I really learned to work with them stiff and like it so much better

[@marcmckenzie5110]

I have never had pliers that I couldn't reasonably loosen up. My main technique is to use a penetrating lubricant with the pliers open, and upside down, so it readily gets into the pivot joint. I do this when I’m watching TV with family usually, with a pig mat under me, and mostly just keep flooding and working the joint. In a few cases I’ve added Doc’s additional technique. Kroil works really well, as does @ScoutCrafter’s 50/50 formula, and even Ballistol and WD40 will get you there.

[@omegis13]

For the price Snap On asks, this shouldn't be necessary. Never had to do this with my Knipex pliers.

[@rwbishop]

I had tight/locked up Knipex; but it's rare.

[@mdunbar04]

I must have bad luck 3 out of 4 KNIPEX I have bought were very stiff. Needed oil and lots of break in.

[@jonwivccc7926]

@@mdunbar04break in is okay .. working on tools shouldn’t be a thing for 200$ pliers

[@omegis13]

@@mdunbar04 did you buy them discounted?

[@arthurleap4562]

Wd 40 will flush out the dirt then add some machine oil

[@xcofcd]

The guy at the Knipex factory said its 2/100mm that make the joint too loose or too stiff. That's about 0.0008in. With lubricants I like Royal Purple Maxfilm. Just randomly grabbed it at another guys garage and the pliers went from very stiff to free falling. I was very surprised how good that worked. Unfortunately it was from an BX/PX at an airbase and it's otherwise hard and expensive to get in Germany...

[@IOSARBX]

Last Best Tool, your hard work is paying off, keep it up

[@TimBuckley22]

At this price point there should be an actual person that tests every set of pliers before it leaves the factory floor. I’d be much happier to pay the price if I knew the attention to quality on every single product was there.

[@tomcardale5596]

I had a set of the 196ANCF like that which were incredibly stiff. If you clamped down hard on something they'd lock up. I exercised them by hand. I created a automated excercising machine for them. They didn't improve. What did happen is that the fixed side of the pivot started moving. The fixed side would move first, then the pivoting side. I warranteed them, but they were bought online and not something my local truck stocked (or apparently had ever sold) so it was a time consuming and tedious process. The replacements are fine.

[@donalddavis3308]

I usually use a liberal amount of crc power lube on the joint from all areas and work it. Black gunk comes out around the shaft and it is smooth,

[@briansavage932]

I've used electronics contact cleaner along with this technique and it worked well. The plus side of the contact cleaner is it is alcohol-based and will evaporate after helping to flush out the debris. That way it doesn't attract new gunk like lubricant can.

[@_Epictetus_]

All that money for pliers and they're not perfect.....

[@gtcam723]

I’ve encountered this with a lot over the years, particularly with side cutters.

[@justinvanburen8259]

Thanks for the tool tip!!

[@ElectroAtletico]

I just hit the joint with a bit of 3-in-1 oil, work the action for about 1 minute and....finished. Loose.

[@Hazan1fan]

I’ve had my share of sticky SO pliers. Sometimes had to warranty them 3 times until I got one that isn’t sticky. It boggles my mind that Snaps Ons QC dept (or lack of) allows them to be shipped out.

[@worldsmack]

It’s funny I actually enjoy this process of breaking in a good set of wires like that 😂👍

[@georgeferlazzo7936]

Hello again, Doc Thank you for another Great Video 👍 I enjoyed watching today's video. I have used various lubes, the one I have used successfully is Mouse Milk. That's the brand name. Again thank you 👌

[@Sflanagan]

Thanks for the great info FYI Doc but how much do you charge to fix sticky pliers

[@Dr650rob]

Keiba ones look nice and ktc are super smooth

[@kottke25]

My keiba, victor and engineer pliers and perfect from day one. What happened to the QC in Kenosha?

[@fuloplehel]

So I learned that there is no perfect pliers în the world. Even knipex ones are sometimes sticky. One time I was using bike chain cleaner with good results. Brake cleaner is evaporating too fast, So the chain cleaner is good, and after that some lubricant will do the job. If you have the option to submerge the head of the pliers în the cleaner, it works even faster to wash out the debries.

[@petebusch9069]

So we not only have to pay a ridiculous price but we also have to finish the machining process for Snap On? If this doesn't speak volume's then I don't know what will.

[@cowboy41231]

Terrible, this shouldn't be. If it were a harbor freight plier, people would be trash talkin something fierce. Yet, THIS is "ok"?

[@sammiches6859]

I bought this exact pair 2 months ago. Mine were stiff enough that I didn't even bother breaking them in. They're in the backup bag now and I use LN47ACF and Fujiya lineman pliers.

[@donwendling7800]

Doc, put a couple drops of 3 in 1 oil on the pivot & work it!

[@larryharry7221]

I used KPL on mine. Knife Pivot Lube.

[@Toyotas_n__Tools]

I think it has to do with they're riveted together they're hot so as they're cold they tighten up.

[@sandsock]

I have a small parts tray I have a little bit of atf fluid in it. If I get a hinge or something sticky like fencing pliers or a pocket knife. It gets set in there to loosen up.

[@zedtony8110]

Ok for a video but no way I'd do this on a new purchase.

[@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench]

Great tip for people. That's basically how I do it too.

