KNIPEX 10 99 i220 Ear Clamp Pliers, Front and Side Jaws

My out-of-warranty Gaggia espresso machine has been leaking water during the brew process for months, while I worked with the seller to identify the problem. The most recent best guess was a weak seal in the water line from the pump to the boiler, sealed on either end by Oetiker ear clamps. Having already dismantled the machine twice to swap out gaskets (to no avail) I really wanted to avoid having to do that again. But the ear clamp proximal to the boiler seemed like it would require doing just that, as it had to be approached from the side, in very cramped quarters, to attempt to tighten it. Enter the Knipex ear clamp pliers, with its combination of front and side jaws. After removing the top of the Gaggia, I was able to tighten the problematic ear clamp in about 10 seconds, using the side jaws. Problem solved. Not only are there now no leaks, but also I presumably now have regained the amount of pressure the machine was designed to deliver. What a relief. It would have taken me an hour or two, with considerable frustration, with the standard ear clamp pliers. Relatively few ear clamp crimpers feature both end and side jaws, and so far as I could establish, there are none on Amazon that are a part of a combination set of pliers plus a clamp assortment. Knowing what I know now, about how very useful the side jaws option can be, I would recommend that anyone buying a pliers for a job needing only the end jaws should, even so, buy a combination pliers, in case some future task would be made easier if you had the side jaws option. It's a few dollars more, but is a great feature to have as insurance. The German made Knipex is very well-made and precise. Like some other reviewers on this site, I was initially confused by the disparity in the two jaws: the end jaws touch when completely closed, while the side jaws remain partly open, by a fraction of a mm, when completely closed. Nonetheless the side jaws worked perfectly, compressing the ear clamp completely without destroying it (while being operated by a complete novice!). Note that the statement on the web site that the handles are "plastic" is not exactly correct. The underlying handle is part of a uniform metallic whole - but the red covering of the handles, presumably there to give a better, more comfortable grip, is a smooth plastic. My sense is that the Knipex would last me a lifetime, even with daily use. The fact that I may never have to use it again does not lessen my conviction that this was money very well spent!

Best tool ever!

Great pliers, for what they were designed for. Built great and are easy to use.

Knipex is the new snap-on

they work well, are sturdy, and are easy to use almost too easy. I broke the first band I clamped on my cv boot, then the second one started to pull out of the rear clip of three clips so I took that band off. third time was the charm I did not squeeze the handles as hard to make the crimp just went nice and gentle and that was the key gentle force on the handles and they make a nice crimp

Great for the side option for small area

I had never heard of Nipex, and based on the price I assumed it's a fly by night Chinese throwaway company like "Co-Rode" or "Rustark" (both of which I have bought from Amazon in the past). So I was delighted to discover the tool is made in Germany, and it's very well made indeed. The action is smooth, no friction but no slop either, and the jaws align precisely. It worked perfectly on my small clamp (9.5mm), haven't tried it on anything bigger. A very good tool for a reasonable price.

They worked great

This tool has a feeling of top notch quality. Feels like it will last a lifetime. Used it once to replace a dishwasher circulation pump. Crimping an ear clamp was as easy as cutting warm butter. The result is a neatly crimped clamp that looks like those done in the factory. VERY satisfied with this product. I will now buy ear clamps of different sizes to use them elsewhere (garden hoses for example).

Que más puedo agregar simplemente la marca lo dice todo,lo recomiendo al 100%

These pliers are very accurate and easy to use for securing Oetiker clamps. Being able to use it either head on, or side on, is very handy depending on the space in which you are working. Knipex tools are always well made.

I puchase for replacement of CV axle boots and outer tie rod end boots.

Très bonne qualité ..