Channellock Pliers Model 430

Posted on August 3, 2014 Updated on January 25, 2016

Putting the squeeze on

WAY BACK, WHEN MY job seemed to be lugging an eighty pound (36 KG) box of tools behind a guy who smoked often and explained little, I began to notice a pattern. Almost every plumbing job required the use of one particular set of pliers, which Boss called the 430’s. These side-jaw pliers were of a size that fit nicely around the trap nut on a kitchen sink drain, with many uses in addition. One could squeeze, bend, pry, hammer, support, scoop, and more with these pliers. Multiple jaw widths were possible with these tongue-and-groove, slip-joint pliers.

After I finally began buying Craftsman tools for the lifetime warranty, I asked, “Why doesn’t Craftsman make a similar product?”. Simple. A tradesman could buy one set of each size,
and never have to buy another. As it is, the original Channellock, patented in 1934, will last the typical plumber for several years before replacement is necessary. And the 5th generation of the DeArment family, still running the private company founded 1886 in Evansburg, Pennsylvania by George B. DeArment, has a great warranty, if there should be something amiss.