snap-ring pliers won't fit into diaphragm cups - CV carbs

[exdirtbiker]

My snap ring pliers are too fat ( not skinny / long enough ) to allow me to remove the ring holding the needle on my CV carbs.
Can you tell me what pliers you KNOW will work? Where to buy?

I already tried doing a little grinding... still can't get mine slim enough to fit. And they are not cheapies !!! ( well, they are now that I boogered them ! )

Pete

 

[posplayr]

These are skinnier than what I use.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/5-3-4-quarter-inch-needle-nose-pliers-40696.html

You need to file(grind) small cuts about 1/8" wide 1/8" deep across the end of the jaws to grab the circlip.

 

[chuck hahn]

They make long reach ones for doing brake master cylinders and such. Think motion pro sells them.

 

[exdirtbiker]

OK, I tried this route but the pliers I had were soooooo thin that they bent instead.
Nearest HF location is... less than a mile
Thanks !

These are skinnier than what I use.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/5-3-4-quarter-inch-needle-nose-pliers-40696.html

You need to file(grind) small cuts about 1/8" wide 1/8" deep across the end of the jaws to grab the circlip.

 

[Guest]

I use these craftsman needle nose from Sears. They're not as cheap as the ones at HF, but then they're not as cheap.:-\\\

 

[mnferwerda]

As Chuck mentioned, the Motion Pro ones are great.
https://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-0...5&sr=8-1&keywords=motion+pro+snap+ring+pliers

 

[Gorminrider]

Try Dollar store "jewellers' screwdriver kit" . The all-metal ones.The tips are hardened steel.(black) I expect everyone knows what I'm talking about without a picture?.... The smallest ones in that kit.. Use the tiny slot-head to hold one side out of the groove while moving the other end with tiny phillips head....etc.
It's not nice and needs a bit of technique but I've removed a lot of circlips without any proper tool. (I have quite a nice collection of circlip pliers NOW though)

You might also try tempering your modded needle nose pliers to a brittler temper. Red-hot and quench will make them brittle but if you want to read up on it a bit, you can wait for a bronze-->blue and quench in that range. Oil as quench for smaller tools? well, read up a bit.

 

[Guest]

I use these craftsman needle nose from Sears. They're not as cheap as the ones at HF, but then they're not as cheap.:-\\\

I modified a similar set of long reach needle nose pliers to work, cheap and effective.


Mark

 

[tkent02]

I modified a similar set of long reach needle nose pliers to work, cheap and effective.


Mark

Yep, had to grind the tips down juuuust a tiny bit smaller, been using them for years.

 

[TxGSrider]

I bought a very cheap hemostat from Harbor Freight that worked pretty good.