Lineman pliers design question

[snickers muncher]

Why is it that on some linesman pliers the tip will be ground away into a reverse taper? The thickness of the tip decreases slowly on one side until it hits the cutting edge. What benefit does that provide?

Just curious,


John

 

[Wamsutta]

They call that the New England style lineman's pliers and they narrow the nose down like that so that it will fit inside conduit to ream out the rough edge after it's been cut.

 

[snickers muncher]

Thanks for the answer. I've only used pvc conduit.

 

[ARFLY]

They call that the New England style lineman's pliers and they narrow the nose down like that so that it will fit inside conduit to ream out the rough edge after it's been cut.

That is cool. I didn't know that and learned something new today.

 

[Tynee]

I’m having trouble picturing it. I was an electrician’s helper for a while, and saw linemen and channellocks both used this way, but didn’t know there were some intended for it.

Anybody got pics of the difference?

 

[Ji m]

I've always understood the "New England Style" to be the offset center pin that allows more leverage on the jaws and cutters.

If you look at NE style 9" pliers,
the pivot pin is smaller than other pliers, and offset towards the business end of the tool to make the handles effectively longer.

 

[Wamsutta]

Anybody got pics of the difference?

Round nose (New England style) top picture
Beveled nose bottom picture

 

[Tynee]

Round nose (New England style) top picture
Beveled nose bottom picture

Thanks

 

[LXCam]

It also gives you a fulcrum point for prying which can handy in some of the confined spaces you'll find with electrical enclosures. Least that's my take on it.