MagnumForce
Well-known member
I have to say, for most applications I still prefer a crescent over these but they are very handy in my tool belt.
Knipex Pliers Wrench
- Thread starter woodstockva
- Start date
I grabbed a pair off of a Woot closeout. They are the insulated 10" model, and I got them for $35, or $40 (I don't remember...). I like em' fine, they come in handy, and are a better choice than an adjustable for most things...
I bought them because the price was right, and I thought they looked interesting. Glad I bought them.
I bought them because the price was right, and I thought they looked interesting. Glad I bought them.
PowerGenGuy
Well-known member
I have the 8". Must say I still prefer a 'good' adjustable wrench. I find that a lot more dexterity is needed to use these than an adjustable or the proper size wrench. They are a great conversation piece with co-workers. The price to get one in Canada is near criminal. Lowes here in New Westminster still carries Knipex. I have not converted to knipex, still have channellock and klien going strong.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
at 4:39 he says "nipex"....no "K".....do they even know themselves how to truly pronounce their name? lol...
MagnumForce
Well-known member
After a couple weeks of using them I regret the purchase, a lot can be said for the one handed operation of an adjustable.
decaf
Well-known member
It´s a UK guy who doesn´t know how to pronounce it right....sigh....
I use my pliers wrench one handed quite a bit...
cgv69
Well-known member
There is no doubt its an excellent tool but its actually usefulness may vary?
I've had a 10" pair for well over a year now but have only used them once or twice. Thing is, I don't use standard adjustable wrenched or channel lock type pliers that often either. My first choice is always a socket/ratchet when possible? When their are not, a properly sized wrench is almost always my next choice. Rarely do I find myself needing a 3rd option. I generally only use tools like adjustable wrenches and channellocks when I'm working on plumbing (which I try to avoid!
) or if I'm working outside of the shop and don't know exactly what size fasteners I will be working on?
I guess my take is, in a shop environment with a tool box full of tools at your finger tip, I think these pliers wrenches are of limited usefulness but in any kind of mobile situation, the pliers wrench can replace a number of other tools and be very useful. Just my $.02
I've had a 10" pair for well over a year now but have only used them once or twice. Thing is, I don't use standard adjustable wrenched or channel lock type pliers that often either. My first choice is always a socket/ratchet when possible? When their are not, a properly sized wrench is almost always my next choice. Rarely do I find myself needing a 3rd option. I generally only use tools like adjustable wrenches and channellocks when I'm working on plumbing (which I try to avoid!
) or if I'm working outside of the shop and don't know exactly what size fasteners I will be working on?I guess my take is, in a shop environment with a tool box full of tools at your finger tip, I think these pliers wrenches are of limited usefulness but in any kind of mobile situation, the pliers wrench can replace a number of other tools and be very useful. Just my $.02
There is no doubt its an excellent tool but its actually usefulness may vary?
I've had a 10" pair for well over a year now but have only used them once or twice. Thing is, I don't use standard adjustable wrenched or channel lock type pliers that often either. My first choice is always a socket/ratchet when possible? When their are not, a properly sized wrench is almost always my next choice. Rarely do I find myself needing a 3rd option. I generally only use tools like adjustable wrenches and channellocks when I'm working on plumbing (which I try to avoid!
I guess my take is, in a shop environment with a tool box full of tools at your finger tip, I think these pliers wrenches are of limited usefulness but in any kind of mobile situation, the pliers wrench can replace a number of other tools and be very useful. Just my $.02
I think the usefulness of the pliers wrench is basically that it can do things that no other pliers can- i.e. I didn't buy mine because I wanted to take nuts and bolts apart with them all day. I love them for things like changing welding tanks where if I used wrenches I'd need to bring 4 sizes across the shop to do the job, where I can just bring two pliers wrenches. You'd be correct to say I could just use 2 adjustable wrenches, but the pliers wrench is MUCH faster than an adjustable.
The biggest thing though, is just those smooth jaws that close perfectly parallel and have really high clamp force. For bending and straightening thin sheetmetal sections without marring them, for pressing small parts together where it would be difficult to do with a vise, or even doing small pressing operations on a part without having to take the entire assembly off of a vehicle.
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shaggymutt1
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2013
- Messages
- 124
I have the 12 and 10 inch versions what makes it so good is unlike a adjustable wrench it tightens down its jaw as you loosen.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
I agree. (I may have already posted this info) I hardly ever use mine on actual fasteners. I bend sheet metal with them (i.e. top tool box compartment dividers on yard sale boxes), pushing in a roll pin on a brass flare gun, holding anything with 2 flat sides that a wrench wouldn't hold as there is no pressure etc.
