There are several significantly lower priced swedging tools available today. Typically, they are the 3-4 hole variety. To those who have used them, what are your impressions as to their quality, durability, effectiveness, or extra filing/polishing to make them work acceptably, or more or less so?
Here are some examples:
1. Prestige Swedging Pliers Parallel action 3 Hole (~$24)
https://www.ebay.com/i/232946465463?chn=ps&var=532466811884
2. Tools n Tools Parallel Action 4 Hole Swedging Pliers (~$32)
https://www.ebay.com/i/263415240550?chn=ps
3. Zhenghao 436B Parallel Swedging Plier. Hole Diameter 4.0mm 4.5mm 5.0mm (~$38)
http://www.zhmelody.com/Choose.aspx?cp=Parallel Swedging Pliers
My experience: I bought the Zhenghao pliers. They looked OK overall. However, they needed some filing of the edges and polishing to minimize marring the hinge tube (worthwhile if it saves ~$100). Unfortunately, the metal of the handles is too soft and the handles bent to an unusable state before I could finish one (bundy) alto sax. (Perhaps heat-treating the handles might have completely avoided the issue.) I emailed the company several times, but received no response.
Here are some examples:
1. Prestige Swedging Pliers Parallel action 3 Hole (~$24)
https://www.ebay.com/i/232946465463?chn=ps&var=532466811884
2. Tools n Tools Parallel Action 4 Hole Swedging Pliers (~$32)
https://www.ebay.com/i/263415240550?chn=ps
3. Zhenghao 436B Parallel Swedging Plier. Hole Diameter 4.0mm 4.5mm 5.0mm (~$38)
http://www.zhmelody.com/Choose.aspx?cp=Parallel Swedging Pliers
My experience: I bought the Zhenghao pliers. They looked OK overall. However, they needed some filing of the edges and polishing to minimize marring the hinge tube (worthwhile if it saves ~$100). Unfortunately, the metal of the handles is too soft and the handles bent to an unusable state before I could finish one (bundy) alto sax. (Perhaps heat-treating the handles might have completely avoided the issue.) I emailed the company several times, but received no response.