Starter set of pliers

[hallboyone]

Hi ya'll! So I am building my tool collection (i'm 17 ) and I need some input. It seems like sockets, different qualities but the same style; ratchets, a bit more variety but still all similar; combination wrenches, same story. But when you get to pliers there is a massive selection that each have a very specific use. I do not know where to start. What do ya'll think.
I'm not looking to have every tool by the age of twenty or whatever, all I want is to start building a set that will last a lifetime (made in the US of A) and will continue to slowly grow (as money permits) through out a lifetime.
So I guess my question is what brands and what styles of pliers do you find yourselves reaching for the most. Perhaps the top five. Thanks in advance for any input you can give.
Thanks a mill.

 

[gagreen]

Cant go wrong with diagonal cut, linesman, and some needlenose. Generally can be found in a three set. Expanding outside of the basic three I love my duckbills, vise grips (long and original jaws). Channellock pliers come in handy in certain cases.

 

[ddo]

Buy Knipex Cobra Pliers and Pliers Wrench. Made in Germany. Not in USA I know but Channellock can't hold a candle to them for usefullness. Channellock Might be a touch more durable, but if I never had to adjust the size of a Channellock style pliers again I would be quite happy. I have been quite satisfied with the quality of Knipex as a whole and the good old USA can only be "as good as" when it comes to pliers and Knipex. They typically fall a little short however.

For USA made, Channellock makes a good set of linesmans for $40-45. I go 50/50 on Channellock and Knipex for linesmans pliers as Channellock's do not close all the way at the tip. The Channellock Nutbusters work great, I just don't pull em out terribly often due to tongue and groove frustration. Another good option could be Wilde Pipe Wrench pliers.

For small needle nose pliers - buy cheap. Don't much matter what you get here. Ergonomics and asthetics maybe matter but thats a stretch. Chinas fine here.

USA made is a nice sentiment to have but I don't buy into it. The problem with America is the participation trophy mindset and in reality, if American industry wants to save itself they need to start doing it best rather than relying on sentiment of the good old days.

 

[Conductor562]

Channellock. Get yourself a set of 420 T&G, needle nose, side cutters, and a pair of standard slip joints to start out. Channellock's are affordable, USA made, and will last a lifetime under normal use.

 

[t1r2u3s4t]

Get the big set of Craftsman when it's on sale. They are made in the US by Wilde I believe.

 

[hallboyone]

Perhaps this is not the place for a political discussion (besides I am just a know nothing high school student) but the quality is not the only thing that draws me to USA tools, it's the theory that the way for us to boost the economy is to buy USA. After all it is someones job and business to make the tool that you are using so if they are passed over they hurt and so does the economy. I'm not talking about 'the good ol' days, I am to young to know about them. Just my two cents.

 

[lwlobo]

If you're starting out with pliers and looking for good quality USA, I don't think anyone can match Channelock for their quality/price combination. Your very first pliers could be basic slip joint, needlenose, or lineman's, followed by diagonal cutters, tongue and groove (often called channelocks), vise grips, etc.

If I didn't have any pliers, I'd shop the heck out of garage sales, estate sales, flea market. Buy any style of pliers you see that: you don't already have one, is marked USA, is in decent condition, and is $3 or less. You'll have a good working pliers selection in no time.

Eventually you'll probably discover the European brands and want to upgrade all of them anyway, may as well save some money initially by buying used.

 

[ChevyEFI]

http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?products_id=5448

I bought a set of those Facom with the needle / side cutters / slip joint pliers and have had them a good 5 years. Their handles are easier on the hands than the stuff I had prior, and they've all held up great.

 

[gagreen]

USA made is a nice sentiment to have but I don't buy into it. The problem with America is the participation trophy mindset and in reality, if American industry wants to save itself they need to start doing it best rather than relying on sentiment of the good old days.

