Channellock 349 Wiremasters Lineman's

guitardedhero · Sep 14, 2011

My 349 wiremasters lineman's pliers came in today. Honestly, my 369's feel a lil heftier, theyre slightly longer and the grips are thicker. The 369 has teeth in the crusher area, whereas the 349 has a smooth crusher area. The biggest difference is probably the 349 being box enclosed joint. Not sure about the benefits of that joint setup, but the 349 was much stiffer out of the package than the 369 was. Used Kroil on the 349 and it is much better now. The 349 is $33.97 from amazon and my 369 cost $22.97 or so from Home Depot. If cost is an issue for one buying lineman's pliers I can't recommend the 349 over the 369. To me, $34 for good lineman's pliers is very reasonable especially compared to Kleins. I prefer the 369 over the 2 Kleins I used in the past in all aspects of the pliers. I have a feeling the 349 may age more gracefully than the 369 will so I guess we'll have to wait and see haha!

Anyone here try a 349 yet? Your thoughts on it versus the 369?

If you guys can recommend the easiest way to get iPhone pics in this thread I'll post some pics of them side by side.

Outlawmws · Sep 14, 2011

guitardedhero said:
SNIP
If you guys can recommend the easiest way to get iPhone pics in this thread I'll post some pics of them side by side.

Isn't there an app for that? :headscrat

jeffmoss26 · Sep 14, 2011

I just email the pics to myself then upload them to photobucket or facebook.

guitardedhero · Sep 14, 2011

No access to computer, must use the phone.

guitardedhero · Sep 14, 2011

zer0cell · Sep 14, 2011

Thank you for the pics... it is nice to be able to see a close up of the differences. I like the idea of the box joint, but it seems like the 369 and variants thereof have more 'features'. I do think the box joint might be sturdier though... its a trade-off I guess.

tyjoja · Sep 14, 2011

I'm a cable dude, and theres nothing better for me than a Klien 9" lineman's plier. Mine have a 5/8's thread chaser where the handles come together, for pole hardware. Yours look like fine tools, but... For diagonal side cutters, the absolute best are the Klien angle heads, which work awesome for pulling staples or nails. bob

jeffmoss26 · Sep 14, 2011

I agree, love my Kleins!

MadMark · Sep 14, 2011

the 349 is very strong and cuts like a compound leverage plier.

the toothed crusher area on the 369 would be good for pulling on fish tapes.

I've seen a lot of pro electricians with the 349, for them it was either the 349 or Kleins.

guitardedhero · Sep 14, 2011

I looked everywhere for comparisons because I couldn't see the 349 in person and came up with nothing. I figured I wasn't the only one looking for comparisons so I wanted to post some pics. I also noticed the 349 doesn't have as high leverage as the 369 as you can see the pin location or whatever it is in the pics. Both are awesome pliers.

toolmaven · May 4, 2019

Old thread, but if anyone looks, the OLD 349 pliers were much better finished and a truly superb tool.

Wamsutta · May 5, 2019

The handles on the 369 look bigger in diameter. Easier on the hands for squeezing.

davethorik · May 5, 2019

Box joint lineman pliers I think make them somewhat unique. 99% I've seen are hot riveted lap joint. Another interesting tool I didn't know about.

ChrisLS8 · May 5, 2019

I have to pick up a pair of lineman's for some classes and I've been checking threads today. I'm between the 396s, knipex or NWS

neophyte · May 5, 2019

One of the main advantages of the 349 Box jointed pliers, is the box joint, and the advantage of that for what linesman pliers are typically used for, namely, twisting wires.

Regular lap joint pliers Only have maximum strength and stiffness when used for twisting wire in one direction, which is determined by how the legs cross, and are riveted together.
When twisting wire with regular lap jointed pliers, it is best to twist thevpliers in the direction were the two plier legs are forced together by the twisting action.
If you use the same pluers to twist wire or whatever in the opposite direction, the tensional torque ftom the twisting action gets exerted on the plier rivet, rather than on the two pliers legs.
Over time this is more likely to cause the pliers to get loose, or possibly even snap a plier jaw off.
True Box jointed pliers are symmetrical.
It doesn’t matter which way you use the pliers to twist and bend stuff, since both directions affect the pliers the same.

redwrench60 · May 5, 2019

I bought a brand new pair of Channellock 349’s once thinking I’d found a well kept secret and I hated them. They were noticeably shorter than comparable Kleins, lacked the leverage for tough cuts and had overall terrible fit and finish with sloppy grinding and poorly crosshatched jaws. They were an embarrassment and looked like they were forged and finished by a drunk on his first day.

Looks like a moot point anyway because it appears like Channellock has discontinued the 349 Wiremaster. Doesn’t appear on their website anymore and many sources list it as discontinued. Looks like Amazon and some others still show stock though.

sberry · May 5, 2019

Looks to me like the pivot point of the jaw is closer with the 369, higher cutting leverage.

anndel · May 5, 2019

I was in the same decision situation, picking up the Channelock 349, 369 or Klein. I went with the Klein D213-9NE-CR crimping pliers.

toplessHO · May 6, 2019

9NE or go home

redwrench60 · May 6, 2019

I guess that’s why the Channellock 349 is discontinued. No one gives a ****. And yeah ,9” Kleins for the win.

neophyte · May 7, 2019

redwrench60 said:
I guess that’s why the Channellock 349 is discontinued. No one gives a ****. And yeah ,9” Kleins for the win.

Outside of the jewelry and electronics industry, most people have no clue what a box jointed plier actually is, and what the advantages to it are, and even Chanellock used the term “Unique Heavy duty enclosed joint design” rather than the more standard “box joint” term.
Channellock uses “box joint” to describe other pliers which aren’t an actual “box joint” type of plier.

toplessHO · May 7, 2019

just a fun fact for you Klein fans
my first pair was $3 and the hard plastic grips were 80 cents.

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