Cleco pin sets

I'm looking into getting some Cleco pins and I was wondering what if anyone has any input on which ones to buy. Experiences, good or bad? I've found a couple sets which come with a reasonable amount of pins and the pliers, even a set made by a place here in Michigan, The Chassis Shop for $33.50 which comes with 30 pins and some pliers.

i've been using the Summit set for years & haven't had even one go bad on me yet & i use them quite regularly. i've put on prolly a hundred or so quarter skins on many rusty old hot rods with them. sheet metal screws just warp & twist the panels too much. the pic doesn't show it, but my set (same one) has the rubber handles too. they're only $19 for the pliars & 25 pins. also, here's a link for extra pins too...

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2DG1850&N=700+308654+115&autoview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=700+115+%2D93285&D=%2D93285

you won't be disapointed i promise.

also, they're made by US Tool, not some cheap off brand company...

yep, cleco pins make stuff so much easier... def worth their weight in gold....

Heres a set I found on ebay for $43.95 plus $5.85 for shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Clecos-Pliers-Clamps-Cleco-Tool-Kit-NEW_W0QQitemZ130277687930QQihZ003QQcategoryZ633QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

And heres a set I found from The Chassis Shop for $33.50 and i'm not sure on shipping:

http://secure.chassisshop.com/partdetail/C72-008/

Those Summit ones don't look to bad and at a good price too!

Edited: 12/29/2008 10:45:30 PM by corey0814

the ebay set is nice only because it comes with the cleco clamps, which are very nice to have when you're butt welding panels cause it maintains the perfect gap. the only thing is that they're not very pracitcal for most applications (cause they usually don't fit where you need them). ;) they're great for "on the bench" work like fuel cells, but as far as patch panels & skins, they're about useless. the price seems a little on the high side for that set, though...

the chassis shop ones just seems a little spendy & i can't read the brand on the pliars.

I see that they come in different sizes, which size is better to have? Do you use certain sizes for certain things?

hey Chris, I'm a aircraft sheetmetal mechanic, and use clecos daily. I get my tools from a place called The Yard. (yardstore.com) I believe is their website. They usually have special kits put together, and if you don't see what you need, they'll put something together for you.

i use the 1/8" for most everything, but like right now, i'm putting on a rh quarter skin on a 70 chevelle that weighs a ton, so i'm using the 3/16" ones