Bet your popular here . Sadly I agree. I use workhorse i think for my needle nose, linesman, and diag's. I can't justify the cost of more expensive pliers at this point of starting out building my own work set. I think i spent $9 on each. Not bad quality either for the tool they are. A little love and oil keeps the typical china corrosion away. Sears had an american made set of 5 pliers here locally for 50.00 that I had considered and if the trigger and money hadn't already been spent on the china's id have done it.

Typically in my experience, wrenching for 10+ years if pliers are used as intended they last. Needle nose pliers are not for twisting generally lol not even the snap on's like being twisted...

At 17 it's not at all necessary to buy snap on unless you want to thats your choice. Get some cheapies to start out with or even channellock's and gauge your use of the tools over time and their wear to determine if they will be worth a real investment over time. The work horse or force whatever tractor supply sells in singles are actually quite nice. I like the minimalist grips, I cant stand the new bulky ergo grips they are shoving down our throats. Craftsman and channel have similar minimalist grips. The channellock blue grip seems to get slippy if your in hydraulic fluid the craftsman are slightly gritier/ grippy and the tractor supply chinese ones are similar (but more comfortable) to the craftsman. I use needlenose and duckbills almost as much as i use any other tool so feeling right in my hand is important. You may like the ergo wavier handles. Just go pick some up and see what you like best.

Tools are as much about personal feel and comfort with it as anything else. Working in tight spaces dropping a tool can cost valuable minutes to fish out. Same time cost goes for the comfort and manuverability in your hand. It seem nit picky but over the lifetime of a tool it can add up to hours per tool esp if your fumbling them on a regular basis.

 

[Conductor562]

USA made is a nice sentiment to have but I don't buy into it. The problem with America is the participation trophy mindset and in reality, if American industry wants to save itself they need to start doing it best rather than relying on sentiment of the good old days.

I'll not disagree that many American manufacturers could take a quality control lesson from the Germans, but explain to me how this applies to Channellock? They've been around for a century, the make the most durable pliers on the market, they're committed to the American worker, and the do it all at a surprisingly low price that isn't much more than a lot of the Chinese junk floating around. For the quality you get, there isn't a better USA made value on the market.

 

[ddo]

I'll not disagree that many American manufacturers could take a quality control lesson from the Germans, but explain to me how this applies to Channellock? They've been around for a century, the make the most durable pliers on the market, they're committed to the American worker, and the do it all at a surprisingly low price that isn't much more than a lot of the Chinese junk floating around. For the quality you get, there isn't a better USA made value on the market.

I don't have any beef with the quality of Channellock. My main issues with Channellock are the technology and ease of use. In my experience, the adjustment mechanism is a PITA and hasn't changed in decades and the jaw profiles could use a bit of improvement. With the jaw pattern there doesn't seem to be the sharpness of a Knipex with the finer teeth. This makes it more rugged but for gripping it does not compare. In the pleasure to use department, Channellock comes up lacking a bit.

Didn't mean to knock american jobs. I know that factories here employ tons of good folks. Companies are more victims of the changing demand for more and more cheap goods.

Channellock just kind of gets on the nerves for me because I want them to be great because they have such a good feel being American and quality made, but they just won't get with the times and make a box joint quick adjust option. I'd be first in line to buy em if they did.

To my knowledge there's not an American made equivalent to the Cobra's. There may have been a company in the 80's that made a killer VCR. But I wouldn't go back to tapes because I loved the brand.

 

[hallboyone]

I think that I like the yard sale, flea market idea! CHEAP! CHEAP! CHEAP! But then I've got to be picky and want quality, sigh. I am at a dilemma!

 

[Conductor562]

You mean like their Griplocks? Not exactly like a Knipex joint, but smooth nonetheless.

 

[gagreen]

I think that I like the yard sale, flea market idea! CHEAP! CHEAP! CHEAP! But then I've got to be picky and want quality, sigh. I am at a dilemma!

