Tool questions

[Rockburner]

A thread for those odd questions that come up occasionally.

For instance:
This is a crimped fuel hose clip.

IMG_20240823_155429_735~2.jpg (47.73 KiB) Viewed 610 times

Is there a specific tool for opening these things up easily?

I have in mind a thing like a pair of pliers, but with a pair of miniature curved scythe-like jaws, or somesuch. Does such a thing exist?

[Druid]

They're not reuseable. I usually take a dremel to the raised bit to cut them in half

[cheb]

I use long handled wire cutters or a small pair of bolt croppers.

[mangocrazy]

Those are Oetiker single ear clamps, and as Druid says, are not reusable. I find the easiest way to loosen them is to insert a screwdriver blade into the ear and twist, which removes the clamping force and allows them to be slid off the hose. In some cases you'll need two screwdrivers with different blade sizes, one to open the clamp up initially and then a larger one to open the clamp enough to slide it off.

[iansoady]

But to fit them? I find the best tool is a pair of carpenters' pincers.

[mangocrazy]

There are specialist pliers available. These are the spendy Oetiker ones:

https://hcl-clamping.co.uk/products/com ... number-499

Cheaper options are available, but the ones above can crimp 'head-on' and also from the side.

[demographic]

But to fit them? I find the best tool is a pair of carpenters' pincers.

Ha, finally, a use for carpenters pincers.

Cos they're bloody awful to use as carpenters pincers.
For my carpenters pincers I use NWS Powerbolt jobbies, but they have a huge amount of mechanical advantage (will easy cut first fix Paslode nails at 3.2mm with a urved end allows nails to be levered out withojt da.aging surfaces too much and even cut screws at a pinch) but the Powerbolt end cutters wouldn't open wide enough to do pipe clips.


Great pincers for my usage though.