HF pliers quality

[hairtrigger]

I can't rely on the comments made on HF's website because there's too many hatemongers there JUST to post bad comments about HF stuff, so it's hard to tell who actually has them, and who uses theirs a lot.

I was interested in upgrading my pliers collection since it's really lacking. Some people on HF comments were saying they're weak and they bend. I find that hard to believe since the $1.50 pliers I picked up at walmart don't even bend. But I can't be too sure. Anyone have extensive use on HF pliers that can attest to their quality under daily use?

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I would only buy the Pittsburg pro version of their pliers. I own every pair and use them in my motorcycle trailer, all of them are good quality except the locking pliers ****. Their standard pliers though are junk, I have a couple pairs and they bend pretty easy under a tight squeeze

 

[hairtrigger]

Well damn that *****. Contemplating maybe some tractor supply pliers then. Don't wanna fork out that much cash on name brand pliers since they have limited use, but then again I always find myself using them at least once per job.

 

[speed bump]

I buy the long handled ones for pulling spacers out of down hole tools. They last about 4 months of limited use before the jaws are to destroyed to work well.

Otherwise I cherry pick the vise grips for welding clamps and thats about all I would bother with pliers wise from HF.

 

[brihvac]

The pliers are pretty much junk. I like HF stuff but the pliers are pretty bad. The channel lock style pliers slip all the time and I just ended up throwing them out.

 

[archirelic]

You might also pull some plier item numbers and put do a search for them in the HF pass/fail thread here on the forum.

 

[Hiball]

I don't know how much Hf pliers cost but there are always sales on channelock pliers. I don't think I've seen the pro version, I have handled the orange handled ones "In store" and they didnt leave me feeling warm and fuzzy.

 

[ActAppalled]

I have a set of their crimpers that I use that are alright, but that's about as fast as I'd go. The cutters on them are about as sharp as a butter knife, but I have other cutters I use.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Pliers are not a HF strong-suit.

Their vice-grips are so awefull I will never own a pair again, even if given to me for free.

I have thier orange handled xtra longs that I use on occasion but other than that, the standard pliers along with groove locks are nothing more than emergency toolbag in the the trunk type of tools to me.

The mini pliers are ok, but anything with a cutting edge or a locking mechanism is often very poorly constructed from my experience.

Channel Lock, Greenlee, Klien or Craftsman is my suggestion for low to mid range plier type tools.

 

[scylla]

I only use them as throw away pliers. You can mod the locking type to make cheap coolant hose pinchers.

 

[hairtrigger]

I need hose pliers, long reach and bent needle at least. If they're **** I don't even want to waste my time with them. Might just go the extra mile and buy craftsman since most of my other tools are craftsman anyways.

 

[southalabama]

I use their pliers for my tackle box and to keep in the trunk of the wife's car...I'd use them as disposables.

 

[digdug18]

I love their long handled wire cutters, kinda a rip off of the snappy version though, but much cheaper.

 

[Jack Olsen]

They've been upgrading their hand tools recently. Several years back, I got a set of the orange-handled pliers and they were not very good. But if there's a Pittsburgh Pro line, it might be much better.

 

[mudflap]

I think i have been fair to HF, when i find something there that is decent quality, i say so. But ALL of the pliers they sell are junk. I would look at the KOBALT line of pliers, they are really decent for low end tools, i like them better than the craftsman line, they are both china anyways.

 

[diggerrick]

I have the cheapest blue handled set in my back shop, and they work fine for the light duty stuff I do back there. A few have aleady started to rust in the 6 months they've been out there though.

I also recently bought the slightly better orange handled set but haven't used them much at all yet.

I agree with the comments about the Pittsburgh Pro line - I bought the 16" monsters on sale for $9.99 last spring, and they're great when you need them.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/16-inch-professional-groove-joint-pliers-95920.html

 

[diesel research]

I can't rely on the comments made on HF's website because there's too many hatemongers there JUST to post bad comments about HF stuff, so it's hard to tell who actually has them, and who uses theirs a lot.

