integrated circuit (IC) DIL chip extractor/puller/inserter. Made in Japan. ENGINEER ss-08

This is a really high quality product. It is slightly more pricey than some, but you get what you pay for. As this product is made in Japan, you would expect it to be of high quality, and it is. The cheaper versions of these tools are OK, but remember "buy cheap, buy twice" - this tool will last a lifetime and is top notch fit and finish.As for doing it's job, well, it does that perfectly too. You can get a great purchase on the IC and extraction is no problem. The handles are PVC coated so ESD discharge shouldn't be a problem and I can confirm that it will handle 8pin to 48pin chips no worries.I hope other Amazoner's will find this review useful :)Regards,Mickey.

It's great quality, sturdy, and has a tightening thumbwheel to help you keep the right width and grip.I've used some 'tweezer' style ones that are pretty flimsy and this is far better. It's a little more expensive that those but you won't need to replace it for a long time.Stop using your fingers or a screwdriver and get this.

These work pretty well. Sometimes need moving from side to side to ensure equal pull. The rubber insulated grip handles well and adds a bit ot weight to the item. The locking mechanism isn't great and the legs still have a degree of flex in them which has caused them to let go a couple of times. That said, they're 100 times better than prizing ic's out with a flat bladed screw driver.

Nice and solid pincers that don't bend (like cheaper versions). My only criticism is that the bar that's screwed in place is loose at one end - the manufacturer needs to ensure that it can't move as freely. You can still lock it all up, but you have to push it in with your thumb before screwing the clamp down.The pincers are quite large, so if you're working in a confined space on the board you might find you can't get them under the chip. But that's more on the PCB designer.

Great tool... Thanks for this tool so nicely designed and engineered. A must tool for everybody who works with IC sockets.

I purchased this extractor rather than one of the myriad generic, low cost 'tweezer' options, for its locking function. In reality, that feature is worth nothing as implemented here, and the premium cost of this product therefore leaves a bitter aftertaste. When setting an appropriate opening size for DIPs of around 16 pins or less, where a good amount of spring tension is built-up, far more often than not the clamping mechanism is unable to hold the extractor in that position, and it just slips open. Each slip causes more wear to the clamping screw and its slide, and the problem therefore escalates in a self-reinforcing feedback loop.I may still retain them as they seem otherwise of sturdy construction, and work well as an extractor (if you don't need/want the locking function, that is). In particular, the jaw tips of the extractor are strong yet thin and therefore suitable for providing extraction leverage even for soldered, non-socketed ICs, during de-soldering operations.The lock however, simply isn't fit for purpose and the manufacturer must surely realise this. Hence, two stars, and the possibility of them being returned if I can find a cheapo 'regular' style pair which also has suitably thin jaws.

This is a simple and effective tool for removing ICs (and inexpensive)!

This is a solid tool, well made. The problem is that you can't trust the locking. Maybe this needs more practice, but I had a situation where the tool unlocked during pulling and the prongs went bit sideways effectively almost destroying the IC I was pulling. I was amazed how it bent all its legs.I will be extremely careful with this when using on rare ICs, and maybe I will look for another tool.