Soft jaw pliers

[FigureItOut]

I got these Proto soft jaw pliers in today and I'm thinking I want to try a different pair, so I'm looking for recommendations. The issue with these is the mechanism that allows the jaws to slide between the different width positions. The opening range where it'll stay locked in position is too narrow, so when you open the jaws to clamp around a piece, it starts to slide and gets stuck when you try to close the jaws. The jaws must be almost all the way closed before it'll lock in solidly.

Anyone have good experience with a similar set of pliers? These are 9-1/2" and I'd be looking for this size or even slightly smaller.

 

[davethorik]

Knipex makes a 10", unsure if they have other sizes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AY0JUJ2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[FigureItOut]

I wonder if the 81 13 250 are the same thing except for the finish. They're a bit cheaper.

 

[tool_scrounge]

I have used the proto style and they are OK. But the one's Garret Wade sells from Japan are by far the best. We use then at work. Not cheap though.

http://www.garrettwade.com/professional-soft-jaw-pliers-gp.html

 

[FigureItOut]

I have used the proto style and they are OK. But the one's Garret Wade sells from Japan are by far the best. We use then at work. Not cheap though.

http://www.garrettwade.com/professional-soft-jaw-pliers-gp.html

Are they that good? I'm thinking about the set of three for $118. Have you tried the Knipex to compare them to?

 

[tool_scrounge]

Are they that good? I'm thinking about the set of three for $118. Have you tried the Knipex to compare them to?

I have not tried the Knipex.

 

[FigureItOut]

I have not tried the Knipex.

I can't find the measurements on those, about how big would you say the pipe pliers are?

 

[Monte]

water pump pliers style:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/IPS-Wonder-...985246?hash=item2efda59e5e:g:GRcAAOSwkNZUbyep

 

[mudflap]

The Craftsman Robo-grip pliers come with a set of slip on soft covers.

 

[FigureItOut]

water pump pliers style:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/IPS-Wonder-...985246?hash=item2efda59e5e:g:GRcAAOSwkNZUbyep

Any experience with those? I wish I could buy on brand experience alone, but that didn't work out with the Protos, ha ha.

 

[tool_scrounge]

I can't find the measurements on those, about how big would you say the pipe pliers are?

The slip joint pliers are about 10" long. i am usually gripping things around 1.25" diameter.

 

[FigureItOut]

The slip joint pliers are about 10" long. i am usually gripping things around 1.25" diameter.

Cool, I may go with that 3 piece set. It's a lot more than I'd planned to spend. Actually while checking replies I was farting around in the garage and came across a need for the needle nose, so I bet the set would be a good buy.

 

[22george]

Type "canon plug pliers" in ebay.
We used the "ATI canon plug pliers" on aircraft connectors (canon Plugs). They worked great for this application.

 

[Monte]

Any experience with those?

nope

 

[Strouty]

nope

That was helpful...

I have never had much luck with the slip on covers, but they will work in a pinch, just not as good as you would like.

 

[WWheeler]

Here's mine. Boulderfly Soft Jaw Cannon Plug Pliers & Kobalt Magnum Grip Pliers. I've been happy with both.

 

[FigureItOut]

water pump pliers style:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/IPS-Wonder-...985246?hash=item2efda59e5e:g:GRcAAOSwkNZUbyep

Thanks, looks like those are the same maker that tool_scrounge recommend. I put in a couple bids on different styles. Even if I just get them from Amazon, I can piece together the 3 piece set for a lot less than the Garrett Wade set.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Type "canon plug pliers" in ebay.
We used the "ATI canon plug pliers" on aircraft connectors (canon Plugs). They worked great for this application.

+1

We use Bluepoint pliers at work... slip-jointed like older WP pliers: https://store.snapon.com/Miscellaneous-Pliers-Connector-Blue-Point--P634306.aspx

 

[Empty Pockets]

Knipex is a bit pricey, but never had a complaint

 

[FigureItOut]

I went a little overboard and ordered 5 different pairs of the Japanese IPS pliers. I'll report back on the quality once I get a chance to use them.

 

[FigureItOut]

These are pretty impressive. They feel very solid and precise. The water pump and needle nose are both spring loaded. The needle nose also have a slip joint design. The slip joints and needle nose pads are kind of a flexible plastic, whereas the water pump style has more of a soft rubber pad material.

 

[rvieceli]

How "grippy" are the water pump style inserts. I have the slip joint ones and find that the inserts are too hard and tend to slip on the round tubing I want to use them on.

Thanks

 

[FigureItOut]

How "grippy" are the water pump style inserts. I have the slip joint ones and find that the inserts are too hard and tend to slip on the round tubing I want to use them on.

Thanks

The pads are much more grippy than the hard plastic pads in the slip joints. The rubber is soft enough to deform quite a bit when clamping down. I put a round piece in the vise to check it out for you, and it took a moderate amount of torque to make the grip slip, but this was smooth painted metal, and the handles are pretty long, giving leverage. I think you could tighten say galvanized pipe snug enough, and loosen it if wasn't stuck pretty good.

There's two water pump style versions, the 250 and the 270. The jaw design is a bit different. I don't have the 250's in yet, so I'm speaking of the 270's. At their most narrow jaw setting, they'll just barely clamp onto 3/4" copper pipe, so they wouldn't be effective on anything smaller.

 

[rvieceli]

Thanks. I need something to grab 1/2 inch od nickel plated brass tubing.

 

[ecotec]

The Craftsman Robo-grip pliers come with a set of slip on soft covers.

Ugh. I was given 3 pairs. I snuck them all into my father in law's tools.

 

[FigureItOut]

FigureItOut, with those API pliers, how much clearance is there between the grip surface of the plastic jaws and the top of the metal screw head that holds the soft jaws in? If you clamp a little too hard would the screw head scrape up the item you are gripping?

There's lots of the clearance on water pump style with the rubbery jaws, I don't think you could scrape anything with the screw. On the other styles, the screw is not recessed very deeply, but the jaw material is a much stiffer plastic, I don't think it could compress enough. I do worry about the wear though, it won't take much material loss to cause an issue. It does seem though, that the screws are not in a key wear area, but it's something to watch.