Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: amecks on July 06, 2018, 09:48:58 AM

Title: Piston Ring Installing Pliers - Duro Chrome 2128
Post by: amecks on July 06, 2018, 09:48:58 AM
Are these for installing piston rings?  Didn't find anything in the usual places online.  They are Duro Chrome 2128 U.S.A.  The inside of the jaws are indented with teeth, lines running the length of the tool.  The outside of the jaws have an indented square about 3/32".  These were with the recent purchase of automotive tools.
Thanks
Al
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Title: Re: Piston Ring Installing Pliers - Duro Chrome 2128
Post by: Papaw on July 06, 2018, 10:11:19 AM
They look like regular snap ring pliers. None of the images I saw on a quick google search were made that way.

I have these, but never used them. Matter of fact, I always used my fingers .
Title: Re: Piston Ring Installing Pliers - Duro Chrome 2128
Post by: J.A.F.E. on July 06, 2018, 01:18:03 PM
I have a pair like the OP's Duro 2128 and always thought they were for snap rings - mainly for transmission work but mine have a spring in them. Parenthetically, I also have the piston ring expander like Papaw.
Title: Re: Piston Ring Installing Pliers - Duro Chrome 2128
Post by: amecks on July 06, 2018, 02:45:13 PM
OK. Noticing the "extra" holes where the spring must go.
Thanks
Al
Title: Re: Piston Ring Installing Pliers - Duro Chrome 2128
Post by: EVILDR235 on July 06, 2018, 03:16:49 PM
I also say snap ring pliers. I also install rings by hand. Never broke one yet. I have a piston ring tool also. Have never used it.

EvilDr235
Title: Re: Piston Ring Installing Pliers - Duro Chrome 2128
Post by: Spartan-C on July 06, 2018, 07:25:08 PM
A place I worked at years ago had a pair similar to them.  Don't recall the name.  All I remember, weren't worth a sh^t to use.  The jaws always kept coming off the snap rings.  We had others that took their place that were much easier to use and install the special snap rings we used on down hole oil tools.

Ken
Title: Re: Piston Ring Installing Pliers - Duro Chrome 2128
Post by: papadan on October 11, 2018, 06:28:29 PM
Bought my first piston ring pliers in 75 to use on an old 283 I was rebuilding. Used it on 2 pistons and then started using my fingers. Still have those pliers, even though they were never used again.
Title: Re: Piston Ring Installing Pliers - Duro Chrome 2128
Post by: Bill Houghton on October 11, 2018, 09:25:47 PM
There's a specific retaining ring used in some manufacturer's rear axle that pliers of that type are optimized for.  I may own a pair, but, if so, I don't know why; I doubt I'll ever open up a rear axle.

I've owned piston ring expanders, and the set (pair?) I owned had little fingers above and below the seating for the ring ends, to capture the sides of the ring first; you would then carefully open the ring before inserting.  As with so many tools I've had in my life, I got them after I no longer needed them.

Like Papaw, I just used my fingers: stuck my thumbnails into the gap, one on each end, while using my other fingers to hold the ring, and carefully open up the ring, trying not to scream as the sharp ends dug into the skin under my thumbnails.  Worked fine.  Sort of.