Linesman VS Slip Joint + Dykes

[Zinc2005]

Other than combining 2 tools into one is there any real reason to own Linesman pliers over a combination of slip joint and diagonal cutters for the average non-electrician?

 

[kd3pc]

It is all in what you get used to.

as an electrician, the "linesman" pliers can do SO much more, and do it safer than a slip joint plier.

pull metal fish tapes,
ream and debur conduit
remove knockouts
small hammer tasks
cut wire
twist wire
push wire
use as plumb bob
use as a measure (approx 12" or 11" or ..)
etc etc

The average person could learn to use the tool for more than ....

For me, my kleins and a good quality screw driver are almost always with me.

 

[TomB19]

I use lineman pliers 10 times for each time I use slip joint pliers.

If I had to get by with just one pair, it would be the slip joint pliers because lineman pliers can't do what slip joint pliers can do but it would ****.

Surely you can find a used set of each at a flea market, or whatever.

 

[geojag]

Linesman pliers are great for wire fencing too. The jaws are generally tighter side to side, which comes into play with heavy pulling tasks.
My Kliens also have a very heavy crimper behind the hinge, adding functionality.
Slip joints are better for holding hexagonal items, although some linesman pliers have grips inside the wire cutter indent that do the same (NWS for example). Slip joints probably also have an edge on larger items where there grip shape allows more contact.
Both are useful tools, you should definitely have both.

 

[T45]

Linesman seem to naturally gravitate to the longer lengths, while cutters and slip joints are often shorter.

 

[southalabama]

Plumbers seem to prefer slip joint

Electricians seem to prefer lineman and dykes

Depends on what I'm doing as to which I grab.

Why would you ever want just one tool to do everything when you can have three

 

[Outlawmws]

Each does a different job. What jobs do you want to do? (says the man with > 400 pairs of "pliers)

 

[metaldad]

i have really never used a standard simple slip joint.
have a few scattered among the boxes.
just never use them

 

[Shipfittin]

I love my linesman pliers, I always make sure I have a pair handy. One of the main things I love about them is they have a lot of gripping power for when you need to grab onto something.

Slip Joint pliers have their pliers and dykes have their place as well. It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Like if I am just cutting cable tie ends, I'm going to grab my dykes.

Although I've never really cared for slip joint pliers, I don't know what it is about them. I'll always find a way to use another tool in it's place, be it channel locks or linesman pliers.

 

[Zinc2005]

I've never really cared for slip joint pliers, I don't know what it is about them. I'll always find a way to use another tool in it's place, be it channel locks or linesman pliers.

So if I own linesman's + Knipex Cobras + Long nosed can you think of a situation where slip joint would be needed?

I know I am the oddball on this forum for not wanting to own 3 versions of every tool.. Just trying to keep things simple.

 

[kctyphoon]

I use diagonal cutters far more than anything else, and I WOULD be grabbing regular slip joint over lineman pliers if I didn't have a dedicated ratchet and socket for every size I need while im in the air working. the only thing I really use lineman pliers for is to grab & tighten our heavy duty tie wraps OR use the cutters only because they are already in my hand.. the only advantage (for me) of using them is they make a good combination tool (pliers/cutters/hitting tool), but I will hardly grab them over other tools, which is funny because I am a lineman.. IMO - they are far better suited for pulling something, or using them like a hammer over trying to turn a nut loose.

that said - I don't own either of the new style like Irwin of Knipex that have a different jaw, designed to address its short comings by allowing you to actually grab hold of a nut and turn it.. there is absolutely nothing the lineman pliers allow me to do over regular pliers and cutters.. unless you want it to pull fishtape, I don't see it as a necessary item.

 

[Shipfittin]

So if I own linesman's + Knipex Cobras + Long nosed can you think of a situation where slip joint would be needed?

I know I am the oddball on this forum for not wanting to own 3 versions of every tool.. Just trying to keep things simple.

I'm gonna say there may be a time or two you run into a situation where slip joint pliers will fit into a spot better then say a pair of channel locks would. I think you could get away with not owning them as well.

Slip joint pliers are one of those tools that almost all of us own because at some point they came with a set of pliers or what not. As far as how many of us use them regularly? I can't speak for that. There isn't anything wrong with using them, I just don't even think about using them to be honest with you.

