TOOL REVIEW
PRODUCT
DESCRIPTION:
The KNIPEX Tools Hose Clamp Pliers for
Click Clamps, No. 85 51 250 C, are designed
to open and close click clamps quickly and effectively,
with and without limit-stops in the locking
mechanism. The tool will not harm the clamps
they’re compressing, allowing the click clamps
to be reused multiple times. The rotating swivel
tips allow access from multiple angles, and the
push-button adjustment helps users find the right
adjustment position.
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KNIPEX Tools Hose Clamp
Pliers for Click Clamps
Using this set of pliers provided the user the
ability to easily remove and reuse the same
click clamps on a variety of applications.
by Erica Schueller, Editor
When working on fuel
hoses, vacuum pipes,
suction nozzles and
other areas of the vehicle requiring the
removal of small clamps known as Clic or
Clic-R clamps, technicians can oftentimes
become frustrated. A technician may have
trouble accessing or removing this clamp
type, sometimes requiring a replacement
of the original clamp. With the introduction
of the KNIPEX Tools Hose Clamp
Pliers for Click Clamps, technicians can
now use a tool designed to easily remove
and reuse these click clamps.
“These clamp pliers have saved me a
lot of time when dealing with this style of
clamps,” says Lou Fort, lead technician at
K.A.R.S. Inc. in Huntingburg, Ind.
Fort confirmed the tool setup was
simple with the push-button adjustment
to set the opening size of the tool head, as
well as the rotating tips to adjust the tool
to the appropriate position.
Fort says he received a demonstration
kit with his tool, allowing for an easy
visual of how to use the tool. “It had two
different styles of click clamps on a piece
of hose over a brass tube insert,” says Fort.
Of the features that stood out, Fort
liked the overall size of the tool, as well
as the adjustable jaw opening. “The fiveto
one leverage makes resetting even the
largest clamp a snap,” Fort says. “The
shape of the jaw, along with having a row
of teeth on the top jaw used to help loosen
up the hose
once the clamp
has been released, is a feature I have
not seen on competitor's (tools).”
Fort also appreciated the ability
to replace the rotating tips of the tool,
if needed.
He confirmed the tool allowed him
to unlock clamps as necessary, but he
oftentimes used a pick to complete this
task. He more often used the Hose Clamp
Pliers with Click Clamps to lock the
clamp back in place.
The only drawback Fort found was the
rare instance where he could not access
the clamp due to the difficult positioning
of the clamp.
As a suggestion for future iterations of
the tool, Fort suggested having additional
tip options available to remove a wider
variety of clamp types. “How about making
a few different sets of tips for use with
different types of spring clamps?** Offer
a set that would allow the jaws to pivot
from side to side?”
Fort found a number of applications
on which to use the Hose Clamp Pliers
for Click Clamps.
“They proved handy when working
on Jaguar, BMW, VW and Mercedes
that used the Clic-R style hose clamps.
I was able to reuse rather
than replace most of (the
clamps),” Fort says.
“Us ing t he
KNIPEX 85 51
250 C couldn’t
be much easier,”
Fort confirms.
“I have used a few different
models of click clamp pliers
made by different companies. None
of them make working with this style of
clamp as easy as KNIPEX does.”
Fort does confirm it is still a challenge
to find a local vendor selling replacement
Clic-R clamps, which is another benefit
to having this tool on-hand. He currently
must work with a local dealer to obtain
replacement clamps.
Overall, Fort appreciated the KNIPEX
Tools Hose Clamp Pliers for Click
Clamps. “These are a very high-quality
tool that work as intended with an ease
that is expected,” Fort confirms.
Manufacturer's note: The Hose Clamp
Pliers for Click Clamps are intended for
use with the Clic and Clic-R style clamps.
KNIPEX also offers the 85 51 250 A and 85
51 250 AF with lock to assist with accessing
other types of spring hose clamps.
www.VehicleServicePros.com OCTOBER 2017 PROFESSIONAL TOOL & EQUIPMENT NEWS 77
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