4.5" Precision Electronics Pliers

[5ubtle]

Help me decide which replacement pliers to buy. I had a pair of Craftsman 45173 mini long nose pliers, but they broke after 20+ years, and are no longer available. Overall length 4.9" when closed; 0.24" wide at the rivet; jaw length 1.1", tip of jaw 0.10" wide, half round; serrated jaw teeth; spring loaded action. These were great for gripping and bending leads on electronics components.

Two possibilities are:
Klein D321-41/2C Home Depot Page
Knipex 37 31 125 Home Depot Page

My Craftsman pliers had a wire cutter. Notching the plier jaws for the cutter created a stress riser, and that is where they broke. I don't need the cutter and prefer the new pliers to be without a cutter.

The Kleins are described as having a "knurled jaw". I don't know exactly what "knurled jaw" is but I assume that it is serrated (which I like). The Kleins do not have a cutter. I haven't yet found the width at the rivet dimension, but I'm hoping for about 1/4".

Knipex has all the dimensions on it's website and the size is good for me. I am unsure about the jaw serrations and whether it has a cutter.

Are there other good options that I am overlooking?

 

[Spacey_G]

Take a look at the Keiba HL-D04 or HLC-D04. I have the HLC-D04 and they're very nice quality. Available on Amazon.co.jp.

 

[Professional Tool User]

If the Kleins are available at your local home depot, I would go in store and play around with them. The Klein flush cutters I've played around with are of disappointing quality. Knipex needle nose pliers have a reputation of having weak tips depending on the model. I would also check out Channellock and other options before buying.

 

[5ubtle]

Neither plier is "in stock" at my Home Depot. They order them in and don't charge me shipping.

 

[RKA]

Tronex
https://tronex.descoindustries.com/Tronex-Catalog/Pliers/

 

[jgromada]

I would vote for Erem or Lindstrom for electronics work

 

[5ubtle]

Thanks RKA, but $50 Tronex are out of my price range.

I'm liking these Aven Technix 10307 chain nose pliers Home Depot Page
They are stainless steel with a box joint.

edit: Aven Technix 10301 seem identical but without jaw serrations. They can be had for $11 at amazon. Amazon page.

 

[tomalophicon]

Have a look at the Engineer PS-01. I recently bought them and a incredibly impressed for detailed work. They're slightly longer at 5".

 

[5ubtle]

The Lindstrom 7891 Supreme Snipe Nose Pliers are nice, but at $28, a bit more than I want to pay. Amazon Page

 

[5ubtle]

Thanks tomalophicon, but I'm going to stay away from the Engineer PS-01 because they have a cutter.

 

[5ubtle]

Thanks Spacey_G, but I am bewildered by the Amazon.co.jp website.

The Channellock E47S (Home Depot Page) is interesting but I don't like the fact that it has a cutter.

 

[Flathead Youngin']

Don't forget to look at Excelite and also, you might be able to find a used pair of the Craftsman you love on that bidding site....

 

[seber]

I have a pair of Snap-on that are perfect and what you are looking for. I believe they were made by Klien. They do not have a box joint but they have held up well for a long time. I would definitey look for the Kliens.

 

[KnurledNut]

I dont own these, but they would be tempting if i was in need and on a budget:

https://www.tekton.com/mini-long-nose-pliers-pmn11001

I dont care for most of Tekton offerings, but these look promising and Taiwan manufacturing has been holding their own lately.

 

[measuredtwice]

If you broke those Craftsman, then you are looking for something stronger than precision pliers. When I think of precision pliers, I think of delicate work that wouldn't cause a break. Tronix are nice but I think they are best suited for delicate work. I think the Klein and Knipex pliers in the OP would probably be okay for your use. You might want to step up a size if you want something stronger than the Craftsman. I personally wouldn't buy the Aven--they are made cheaply in Pakistan.

 

[RKA]

The Lindstrom 7891 Supreme Snipe Nose Pliers are nice, but at $28, a bit more than I want to pay. Amazon Page

For delicate work, I would spend the extra for lindstrom or erem. The price isn’t that unreasonable and they are made really well. The China and Taiwan made brands aren’t likely to be a match, but it depends on what you need. I think you’re going to get what you pay for in the sub-$25 range, then diminishing returns set in.

 

[Davefr]

The Lindstrom 7891 Supreme Snipe Nose Pliers are nice, but at $28, a bit more than I want to pay. Amazon Page

Lindstrom's aren't that great. The hard plastic grips are not ergonomic and they tend to slip off when you put pressure on the handles.