There is more then one way to skin a cat, we all have our own methods and go to tools.

 

[SantaAna12]

I think Outlaws point.about application sums it up.
If it were me.....and I was up in the air bonding the strand to a piece of #6....it's gonna be linemans. If I was speccing double lashing wire.....it would be linemans that I would be slapping the slack out of the midspan.
If it was an access situation where the linemans pliers would not fit (pulling something) it would be large needlenose.....for me I find slip joint pliers unnecesary.

That said....SO talon pliers are on my wish list.

 

[FMC1959]

...Slip joint pliers are one of those tools that almost all of us own because at some point they came with a set of pliers or what not.....

I fall into this category, never bought a pair. I rarely use them except for one pair that were larger than most, maybe 9". I find these decent but keep them in my shed so still don't use them often.

 

[kctyphoon]

I think Outlaws point.about application sums it up.
If it were me.....and I was up in the air bonding the strand to a piece of #6....it's gonna be linemans. If I was speccing double lashing wire.....it would be linemans that I would be slapping the slack out of the midspan.
If it was an access situation where the linemans pliers would not fit (pulling something) it would be large needlenose.....for me I find slip joint pliers unnecesary.

That said....SO talon pliers are on my wish list.

Telco lineman?

 

[Jdsmith]

The Klein linesman pliers have diamond shaped hatching on the main plier gripping surfaces, as opposed to the typical straight line serrations on slip joint and other plier designs. This diamond shaped gripping pattern lends itself towards twisting wires together. As the pliers are twisted the individual untwisted strands naturally want to slip through the jaws at an angle in the process of twisting, and the diamond pattern allows then to slip in the direction that facilitates twisting, while still holding the wires enough to keep then from slipping out of the jaws.

Some off brands of linesman pliers have the typical straight serrations. I agree that this type has no additional use beyond a pair of slip joints and a pair of dikes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wamsutta]

Talking about linesman pliers and slip joint pliers reminded me of these pliers - the Wilde G264P.
They're the only 10 inch slip joint pliers on the market with linesman plier shaped handles.
Let me tell you, these pliers are absolutely AWESOME.

 

[FMC1959]

Talking about linesman pliers and slip joint pliers reminded me of these pliers - the Wilde G264P.
They're the only 10 inch slip joint pliers on the market with linesman plier shaped handles.
Let me tell you, these pliers are absolutely AWESOME.

A pair of 10" SOB's like those would likely change my mind about slip joints

 

[SantaAna12]

Telco lineman?

Not qualified.

 

[sam.coll]

Use my Klein linesmans over anything else, I am a lineman to, have a pair of these:

http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/h.../9-229-mm-high-leverage-side-cutting-pliers-1

Next would be these, the angled head makes them great for pulling out cotter pins, small stapples and nails etc:

http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/h...cutting-pliers-angled-head-heavy-duty-cutting

also keep a pair of 250mm Knipex cobras in my belt

 

[mickeyone]

twisting and bending #6,8,10,12 Ill stick to my linesman,My dikes when i dont have the clearance to use the kleins,like wire ties ,inside boxes, They make a good hammer just dont beat on the linesman logo side.Slip joints are good for holding hot metal,bailing wire and the occasional use in conjunction with a wrench..I have several hundred pliers and use quite a few of them.

 

[rick carpenter]

I use diagonal cutters far more than anything else, and I WOULD be grabbing regular slip joint over lineman pliers if I didn't have a dedicated ratchet and socket for every size I need while im in the air working. the only thing I really use lineman pliers for is to grab & tighten our heavy duty tie wraps OR use the cutters only because they are already in my hand.. the only advantage (for me) of using them is they make a good combination tool (pliers/cutters/hitting tool), but I will hardly grab them over other tools, which is funny because I am a lineman.. IMO - they are far better suited for pulling something, or using them like a hammer over trying to turn a nut loose.

that said - I don't own either of the new style like Irwin of Knipex that have a different jaw, designed to address its short comings by allowing you to actually grab hold of a nut and turn it.. there is absolutely nothing the lineman pliers allow me to do over regular pliers and cutters.. unless you want it to pull fishtape, I don't see it as a necessary item.

