John Tee Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 I know this has been asked before. I have found post from 2019 on the suppliers of circlip pliers but the suggestions have lead to dead ends. I need a very small pair of circlip pliers to replace the 3mm clips on a motor. I managed (forced ) the old one off and now I have replacements I can't get them back on. Plenty of suppliers about but from the pictures they are nowhere near small enough to fit 3mm ones. Looked on ebay etc. Got the clips from Modelfixings but can't see any tools to fit. Any help please. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 What size tip do you need for example Amazon sell jewellers pliers have a .8mm tip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 Circlips, the Devils work.....Ping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dickw Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 Try RS Components - that's where I got mine from. Dick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Tee Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 Thanks for the replies. Martian, that sound like the tool I need. The space in the end of the clip is not the usual two holes but a small oval about 3 - 4 mm so need a very small pair of tips. Dickw. Will have a look there didn't try them. Steve J. I think I tried them without success a few years ago, mine were not suitable. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 You could try Proops to see if theirs are small enough. Or Toolstation or Screwfix etc who do one with interchageable heads. But I suggest experimenting with a pair of nail scissors to see if they could expand the clip enough. Maybe file the scissors a bit to grip. Nail scissors loop around your finger & thumb so can expand instead of compressing action. ( scissors are cheap especially if you 'borrow' hers) Working inside a polythene bag might catch any flying clip! Of course it's always possible heat might expand the metal enough to fit. Edited By kc on 27/07/2020 17:50:32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 Just bought some from fleabay. Will report back when they arrive, if anyone needs to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 John iv e just realised it's external pliers you need ,they force open the clip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Tee Posted July 28, 2020 Author Share Posted July 28, 2020 This is an enlarged view of the circlip I need to expand. Probably x5 to real life size actually 3,2mm. Can just see the split in the "snowman" head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 John, yesterday when i made the suggestion of using a pair of nail scissors I actually tried the idea and it all but worked except that it was a brand new 3648 with 5mm shaft and I didn't really want to disassemble it so i didnt actually expand very much. So I suggest you try it using the opposite action to cutting. It may sound ridiculous but it may work! Edited By kc on 28/07/2020 19:16:45 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chaddock Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 John Quite frankly I doubt you will find pliers small enough. My solution would be to use a thin screwdriver as a 'wedge' in the snowman's head to open the clip. Position it over the shaft, remove the wedge and then push the clip carefully down the shaft until it drops into its slot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Tee Posted July 28, 2020 Author Share Posted July 28, 2020 Kc will try that but got to get he scissors first. Simon. I did try that but haven't found the right wedge yet. thats similar to how I got the old one off how do the makers put these things on in the first place? Thanks all John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven S Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 I typed "3mm circlip" into the Farnell search box and then scrolled down the result page to where it lists 4 different pliers for that circlip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 These should do the job. The jaws are just less than 0.8mm in diameter & close flush together - 1.75mm across when closed together. I bought a pair 3 years ago (through Ebay but my vendor is no longer listed there) & find them invaluable for tiny circlips. Search '4" micro circlip pliers' for alternatives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxG Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Whatever you get, when you use them do it in a large clear poly bag. Otherwise you will need lots of spare clips. Maxg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 I know that 'elf and safety can get rediculous sometimes, but I had a close call with an errant circlip a week or two ago. Ping! and the ruddy thing clipped the white of my left eye. No damage thankfully but could have been a mess - don't know how many circlips I've dealt with professionally over the years, thousands possibly, and have never come so close to disaster 'till now. Please, please, please, use a pair of safety glasses when dealing with these things or similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Tee Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 I have some scissors to try now and am going to order some pliers from Farnells. MaxG. I know about the bag trick and I ordered a pack os 20 even though at the time I only want one. Cuban8. A bit lucky there. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Tee Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 Gentlemen SUCCESS. I used a combination of Kc scissors and Simons wedge. The scissors I had were just too big so I thought about it and used one leg of the scissors in the clip and pushed it down the scissors enought open it a bit (Simons wedge), managed to get it on the shaft. Removed the scissors and pushed the clip down the shaft and there was a satisfying click as it went into the groove. Many thanks for all your help and suggestions. I will still try to get the circlip pliers from Farnells as I like to make life easier (though you would never guess it if you see me at work). John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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