Looking for a good Pliers set
- Thread starter Jsf721
- Start date
homebuilt burner
Well-known member
A good set would be Channel lock brand. It may not be a good black Friday deal.
mbshop
Well-known member
I normally used mac or snap on but channel locks will serve you rather well. I still to this day use my craftsman slip joint pliers from the early 70s.
Pliers and screw drivers to some extent are very personalized decisions. You buy pliers once every 30 or so years. You really want ones that fit your hand and how you work not the best sale.
If you are luck enough to still have an old school hardware store try some out. If not buy a couple of individuals in different brands.
I have a set of Wiha basics. They are really well made pliers. Fit and finish is great. I just hate them so I don't use them. I am slowly switching to Knipex for mechanics pliers and Hakko for electronics.
If you are luck enough to still have an old school hardware store try some out. If not buy a couple of individuals in different brands.
I have a set of Wiha basics. They are really well made pliers. Fit and finish is great. I just hate them so I don't use them. I am slowly switching to Knipex for mechanics pliers and Hakko for electronics.
You would probably get better advise if you narrowed down what type of pliers you are looking for and a budget that you have in mind.
I've had good luck with Knipex, Klein, Channellock and Wilde pliers.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
I've had good luck with Knipex, Klein, Channellock and Wilde pliers.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
JoeMcGov
Well-known member
Parrothead
Well-known member
Oh boy...
Not a “set” guy for my good tools
Tekton slip joint & groove joint pliers, made by Wilde. They’re better than Channlelocks at this point in time and both are made in the US.
Klein needle nose - ask you local electrician
Bremen locking pliers from Harbor Freight. As good as anything made today at half the price.
Diagonal cutters - I’m using Craftsman Pro and happy but they don’t make them anymore.
Linesman pliers - I’m using some old Utica pliers and like them. I also own Knipex. For the money the Knipex seem overpriced. They work fine however
Not a “set” guy for my good tools
Tekton slip joint & groove joint pliers, made by Wilde. They’re better than Channlelocks at this point in time and both are made in the US.
Klein needle nose - ask you local electrician
Bremen locking pliers from Harbor Freight. As good as anything made today at half the price.
Diagonal cutters - I’m using Craftsman Pro and happy but they don’t make them anymore.
Linesman pliers - I’m using some old Utica pliers and like them. I also own Knipex. For the money the Knipex seem overpriced. They work fine however
juddspaintballs
Well-known member
It's hard to beat Knipex. I have two cobra pliers in different sizes, a pliers wrench (AMAZING), a pair of needle nose, and a set of snap ring pliers by Knipex. They are really good tools.
Simplytodd
Well-known member
I have these and love them. Honestly better than knipex other than the pliers wrench. The knipex pliers wrench is pretty nice.
https://chadstoolbox.com/nws-4-piec...MIpurQh8OO5gIVUv_jBx2bfQlKEAQYASABEgL6XfD_BwE
https://chadstoolbox.com/nws-4-piec...MIpurQh8OO5gIVUv_jBx2bfQlKEAQYASABEgL6XfD_BwE
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Don't forget about Wilde for 10 inch long slip joint pliers. 
kctyphoon
Banned
If quality vs price is a factor (it normally is) - for the money, its hard to beat Channellock. I wouldn’t buy a set either. It doesnt take much to build a decent pliers set.
12,10,6” (if the small ones are 6”) - pump pliers
7 or 8” needle nose
Maybe a small pair of slip joints
8” diagonals
Throw in some 9” lineman pliers if you insist, but most people dont really need them. This would be the first thing I’d cut from this list for “general use”
If you wanna splurge get the adjustable snap ring pliers.
Maybe some wire strippers.
Crimpers if you do a lot of electric work.
That will cover 95% of MOST people’s needs.
Anything else is pretty much a luxury or slightly different versions of the above.
Cheaper sets will work - but if you get a set it will likely come with items you dont really need, or sizes not ideal. If HF is a must for a source, Doyle/Quinn seems descent - but i really dont think Doyle is much cheaper than Channellock anyway. HD/Amazon are great sources - but of individual pliers i think ebay was always the cheapest i found.
The two best diagonals ive found are Knipex and NWS - Klein 2000 series are probably up there too but ive never owned them. If your work is abusive on diagonals (cutting a lot of metal clamps, esp stainless steel) diagonals would be the one single item I’d splurge on. NWS, Knipex, Klein - in that order.
12,10,6” (if the small ones are 6”) - pump pliers
7 or 8” needle nose
Maybe a small pair of slip joints
8” diagonals
Throw in some 9” lineman pliers if you insist, but most people dont really need them. This would be the first thing I’d cut from this list for “general use”
If you wanna splurge get the adjustable snap ring pliers.
Maybe some wire strippers.
Crimpers if you do a lot of electric work.
That will cover 95% of MOST people’s needs.
Anything else is pretty much a luxury or slightly different versions of the above.
Cheaper sets will work - but if you get a set it will likely come with items you dont really need, or sizes not ideal. If HF is a must for a source, Doyle/Quinn seems descent - but i really dont think Doyle is much cheaper than Channellock anyway. HD/Amazon are great sources - but of individual pliers i think ebay was always the cheapest i found.
The two best diagonals ive found are Knipex and NWS - Klein 2000 series are probably up there too but ive never owned them. If your work is abusive on diagonals (cutting a lot of metal clamps, esp stainless steel) diagonals would be the one single item I’d splurge on. NWS, Knipex, Klein - in that order.
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Sawdustmaker
Well-known member
Another vote for Channellock. Kleins for electrical work.
richfinn
Well-known member
Another vote for NWS, I dont even bother with my tool truck brand pliers anymore, I just buy NWS, great value for money, hardwearing and good quality
BrandoJames
Well-known member
If you're looking for a nice budget set, check Harbor Freight's Doyle plier line. I bought the Doyle slip joint, groove joint & long nose this summer. I've been happy with them.
My pliers drawer is a hodgepodge of old and new. Domestic and foreign. I used to buy a lot of Channellock pliers and have quite a few. I do believe their quality has slipped in the last ten years. Still not a bad choice if you're convinced that a set is the way to go.
I acquired most of mine as needed or as afforded. Pliers are so broad in scope, I just can't imagine locking into one manufacturer by purchasing a set.
Different strokes for different folks. We all have out unique needs and a personal budget.
I acquired most of mine as needed or as afforded. Pliers are so broad in scope, I just can't imagine locking into one manufacturer by purchasing a set.
Different strokes for different folks. We all have out unique needs and a personal budget.
Stick-man
Well-known member
Yep, what he said
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
niice
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
Williams makes a nice USA set that is pretty affordable and comparable to Channellock.