ajchien
Well-known member
Hi, Im looking for a set of cheap pliers. Saw the HF pliers. They have both a blue handle set of 7, and an orange handle set of 6. Anyone have a preference between them?
Cheap pliers
- Thread starter ajchien
- Start date
mikebramel
Well-known member
for $8 what can you expect
i wouldnt use them everyday or even twice a week
i had a set and bent every one of them.
in my opinion they are junk
but they will get the job done in the end, twisting with flat teeth along the way
i wouldnt use them everyday or even twice a week
i had a set and bent every one of them.
in my opinion they are junk
but they will get the job done in the end, twisting with flat teeth along the way
Kirbot
Well-known member
I've used the orange set.
If at all possible, spring for Channellock.
But, the harborfreight set does work, it just won't hold up very well.
The teeth won't stay sharp, and the wire cutters are a joke.
It's worth $10, but you'll end up replacing them, one by one, with better stuff.
If at all possible, spring for Channellock.
But, the harborfreight set does work, it just won't hold up very well.
The teeth won't stay sharp, and the wire cutters are a joke.
It's worth $10, but you'll end up replacing them, one by one, with better stuff.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
BY EM AT THE FLEA MARKET FOR A BUCK -for wifey to hammer on the washing machine hose
made in bangladesh
made in bangladesh
lol. I know they are likely not very good. However, they'll be used to turn plastic stopcocks and knobs, help pull spinkler heads out of the ground, assist in taking apart hoses for swimming pool equipment. Im expecting them to rust out in a few years. Just wondering if the blue or orange handles were any better than the other.
mrholeshot
MEMBER EMERITUS
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2010
- Messages
- 8,043
If you insist on buying cheap buy the Kobalts at Lowes. They are cheap china but better than HF. In a few days they will have the 3 pc channellock style and 5 pc assorted sets for 9.99
pattenp
Well-known member
The pliers themselves are the same only the handle covering is different. Orange is rubber and the blue is PVC. Personally I like the feel of the rubber grips better.
I've had the set of six mini pliers for more than 5 years, and at least a couple years on several of the regular and extra long pliers, no issues from my use. I don't beat up tools, and they don't feel like quality, but all have worked fine.
My go to pliers are old SK long duckbills, or Knipex cobra's depending on the type of job.
My go to pliers are old SK long duckbills, or Knipex cobra's depending on the type of job.
I had (still have, actually) the orange set, and while I have -- and like -- a LOT of Harbor Freight Chinese tools, I'll admit that the crappy quality of the orange pliers was the thing that finally pushed me to buy some better-than-HF and better-than-Craftsman pliers.
I got a set of Mac pliers and cutters, and they're MUCH better than the Harbor Frieght ones. Full disclosure, though: the Mac ones were also made in China. They were just made better.
I got a set of Mac pliers and cutters, and they're MUCH better than the Harbor Frieght ones. Full disclosure, though: the Mac ones were also made in China. They were just made better.
pattenp
Well-known member
When asking a question about a HF tool on this board you'll usually get more input than you asked for. So..... do you still really want to buy those cheap HF pliers?
Some stuff at HF is decent... if you don't plan on using it professionally... or even as a serious DIY kinda person. Its more suited for times when the absolute lowest price is a priority for a tool you don't plan on using for repetitious or heavy duty work. I'm with mrholeshot, if you are going to buy cheap Chinese pliers you are better off buying Kobalt when its on sale. It will almost certainly last longer than HF pliers, and they are more comfortable to use in my opinion. I know... those low prices at HF sure are tempting sometimes, and sometimes its worth giving in and buying what they have. However, always consider the alternatives and compare prices. I'd rather pay $15 for something overall pretty good, than $10 for something pretty bad. Just as an example.
X1 Mike
Well-known member
I like these because of the ease of joint movement. 
http://www.walgreens.com/store/cata...V=G&ec=frgl_&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku392846
What, you guys don't think Band-aids aren't a good complementary product for cheap pliers?
http://www.walgreens.com/store/cata...V=G&ec=frgl_&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku392846
What, you guys don't think Band-aids aren't a good complementary product for cheap pliers?
RRmech
Well-known member
Check out flea-bay.
I picked up a two NOS, USA-made Diamond-brand pliers, for $6 each.
Steve
I picked up a two NOS, USA-made Diamond-brand pliers, for $6 each.
Steve
oldwheelieguy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2010
- Messages
- 73
I have one pair of harbor freight long orange pliers and I love them, Been using them professional for about 4 years now and have not had any issues. I have a longer pair of mac ones that I use about the same amount. I actually bent the mac ones but havnt bent the hf ones yet. But for Price/quality I would say channel lock
I like these because of the ease of joint movement.
http://www.walgreens.com/store/cata...V=G&ec=frgl_&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku392846
What, you guys don't think Band-aids aren't a good complementary product for cheap pliers?
Haha I love it.... good one... I actually need a bandaid now. Don't you hate it when your fingernail gets partially cut off too far and the skin is so tender you can hardly touch anything with the tip of your finger without pain?
littletoes
Well-known member
I had two bosses at the last company I worked for, one would always buy good quality American made tools (usually Proto), the other only bought Olympia tools.
I would always say, he would go into where ever he bought them tools at and ask;
" gimme that cheap wrench, and a box of band-aids 'cause they're gonna need 'em!"
Cheap tools will get you hurt faster than just about anything on a job site.
Good Luck with your choice...
I would always say, he would go into where ever he bought them tools at and ask;
" gimme that cheap wrench, and a box of band-aids 'cause they're gonna need 'em!"
Cheap tools will get you hurt faster than just about anything on a job site.
Good Luck with your choice...
That's intersting because I have the long orange handled HF pliers and have bent both of them as well as twisted them. I also have the MAC long handled pliers and have yet to damage them in any way. I think it's like all things HF, hit or miss.
Scout Driver
Well-known member
CeeTee by Crescent. I keep a pair in a holster. Used the same set for over 10 years.
Scott
Scott
Theloniousmonk
Well-known member
Ace pro pliers are tiawan or china too, similar pricing to kobalts and are also on sale coming up... check those out too - i like the handles. the ace pro line actually isn't bad for the $$$ - stuff is pretty decent, alot of guys around here will pick up a ace pro piece for last minute stuff and use em fairly often after purchasing.
X1 Mike
Well-known member
Be honest...............have you ever made a shooting noise when you pulled your pliers out?
I have a set of the HF orange handled pliers as well. Normally I don't buy anything at HF that I can't inspect. I saw the pliers on sale and decided to give them a try but obviously couldn't really look them over because they were in that big plastic wrapping.
When I got them home I found that the casting was rough; they're not coated with a chrome vanadium or anything like that. All the pliers have some play in them. The orange coating offers grip but also a really rough texture. I ended up wrapping some of them with electrical tape.
They work fine for casual / light duty things but i use my Channel Locks for "real" tasks where I'm really torquing on something.
When I got them home I found that the casting was rough; they're not coated with a chrome vanadium or anything like that. All the pliers have some play in them. The orange coating offers grip but also a really rough texture. I ended up wrapping some of them with electrical tape.
They work fine for casual / light duty things but i use my Channel Locks for "real" tasks where I'm really torquing on something.