I use them quite a bit on restoring old machines that I don't want to mar up the finish.
MagnumForce
Well-known member
You adjust them with one hand? Right...
They are nice to have in my tool belt but if I am fitting pipe I much prefer my Adjustables.
These are nice, don't get me wrong but they aren't the second coming of Christ you guys profess them to be, I don't even consider them faster than an adjustable, they also are what I would call awkward in a lot of situations. YMMV obviously.
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RedF
Well-known member
^ Oh, they definitely are faster in some applications, especially when you can "ratchet" on the fastener. I find them great for air brake fittings that you can't get a box end wrench on.
Adjusting them one-handed isn't exactly easy, but it is very doable.
Not the "second coming" as you say, but quite useful to the right person.
Adjusting them one-handed isn't exactly easy, but it is very doable.
Not the "second coming" as you say, but quite useful to the right person.
If you can slide an adjustable down in your hand to spin the worm screw one handed, you can slide a pliers wrench down in your hand and push the button.
If you think they're not faster than an adjustable.. well... you've never used one or didn't know how when you did.
Is it a complete replacement for a crescent wrench? NO. But it's an excellent option for expanding the capabilities of your set of tools.
MagnumForce
Well-known member
I use it daily don't get me wrong but the adjustment is damn near impossible and somewhat "clunky" to do one handed. I bought these to fit pipe and have found I don't care for them at all in that application. They are wonderful to have in my tool belt but I am regretting the high purchase cost of a tool that I kind of consider gimmicky. I prefer my Adjustables and I have very little issue using those very quickly with one in each hand. I have also found that while you don't really have to clamp down on them hard with your hand it is kind of a pain holding the jaws together. No need to get defensive because I don't think these are the best thing since indoor plumbing. They are a nice tool to have but not a crescent replacement by any means.
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rlitman
Well-known member
Huh? My 7" Plierswrench opens to 1 3/8". That's the same opening that my better 10" adjustable wrenches open to. Typical (and traditional older style) 10" adjustables only opened to 1 1/4", and that's with a 3" longer handle.
There's no good reason to have the jaws unhinge as wide as a snake's mouth when the handle isn't long enough to give you sufficient leverage to turn anything so large anyway.
Say what you will about Sears but I just purchased this Knipex online at Sears tonight, minus sywr points expiring <$20.....
Knipex 10 in. Plier Wrench
$36.82 ---regular $49.99 ----NOT SURE HOW LONG PRICE WILL LAST OR REGIONAL??
http://www.sears.com/search=knipex?...ms=50&redirectType=CAT_REC_PRED&prop17=knipex
Knipex 10 in. Plier Wrench
$36.82 ---regular $49.99 ----NOT SURE HOW LONG PRICE WILL LAST OR REGIONAL??
http://www.sears.com/search=knipex?...ms=50&redirectType=CAT_REC_PRED&prop17=knipex
paulsomlo
Well-known member
Nope, not regional. I just checked and it's available for pickup at my local store. That's a good price - I think I paid near $50 for mine.
Bazsm
Well-known member
I just came across these pliers last week when my plumber used a set and I was staggered I’d never seen them before. I’m only a part time DIYer but what an improvement over water pump pliers when you need a bit more finesse and care.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Qualitytools
Well-known member
They are awesome, good quality, engenius engineering, a nice addition to any tool box. I find myself using them mostly on air fittings and plumbing
Dave455
Well-known member
There are very few really useful innovations these days, but I think these are one.
Of course, although they look like pliers, they are in function, a replacement for an adjustable wrench.
I got a pair because I thought, “might be useful” but quite frankly had no idea how much. I probably find new uses on a daily basis, and even have a small pair I carry around when working.
I got my set and my crescent/adjustable wrenches went in the backup tool box immediately and never came out until a couple weeks ago to leave in the tool bag for my spawn's first apartment.
It's strange how useful they are - I keep finding ways to use them as flatteners, etc. But boy am I better and faster with the pliers wrenches...
It's strange how useful they are - I keep finding ways to use them as flatteners, etc. But boy am I better and faster with the pliers wrenches...
pizza
Well-known member
they're pretty useful, but i think it's still worth owning adjustable crescent wrenches as well.
yep! you can get some serious flattening/crushing pressure out of them. great for bending things back into shape.
yep! you can get some serious flattening/crushing pressure out of them. great for bending things back into shape.
Hop2it
Well-known member
I have 3 bought the first one about 20 yrs ago I used them as a collision tech and also at home I used them all the time
Doug
Doug