I was just debating on fitting my 10" Channellock linemens pliers into my belt bags and I remembered kctyphoon's comments. I'm not an electrician but I'm trying to learn some resi work for disaster/etc rebuild & rehab projects. I tackle some of the lighter stuff around the house and with friends around town and I think I'm getting OK-ish. I don't use my 10" linemens pliers often so I wonder if a smaller pair would get some use or are they just gimmicks? OTOH, the 10"-ers sure have the power of persuasion.

 

[KnurledNut]

I have acquired a liking for my Knipex combination pliers.
For medium duty work, i will often grab these over the linesmans.
I wish the cutting edge had a stripping hole for 12ga.

Knipex 03-200

 

[Outlawmws]

Rick, I never quite got KC's logic at all. Who would chose to use pliers of any sort for nuts unless there was no other choice? An adjustable is better for that, and adjustable are terrible for nuts and bolts...

For wiring houses, Lineman's are about all I use. except strippers and wireformers.

while diagonals will cut Romex, Linemans make it easier. (Longer handles and cutter close to the pivot point) I use the jaws to twist wires together before applying a wire nut (or for deconstructing old twisted wires) for pulling wire sometimes.

The strippers are obvious as to terminate to a receptical or switch, you have to strip. and the wire forming pliers simply make it easy to get the striped wire into a ring that fits under a contact screw.

YMMV...

 

[kctyphoon]

Rick, I never quite got KC's logic at all. Who would chose to use pliers of any sort for nuts unless there was no other choice? An adjustable is better for that, and adjustable are terrible for nuts and bolts...

For wiring houses, Lineman's are about all I use. except strippers and wireformers.

while diagonals will cut Romex, Linemans make it easier. (Longer handles and cutter close to the pivot point) I use the jaws to twist wires together before applying a wire nut (or for deconstructing old twisted wires) for pulling wire sometimes.

The strippers are obvious as to terminate to a receptical or switch, you have to strip. and the wire forming pliers simply make it easy to get the striped wire into a ring that fits under a contact screw.

YMMV...

my "logic" is that my work happens 20' in the air, while yours is on the ground, and sometimes there is no room for redudant tools. sometimes, you can only bring, or only "need" 2 or 3 additional hand tools,(along with a line hammer, and line wrench). for me - its a large flat head screwdriver, diagonal cutter, and slip joints.... there is nothing in the normal scope of my work that cant be done with those three things by using or mis-using them. with an adjustable wrench, i can only turn nuts and hit things.. with slip joints, i can turn nuts, hit ****, and grab and pull/twist with the jaws.. what i do isnt precesion work, and anthing that gets damaged just gets replaced anyway. more often then not, what i tighten stays there for decades.. some guys prefer lineman over slip joints, and will go without the dykes - i however want dedicated cutters cause i can do more with them.. for me, lineman pliers dont do anything very well - but our jobs are very different.

that being said - if i can afford a tray of tools i will bring much more with me, but if i had to trim down my selection, lineman pliers would not be included as a necessity.

 

[txdude87]

I say klein linesman, knipex 250 dykes and channellock 420s. I use them daily to earn my bread and butter and they get me through every day without fail.

 

[shampoop]

Other than combining 2 tools into one is there any real reason to own Linesman pliers over a combination of slip joint and diagonal cutters for the average non-electrician?

For the non electrician, the best thing about linesman pliers vs diagonals is that they cut wire much easier, once the wire is small enough or few enough in number, the difference becomes negligible. Mine also ends up getting used as a hammer a lot.

When I have both sitting right in front of me, the only time I use the diagonals is when cutting 1 or 2 12g wires or smaller, or if my linesman pliers won't fit.

For around the house, automotive, or electrical work, I can't think of one time that I've ever actually used slip joint pliers.

My advice though, Don't even bother with linesman pliers if you're going to buy cheap ones. Good ones aren't cheap. Good kleins are $30+, I see some channellocks on amazon for $21 that look promising.

 

[redwrench60]

I recently added a pair of 2000 series Kleins to my work tools (Auto Tech) and they're great. I never knew how usefull they could be for auto repair until I put them to work. Cutting battery cables, heavy wire, brake lines and parking brake cables, grabbing, twisting, pulling ****. They're in my top ten most used pliers.

I also picked up a 10" pair of Made In USA Tekton (Wilde made) slip joints for a few bucks at the Flea and they're now one of my favorite slip joints. These are a true hidden gem in pliers and can be had CHEAP! Tekton part # is 37124

 

[SantaAna12]

The Klein 9" are head.and shoulders above the.channellock.

