How do you store pliers? Smallest to biggest or different types together?

[NUTTSGT]

Definitely getting the Ernst (I think Tekton rebrands them as well?--maybe the tool trucks also?) pliers racks moving forward as I organize the rest of my boxes. The US General one is designed to be adjustable, but the dividers often refuse to move. Aside from some tiny pliers that go in a different box, there's no wasted space by not having them adjustable.

Looks like Ernst period going forward. Lot more options than Harbor Freight for getting my **** organized. Like their "modular" wrench organizers better too.

I like them and wished I would have bought them years ago. A little bit of cash out of hand but the quick reach in and grab what you need along with being able to see what you have without digging around make them and "investment."

 

[RonnieC]

Hammer drawer.

Then you could put a label on each drawer saying “Hammers.”

 

[toolman0217]

I use wire shelving that I cut to fit each drawer.

 

[Sumboodie]

In a drawer.

 

[gilbo]

For my pliers, I 3D printed plier holders. Simply for the cost savings. To print with the PETG filament I used, it cost me $2.34 for 10-slot holder, $1.57 for a 6-slot plier holder.

 

[dchawk81]

Then you could put a label on each drawer saying “Hammers.”

I have a bag full of hammers labeled "MENSA" because most people are dumber than a bag of hammers.

 

[shoggoth80]

I don't have a huge selection of pliers, so they all kinda go in the same drawer. I tend to put similar types near each other.

 

[username2]

Piled in a heap in a drawer

You can argue for a pliers heap and a Vise-Grip heap, but unfortunately that's heading for an OCD endgame.

I'm thinking of maybe a third pile, for the ones that get used. After a year or so, piles one and two can go in a cardboard box somewhere.

 

[Madjik Man]

by type

 

[richfinn]

Most regularly used pliers are always easiest to grab

 

[dscheidt]

Pliers. Mostly locking stuff in the left drawer, but also a hose cutter and a set of aviation snips. Right drawer is other stuff. it's sort of arranged by use, but there's a bunch concession to making it fit. I've got more pliers scattered about, in tool kits and the like, and my snap ring pliers are in a case and somewhere else, because it's easiest to carry the whole set to the job.

 

[mikey03]

Most regularly used pliers are always easiest to grab

wondering which ones and how many? I could be tempted to go overboard on that.

for me I think would be
7” pliers wrench
7” cobra
7” snap on slip joint needle nose

maybe 11” 35 degree bent pliers

and I don’t use them too much tbh but maybe 10” curved jaw vise grips

 

[richfinn]

wondering which ones and how many? I could be tempted to go overboard on that.

for me I think would be
7” pliers wrench
7” cobra
7” snap on slip joint needle nose

maybe 11” 35 degree bent pliers

and I don’t use them too much tbh but maybe 10” curved jaw vise grips

Knipex Twin grips
Knipex high leverage Side cutters
Knipex Needle nose
Knipex hose gripper/spark plug wire puller
Knipex flush cuts
Weicon auto wire strippers
(Very Expensive) Heat shrink crimpers
Sargent open barrel/seal crimpers
Knipex hose clamp cobras (spring band/clic-clic r)
Lisle Relay Tongs
Malco Vise Grips


They all have a dedicated pocket in my Veto Bag

Knipex pliers wrench
Lisle Exhaust mount pliers
Knipex extra long needle nose set
Knipex Regular Cobras
Lisle hose cutters
Lisle hose push off pliers
Bowden cable cutters
Knipex combination pliers
Lang hose pinch off tool

All live in strategic places around the van in separate kits with other related stuff

 

[Fedwrench]

By type, then length shortest to longest.

 

[mikey03]

Lisle Exhaust mount pliers

I hear there real good for exhaust work! Do you do that much exhaust work or are these good for other stuff?

 

[spyerx]

I clearly need more pliers based on some of these posts. Mine are in a pretty shallow drawer, can’t stand up on side would need to reorganize a bit to a different drawer. Laying out roughly organized by type works for me.

I have another drawer with electrical focused tools (strippers, crimpers, etc).

 

[mikey03]

I clearly need more pliers based on some of these posts. Mine are in a pretty shallow drawer, can’t stand up on side would need to reorganize a bit to a different drawer. Laying out roughly organized by type works for me.

I have another drawer with electrical focused tools (strippers, crimpers, etc).

If you can store your pliers flat instead of on there side then you don’t have enough pliers

 

[richfinn]

I hear there real good for exhaust work! Do you do that much exhaust work or are these good for other stuff?

These make unhooking rusty exhausts from rubber hangers an absolute breeze, sometimes it's just easier to drop the exhaust a couple of feet to get at other stuff for testing etc. (be careful not to stretch any o2 sensor/NOX sensor wiring though)

They are a great tool, I like all my Lisle stuff to be honest, if you are looking for affordable stuff that is more specific to auto mechanics they are a good place to start

 

[jeffmoss26]

by size for the most part

 

[66HertzClone]

I have this big drawer in the center section of my workbench, I have desk section added on the end of this workbench and keep those 3 in the top drawer right next to where I sit for easy access. My garage also has a 10 x 10 alcove that has a 56" wide and a 28" wide Lista along the back wall spaced apart by more than 30", so I have another sit down work area. The back wall has some hooks and a few pliers are hanging there for easy access. This picture is older so it doesn't show all of the pliers that are there now.

 

[JKinAK]

Yes…er…this.

These look efficient.
What brand/model are they?
How are they to use (easy in/out, stay in place, work with all/most pliers up to a certain size)?

 

[Jgaz]

Ernst racks holding the pliers I use the most.
No real order. I don’t even really worry about putting them back in the same place.
Gasp!
View attachment 2317461

 

[lund]

There is no right or wrong for stuff like this. Whatever works for the individual.

But I tend to group most general purpose pliers in a common drawer segregated by type and then by size. That helps me find things quickly and choose the right one for the task. Specialty pliers for specific tasks tend to get grouped with equipment for that specialty work. For example, cutters and fine needle nose pliers, and electrical connector pliers get grouped with electrical equipment and meters. Specialty pliers for band clamps and hose work tend to get grouped with that kind of stuff. Ring snap/circlip pliers and similar get grouped together. If that gets mixed in with general purpose stuff it is too much to quickly dig through and select stuff that works best.

I don't use many things like plier racks but have padding in toolbox drawers and stack things by type. Spring tilt latch drawers that do not open and close with jolts help keep things together with just modest mat pads on in the drawers. I use WD40 wipe downs a lot on put away to keep things from getting rusted without having it all get too oily. I have some tools in the garage and some in the basement with some degree of duplication. But I often walk from one to the other to collect what I need in hand totes when tasks get more involved.

 

[AJHD]

It's not perfect, but I try to group them by brand and then by type and size.

Unfortunately the Icon pliers soft grips are too thick to easily fit into the wire organizer like you see on the left side. I need to find something else to better organize them and hopefully create more available space.