What
are Circlips?
To understand the function of circlip pliers, one must initially grasp the concept of circlips. A circlip, which is otherwise known as a C-clip or Jesus clip, is a type of fastener or retaining ring made of a semi-flexible metal ring with open ends. This can be snapped into place in a machined groove on a pin or some other part to allow full rotation. However, it prevents lateral movement. In fact, the rings tend to have open ends rather than a full circle. This open 'horseshoe' design gives them a certain amount of spring tension. Once in place, the spring pressure effect ensures that it does not move or slide out of place.
What are Circlip Pliers?
A standard plier usually contains flattened or sharpened tips. However, this solely depends on the nature of work that the plier is intended for. On the contrary, a circlip plier possesses tips that are shaped precisely to fit between the grip holes that are placed on the circlip. This particular function makes it a lot easier to manoeuvre and manipulate the circlips into place.
Therefore, circlip pliers are a specific type designed to remove and install circlips, and they are generally deployed where components must be kept installed on shafts or housings.They are also utilized with a range of bearings used in mechanisms designed to twist, turn or pivot.
Each set of circlip pliers must have a minimum and maximum diameter of circlip that they can work with, or a range of distances that the tips can open and close. This entirely depends on the size of the tool. These specifications are essential and should only be used with properly sized retaining rings.
Different
Varieties of Circlip Pliers
The type of circlip pliers is often dependent on the particular supplier. Even though all of the pliers are made to be utilized with C-clips, the various kinds of designs have a range of different uses.
External
Circlip Pliers
This tool is mainly made to fit around the external section of a dowel or a shaft. Once the tool is in place, it utilizes the spring pressure inwards, towards the dowel, in order to provide a firm grip.
If the handles of the pliers are squeezed, then the tips of the external circlip pliers open up. This results in the stretching of the snap ring, and thus allows it to be slotted over a shaft.
Internal
Circlip Pliers
This particular variant of pliers is mainly designed to fit inside a hollow housing or bore. When compared to the external plier, this type pushes outward against the sides, and hence the ring is held in place.Moreover, when the handles of this tool are squeezed, the plier tips close together; utterly opposite of the function that is performed by the external circlip plier.
Long
Nose Circlip Pliers
This particular type of tool may be termed as a specialist tool. This is because the long nose plier is meant to be used with longer bores or dowels. Moreover, they also aid to insert or remove C-clips that are placed in hard to reach positions. These pliers are more popular than any other type because it performs many challenging tasks which are not possible with any other type of plier.
