Are these pliers useful or useless?

[impactims]

 

[msharley]

Real useful...when you need them....

 

[tarmy]

Handy as hell for certain tasks. I use them for removing hose from fittings on my boats and spark plug caps carefully.

 

[Kaervak]

Excellent for removing hoses from hard lines. I use mine at work all the time.

 

[L.Cheapo]

They also work well for disconnecting certain electrical connector types.

 

[freebirdwelds]

love mine

 

[Wamsutta]

Just make sure you know where your hand is going to end up at when that hose lets go of the barb.

 

[The Cobbler]

Useful? yes.
do I own any? no
should I? yes

 

[Rusted Nut]

Very useful, at times.

 

[impactims]

So I've never had them, but I see them around from time to time.

My observation is that when you squeeze down on them against a load (a hose for example) the handles and jaws seem to flex quite a bit making it impossible to apply much pressure. So, if a hose is on really tight and I use these to grip, squeeze, twist and pull on the hose, I will be very limited with the amount of grip, squeeze, twist and pull that I have to work with.

Am I the only one that has noticed this?

 

[PelicanPines]

Got em... In a labelled drawer... For yanking hoses...

 

[charbar]

So I've never had them, but I see them around from time to time.

My observation is that when you squeeze down on them against a load (a hose for example) the handles and jaws seem to flex quite a bit making it impossible to apply much pressure. So, if a hose is on really tight and I use these to grip, squeeze, twist and pull on the hose, I will be very limited with the amount of grip, squeeze, twist and pull that I have to work with.

Am I the only one that has noticed this?

Yes but that is basically the nature of the design since they are long and skinny. Even more noticeable on cheaper ones. Mine are Cornwell branded but they look like every other cheap Taiwan ones offered by other brands. They are flimsy as hell but I've never broken them and the flex I get from them has never been an issue. Generally when you are using pliers like this you are trying to use a little finesse as well instead of grabbing into something with all your might.


I use mine quite often. Hoses, certain electrical and EVAP connectors, and plug wires are probably my main uses for them.

 

[dscheidt]

So I've never had them, but I see them around from time to time.

My observation is that when you squeeze down on them against a load (a hose for example) the handles and jaws seem to flex quite a bit making it impossible to apply much pressure. So, if a hose is on really tight and I use these to grip, squeeze, twist and pull on the hose, I will be very limited with the amount of grip, squeeze, twist and pull that I have to work with.

Am I the only one that has noticed this?

you only need to squeze them hard enough so that the static friction between the pliers's jaws and the hose is equal to the force pushing or pulling. If you squeeze harder, you push the hose onto the hardline, and it's harder to move. The natural reaction is to squeeze harder, but that makes it worse, and then you squeeze hard enough to flex them. They're a finesse tool, not a brute force solution. . using a hose pick first makes it easier, but you can't always do that.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Have some cheapies that I only have used for hose removal.

 

[impactims]

you only need to squeze them hard enough so that the static friction between the pliers's jaws and the hose is equal to the force pushing or pulling. If you squeeze harder, you push the hose onto the hardline, and it's harder to move. The natural reaction is to squeeze harder, but that makes it worse, and then you squeeze hard enough to flex them. They're a finesse tool, not a brute force solution. . using a hose pick first makes it easier, but you can't always do that.

Never actually used them, just handled them a few times in thin air.

So, it only takes a minimal amount of clamping force for them to work effectively thus the tendency to flex under load is a non issue?

 

[FigN⋅m]

Never actually used them, just handled them a few times in thin air.

So, it only takes a minimal amount of clamping force for them to work effectively thus the tendency to flex under load is a non issue?

Correct.
It's unlikely you will clamp down and just simply pull hard in-line with the fitting.
Usually you will gently(ish) rotate the hose as you are pulling it away.
As stated, they work well in conjunction with a good selection of picks

 

[four.cycle]

3-piece set

 

[wrenchr]

Yes they are very useful.

 

[hobie18]

Mostly used after chipotle. Always after taco bell

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i have a set of HF ones, they work fine for me. i never knew i needed them until i tried a pair.

 

[msharley]

Got em... In a labelled drawer... For yanking hoses...

 

[Newell33]

I love these pliers, but I wish I could find a smaller set that works on ATV / motorcycle fuel lines. Typically, the smallest pliers in the sets of 3 are just a bit too big for these lines. Has anyone found a mini pair that works on the thinner OD 1/8", 3/16", and 1/4" fuel lines?

 

[Rusted Nut]

I love these pliers, but I wish I could find a smaller set that works on ATV / motorcycle fuel lines. Typically, the smallest pliers in the sets of 3 are just a bit too big for these lines. Has anyone found a mini pair that works on the thinner OD 1/8", 3/16", and 1/4" fuel lines?

