The OE spring clamps are superior to the screw clamps.  They
consistently apply clamping pressure, regardless of age, hose condition
and temperature fluctuations.
   I had to buy a remote cable operated special spring clamp pliers just
to change all the hoses on my stock '87 Westy.

Mike B.

On 6/6/2014 8:32 PM, Larry Alofs wrote:
> Neil,
>    I have the Sears/Craftsman version which is nearly identical to the
> astro-pneumatic that you reference.  It is handy to have them lock, but
> sometimes I have to squeeze more to get that last little bit.  They do make
> the job a lot easier in most cases.
>    Some volks discard the spring clamps, but I recommend that you reuse
> them.  In my overly complex subie conversion cooling system I have a lot of
> clamps, a mixture of the spring and the screw types.  The ones that work
> loose and leak are always the screw type.
>
> Larry A.
>    currently replacing the "rear" crank seal in my EJ22
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jun 6, 2014 at 7:29 PM, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi all.
>>
>> In tackling the cooling system of my '88 Westy (WBX), I did what I
>> "shouldn't" by using a large set of adjustable pliers to slide the
>> spring clamps down each hose. Not all are removed yet.
>>
>> This:  http://www.kmstools.com/knipex-spring-clamp-pliers-93102
>>
>> looks like an interesting alternative; the grips in jaw can be
>> rotated. Certainly a recognized brand name.
>>
>> Anyone used the above type of tool for VW spring clamps?
>>
>> They're pricier than these:
>> http://www.kmstools.com/astro-pneumatic-hose-clamp-pliers-91449
>>
>> though I wonder if they would open up the large clamps far enough.
>>
>> Neil.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Neil n
>>
>> Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca
>>
>> '88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p
>>
>> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>>
>> Vanagon VAG *Gas* inline-VR Engine Swap Group:
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej
>>