[ARC5] Retaining rings...

[Chris Fandt]

FWIW, these Cannon plug pliers can be bought from Home Depot if you have 
one nearby to save on shipping costs. Currently $18.00 plus tax and can 
be shipped free to pickup at your local store. I plan to go this route 
next month or so since I have no soft jaw pliers right now. I find my 
arthritic hands hurt like heck and are somewhat weaker in strength, too, 
nowadays when trying to unlock/unscrew AN connectors and such things. I 
have four types of channel-lock pliers from different makers, including 
the actual Channelock Brand, and each has seen modification tricks used 
by me to pad the jaws for various things that should not be marred by 
the teeth of the pliers. But the padding is too flimsy. Clearances to 
panels with any of these tools is, however, still a hassle like Mike had 
discussed below if narrow rings are in play. I can think of a soft jaw 
design using Nylon or PBT pads which will solve that issue, but never 
have come across that solution from anybody so far.

    -Chris F.


On 8/19/2025 2:22 PM, Michael Hanz wrote:
> Totally agree on their value for their purpose, Craig.  I have three 
> of them by two manufacturers, and they have been real workhorses 
> around here.  They work perfectly to break loose a mated plug and 
> chassis connector that have been tight for years.
>
> However, with all of the plug pliers I have seen, the "working width" 
> of the plastic inserts (in contact with the workpiece) is less than 
> the width of the pliers.  The gap is close to the width of a ARC 
> knurled retaining ring thickness for chassis mount connectors 
> (0.110"), which is what Matt was talking about.  😭 Unless you grind 
> off some of the steel portion off one side of the pliers, the plastic 
> grabber will slip off the ARC knurled ring. The closest I can get is 
> with a Facom 410.S which has a 0.090" edge gap, and the .020" grabbing 
> surface is just not enough to do the job of breaking it loose.  
> Believe me, I have tried many times with high hopes, but...
>
> Mike  KC4TOS
>
> On 8/19/2025 10:11 AM, Craig Cantwell via ARC5 wrote:
>> Before using hard tools or trying to cut the old ring, spend the $15 
>> to $45 FOR A SET OF Cannon Plug pliers. They have good grip and the 
>> soft jaws reduce or eliminate any damage to the rings. If one has 
>> never used a set, here's what they look like. Should be a set in 
>> everyone's tool box for those hard to loosen plugs and rings.
>>
>> CANNON PLUG PLIERS (CRESCENT® BRAND) from Aircraft Tool Supply 
>> <https://www.aircraft-tool.com/detail?id=52910N>
>>
>>
>> 	
>>
>>
>>     CANNON PLUG PLIERS (CRESCENT® BRAND) from Aircraft Tool Supply
>>
>> CANNON PLUG PLIERS (CRESCENT® BRAND) - Designed to safely install and 
>> remove Cannon plug collars. Made of non-sp...
>>
>> <https://www.aircraft-tool.com/detail?id=52910N>
>>
>>
>> Craig
>> KF5JOT
>
-- 
================================================================
Christian R Fandt
Jamestown, NY 14701
   >  Electrical/Electronic Collector & Historian: Radios, Early Computers, Test Equipment
   >  Radio restorations:  Pre-1970s Automotive & Home radios
   >  Retired engineer/consultant on electrical/electronic contact physics



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