Breaking in new pliers
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kiatech
Well-known member
Kroil? Use them?
sickjuice
Well-known member
Cutting oil
Tarheelgarage
Well-known member
Chadwilliam1
Well-known member
exchange them.
mrbreezeet1
Banned
might be the best thing.
If they don't free up soon, I'd take them back.
Beat me to it..............
sickjuice
Well-known member
I'm serious about the cutting oil. I'm an electrician so I've broken in a pair or two of kleins... Once I had a pair of side cutters that were still stiff after 6 months of daily use and a guy showed me to use cutting oil.. Had them loosened up by the end of the day
mrbreezeet1
Banned
Did you think I was doubting you, or being facetious?
rkevins
Well-known member
at work we use wd40 at the end of the day spray it in the joints and work them, you may have to do this a few days in a row, and again if you cut mc cable with the a lot
I like mine loose so they fall open in my hand, so I can move the handle with my pinkey
I like mine loose so they fall open in my hand, so I can move the handle with my pinkey
rlitman
Well-known member
They break in, and get better.
When I get a new Leatherman tool, I'll sit down at a TV show, and keep opening and closing them over the full range of motion for an hour or so. A few hours into this, and they're getting pretty good. I'll then soak the joint in White Lightning bicycle chain lube. Use some extra, and flush out the metal dust you created while breaking everything in.
After that, it'll be smooth as glass.
When I get a new Leatherman tool, I'll sit down at a TV show, and keep opening and closing them over the full range of motion for an hour or so. A few hours into this, and they're getting pretty good. I'll then soak the joint in White Lightning bicycle chain lube. Use some extra, and flush out the metal dust you created while breaking everything in.
After that, it'll be smooth as glass.
Chadwilliam1
Well-known member
I have never done more than spraying kroil on them and open and closing them a few times.
RECox286
Well-known member
Don't youse guys know the trick ? (Here is one my father taught me.)
Take yer rusted and tight pliers, or new tight pliers for a swim under the
hot water tap while exersizing them. They will loosen up in just a minute
or two. (if you don't have really hot water, boil some in an old pot, it works
just as well, if not better. When the pliers are working, let the water dry
(being hot, it won't take long) and follow up with WD-40 or the like.
Uncle Bob
Take yer rusted and tight pliers, or new tight pliers for a swim under the
hot water tap while exersizing them. They will loosen up in just a minute
or two. (if you don't have really hot water, boil some in an old pot, it works
just as well, if not better. When the pliers are working, let the water dry
(being hot, it won't take long) and follow up with WD-40 or the like.
Uncle Bob
sickjuice
Well-known member
TwoInch
Well-known member
what is cutting oil going to do that any other oil wont?
Gert
Well-known member
I have had good luck with Ceramic glass cooktop cleaner made by HG.
http://homeathome.homehardware.ca/e...op-Cleaner/_/N-ntjwqZ1z141rj/R-I4521773?Num=1
It is a very mild liquid abrasive.
Add the liquid to the joint of the plier and open-close it multiple times.
The one plier I mentioned took about 10 minutes to free.
Add more cleaner when it gets dry.
Than clean with lots of water, dry and apply wd40.
Most chrome polish liquids have the same ingredients, so you might give that a try as well.
http://homeathome.homehardware.ca/e...op-Cleaner/_/N-ntjwqZ1z141rj/R-I4521773?Num=1
It is a very mild liquid abrasive.
Add the liquid to the joint of the plier and open-close it multiple times.
The one plier I mentioned took about 10 minutes to free.
Add more cleaner when it gets dry.
Than clean with lots of water, dry and apply wd40.
Most chrome polish liquids have the same ingredients, so you might give that a try as well.
Holt
Well-known member
Wd40 and sand.
Run 'em dry until you feel them wear in.
Lubrication slows down break in wear. In the short term, it makes it feel smoother, in the long term, it's taking it longer to wear in.