[@b-ryanistryin]

I just shared a link to this video with a snap on customer service representative. Oddly enough, I sent an email to snap about a week ago asking them for advice about this exact same issue. So far, they recommend: ---work the pliers back-and-forth for many reps and they will loosen on their own --do not use any types of lubricant as it will attract debris I've since let her know that the repetition has seemed to have no effect. The customer service seems to be pretty quick, I would expect to hear back from them on Monday or Tuesday. Who knows, maybe they'll even follow the link and comment on this video!

[@b-ryanistryin]

SOLID new from Snap On: practically out of the blue, they set a replacement set of pliers! I've got to say, that's A+ work on their part. As for the pliers themselves, I have to admit, even these ones are a bit stiff, but much better than the others. I have hope with these ones that they will in fact break in; as discussed.

[@michaellindsay8934]

Good to know Doc

[@DredPirateRoberts]

It’s amazing the level of excuses you permit with your cult of snap on. FYI ~Rolex too is overrated.

[@zarajoe1]

You should not have to do this for an expensive set of pliers. Why pay all that money only to have to loosen them yourself. This is something you would expect from a cheap set of pliers and completely unacceptable from snapon. You show me a pair of knipex pliers that are stiff off the shelf.

[@jayc2193]

Slamming the joint on concrete can also help or hanging them off a string and hitting them with a hammer. (It was the only thing that worked with my 29ACF) They won’t look as nice and as others have said they should really come smooth at the price-point. I just assumed they all came like that so I’ve avoided most of their pliers now, with some exceptions.

[@wjanis1]

What kind of quality do you expect for $1750 pliers?

[@hytekrednekbama4400]

2 of the 3 standard size snap on pliers I have are very stiff and a pain to use. 3 of the 4 precision snap on pliers I have are poorly made with very uneven tips and just generally poorly made. At what those things cost, they should be beyond perfect, not barley usable. I am done wasting my money on over-priced snap-on pliers, and most other snap-on tools. Knipex and Swanstrom for me from now on for pliers. Japan has nice pliers too at wonderful prices.

[@funny0000000]

I have done it a million times. All you do is OIL them. They use sticky oil when making them. Brake clean and motor oil and they ARE fixed!

[@elizabeththompson4424]

you pay that much for Snap-On there shouldn't be any issues!

[@Proton_Decay]

Why can't pliers this expensive have a serviceable fastener instead of a rivet?

[@rwbishop]

I first thoroughly flush the joints with brake clean (and/or the solvent tank), blow them out, then apply a few drops of Super Lube oil (51004)... before working in as above. Pretty sure it's often residual grinding swarf contaminating the joint; and have also had some lock up... last was a pair of Knipex duck bills. Even had a pair of Knipex 'Cobolt's locked up, new out of the box... pita. I would not consider using valve grinding compound!

[@LeathermanSurge-q6l]

Hello buddy would you do this with a leatherman multi tool as well? Thanks

[@lastbesttool]

No. This technique is for when there is crunchy debris in a strong hot riveted plier.

[@CannaMike420]

Where is Snap On quality control? That should of been done post production before it left the factory.

[@alexdrockhound9497]

Im surprised this is even possible with how much snapon costs. I feel the cost would be justified if they were almost always absolutely perfect, but they seem to make lemons as often as other companies, and that makes me think their price is not justified to be as high as it is.

[@TakashiAmanoOriginal]

R&d and quality control are two different things

[@alexdrockhound9497]

@@TakashiAmanoOriginal value comes from many places, but at some point one pays so much that you should never get a lemon. When do knipex pliers arrive sticky?

[@TakashiAmanoOriginal]

@@alexdrockhound9497knipex does make lemons, so does Ferrari. These things are made by humans the machines that make them are made by humans so not receiving a lemon is an unrealistic expectation no matter how much you pay for something.

[@alexdrockhound9497]

@@TakashiAmanoOriginal plier opening force has to be one of the most trivially easy automated QA processes to design and set up. It would be so easy to make sure not a single stiff plier ever left the factory. They could test every single one with ease and cheaply.

[@james10739]

Aside from being annoying and generally poor quality i don't find tight pliers to be a problem

[@philchristmas4071]

I've never had a problem with a snap on tool. Why not just check them on the truck?

[@daifeichu]

He said that was the last pair. He also said, a couple times, to check them on the truck.

[@realmikeq]

What’s everybody’s opinion on grip colors ? Someone once told me all his regular size pliers have red grips while miniatures have orange grips etc. thoughts?

[@andrewgraves4026]

All the hottest color they make. Hot yellow is the easiest to find in the mess

[@rwbishop]

@@andrewgraves4026 The yellow is nice, but looks especially skanky after minimal use.

[@Leeroy2586]

I seriously just bought the channellock version of these, at lowes, for $24 this afternoon. Same exact plier

[@cowboy41231]

Whatchu talkin about Cletus?

[@svn5994]

Channellock needle nose are absolutely awful. No gripping power, piss poor QC, and a pivot so loose it's twists.

[@Leeroy2586]

@cowboy41231 how the hell do you know my name is Cletus!!!?

[@mdunbar04]

I have the same Channellock pliers too and they are awesome. Mine have the Code Blue grips very nice.

[@Trolldaddy5]

I just got a pair of snap on dikes n they're so stiff it takes two hands to open them. il have to try this

[@TheGameBoy56]

I’m srry all plaits need to be broken in Go buy a pair of hertage red wing boots The process take months till they fit like cloves Ur ocd. Is crazy

[@boosted2.4_sky]

If those would have been ICON it would have been a totally different video...🤔

[@spencereagle1118]

Really? at that price point? you shouldn't have to be doing that to 'the world's best tools'. Seriously, Snap-on's quality control on pliers is non existent.