Tool/Channel Lock Question

AustinOski

AustinOski

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I have an almost complete toolkit, as shown in first photo. Missing the channel locks and the valve adjustment tool. Before I buy the channel lock, I want to make sure I know what I’m looking for.

I’ve attached a couple of photos of some sets that sold on BaT ($1,750 and $2,100, BTW). The two channel locks look different. One handle is smoother than the other. I’ve seen some with even bigger ridges on the handles, but those seem newer (and not cast as well).

Was this a “whatever was available” situation and there were few different ones. Or, is one of the two correct and the other not? Oh, my E3 is dated 9/72 and is a ’72 model year - if that matters.

Thanks!

Joey
 

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Earlier large pliers have the smoother grip just like the small pliers, they are almost impossible to find. At some point they switched to the more pronounced ridges like an alligator. We are the only ones who will know the difference.
 
To my belief the pliers for an e9, and likely e3 as well, should have handles with a fine cross hatched pattern. At the ends are a small line across.
I am not sure when they changed into the coarse pattern. For sure the e12 has them. The coarse handles have also been called " alligator" before on this forum to describe the pattern.
 
HB Chris said:
We are the only ones who will know the difference.
Click to expand...

That’s the problem. I’ll know! I’ll feel like I’m letting the car down.

So, either of the two in the photos could be original, since neither are the “alligator“ pliers? Maybe it’s the photo, but they look different.

I found some on ebay that are Walter brand (with BMW branding also present) and appear older and finer than most of the Heyco‘s I’ve found (alligator). We’re those original or something BMW sold later?
 
Third pic is smooth like small pliers and are correct. We don't know when they switched to alligator style but that is in my 79 528i and BMW had been selling those for years. Walter would not be correct.
 
Thanks Chris, that’s what I was thinking. The second pic is from the sale of the kit for $2,1000. Looks like the more modern version (like in your ‘79).
 
@restart - Thanks. That makes the differences more clear and nicely shows the markings on the older one.

Now I just need to find one!
 
In reference to a project,i was yesterday looking at the those very pics of those very tools. wanting to know here closely “patina matched” they were. 41C22646-77E0-43D5-B323-C9003ECD8AF5.jpeg940EBAFC-09F3-4C92-B25C-BE40966EABEF.jpeg9FB375B4-B795-4B34-9A23-59D74935DBD1.jpegA9FFD074-71E7-4D2B-BB06-A24A3054D690.jpegBEF5A611-E572-4A50-888C-7551A770C12D.jpeg8A1D37CA-7CC5-49B2-A61C-011D57A95ECC.jpeg
 
Here's a picture from the long plier, from a NOS tool set still in its plastic wrapping: Here you can clearly see the hatched pattern and the "chrome- Vanadium" text.
1617024957246.png


Now here are the 'aligator' grips. I cannot exclude that they were ever delivered with an E9/E3, but i have not seen proof that they were ever supplied with an E9/E3 either.
The aligator ones are the version that is now widely available via ebay and the likes, and has been supplied with many newer BMW models (t least E12 onwards)
1617025206980.png

The Aligators come in 2 different lengths, 23 cm (9 inch) and 19 cm (7.5 inch).
1617025161072.png
 
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@restart - Already bought a couple. A Heyco and a Walter.

What I’m looking for is the original, non-alligator style. The hunt is on!

@HB Chris - Maybe they’re rarer than the 42k E3 I bought last year? I’m feeling like if I found the car, I can find the pliers.
 
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That is the shorter one but I agree, I see the later style on eBay frequently. Walter is Mercedes I think, BMW is only Heyco.
 
@HB Chris - Apparently Walter is also BMW. I bought this one on eBay last night.

Now that I look at it, it appears to be the shorter one. I didn’t bother to measure the length of the cutout in the toolkit. Should I have purchased longer ones? I bought this and a Heyco. They were both very inexpensive, so no big deal.



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