None of mine that ever started out stiff stayed that way after two weeks of normal use with no special care whatsoever.
Lubrication slows down break in wear. In the short term, it makes it feel smoother, in the long term, it's taking it longer to wear in.
None of mine that ever started out stiff stayed that way after two weeks of normal use with no special care whatsoever.
jsb025
Active member
The sand and wd40 method has worked for me many a time.
mrbreezeet1
Banned
I don't know how well I can explain it, but the way I was taught, and IIRC,
It's something like,
say, 3/1 oil, or motor oil, lubricate and separate the metals, where as cutting oils, lubricate to a point, and also cool, and let the two metals get together and "cut".
That's about the best I understand and can explain it.
AutoTek
Active member
I had a new pair of channel lock cutters that were pretty stiff to open and close, tried wd40 for a few days didn't work, so I ended up wedging a small screwdriver in between levers and gave it a quick tap, cutters have been great ever since....
(Guessing here) Ordinary oils are designed to lubricate in a way that prevents or minimizes metal on metal contact/wear. Cutting oil is designed to lubricate in a way that enhances metal on metal contact/wear.
Use an ordinary lubricant on a tap, or at a drill press. Then use cutting fluid. You will see the difference in how it works.
96snma
Well-known member
My buddy who services sub stations gave me a set of cold klien side cutters. They were still sooooo stiff and could hardly be open. Tried the cutting oil as mentioned earlier becasue I just had it sitting there. Worked quite well and now they open and close great.
mrbreezeet1
Banned
Pretty well what I was trying to say.
Will have to try it if I get a pair like that.
Good to know. Had never heard this before.
RCStocker
Well-known member
TwoInch
Well-known member
thats what i expected was being claimed.
cutting oil or fluid is designed to minimize friction, and heat, same as "ordinary" oils. it cools the work, and the cutting head or drill, and lubricated the two surfaces to prevent tip welding and dulling. Cutting oil or fluid does not in any way cause any sort of cutting action, or enhance metal to metal wear. it is a lubricant, designed to minimize wear and heat, allowing the cutting edge/ surface to what its supposed to do. it also helps flush away chip material, allowing the cutting edge to work cleanly.
cutting fluids are just thin mineral oils or blends of mostly water and light oil. water is a great cutting fluid, but promotes rust. no abrasives whatsoever in them, as it would ruin cutting edges quickly. using WD40 or light weight non detergent motor oil, or 3in1 type oils are normal cutting fluids that are used often.
if you want something with a "cutting action" i would suggest a fine grit lapping compound. and then flush it our fully with brake cleaner after they loosen up some.
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Chadwilliam1
Well-known member
my brother has a pair of husky made in China pliers. they didn't need to be broken in.
RemOil or CLP is what I use for all my pliers joints. Mine tend to get dirty as well as stiffen/slow motion from time to time. My daily carry multi tool is just going to get pocket lint/dust 'fuzz' all over it with WD or another oil. CLP is what I have been using for anything that isn't going to sit happy in a toolbox but get used out in the dirt & rain most often.
There's plenty of oils that could help you, and yes if you're trying to 'wear out the stiffness' then not using oil will let the tool's hinge wear faster but I prefer longer life which the 'wear out' method won't give you.
There's plenty of oils that could help you, and yes if you're trying to 'wear out the stiffness' then not using oil will let the tool's hinge wear faster but I prefer longer life which the 'wear out' method won't give you.
OMG! The sand actually works! At least it did for me.
After trying to loosen up a pair of brand new 9" Cannellock diagonal cutters with WD-40 and 3-in-1 oil and not having cutting oil on hand or the patience to soak, I started searching forums and the sand method kept popping up.
My yard has very sandy soil, so I simply stuck the head of the pliers in the sand and started working them. Within 2 minutes, they loosened up. To the point that they were floppy. Gravity did the work.
You don't really need the WD-40. Just wipe them off and continue working them until the gritty feel goes away.
I was pleasantly shocked at how quickly it worked.