I was interested in upgrading my pliers collection since it's really lacking. Some people on HF comments were saying they're weak and they bend. I find that hard to believe since the $1.50 pliers I picked up at walmart don't even bend. But I can't be too sure. Anyone have extensive use on HF pliers that can attest to their quality under daily use?

What are you upgrading from? Let us have a bit of your perspective. I doubt you could ever find much less than harbor freight's pliers, so it is possible that what you already have or have used is of equal quality. I wouldn't call walmart a step down.

 

[plinker]

Price wise, the Channellock or Craftsman pliers aren't too high, usually 10-12$a pair or thereabouts.

You could get needle nose, slip joint, wire cutters and T&G pliers for about around 45$ or so for all. Others like crimpers or snap-rings or the 16" T&G style would be more like 20$ a pair.

To be honest anything less then Channellock brand pliers feel "cheap" to me. So I may be baised towards asian made pliers, but I feel the Channellocks are well worth the price, given the quality pliers they are.

 

[Kev442]

They are what they are, kinda chintzy and rust just by looking at them. However, at 8.99 for 6 different pliers/cutters, they fill a trunk box nicely.
I hardly use regular pliers, I have 40 year old Cresents that look new. I use needle nose and water pump pliers often, and the water pump pliers from HF are annoying.

 

[imagine44]

I was interested in upgrading my pliers collection since it's really lacking. Some people on HF comments were saying they're weak and they bend. I find that hard to believe since the $1.50 pliers I picked up at walmart don't even bend. But I can't be too sure.

I think they are referring to the jaws bending and deforming. With a good pair of pliers, the handle will bend when you squeeze them. It gives you a great deal of feedback as to how much pressure you are giving them. Pliers where the handles are over built, and don't give at all don't give you that feedback. All the good pliers I have will continue to bend in the handle after the jaw is closed and the handle squeezed.

 

[teicher]

Skip the HF pliers, most of them are junk. They might get better in the near future since HF seems to be improving the quality on a lot of their hand tools, but the current pliers line up isn't worth consideration. I recommend a set of black handled craftsman. I've had mine for years and they've always done the job. YMMV.

 

[Avgas]

I've had the HF long needle nose and the joint got all sloppy, had to throw them out.

 

[John316]

I have the orange set and... I'll join the chorus as well. They're not the worst junk, but they are positively still junk. I have been on a bit of a Channellock spree lately and I would also have to recommend the brand. They are very solid, well designed, reasonably priced and made in the USA. Grab the 4pc set from Home Depot for $40 and build from there. HF has some things that are a great value, but if you want pliers you can USE stay away from HF.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[ajchien]

Argh. I got the HF blue handled pliers.

The small slip joint teeth got marred up first time I used them to take apart 2 garden hoses at the connection. The small needle nose tips snapped off on me. The tongue in groove pliers slipped out of their groove when I squeezed hard. The handle cover of the tongue in groove fell apart after 2 months.

Their interchangeable head snap ring pliers were weak, and bent, and the spring that held on the interchangeable heads kept falling out on me. One time, the spring ... Well .. It just sprung off to who knows where and that was the end of that.

I'm much happier with the 4 piece channellock set from HD ($40) and a set of craftsman snap ring pliers.

Edit: I do have the HF push pin pliers and they have worked well.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

joint got all sloppy, had to throw them out.

Main reason why I don't like cheap pliers.

 

[kippieland]

They've been upgrading their hand tools recently. Several years back, I got a set of the orange-handled pliers and they were not very good. But if there's a Pittsburgh Pro line, it might be much better.

+2 on the orange handles being ****! If you want cheap import pliers, I have a pair from Home Depot called Iron Bridge. I used the **** out of them and they kept going. Actually way better then the Craftsman pliers. Nothing can stand up to my new Knipex...thanks GJ...I would have never heard of that brand until I joined!

 

[Coach James]

I bought a set of these to keep in my desk at school. The tongue and froove are terrible and I don't use them anymore. The two pieces slipped past each other, pinched my hand and i had a bruise for over a month.

