Pliers are some of the most versatile tools for handy people and workshops and should be in every toolbox. They are very useful for building, maintenance, repair, or engineering tasks that require gripping, cutting, twisting, clamping, pulling, or shearing. Pliers have been around for a while now and come in various forms and styles, all adapted to fit various appropriate functions.
With all these variants of specialized pliers available to choose from, it can be a bit of a fix to find the best one to fulfill your needs. Our buying guide analyses some of those things you’ll come across when you are looking to buy yourself a great set of pliers.
What are the types of pliers?
There are quite a number of types of pliers in the market available to choose from. Here are some of the more common ones you are most likely to come across.
Linesman pliers
Also called electrician’s pliers and side-cutting pliers, this type of plier is ideal for electricians and is mainly used to cut, bend, strip and splice the wires. – hinge at a set pivot point. The jaws of the plier have a flat front with shallow serrations for gripping flat objects, this also allows electricians to twist wires together.
Slip-joint pliers
This pliers is popular amongst homeowners and is a handy tool to have in case of any kind of home repair. These pliers have movable pivots that can be adjusted down the length of the device to increase the distance that the jaws can open.
Tongue-and-groove pliers
Also called ‘water pump’ pliers, these pliers have their jaws offset and are most frequently used by mechanics, electricians, and plumbers to adjust nuts, bolts, and other fittings that have an irregular shape. They usually have serrated jaws set at a 45 to 60-degree angle from the precisely aligned handles.
Locking pliers
Locking pliers feature a bolt and lever mechanism that locks the clamps into place before releasing them again. This type of plier is used when a particular task requires pliers that will lock firmly into place. They are commonly used for welding where the welder needs to hold the 2 pieces of metal during the welding.
Cutting Pliers
These pliers are designed primarily to cut materials. Diagonal cutters (also known as a side or wire cutter) can be used for gripping and splicing wires in addition to cutting them. They're also useful for removing nails and doing work via indentation.
Needle Nose Pliers
One of the most common styles of pliers, needle-nose pliers have a long jaw that tapers down to a point. This makes it very useful for delicate tasks or jobs that need to be done in smaller spaces.
Wire Strippers
This plier works by providing you with cutting edges in a circular or elliptical shape to cut through just the insulation and leave naked wire when you pull the insulation off. Each of the plier’s holes is marked with the wire size it corresponds to.
Fencing Pliers
The design of this plier is very intentional as it does not have the typical look of the other pliers. It has a hammer shape that makes it function as a small hammer as well as a puller that enables it to pull out the nails as well.
What are the factors to consider when shopping for the Best Pliers?
There are several factors to consider when searching for the right plier today. These factors include:
Size of the plier
Your choice of the size and type of plier you get should depend on the amount of effort and strength needed for the required task. The different sizes of pliers available all have functions for which they are best suited. Pliers with longer handles are great for leveraging tools for narrow spaces and smaller confines. Smaller jaw pliers are ideal for precision-related work.
The Material
The choice of the material used in manufacturing a plier is also an essential factor that affects how the tool performs the job. HRC is the acronym for the hardness of a tool’s design material. Pliers with Harder HRC are made with tougher metals and as a result, tend to be more brittle. Pliers built from chromium and vanadium are usually a great way to go due to their user efficiency and sturdiness.
Ease of Use
Usually, any tool that is efficient and easy to use would attract more users. If you need to use the plier more regularly, you should consider spending more on a plier that has a better design or ergonomically shaped handles (which lessen tiredness).
Warranty
Certain brands offer more extended warranties than their peers. These brands' products are typically more preferable to brands providing shorter warranties. Warranties can come in handy sometimes and it’s always best to have the option.
Safety
. You should also think about safety when you choose your plier. The tool can cause considerable damage if used wrongly and as such should be stored properly and safely when not in use. Also, avoid using your pliers on surfaces that are polished and soft.
Conclusion
Before you commit to any pair of pliers, try to check that it works well for the reason you are purchasing it. Just like a lot of the other tools, buying these in a set is a good way to start – then you can start to customize from there.
By selecting the right pair of pliers for the job, you will have a better and more pleasant experience performing the task.
FAQs
What are pliers?
A plier is a hand-held tool that comprises two S-shaped bars riveted together close to the midpoint to create a pivot, with clamps on one side and handles on the other. The clamps also come in various forms (long, thin and pointed, broad, ridged, etc.)
How do I use a plier?
Pliers are very easy tools to use, fundamentally. All you have to do is squeeze on the handles to grip the target object between the clamps, leverage amplifies the pressure exerted by you. Specialist pliers may require some refinements to your technique but basically, that’s how you operate a plier.
What is the difference between pliers and wrenches?
The plier and wrench have similar uses but execute these functions in different ways. Pliers grip objects in pivoted jaws of various shapes and sizes and allow you to apply more force than you would be able to with your bare hands.
Wrenches on the other hand are made for tightening and loosening nuts and bolts. They are less likely to damage nuts and bolts because they are designed to grip them within a specially shaped head so you can apply significant rotational force (torque) and achieve movement. Wrenches are fixed and don’t move about a point like pliers do.