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  #1  
Old 01-31-2020, 04:55 AM
JKevin JKevin is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: West Liberty, Kentucky
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Default QUALITY Cleco pliers

For tools that I use every day over and over, I hate crappy tools. Like every set of Cleco pliers I have ever found. Is there such a thing as high quality Cleco pliers?

I have a pneumatic cleco tool but would like a good quality manual set. Bonus it it was available in traditional and upright versions.

Any ideas?
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  #2  
Old 01-31-2020, 06:54 AM
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rv8ch rv8ch is offline
 
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Location: LSGY
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Default plastidip?

Quote:
Originally Posted by JKevin View Post
... Any ideas?
I've only used the pliers that came with the old avery kit, and they seem ok, probably because I wear gloves 99% of the time.

I recall that some would cover the handles with plastidip - if that's where you feel the tool can be improved.
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  #3  
Old 01-31-2020, 08:30 AM
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9GT 9GT is offline
 
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Default

I like the cheaper ones that are lighter in weight. I have had a couple sets of the ones with rubberized handles and on both of them, but over time the rubber covers would loosen up and start slipping off. Turned out I like the feel of the plain steel better.
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  #4  
Old 01-31-2020, 08:32 AM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pair of cleco pliers that measure up to the standards of some of the very old tools I have collected from the past, but if expense is a measure of quality, then you might check out the Clecalls over at ACS - I used a few of their prototype tools, and they are nicely built. I have a little trouble personally using the spring-loaded ones because they mess up my old-fashioned rhythm, but we have lots of different plies in our shop, and many visitors drift right to the Clecalls and don't want to give them up.

Paul
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  #5  
Old 01-31-2020, 08:43 AM
sjhurlbut sjhurlbut is offline
 
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Talking pliers

This is awesome. I love my loose and ragged clecoe pliers. Bought from Avery Tools in 1998.

6 airplanes and counting - and I love the finger callus.
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  #6  
Old 01-31-2020, 09:39 AM
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wirejock wirejock is offline
 
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Default Cleko pliers

Quote:
Originally Posted by sjhurlbut View Post
This is awesome. I love my loose and ragged clecoe pliers. Bought from Avery Tools in 1998.

6 airplanes and counting - and I love the finger callus.
Same here. I plasti dipped them and it's still on. The loose hinge make them fast with low friction. Just let go and the bottom handle drops.
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  #7  
Old 01-31-2020, 09:47 AM
rocketman1988 rocketman1988 is offline
 
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Default Clecall

I have one of the original Aluminum Upright models...and I would not recommend it. The aluminum is too soft and the checks get hung up in the jaws...

They ARE beautiful, though.

That said, I would try their forged steel ones without hesitation...
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  #8  
Old 01-31-2020, 11:00 AM
fixnflyguy fixnflyguy is offline
 
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Default Old and refined...

I have been using the same pair for 40 years, forged steel very loose in the hinge and slightly reworked at the jaw end to fit tighter spaces and eliminate hang-ups. I have tried a dozen others, but I always go back to my favorite old set. I have a strategically placed wrap of cloth electrical tape on the pull side of the plier that keeps it from slipping in my hands..i will NEVER give it up!
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  #9  
Old 01-31-2020, 12:33 PM
terrye terrye is offline
 
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Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Default QUALITY Cleco pliers

I slipped a piece of rubber hose over each handle of my standard cleco pliers. I now call these QUALITY cleco pliers They are much easier on the hands than the standard cleco pliers and the rubber hose has never slipped or come off.
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  #10  
Old 01-31-2020, 06:33 PM
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GeoffP GeoffP is offline
 
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Default

My favourite set is a tired old second hand set that came with some surplus tools. I put a couple of layers of heat shrink on the handles to improve grip, feel, and comfort. I have also got some of the spring loaded clecall ones, both upright & normal, and they're nice but depending on the angle it can be difficult to get them to fully disengage the cleco's.
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