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duck bill pliers

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Wamsutta

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Amarillo, Texas
I was going to recommend the Channellock 718's, but I realize now that you're looking for entirely different pliers. Too bad really because the Channellock 718's are sweet.
 
D

Dumber than lumber

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Dec 19, 2015
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Hytekrednek said:
Does anyone have both the Knipex 3301160 duck bill pliers and also the black Facom duck bills sold by ultimate Garage? Are they simialr in thickness at the tips? I want the thinnest duck bills that are quality made.

https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=35_68_395&products_id=881

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003RWS9G0/?tag=atomicindus08-20.
Click to expand...

Try Schmitz if you want QUALITY. Then there are Tsunoda and other Japanese brands if the Schmitz is too costly.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MS23EAG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 
S

superautobacs

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Oct 31, 2008
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Vancouver, BC
Keiba makes a "metapen pliers" with a 65* angle, in box-joint style. This link will show you all the pertinent details. http://www.keiba-tool.com/cms/products/en_detail/65

NWS makes "adjusting pliers". They have "129" in their part numbers: https://shop.nws-tools.de/en/catalogsearch/result/?q=129 Unfortunately they don't haven't published detailed specs.
VBW makes "relay pliers". They have 503, 504, 505, 506 part numbers. They list all the pertinent specs:
https://www.vbw.de/katalog-en/?startpage=102
Go to pages 107 and 108 in the PDF catalog


I thought I had more photos of my Keiba MP-665, but this is the only one:

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/25393035073/in/photolist-228aDBG-HYy4d6-HYy45R-HYy49D-FbVvcj-EFTZNP-FsPkWd-FsPm2d-EFTZJR-EFzpi3-oT1CEA-J61bf8-J61bLP-J61bv8-J61aZZ-VCA4Uw-EFTWDx-EFzkWy-FbVvg7" title="Keiba Radiator Fin 2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/1528/25393035073_945f3fc243_c.jpg" width="800" height="531" alt="Keiba Radiator Fin 2"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
OP
H

Hytekrednek

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No. The Facoms are perfect but pricey. Looking for similar, thin duck bills a bit cheaper, but well made. I probably will just have to pay and get the Facoms.
 
M

matthew

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I have the Knipex 33-01-160, as well as a set of Channellock 718's.

I like the Knipex jaws. I can't tell you if they're finer than the Facom's. But they are definitely smaller than 718's. But the handles aren't the most comfortable to my hands. That said, the 718's are a little on the large side for my hands. Although I'm not generally a fan of overmolded grips, I'd really like something with handles more like my NWS 140-69-170 needle nose pliers, just in a duckbill configuration.
 
S

superautobacs

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Fujiya makes a 360A-150 model that's chrome plated, box-jointed, smooth jawed, and comes to a very fine point. 150mm in length. Further specs here: http://www.fujiya-kk.com/ja/products/220/

4952520036761.pt01.jpg

4952520036761.pt02.jpg

4952520036761.pt03.jpg
 
L

larry_g

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Messages
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Location
oregon
Why do so many have an aversion to modifying a tool to fit their needs? Get the quality features that you want in a tool and then modify it to serve, in this case grind the tips to fit.

lg
no neat sig line
 
I

Indexmill

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Central NC
Honest question: What do y'all do with duck bill pliers? I really can't think of a critical use for them.
 
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H

Hytekrednek

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I use for lots of stuff, but mostly straightening aluminum fins on radiators and condenser units.
If I can buy what I need, I will. If not, then I will make it.
 
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cvairwerks

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Indexmill said:
Honest question: What do y'all do with duck bill pliers? I really can't think of a critical use for them.
Click to expand...

I was taught how to do safety wire by a long time A&P/IA using cutters and duck bills. His philosophy was if you can do it right and consistent with ducks, then you can go to Milbars. His reasoning was that there are places you can't get Milbars into and you will have to use ducks.

Work is mostly Saf-T-Cable now, but home is safety wire and I still have to use ducks at times.
 
N

neophyte

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Pennsylvannia
Indexmill said:
Honest question: What do y'all do with duck bill pliers? I really can't think of a critical use for them.
Click to expand...