Swanstrom (S661E) and Tronex are much better but cost more.

If you can find a NOS pair of the discontinued SO E703BCG, they are the best I've used.

Kleins are always a good choice.

I'd also recommend the Textons if cost is an issue. They are made in Taiwan and pretty good for around $15. See post #73. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=426881&page=4&highlight=e703bcg

 

[exmaxima1]

Lindstrom's aren't that great. The hard plastic grips are not ergonomic and they tend to slip off when you put pressure on the handles.

Swanstrom (S661E) and Tronex are much better but cost more.

I picked up a handful of NOS Swanstrom and Lindstrom pliers and cutters at a garage sale for a few bucks. They are among the best I have used, with perfectly fitted blades and serrations, but I have others that I prefer for electronics. The slipping handles on the Lindstroms are more an issue on the cutters, but a drop of glue fixes that. I just prefer a longer nose for most of the things I work on.

My favorite for 90% of the electronics I do are the Xcelite (Germany) with box joints. Not sure if they are still available. They are the ones with the black oxide finish in the pic. They are a good size, and will hold tiny wires. In my experience, pliers with copper pivots also work well and last many years.

 

[exmaxima1]

Don't forget to look at Excelite and also, you might be able to find a used pair of the Craftsman you love on that bidding site....

You might be thinking Xcelite (mostly excellent) or Excelta (ranging from ok to outstanding)

 

[5ubtle]

I like these two Xcelites:

Xcelite LN225N Zoro Page
Xcelite LN54BKN Zoro Page

So Xcelite is made in China now? According to Wikipedia, Apex Tool Group bought Xcelite in 2010.

 

[jgromada]

Lindstrom's aren't that great. The hard plastic grips are not ergonomic and they tend to slip off when you put pressure on the handles.

Don't agree with that assessment at all! I have a variety of a dozen different styles of precision Lindstrom and they are all excellent.

 

[Davefr]

Don't agree with that assessment at all! I have a variety of a dozen different styles of precision Lindstrom and they are all excellent.

We agree to disagree. They are good except for the grips which I hate. I just wouldn't put them in the same class as Tronex or Swamstrom. If Lindstrom would get rid of that hard plastic grip that easily slides off the handles, they'd be much better. When the grip's slip, the springs no longer make the correct contact. I know I could drool some glue in there but why should I have to?

I think SO owns Lindstrom. Maybe they should suggest that Lindstrom adopt the SO style of cushioned grips. (which are comfortable/ergonomic and almost indestructible IMHO).

Has anyone here used Schmitz pliers?

 

[mrspeed]

Don't agree with that assessment at all! I have a variety of a dozen different styles of precision Lindstrom and they are all excellent.

We agree to disagree. They are good except for the grips which I hate. I just wouldn't put them in the same class as Tronex or Swamstrom. If Lindstrom would get rid of that hard plastic grip that easily slides off the handles, they'd be much better. When the grip's slip, the springs no longer make the correct contact. I know I could drool some glue in there but why should I have to?

I thing SO owns Lindstrom. Maybe they should suggest that Lindstrom adopt the SO style of cushioned grips. (which are comfortable/ergonomic and almost indestructible IMHO).

Has anyone here used Schmitz pliers?

Are you guys talking about different pliers by any chance? Lindström makes two different styles of precision plier handles. I agree that the hard plastic ones are uncomfortable, aren't well finished and feel cheap. The other handles though look similar to the Bahco handles on my other pliers which feel nice, substantial and comfortable.




Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Davefr]

Are you guys talking about different pliers by any chance? Lindström makes two different styles of precision plier handles. I agree that the hard plastic ones are uncomfortable, aren't well finished and feel cheap. The other handles though look similar to the Bahco handles on my other pliers which feel nice, substantial and comfortable.




Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

Here's a small sampling of precision plier grips/handles. You're correct that Lindstrom makes (or has made) several different styles.

It's the one on lower left that I don't like. The next two (two tone blue) are much better but I don't like the one with the plastic hinge. Also those hinges preclude being able to hang them on a plier rack rod. The big Lindstrom has a really nice grip. I'm not sure if they offer that option across the lineup.

Top row: SO, Erem, Diamond
Bottom row: Lindstrom, Lindstrom, Lindstrom, Lindstrom, Swanstrom