DIY Lockring Pliers

You can buy different types of tools to remove the lockring from a fixed gear track bike. Some are the spanner type and some are pliers. I like the pliers best but I don't want to shell out $30-$50 for a set so I decided to make a set.

Step 1 Gather your weapons!

First thing is to buy some pliers. I bought a cheapo set from Menards for $5 and they worked great. Just make sure you buy a big enough set that they'll open wider than the locking and still have the jaws parallel to one another.

You'll also need something to file the metal, I liked to use a hand file but you could also use a dremel tool with a stone wheel. The cresent wrench in the picture is to take the pliers apart, you probably don't have to take them apart but I thought it made it easier.

Comments

[sprinks]

I just made one the other day with my bench grinder and a spare set I had laying around. Thanks for the instructable, this will make a great tool to keep in the bike tool box and a nice replacement for my missing pedro trixie multitool.

[tisit1]

in the land down under we call them Multi Grips so there you go self explanitory Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi

[maxlycos]

Very good idea. Thanks for sharing.

[profpat]

 very clever, yes, this is a cheap alternative...

[russd32]

Thanks for all the kind words folks!

[trgz]

I have two pairs of those type of pliers and a couple old bikes without sealed BB's so I may well be doing this myself. Could be good for old -style headsets too. Nice one.

[Jur]

Nicely done, clear and easy instructions for a very good result.
Can you still use them as slip joint pliers/water pump pliers/channel locks/polygrip, or are the teeth filed away too much?

[russd32]

I wouldn't use them for anything else. They teeth are super dull so they won't grip much. Also I wouldn't want to damage the squared off edge I filed to fit in the lockring teeth.

[shiftrk]

Great job this will come in handy

[asibonzai]

Very cute idea for old lockring pliers.
Thanks.

[desertdog]

Very interesting mod for pliers (note that I did not enter into the game of naming them specifically).  I bought a "cotter pin pliers" from Sears many years ago.  They are pretty much the same as what you did.  Possibly  the most useful tool I have ever bought.  Don't think they sell them anymore. 

[ascii]

Thanks - that's a nice, simple hack that I wouldn't have thought of.  Modifying tools is one of the more rewarding things one can do.

[kelseymh]

Technically, you've modified channel locks not "pliers."  Other than that, well done!

[hammerpb]

"Technically" they are slip joint pliers (also known as water pump pliers). Channel Lock is a brand name.

Nicely done russd32.

[deathpod]

(removed by author or community request)

[hammerpb]

That is actually incorrect. There are slip joint pliers that have 2 positions, but they are not the only type. they are by far the most common, however. Every cheap, and most expensive, tool set you buy, almost without exception will have the 2 position  straight jawed pliers . I even have a set of those that has 3 positions (not grooved, but 3 overlapping semi-circles like the 2 position ones). some of the first multi position Channel Locks were designed like this as well, until the tongue and groove type was proven to be superior in almost every way. to this day, you can buy a cheap imported set of water pump pliers that use the overlapping circle design.

[deathpod]

Channel lock  calls them tongue and groove pliers

[jack002]

OMG, shuddup already. you both are right and wrong.

[kelseymh]

Touche!  Well played, sir, well played :-)

[caitlinsdad]

Theoretically, the same concept could be applied to a set of Vise-grip brand locking pliers.  >random heckling from the crowd<

[rimar2000]

Clever!

[DIY Dave]

When I first read the title, I thought it said "DIY locking pliers". I thought you were making a pair of vise grips from channel locks.

[kissiltur]

that is brilliant!, and so simple!

[lemonie]

That's simple, and so nicely done.

L

[trayo]

Awesome. I will definitely keep this in mind for the future.