Ball Link Plier Brand?

[MyRCode]

Originally Posted by jarhart

Those look exactly like the ones I just ordered from HeliDirect: http://www.helidirect.com/kde-univer...ks-p-37128.hdx

I have had some align ball link pliers, the cheapie yellow ones, and FBLRotors old E5 ball link pliers. I just got these ball link pliers (They're the FBLRotor ones just sold by KDE). They are amazing and they fit both my X3 and E5 and the carrying case is perfect. This is definitely the last set of pliers I'll ever need.

[gr8t1dini]

What ever you get don't let anyone who isn't into helis use them! My dad ruined my first JR ball link pliers! He figured I need some pliers, oh look these will work, snap, ruined pliers. Had to order a second one which he almost ruined again! Now I hide it!

[tony#1]

Originally Posted by MyRCode

I have had some align ball link pliers, the cheapie yellow ones, and FBLRotors old E5 ball link pliers. I just got these ball link pliers (They're the FBLRotor ones just sold by KDE). They are amazing and they fit both my X3 and E5 and the carrying case is perfect. This is definitely the last set of pliers I'll ever need.

I guess that means you like them. (lol)

[AndrewJHawes]

I think a lot of people predominantly fly smaller helicopters, for which, I am sure, you will get away with slightly cheaper ones. However, the contributor who suggested one would only ever need the Cheepie ones presumably has not done much assembly of and work on Mikado or Compass helicopters, for example, especially not the 700 size and above.
Many situations require a slightly different shaped tip to easily accommodate the ball links, especially on upper swash plates. The larger ball sizes also require significantly more leverage to prize-apart and reconnect. Not all plastics are created alike in their ductile behaviours. The KDE UBLP and the JR Universal ball link pliers certainly look the business, but accompanied with a significantly sharp intake of breath, especially accompanied by international postage rates!
Andy

[AndrewJHawes]

I think I should ask a very unreasonable question, and that is - those of you who have actually used the KDE and JR ball link pliers, why do you think they are actually better than the cheap ones?
Are they actually better and more efficient at accomplishing their job - for what sort of helicopters? Do they actually last longer than the cheap ones?
Andy

[crashcopterman]

I have the KDE pliers specifically for my Rush, they're the only pliers that will remove them with ease and without damaging them. For the rest of my fleet I use an old E-flite pair that I personally find are better than my pair of Align pliers. The KDE's are so well made, beautiful, but too long and awkward for most applications.

Steve

[AndrewJHawes]

Thank you Crashcopterman,
That is interesting to note about your feelings as far as the length of the KDE pliers. People have commented before about the apparent quality of the KDE pliers, but not their possibly excessive length for most jobs.
I want to use them on a Compass 700 3-blade swash, so I will do some further measurement. However good quality and superior they are, if they don't fit they will be of no added benefit!
Andy

[lcc014]

I have Align plier, cheap version of plier (curve tip) and then Hirobo plier.

http://www.arrishobby.com/hirobo-bal...y-clamp-p-1176

Hirobo plier is my first choice. Cheap version plier is made of soft metal, which is very easy to be bent. Align plier also has slightly curved tip but made of stronger steel.