Snap Ring Plier Tips

**pfredX1** · Oct 23, 2017, 05:56 PM

While I was servicing one of my routers it came to my attention that I could not find one of my snap ring tip kits. While I was sitting on the throne it dawned on me that I have a lot of hex wrenches. I know right where they are too. So out came the cut off wheel, and into my mill chuck pieces of hex wrench went. The rest of the making is pretty straight forward. When the tip fits it's done. I finished them up with some tool room stones while the tips were spinning in the chuck. They worked great too.

**DIYer** · Oct 24, 2017, 07:01 AM

Thanks pfredX1! We've added your Snap Ring Plier Tips to our Fastening category,
as well as to your builder page: pfredX1's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Snap Ring Plier Tips by pfredX1

tags: pliers

**Toolmaker51** · Oct 27, 2017, 08:51 PM

With the reverse taper, they'll hold on like originals too. Can't recall how many times I've used those of others, finding some 'modified' by haphazard means, that won't work any more. I'll bet even the least expensive hex wrenches are close or equal in hardness/ toughness to average replaceable tips.

**pfredX1** · Oct 28, 2017, 01:10 AM

This is one of those things that worked far better than I expected it to. So good I figured I'd share it. So good I can well see myself doing it again someday. I did have to run my mill in reverse to get the grab action between the spinning cutting disc, and the chucked up work. But I guess someone could just flip the grinder upside down if they don't have a reversing spindle on a drill press. Whenever you live grind spinning work you always want opposing spins. Otherwise the abrasive skips on the work. They bounce apart. Opposite they pull together and run smoother.

Like you noticed I even recreated the taper commercial tips have. But with this method that is the natural way for things to go. Just start on the top and linger a bit then work down. It's pretty much what anyone wants to do anyways. I found it very comfortable. Then for the final finish I touched it up a bit with a carborundum stone I have. A piece of sandpaper on a stick would probably work too?

**ncollar** · Apr 1, 2018, 07:15 PM

Fred
You hit a winner if no one else thinks so. I do not know how many times I need a special tip and it was not in my box, now it will be.
Thank you so very much for an excellent idea.
Nelson

**pfredX1** · Apr 1, 2018, 09:22 PM

All in all this whole hack worked out far better than I initially expected it to. It turned out to be one of those right in front of my nose deals. So obvious it is easily overlooked. If you take your time and do test fits you can get a really good fit on a particular ring. Which often makes all the difference when popping or reseating it. Who hasn't broken a hardened pip off snap ring tips too? I guess those can be reground? A new tip is in there. It is just up to us to bring it out.

**FEM2008** · Jun 9, 2020, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by pfredX1

... It turned out to be one of those right in front of my nose deals.

My nose tends to obscure things!

.

Great idea. Thanks for sharing.

**pfredX1** · Jun 9, 2020, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by FEM2008

My nose tends to obscure things!

.

Great idea. Thanks for sharing.

Glad you liked it. Those replaceable tips do look like hex keys. Turns out they pretty much are. It is also pretty easy to grind that reverse cone into them too. Easier than I initially imagined it would be. You never know with some things until you give it a try. I bet someone could even do it with a hand held drill clamped to a bench if they had to. Now that I'm thinking about it that may be the best way to go? 3 jaw chucks hold 6 sided stock good. The math just works out.