Top pliers to have in your box?

[Fusion13]

Hey guys, I'm new here and I'm a DIY guy and love turning my own wrenches... I went to college to become an auto tech but realised it was more or something I'd rather do as a past time then as a life long career...but enough about that

I am looking at upgrading some of my pliers as they are just cheapo mastercraft brand from canadian tire

I have already gotten some new channelock T&G's, a new set of 447 side cutters but looking at upgrading a few more and wondering where I should put my money first... maybe a nice new set of slip joint's, needle nose etc...

Having a tuff time deciding where to put my money first

Have a ton of screwdrivers, sockets, ratchets etc...

What other top tools could I pick up, some handy tools you can't do without??? Maybe a new ratchet, new wrenches etc... send me your ideas!!!

 

[ChrisLS8]

Long needlenose are important to me (11-16 inch) I have CL and Crescent double X
Locking pliers
Crimping pliers- 909's or Klein

 

[domain]

NWS an knipex!

 

[Manny2_0]

I would say

a cobra type
a linesman
and a long nose

really come in handy
now pick the brand you want

channellock $
knipex $$
klein $$$

now you have the t&g so

long nose,
got mine on ebay new for $25
http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/j...yman-heavy-duty-long-nose-pliers-side-cutting J203-8N
peeps also rave about the snap on talon grip, I've seen them for bout $33 new on ebay

linesman
got mine on ebay new for $31 but you have to shop for a bit
http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/j...verage-side-cutting-pliers-heavy-duty-cutting J2000-9NE

These are the next two you need

 

[Fusion13]

I have some Irwin Groovelock pliers right now, work great when I need them... Looks like a good set of linesman and needlenose are in order though

 

[Davefr]

These should be #1 on your shopping list:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...675120&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

 

[toddacimer]

These should be #1 on your shopping list:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...675120&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

I agree. I love those

 

[rmsg0040]

knipex cobra
Snap On 3 position slip joint
wire cutter/stripper/crimper plier combo, many brands like SO, OTC and VIM sell em

 

[Manny2_0]

These should be #1 on your shopping list:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...675120&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

yup those are the ones I've seen on ebay for bout $33 shipped

 

[Fusion13]

Not sure I'll be buying snap on working at home and not cheap in Canada, channelock is probably the best bet

 

[Malczewski]

Varied Channel-lock (especially 410)
Then get a parts washer.

 

[shockwave]

Knipex cobra or some channel lock slip joints are nice

 

[gatewaysysop]

NWS an knipex!

knipex cobra

Knipex cobra or some channel lock slip joints are nice

I have no regrets about any of my NWS or Knipex stuff. Cobras and Pliers Wrench from Knipex are worth every penny and I use them quite a bit. Have given both brands as gifts as well, they get rave reviews.

I have plenty of Channellock as well, their crimpers are my favorite. Want to say the part # is 909? They are fantastic.

 

[Qualitytools]

Knipex Plier Wrench and Knipex Cobras, you don't know what you're missing!

 

[NUTTSGT]

This thread might give you some ideas.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109610&highlight=channellock

 

[Fusion13]

Do you guys really use linesman much in the trade? Slip joint?

The cobras are great pliers for sure, maybe some day I'll grab some

 

[AA/FC]

Not sure I'll be buying snap on working at home and not cheap in Canada, channelock is probably the best bet

Snap On isn't cheap here in the US either. lol

 

[Davefr]

Snap On isn't cheap here in the US either. lol

Just get SO 196 NCF and your choice of Knipex Cobras.

Those two will do 90% so they save you money on buying pliers you'll rarely use. (ex: like slip joint pliers which are a waste of money since you'll rarely grab them.)

 

[Hammer1963]

Snap-on Talon grip needle nose. They are that good!

 

[Engine]

I suggest NWS or Knipex. I have some of both and they are high quality and well worth the price.

You might want to check out the 4 Piece NWS Toolbox Set at Lee Valley.

 

[wild cowboy]

These should be #1 on your shopping list:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...675120&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

as much as I agree that the Snap-on Talons are very grippy, here is something that will surprise you from tests I have conducted in my shop:

long after the $51 SO talon grips have let go, the lowly $20 Crescent compound pliers are still holding, not because of the grip surface of course, which is vastly superior on the talons, but due to the shear clamping FORCE applied by the compound pliers.

so stronger grip and longer reach, at 38% of the price!

moral of the story: better quality and more more spent does not always give you better real world results!

 

[OkRider]

I really like my blue handle Channel lock needle nose pliers. They've held up very well. Very grippy and comfortable.

I scored big at Sears 3 or 4 years ago. They were clearancing all their Green Lee linemans pliers. $5.00 each. I bought them all, 8 pairs. I kept one, gifted the rest or sold to buddies. Anyway, I always check the sales rack whenever I'm there. You never know what you'll find.

 

[Wamsutta]

MAC makes a pair of 9-inch nose pliers that are fantastic.

 

[joebachor]

knipex pliers wrench in 6" & 10" and knipex cobras in 6" & 10" to start.

 

[Adam.C]

I used and loved black craftsman pros for many years. I think they were made in France. When they finally wore out (after 25 years) I replaced them with Snap On.

My sense is that for general automotive, I use pliers for grabbing, pulling, and twisting-not often for turning bolts. Therefore, my favorite automotive pliers are duckbills. Snap Ons are my favs, my old craftsman I like better than my Knipex. Knipex have smooth PVC grips, which get pretty slippery.

Of the needle nose types, the Snap On talon grip are the hands down best. I have the 97 and 96 models and love them both. Also have a small set of Knipex with long, thin, smooth jaws.

