Double ear / Oetiker clip tool

[CompoSimmonite]

The "proper" tool for double ear / Oetiker clips is rather expensive and I wonder if I can simply use a pair of long handled pincers instead ? Would I need to regrind the edge in any way ?
Cheers.

Paul H

 

[eSCHEn]

Yes you can and no you don't need to unless you're a heavy handed chimp ^_^

 

[taxi ray]

I think pincers would be ok, the proper tool is a bit longer than pincers and the edges are flat. I think I may have a pair in my shed I will look tomorrow, I always found the clips to be quite soft.
Only used it once, we were working at ICI Clitheroe about 1990, they inspected our hoses and demanded that we renew the hoses and use proper clips. I had to go to Manchester for all the gear.

 

[Jim Davey]

You need a tool that gets right into the corner of the "ears". Nail pincers usually have quite a bevel on the end and as such they don't make a nice job of the crimp causing the clip to flatten rather than making a nice sound 360 degree seal.

 

[Shox Dr]

I've a pair I snaffled at a auto jumble; Don't bother, a pair of End nips are perfect for the job, just go easy squeeze too hard and you cut the lug off

 

[brightspark]

grind the nipping edge of them and they wont

 

[Shox Dr]

grind the nipping edge of them and they wont

I went one better.
Bought (new) cheap long handled pair that were already blunt

 

[brightspark]

I went one better.
Bought (new) cheap long handled pair that were already blunt

i like it

 

[Jim Davey]

Or pay the £10 for the right tool and have done with it?

 

[Windy Miller]

You need a tool that gets right into the corner of the "ears". Nail pincers usually have quite a bevel on the end and as such they don't make a nice job of the crimp causing the clip to flatten rather than making a nice sound 360 degree seal.

I think that's about right.

I have used ordinary pincers, and they do the job, but not 100% properly. I bought some ancient pincers from a boot fair one day, and they'd been ground down on the ends, and they make a lovely job of it. Pretty crap as pincers, but great for clips!

 

[Pete.]

I've used steel fixer's nips to crimp those for years and I've never cut one accidentally.

 

[rory1]

As Above, end cutters do the job admirably but I usually use side cutters, go gentle and squeeze from both sides of the ear to keep the crimp even. The right tool would be nice but sometimes you have to use what you gave to hand.

 

[graffian]

I use a pair of pinchers, or side cutters depending on access. I did get the proper tool; I called in at Oetiker and got a bag full of clips, the
girl asked if I wanted a tool for them, so I said yes and she chucked one in! The clips were always free, you just chat the office girls up and
they give you Oetiker clips, you don't even need to buy them chocolate;-). I haven't seen the pliers since, I couldn't find them when I got home.

 

[Wallace]

I have a pair of Oetiker pliers, will post a photo if you want to regrind a pair of nips to match. They have two jaws, end on and side for better access and you can use them to remove the clips by nibbling through one of the compressed ears and twisting the other. A good tool and worth every penny of what I didn't pay for them!

 

[Mick B]

Yep, wire nips work fine (maybe not the correct tool as stated) and I have tightened them on our compressor hoses for years like that and never had one let go ........... yet !

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Update.

Bought a load of clips suitable for airline and LPG hose - Amazon was cheapest !
Brilliant is only way to describe them. Far better than worm drive etc clips for small dia hose. In future intend using them on vehicles even though not reusable as far more secure.
Only problem was I used common, unmodified, pincers and whilst they didn't cut into clip it needed a lot of force to tighten so reckon I'll invest in a long handled pair idc - Lidl have them on offer next week for £1.99

 

[Wallace]

Jaws not ground exactly as I remembered, one side closes fully and the other has a gap.

(Click to enlarge)

 

[Jim Davey]

That's the ones, can be used side on if access is poor as well as at 90 degrees to the pipe like conventional pliers.

 

[colnerov]

Update.

Bought a load of clips suitable for airline and LPG hose - Amazon was cheapest !
Brilliant is only way to describe them. Far better than worm drive etc clips for small dia hose. In future intend using them on vehicles even though not reusable as far more secure.
Only problem was I used common, unmodified, pincers and whilst they didn't cut into clip it needed a lot of force to tighten so reckon I'll invest in a long handled pair idc - Lidl have them on offer next week for £1.99

I wouldn't, I bought those last time they had them on sale and used them last week for the first time. First side of the first clip one of the heads broke off and I stubbed my finger on the other handle, much swearing and the tool went whistling across the workshop straight into the bin. So I then dug another older pair out the drawer and did the others. So my advice FWIW buy older or better quality ones.

Colin

 

[HughF]

I use single ear clips, a better seal/clamp in my opinion, and neater. Bastard expensive though