You can find quality 2nd hand. 2nd hand things usually look for brands you know of. Spend some time on the forum and see what people like and don't review so well. Craigslist is generally a treasure trove of slash priced used tools. I use tools that my grandfather used when he was my age from proto sockets and ratchets to snap on stuff. Rust generally wipes away with a good cleaner and 3n1 put pliers (generally) right back to serviceable. Pliers generally get better with use if they are well kept. And patina adds character.

 

[Conductor562]

I think that I like the yard sale, flea market idea! CHEAP! CHEAP! CHEAP! But then I've got to be picky and want quality, sigh. I am at a dilemma!

Here's a 5 piece Channellock starter set with a tool roll containing the pliers I advised you start with for $80 and you may shop around and find it cheaper than that. If you don't have $80 bucks save up until you do. Unless you need them tomorrow you'll be glad you did.

http://http://www.casa.com/p/channellock-toolroll-3-5pc-plier-set-in-handy-tool-roll-236548?site=CA&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_C&utm_term=HYV-2333&utm_campaign=GoogleAW&CAWELAID=1309083040&utm_content=pla&adtype=pla&cagpspn=pla

If that link doesn't work Google Channellock 5 piece pliers set.

You can also find good used pliers cheap on eBay, etc. if money is tight that may be the best option.

 

[pendragon1998]

I found Craftsman pliers completely sufficient for my needs when I was starting out. They might not be top of the line, but you can usually get them for $8/ea if you wait for a sale - less, if used.

 

[gagreen]

I found Craftsman pliers completely sufficient for my needs when I was starting out. They might not be top of the line, but you can usually get them for $8/ea if you wait for a sale - less, if used.

Craftsman still makes my favorite duckbills. I've used snap on's and still prefer craftsman's. I don't know where the quality is going now that they will more than likely switch to chinese. My paranoid tool hoarder side wants to ****** up another pair or two of the american made version before i cant find them again.

 

[decaf]

Go with Knipex and you´ll be happy the rest of your life!

 

[eddie1278]

Channellock pliers for sure. Support your country (if you live in the USA)

Channellocks are found in most pro tool boxes and will last you a long long time and for a low cost.

I use CLs I'm a professional electrician I use them for conduit fittings all the time.

 

[shoturtle]

pliers go with the european ones, they are better design. knipex, nws, wiha, facom and so on. My channellocks never see any uses anymore once I got my wiha and knipex.

 

[CWP1616L]

The top 5 brands of pliers you ask?

1. Knipex
2. NWS
3. Facom
4. Stride-Imperial
5. Snap-on

And for an added bonus, the Ideal #30-429 crimpers are excellent.

 

[Jure]

all you really need...

knipex

 

[jackfork]

Check out Epstein's site. It will tell you where most tools are made and much what they carry is USA. I'm pretty happy with the Rigid tools I bought from them a while back.

http://store.harryepstein.com/c/RidgidTool.html

 

[KU_MechE]

You're 17. Buy craftsman pliers and save money for college. Don't waste your money on harbor freight or snap-on pliers

 

[bcradio]

pliers go with the european ones, they are better design. knipex, nws, wiha, facom and so on. My channellocks never see any uses anymore once I got my wiha and knipex.

Listen to this smart man here if you want top notch pliers. Then if you want to still support US, drop a $20 bill in the mail to some random address across the country. They'll be happy.

 

[sk farmer]

wow, lots of haters in this. if you like european pliers, good for you and that is fine. i have some facom and knipex. personally i don't see what the big deal is. the kid is 17 and you are encouraging to skip over lots of fine brands that also happen to be us made for basicly no other reason than being us made. that is no surprise from shoturtle, the guys is on a mission to slam everything that is us made. but really bc radio? sending some random person a 20 dollar bill is helping. i am not a flaming usa fanatic but you guys are pathetic.

here is some real advice for the kid. there are some awefully good pliers out there that are still us made. wilde and channelock come to mind first. epstein hardware is an excellent place to start. you can surf the website for hours, especially the closeout section i have had good luck with the us made craftsman. not so much with the imported stuff.