 

[LXCam]

The only thing I didn't see brought up was the difference in material cutting between the dykes and linemans. Dikes are meant for cutting soft drawn copper and such. The linesman edge will do that but is very limited in size, but the steel and edge was designed for cutting steel such as small bolts, fish tapes...etc. if you really pay attention to a set of **** specs, different units for different tasks. As for slip joints....baaahh, screw those things. That's something you carry in your bicycle tool kit


Maybe I should add I'm talking Klein. No one else makes a better linemans plier as far as I'm concerned.

 

[kctyphoon]

this is just MY opionion, and if i were to buy another set of lineman pliers, i would go with the Milwaukee set, esp if i were a residential or commercial electrician.. they get great reviews online, and are multi-puprose which is a great thing IMO to always allow you choices.. ive said it before, and if i could justify the purchase i would buy Milwaukee's entire line of hand tools.. i really belive its a brand that offers the most for your money no matter what you buy.. search youtube, there is even a video of them being compared to, and rated higher than a comparable Knipex.. however, for my profession, i think spring loaded are better, although i still might buy the milwaukee for home, just cause i want them. ($21 at home depot)

 

[shampoop]

The only thing I didn't see brought up was the difference in material cutting between the dykes and linemans. Dikes are meant for cutting soft drawn copper and such. The linesman edge will do that but is very limited in size, but the steel and edge was designed for cutting steel such as small bolts, fish tapes...etc. if you really pay attention to a set of **** specs, different units for different tasks. As for slip joints....baaahh, screw those things. That's something you carry in your bicycle tool kit


Maybe I should add I'm talking Klein. No one else makes a better linemans plier as far as I'm concerned.

What kind of copper do you find difficult to cut with your linesmans? My klein linesmans cut every kind of metal just the same as my klein dikes do, just requires less effort.

The dikes are better at cutting very fine ropes and strings, and the linesman are better at cutting the yellow poly rope.

 

[LXCam]

What kind of copper do you find difficult to cut with your linesmans? My klein linesmans cut every kind of metal just the same as my klein dikes do, just requires less effort.

The dikes are better at cutting very fine ropes and strings, and the linesman are better at cutting the yellow poly rope.

Never said I had any issues. But get a awg even 75% of the cutter and let me know how well that works out for you. Also try cutting sayyyy a 1/4" toggle bolt with a set of dykes verses side cutters was my point.

 

[redmed]

Depends what you are used to using. I worked for Telephone Co as a repairman worked with small gauge wires on the poles and in buildings. Dikes & longnose pliers are extensions to my hands. Will default to slipjoint pliers then linesman pliers when the dikes & longnose just can't do the job.

 

[rick carpenter]

OK, thanks all for some good comments here to Zinc2005's post: y'all are saying why this and why not that for your work conditions. Very helpful! I do rebuild/rehab work after disasters and for community service, i.e., non-standard conditions.

I asked about smaller linemen pliers because I don't use my 10"s much... but when I need them I need them. They take up so much room in my belt bag though I was wondering if the 6"/7"/8" linemen were any good? Then I could relegate the 10"s and the slipjoints to the Husky carry bag.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Other than combining 2 tools into one is there any real reason to own Linesman pliers over a combination of slip joint and diagonal cutters for the average non-electrician?

Pliers? What is this an afghani goat manure farm?

Okay I'll play along...of the pliers you will need for a car groove joint is the way to go (non-electrical); a type of "slip joint". Even the crappy ones go a long way. What are the cutters for if it's not electrical? If you're doing electrical you need needlenose, cutters, and stripper pliers (or a razor blade). Depends on what you're actually doing but there ain't no way around needlenose pliers when you're doing electrical if you're soldering.

Different strokes for different folks I suppose.

 

[cheechi]

Never once was in the middle of something and thought 'slip joints are the right tool for this job'

dykes have their place but most of us are working on the ground, and have the luxury of choosing the best cutting implement for the job. Guys 50 feet up don't have the room or weight for that. I know some cable installers that carry linesman, dykes, and cable cutters but that isn't common. Don't know any electricians anymore.

 

[sberry]

Linemans pound and pull nails etc and I never had all that much use for a slip joint.