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Topic: Zipdee pliers worth having? (Read 1063 times) previous topic - next topic

Zipdee pliers worth having?

My wife and I changed out the flex-key's on the bedroom window awnings.  Wasn't difficult except for un-crimping the crimps.  I tried different screwdrivers, pliers, vise grips, and neither worked well.  In fact it only caused the channel to break.  The crimps looked like they used a screwdriver blade and hammer.
I still have the 2 front awnings to do and wondering if the Zipdee pliers will make it easier?
Anybody bought them and have opinions on how they work?

Re: Zipdee pliers worth having?

Reply #1 –
If the crimp breaks while straightening then maybe use the screwdriver and hammer to put in a sister crimp next to it? 

Re: Zipdee pliers worth having?

Reply #2 –
Checked on their webb site and on Ebay,no pliers,what exactly are they?

Re: Zipdee pliers worth having?

Reply #3 –
I did a Google search and got confused. Never heard of them in all my Zip Dee years! Neat if someone finds a pic.  ^.^d

Re: Zipdee pliers worth having?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: folivier –
My wife and I changed out the flex-key's on the bedroom window awnings.  Wasn't difficult except for un-crimping the crimps.  I tried different screwdrivers, pliers, vise grips, and neither worked well.  In fact it only caused the channel to break.  The crimps looked like they used a screwdriver blade and hammer.
I still have the 2 front awnings to do and wondering if the Zipdee pliers will make it easier?
Anybody bought them and have opinions on how they work?
I have a pair of them, all they are is a cheap pair of vice grips with one lip ground down sharp to fit in the channel. I'll see if I can dig mine out and post a picture, easy to make your own. Yes they do work well.

Re: Zipdee pliers worth having?

Reply #6 –
Thanks Bruce, a picture will help.

Re: Zipdee pliers worth having?

Reply #7 –
Here ye be, had to dig them out. Cheep pair of medium vice grips fromHarbor Freight. These are from Zip Dee. They don't charge much for them.

Re: Zipdee pliers worth having?

Reply #8 –
Thanks Bruce!  So only ground on 1 side?
I'll pull out the Dewalt grinder and make a pair.  I must have 6 pair of vise grips, won't hurt to sacrifice a pair.

Re: Zipdee pliers worth having?

Reply #9 –
You hook the ground side into the groove and clamp them down and GENTLY open the groove.

Re: Zipdee pliers worth having?

Reply #10 –
Ditto,I even have a couple of USA made,the one that won't bend.

Re: Zipdee pliers worth having?

Reply #11 –
Bruce. A picture showing the cross section of ground part would be nice, so, take a pic with camera pointing at the end (as if you where pointing the camera at your finger tip.
JohnH

Re: Zipdee pliers worth having?

Reply #12 –
A few more pictures
 

Re: Zipdee pliers worth having?

Reply #13 –
Thanks Bruce, I modified a pair of Visegrips and just used them to replace the driver side long front flex-key.  Worked great!  wish I had made them to do the other 2 rear ones.