Some people just prefer pliers with wider jaws than Needle or Chain nose pliers have, but have no need for the heavier thicker jaws on smaller Combination/Linesman style pliers.
Also, wider jaws spread plier force over a wider area, so you’re less likely to mark a piece if you need to hold it stiffly.
The longer “Duck Bill” pliers are good for getting into tighter recessed areas, but are shorter than some of the same style but longer 12’ pliers.
Sargent/Schollhorn/Bernard/Maun style parallel pliers are more often made and manufactured in the Wider Flat jaw style than in a tapered needle nose style, and Sargents major business towards the end of their original tool manufacturing business was locks and specialty technician pliers.
Also, the wider jaws are sometimes better for manipulating wires.
 
B

BMack37

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Aug 28, 2015
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Knipex makes a thinner jaw duckbill than the one you're looking at.
fG5stCE.jpg

7yKGxnU.jpg
 
M

matthew

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Indexmill said:
Honest question: What do y'all do with duck bill pliers? I really can't think of a critical use for them.
Click to expand...

I think duckbills are a very underrated tool.

The aircraft mechanics use them a lot for lockwire. And they excel at grabbing wire - but that has a lot more application than just aircraft lockwire.

And if you've ever damaged anything by holding it with long nose pliers, duckbills are a lot less prone to that with the larger gripping surface.

I try to default to duckbills.
 
T

trev225

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Mar 10, 2014
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Lakeland FL
I am an aircraft mechanic and duck bills are my go to for safety wire as well as grabbing things that needle nose just dont have enough surface strength to grip. To tell you the truth im not sure what brand they are because there are no markings. They have red grips but they have a different design than the newer snap ons. I got them when i was in the military. People at work constantly ask to use them


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
 
R

rlitman

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Long Island
trev225 said:
I am an aircraft mechanic and duck bills are my go to for safety wire as well as grabbing things that needle nose just dont have enough surface strength to grip. To tell you the truth im not sure what brand they are because there are no markings. They have red grips but they have a different design than the newer snap ons. I got them when i was in the military. People at work constantly ask to use them
Click to expand...

Without seeing them, it's hard to tell, but here's what I can guess from what you said. You got them in the military, so they're not imported ****. They have red handles, so, well that doesn't narrow the field too much. They have no markings. AHA! As much as I like Snap On pliers, the markings on them just plain ****, and tend to disappear after the first cleaning. My other guesses at good duck bills all use stampings.
 
D

Dave455

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Sussex, England
I think we might be getting a bit confused with terminology here guys. Always a problem!

Duckbill pliers look like this. The jaws get thinner, but broader, towards the tip. Good for working with sheet materials or thin items, but also very useful for some automotive tasks, like removing fuses!

These are Knipex, but I have a pair of my Grandfathers almost identical, which are also German. I’ve also seen British made ones.

The pliers shown above by BMack37 are ‘relay pliers’. Been made for decades, and as the name suggests the thin jaws were originally designed for servicing relays, which pretty much dates the pattern. Most of these also seem to be German. Most of these seem to be very finely made and have many uses other than relay work. Better than tweezers in most cases!
 

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K

KnurledNut

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trev225 said:
I am an aircraft mechanic and duck bills are my go to for safety wire as well as grabbing things that needle nose just dont have enough surface strength to grip. To tell you the truth im not sure what brand they are because there are no markings. They have red grips but they have a different design than the newer snap ons. I got them when i was in the military. People at work constantly ask to use them
Click to expand...
rlitman said:
Without seeing them, it's hard to tell, but here's what I can guess from what you said. You got them in the military, so they're not imported ****. They have red handles, so, well that doesn't narrow the field too much. They have no markings. AHA! As much as I like Snap On pliers, the markings on them just plain ****, and tend to disappear after the first cleaning. My other guesses at good duck bills all use stampings.
Click to expand...
I picked up a pair similar to those described above.
The grips scream Snap-on and have that one-of-a-kind tacky texture.
However the pliers have no ID other than a small “2” forged on each handle.
These do have crosshatched serrations. They seem well made.
The mystery continues...
 
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