I really like the old style Snap On slip joint (non talon) 47ACP. I like the size of them and shape of the jaws. They also have very little play side to side. They are smaller than the new 47CP talons.

For channel-lock style pliers, I think nothing beats the KNIPEX cobra.

For actual bolt gripping, when a socket or wrench cannot work, Knipex plier wrench is a must have. I really won't use anything else for that sort of operation. I don't even own an adjustable wrench.

I have an assortment of Knipex diagonals and the nice pair from Snap On. In truth, I don't use my dikes that often when working on cars. When I'm cutting wires, I tend to use the tiny super sharp electronic cutters. I would buy some Lindstrom or Xuron cutters before splurging on expensive full sized dikes. I've never personally liked linesman pliers. I think they are good for house hold wiring tho. I find them clumsy for automotive, ill-suited for the tasks I do.

 

[Canyon56]

knipex pliers wrench in 6" & 10" and knipex cobras in 6" & 10" to start.

This is a great suggestion! And, don't worry hang around here long enough and you will have a drawer full of pliers to choose from.

 

[justme-]

Skipping brands - I use and would not be without 6" needle nose, 9" needle nose, 9" duck bill (wide needle nose - very useful), several sizes of "channel lock/water pump pliers), "vice grips" in large and small normal, and small (6") needle nose, and dykes (side cutters).

Brand is far less important than quality and comfort. If the pliers are well made and finished and the handles are comfortable to my hand I don't care if it's Snappy, Utica, SK, Craftsman, or Husky.
Skip linemans pliers - unless you're doing a lot of house/electrican work. I say skip slip jaws too- I have several pairs and once I had some other pliers I stopped reaching for them. They do nothing another pair can't do as good or better IMHO.

 

[98ssuck]

I use my 9" slip joint pliers (snap-on 49acp) all the time, I do hvac and electric. They aren't your cheap dollar store ones they you are probably used to. They are a extension of my hand when grabbing hot pipes. Open wide enough lossen 1/2" unions. They do everything I could need out of linesmens with regards to wiring expect cutting. I use my long bent needle nose almost as much as my slip joints. Once you get a pair you will never go back standard needle nose pliers.

 

[wild cowboy]

my guys at the shop have informed me it was not the double X pliers that pulled the car, it was these!

 

[rancherbill]

Pliers woulbe be on the bottom of my list. You have Mastercraft pliers and they are OK. I'd put my money into new functionality tools I don't have. You can only use one pair of pliers at a time.

A must have is a vise. Maybe pullers, brake tools etc - stuff you want to do.

 

[i4ni]

as much as I agree that the Snap-on Talons are very grippy, here is something that will surprise you from tests I have conducted in my shop:

long after the $51 SO talon grips have let go, the lowly $20 Crescent compound pliers are still holding, not because of the grip surface of course, which is vastly superior on the talons, but due to the shear clamping FORCE applied by the compound pliers.

so stronger grip and longer reach, at 38% of the price!

moral of the story: better quality and more more spent does not always give you better real world results!

Are you referring to the long nose (needle nose) ? Made in ?

 

[wild cowboy]

Are you referring to the long nose (needle nose) ? Made in ?

referring to the one pictured in post #29, it's a beast, the champ in clamping force, which really is basically grip, if you think about it.

I think it is made in Asia.

 

[steed andersen]

Good set of needle nose and Knipex Cobras.

 

[Jlbc212]

I find surgeons' forceps and a couple of good pair of tweezers good to have too.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...field-keywords=forceps&sprefix=Forcep,aps,369

 

[thegroundpounder99]

I've always been happy w/ Channelocks. I got some Snap On ones too, but I always grab the blue handles first. The Channelocks have been good to me too, they are all the original ones I started with.

 

[rapid robert]

Lineman, needle nose and slip joint...all channel lock...love those light blue colored grips....

 

[Nele]

slip joint, wire cutters, needle nose, knipex if possible, or chanel lock

 

[Indexmill]

as much as I agree that the Snap-on Talons are very grippy, here is something that will surprise you from tests I have conducted in my shop:

long after the $51 SO talon grips have let go, the lowly $20 Crescent compound pliers are still holding, not because of the grip surface of course, which is vastly superior on the talons, but due to the shear clamping FORCE applied by the compound pliers.

so stronger grip and longer reach, at 38% of the price!

moral of the story: better quality and more more spent does not always give you better real world results!

Those compound Crescent needle nose pliers are not $20. More like $40-$50.

 

[mykvr6]

I'm kinda looking for some of the same stuff. I want some cobras and maybe something like those snap ons. I have a couple sets of needle nose, some small snap on ones with long thin jaws and some Greenlee ones I think I bought to twist wire installing outlets or switches in the house. Not sure I really like them.

which leads me to a question, what do you guys like for that? For twisting a loop in solid core wire to screw into the terminals on home outlets or switches.

I was at the sears hardware store by my house looking at the craftsman cobras and their knipex stuff. I saw some knipex cutters for cutting wire and thicker wire. On the package shows it cutting a nail? They just look like typical side cutters but I've never seen a pair where the cutting blades are strong enough to cut stuff like that without gouging them up. I have a set of snap on lineman pliers/cutters that I use for that, but thats pretty much all I used them for

 

[bareass172]

I'll echo the SO 196CF as they are the best pliers I've ever owned for darn near anything I can throw at them. They grab so well I find myself using them for things I should not use needlenose for... If you don't want to spring for the 196CF (understandable) then look for just a plain old 96CF on Ebay for about $20 - you still won't be sorry!
Other than that, I am in love with Knipex stuff for cutters. Lots of opinions here, and most of them will be right - the key is that the best SPECIFIC plier might be from one company. I don't believe that one company makes the best of all pliers.