Knipex Cobra joint play

[Zeus36]

Just got my first set of Knipex Cobra pliers. These are not the auto-set version. Tried the Doyle copy from Harbor Freight but didn't care for the limited handle opening and the straight joint slot vs the curved design on the Knipex. Bought the Cobra 10" version for $37, but was surprised to find side to side handle play in the Cobras to the point the jaw tips were misaligned when closed.

I'm going to try using a thin aircraft AN washer to eliminate the play and center the jaw tips. Also considering squeezing the open box handle a bit in a vise enough to remove the slop.

 

[pizza]

i've noticed this the other day.

sometimes they align, sometimes not. there's some play in the joint, so i think it depends on how it ends up settling. if it bothers you, move the joint around and try again ;p

i agree 100% that they SHOULD align, but does it really matter? i think it would matter more on pliers-wrench. i never use cobra to grab small things. that's how i convinced myself to not worry about it.

 

[Zeus36]

A thin washer under the button-side of the joint handle did the trick. Side to side play is gone and the tips are aligned much better when closed.




Tip alignment before spacing washer:



Tip alignment after installing spacer. Close, but still a bit off.

 

[SweetD]

You piqued my interest enough (and I happen to be in the garage currently) that I just took a look at my pair of the same exact pliers, which I use frequently. When closed mine are slightly misaligned as well - not so much as in your pic above. I've never noticed it before and I don't think it's ever effected performance for me. Interesting nonetheless. Maybe intentional? Thanks for the thread though.

 

[Ton ton]

.

 

[neophyte]

This has been a thing for 20+ years.
My first pair of Knipex Cobra pliers, 10”, using the original design, gad jaws that didn’t line up, and which were offset by maybe a millimeter.
The Cobra design is thin, with less grinding, machining, and finishing than certain other “water pump plier” designs.
The thinness of the design likely means more likelihood that the forgings can bend or warp slightly during the forging process, or during heat treating.

 

[Stobal]

One of my favorite tools for all sorts of rough work. Never checked mine for alignment, but I have also never had an issue gripping something as thin as a stubborn finish nail needing to be removed. On larger items, I don’t use the tip. Interesting that my usual OCD hasn’t kicked in to notice this. I guess I was so happy to find a plier of this type (12 years ago or so) that worked infinitely better on fine gripping that I never bothered to notice.

 

[Zeus36]

I've found they now have a more precise feel when adjusting the pivot. The handles glide rather than rattle when sliding up and down the box joint.

 

[American Locomotive]

Do you envision any issues with dirt/grime jamming up the adjustment with no slop?

 

[Zeus36]

Do you envision any issues with dirt/grime jamming up the adjustment with no slop?

Only from any form of wet lubrication that would attract and hold dirt. There is still enough play to allow dirt/grime to pass. I use a spray dry Teflon lube that is mostly used for wood working power tools.



Next time I'm under the house in the dirt fixing the copper pipes, I'll see how they perform. Guess I could bench test them in a dirt immersion experiment before then....

 

[KnurledNut]

I'm happy with my Cobras just the way they are, but I applaud the OP for a creative solution and taking time to share it!