 

[Scout Driver]

I agree with SK ^^^^. Pick up some Channelock at any Walmart or order Wilde from Epstein's. Searching for used pliers is ok.......but save your time and effort when new stuff is affordable and easy to find.

Wilde and Channelock will do the same job as more expensive pliers that people here rave about, and do the job just as well. I saw a comment about buying cheap needlenose and totally disagree with it. When you are doing something precise, in a confined area with a needlenose, the last thing you need to deal with is a cheap, poorly made pliers that bind and don't align or grip properly. Again, Wilde or Channelock will do a fine job.

Scott

 

[hallboyone]

You guys are awesome! I'm beginning to wonder how I ever got along without this wealth of info! Simply incredible!

 

[shoturtle]

I have to disagree that they do the job just as well. The knipex cobra, you can apply way more clamping force then a pair of tongue and groove plier design. Also you can lock them down on a pipe with just down force on the back handle to rotate the pipe, something that is impossible with a tongue and groove design where you need to have pressure on both handle to have the teeth bite.

 

[hallboyone]

So Channellock pliers at Walmart are the same as any where else?

 

[shoturtle]

I would look at the knipex rebrand craftsman. On sale they are around the same price as channellock. But you get a much better product.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-2-pc...ckType=G11&PDP_REDIRECT=false&s_tnt=39869:3:0

 

[Brownsfan]

IMHO. Channellock is the BEST value in pliers out there. Great product for a great price. Not much more than cheap china pliers. They are actually less expensive than craftsman. Mac and Cornwell think highly enough to put their name on channellock pliers. At about 10-20% more than the orginal. Hell Cornwell uses the same part numbers just with CCL in front

 

[shoturtle]

PS

Irwin has a copy of the European designs, while they work the teeth are softer and does not wear well. I would avoid them, but they are not as expensive because they are made in asia vs europe.

 

[rusty65]

From my experience I'm 18 years old I would not buy used pliers they seem to be tough to find in really good shape. Also I really like the channel lock pliers I own I really think they are worth the extra money over the craftsman pliers. Some of the used tools I would buy used though would be sockets ratchets wrenches but I rarely buy used pliers any more when channel lock is so affordable. Just my two cents .

 

[hallboyone]

So all the debate about Channellock or knipex is just for 'channel locks' or 'tongue and groove pliers' whatever you want to call them, not for other styles? The truth is I already have a pair of 'channel locks' from Channellock and I can't justify spending $30 on a new set from perhaps a better brand. I'm just not to that point not to mention I'm lacking the space for duplicates. It's the other styles that I am really looking at.

 

[Dave455]

If I was just starting out I'd just buy what I needed rather than buying a whole set in one go! If you are in the U.S. you can't go wrong with Channelock or Wilde. European makes such as Knipex (German) or Elliott Lucas (British) are also very good, but in the U.K. or Europe they are much cheaper than the U.S. made products. If I was in the U.S. I'd stick with the domestic made!

Whatever you buy you are going to be using them for a long time so it makes sense to buy reasonable quality. I bought some cheaper tools when I was that age but ended up replacing them.

It's also worth handling them before you buy. The 8 inch Linemans pliers may look great, but if you don't have big hands you may be better off with a 7 inch!

Finally, you may find that no one manufacturer offers all the patterns you want. I use my British made 7 inch combination pliers every day, but U.S. makers tend to make standardised patterns and don't generally offer them (U.S. ones are mostly slip joints!)

 

[shoturtle]

Not only tongue and groove, but the high levage cutters are also allot better. They will cut but with less effort. And with needle know the tips are more refine. The linemen style are pretty much the same.

 

[Blöckw@rt]

I missed one brand…..VBW…maybe unknown in the States ?

VBW is a brand of the Stahlwille group and on the same level like Knipex and NWS !

http://www.vbw.de/vbw_uk/index1.htm

 

[shoturtle]

They are not really available in the USA.

 

[Blöckw@rt]

They are not really available in the USA.

And pliers from Stahlwille (made by VBW!!) also not available ?