Get a couple thinner pieces of rubber or even tape, wrap around hose and then use pliers.

 

[Fedwrench]

Both. Depending on what you work on, they can be quite useful. Some of the cheaper versions have such poor jaw alignment that they can be difficult to use. I'd recommend getting at least a couple of common sizes. For larger hoses there are slip joint versions available with thicker jaws from a bunch of brands.

 

[LXCam]

Never actually used them, just handled them a few times in thin air.

So, it only takes a minimal amount of clamping force for them to work effectively thus the tendency to flex under load is a non issue?

Your needle seems to be stuck on the handle flexing. Yes they flex, but not as much as the hose you’re removing. So handle 1, hose zero.

Bud these things are great for their intended use. I have two complete sets in different lengths, I luv’m.

 

[JradM]

So I've never had them, but I see them around from time to time.

My observation is that when you squeeze down on them against a load (a hose for example) the handles and jaws seem to flex quite a bit making it impossible to apply much pressure. So, if a hose is on really tight and I use these to grip, squeeze, twist and pull on the hose, I will be very limited with the amount of grip, squeeze, twist and pull that I have to work with.

Am I the only one that has noticed this?

It shouldn't matter. You don't need a lot of pressure for them to work.

There was another thread about this, maybe a year ago, where people debated different brands, styles, teeth, etc. The thing is, you're gripping hose.

Hardened teeth, stiff steel, leverage... it doesn't matter much. Pliers made from mild steel would probably work, provided they didn't bend and stay bent when you squeezed. Hose is much softer than steel.

I have a cheap 3pc set of these - they work great for their intended purpose. You don't want to crush the hose or cut it. I use them to grab the hose at the fitting, twist to break it free, then grab below the barb to remove.

 

[CGarage]

Who makes these ?

 

[four.cycle]

^ NO idea who made those in that photo - it's too fuzzy.
Mine were made by Proamerica. They private-label them for a number of other companies.

 

[MR2FC]

I bought some cheapies, never used them but they looked interesting...

...my other half thought they were some kind of implement of torture, and gave me a funny look when they were delivered

 

[Banjorear]

Your needle seems to be stuck on the handle flexing. Yes they flex, but not as much as the hose you’re removing. So handle 1, hose zero.

Bud these things are great for their intended use. I have two complete sets in different lengths, I luv’m.

I agree. You don't want them to be crushers; especially when dealing with plastic barbs or other delicate hook ups.

 

[demarpaint]

I found they come in quite handy for removing hoses, especially if you plan on reusing the hose..

 

[andys]

I have them and use them weekly for hoses, plastic tubes, spark plugs and some electrical connectors.

They are not for brute force, but for applying pinching power where you fingers can't or won't get it done.

 

[dscheidt]

It shouldn't matter. You don't need a lot of pressure for them to work.

There was another thread about this, maybe a year ago, where people debated different brands, styles, teeth, etc. The thing is, you're gripping hose.

Hardened teeth, stiff steel, leverage... it doesn't matter much. Pliers made from mild steel would probably work, provided they didn't bend and stay bent when you squeezed. Hose is much softer than steel.

I have a cheap 3pc set of these - they work great for their intended purpose. You don't want to crush the hose or cut it. I use them to grab the hose at the fitting, twist to break it free, then grab below the barb to remove.

It's telling that Knipex do not make a version, and the only version of these Snap-On have in their catalog are chinese imports.

 

[s3zau]

It's telling that Knipex do not make a version, and the only version of these Snap-On have in their catalog are chinese imports.

They make a short version that’s quite useful

 

[CoogarXR]

I have the old orange-handled harbor freight set. They work just fine for me. They are nice for spark plug boots and heater core hoses. That's what I use them the most for.

 

[hobie18]

I can't tell you how many hours, nor how much frustration these have saved.*

You need to put as little pressure as possible. Most barbs and tubes are easy to damage. Heater core could be ripped, gouged, or slightly scored. Any would end your day, and add a few more.

*mostly cause I can't find them.

 

[snickers muncher]

I've got a cheap set from HF. As mentioned they're great for pulling hoses, spark plug wires, and some electrical connections if you're really, really careful. Also great for removing and installing large horseshoe shaped C clips like on axle bearings.

 

[Sbusmech]

I use them every now and then. Great for holding hoses in place in limited access places. Like any specialty tool, you don't always need it, but when you do...

 

[johninct]

I have never seen these, dumb question, do you grip a hose with the tips or the circle part?

 

[hobie18]

Generally the circle.
Like a lot of tools, they are useful in several ways .