Irwin 2078900 Vise-Grip 6-1/2-Inch Convertible Snap Ring Pliers
- Snap Ring Pliers that combine two tools into one for internal or external use
- Four interchangeable tips for ease in moving from one project to the next
- ProTouch grip for comfort and reduced hand fatigue
Product Description
One 6 1/2in. pair does the job for both internal and external use. Includes 4 interchangeable tips (two 180deg , one 90deg and 45deg each) for ease in moving from one project to the next. Coiled spring for positive jaw openings. ProTouch grips provide extra comfort for less hand fatigue.Amazon.com Product Description
The Irwin Vise-Grip 6-1/2-Inch Convertible Snap Ring Pliers combine two tools into one by delivering pliers for internal or external use. The tool includes four interchangeable tips for ease in moving from one project to the next, and a ProTouch grip that provides extra comfort for less hand fatigue…. More >>
Irwin 2078900 Vise-Grip 6-1/2-Inch Convertible Snap Ring Pliers
Snap ring pliers with interchangeable tips have been around for a long time, so this versatile set (four tips in total: straight and bent tips in large and small diameters, that can be placed in position for either internal or external snap rings) looked very attractive. This tool was a complete disappointment, however. When installed, the tips wobble, then fall off when sideways pressure is applied. There is a removable pivot with a cross-bar that is supposed to lock the tips into place when using the external position. Instead when you put the tips on, “lock” them into position and turn the tool over, everything (tips and lock) falls off the pliers. I did a double take! As you know if you’ve used snap rings, you must often work in a difficult orientation and apply some downward pressure to keep the tips engaged in the small holes in the ring. A rigid tool that you can trust is absolutely necessary. This tool is unusable and should not be on the market. For shame, Irwin!
I can’t understand the previous commenter’s issue with the pliers. The pivot pin has a small metal slide at the opposite end of a spring at the mushroomed head. You put the particular plier tongs part you want in the appropriate position and push the pin through the spring, the plier tongs and the main hinge of the tool. While pushing the mushroomed end and nearly compressing the spring completely, you pull the metal slide out, pivot it parallel to the plane of the tool and slide the plate so that it straddles the hole. Release the pressure and the tool stays intact. I could see where it’s perhaps a little too complicated for what it does but once you figure it out (the directions are rather horrendous) the tool works well. One beef is that they could have provided a pouch or a cheap plastic box to keep the main tool and the plier bits together.
It’s a good tool. It gets dings for the directions and lack of storage when not in use.
The positive feature of this item is that you can easily convert the pliers to one of four different heads. This also appears to be the major negative of this product. The center shaft that holds the interchangeable heads onto the grip does not stay in. It is meant to be kept in place by a sliding bar built into the shaft that is kept in place by the tension of a spring. In my opinion the shaft pin is longer than it needs to be and adequate tension is not maintained on the slide to keep the pin from falling out. It is also possible for the two pins from the grip that apply the power to the points to slip out, again because the center pin is too long. I replaced the center pin with a nut and bolt that fit and these now work really well for me. I don’t hate these conidering the price I paid, but they could easily be top-rate if the pin was different.