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-pliers-set-38082.html


I have 3 or 4 pairs of these and they have been ok. They are not used daily though.

http://www.harborfreight.com/11-inch-swivel-pad-lock-grip-pliers-39535.html


I have a pair of these and a straight nose pair and they are ok. Again not used daily, but I have put a lot of pressure on them and they haven't broken yet.

http://www.harborfreight.com/11-inch-90-angle-long-reach-pliers-39539.html

Got a pair of these.

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-flat-jaw-welding-pliers-93062.html

I had to use a file to remove burrs along the edge of the jaws so they would close. I don't use them for welding much, but more for bending thin sheet metal. Again, they are ok, but not great. I would go with Kobalt if I wanted cheap Chinese stuff. I have no experience with the Pittsburgh Pro.

Coach

 

[lineman88]

I'm not a HF basher - I own 3 of their tool cabinets and think they are a good deal for the money.

Stay away from the needle nose vise grips only pliers (and last) I've ever bought at HF. They literally don't even work.

 

[CamarosRus]

FLUID-FILM Rust Inhibiting Spray will keep any tool from rusting, if used occasionally....

Yes I'm a dealer in Renton,WA

 

[NWphotog]

I have a set of the HF blue handle pliers long with some of the black handle pliers. They work as well as the Craftsman and Channel lock pliers I also own. The finish is not as nice but that doesn't affect functionality. What the heck are you guys doing with the pliers to make them fail?!

 

[GoBlue]

I have the long handled cutters, long handled needle nose, long handle 90 degree needle nose, and the long hose pliers in all three sizes. All have been great so far. I also have some of their newer Pittsburgh pro line vise grips and they have been problem free as well.

On the flip side though their tongue and groove pliers are the worst i have ever used, their snap ring pliers are the worst i have used, and their regular pliers are total ****.

 

[garfunkle24]

If you're thinking of "upgrading" to HF pliers, what have you been using? Two lumps of cheese pivoting on a carrot?

 

[Skin]

The pliers are pretty poor. I got a set of their long reach and one of them doesnt even open due to a poorly finished joint. Their locking pliers are absolutely useless, literally they're selling you metal scrap. I sent mine to the soda can production factory after a couple attempts at trying to use them.

Just buy some channellock at Home Dope.

 

[GoBlue]

If you're thinking of "upgrading" to HF pliers, what have you been using? Two lumps of cheese pivoting on a carrot?

hahahhahahahahaha

 

[fitz11]

I have the pro versions with the black and red handles. They are only sold individually and for the price they are nice pliers, I would reccomend you take a look at them

 

[NWphotog]

I have the long handled cutters, long handled needle nose, long handle 90 degree needle nose, and the long hose pliers in all three sizes. All have been great so far. I also have some of their newer Pittsburgh pro line vise grips and they have been problem free as well.

On the flip side though their tongue and groove pliers are the worst i have ever used, their snap ring pliers are the worst i have used, and their regular pliers are total ****.

I agree about the snap ring pliers. I have the interchangeable one and it is barely usable. I bought the 7 or 8 piece set and it worked but the quality was so low I returned it . The regular pliers work great.

 

[87D100]

If you're thinking of "upgrading" to HF pliers, what have you been using? Two lumps of cheese pivoting on a carrot?

OK, that right there is F-ing funny.

I just bought a handful of misc. HF pliers, been beating the **** out of them at work for a week now, so far so good.

Kevin

 

[Pug}{maN]

i used them to put up a fence , but i would never use them for any thing i care about , thats what the snap-on ones are for...

 

[Bkf350SD]

If you're thinking of "upgrading" to HF pliers, what have you been using? Two lumps of cheese pivoting on a carrot?

That made me LOL.

I have the blue set, i threw the cutters away, im going to throw the adjustable pliers away because they are junk, they just pop out of the groove when you try to put pressure on them. The regular pliers i dont use. I like both the small needle nose and large needle nose though. Wouldnt buy that set again though.

 

[KEH]

Fencing pliers have to take a lot of abuse. I tried cheap fence pliers (maybe HF) years ago and said never again. I bought some Channel lock fence pliers, and they work fine but are showing signs of use.

KEH