Hose clamp pliers

[iwannadie]

Can anyone recommend a good pair of cable hose clamp pliers? I like the spring hose clamps but I am getting fed up with having to reach with pliers. I realized over the holiday weekend dealing with the spring clamps cost me a lot of time and I need to invest in a nice pair of cable pliers finally.

I see craftsman makes a pair and OTC also has a set, they all kinda look like they are made by the same company and just re-boxed. If anyone has hands on experience with one brand or the other? I read a few reviews that the cables stretch after the first use and makes them unusable.

No, I am not looking to replace the spring clamps with worm clamps.

 

[souske]

I have been happy with the craftsman one, used it 20+ times, no problems.other than the occasional user error.

 

[iwannadie]

Nice, I am leaning towards the craftsman brand as usual but it is good to hear first hand opinions of them.

 

[ehall]

I use channel-loks

 

[iwannadie]

Some times I have a nightmare of a time getting a set of pliers onto the hose clamp just because of where it is at. Some cases I can barely get my fingers on the clamp let alone a pair of big pliers.

 

[Talyn]

I have the craftsman one with the cable on it. It gets frequent use and hasn't failed me. I wouldn't go without the cable because as you said sometimes you can't get the pliers in there.

 

[xjintx]

I'm "cheap" and have the Harbor Freight ones... they work fine for me... but I only use a couple times a year... not a mechanic by trade.

 

[KRAKER]

I've had my Craftsman clamp tool for about 6 years now and work as a full time tech. They're well worth the money if nothing has changed since I bought mine.