Looking for good starter plier set for son

[D-n-Tyke]

Have started setting my 14 yr old son up with a real tool set. Hopefully something that he can build upon the rest of his life. We started him off with Gearwrench 243ps Mechanics set (really imppressed with this set), a 25 Pc Craftsman Screwdriver Set/1000595963 and a US General 5 drawer mechanics cart to store it all in. The drawers from the Gearwrench set fit perfectly into the cart drawers, keeping everything nice and organied

Now I want to get him a good set of pliers to put in the cart. Went to Lowes today and looked at the Kobalt 10 Pc Plier Set. I liked the pliers that where included in the set and the price for what you get, but not sure about the handles. They seemed okay but a little different then what I am used to a plier handle to look/feel like.

Trying to stick around the $50 range and want to get him the best bang for around that amount, while also getting the most pliers possible.

What would you guys suggest me look into getting him?

Idea of what he is using his tools for.
Started here:

Ended here at teh end of the day:

 

[Dumber than lumber]

So craftsman used to be “good enough”. Lifetime warranty and a store in most towns.
My son is older than yours, but I got him a set of Channelocks. Made in the USA. And pretty solid tools.
You could do worse.

 

[unslow1]

I have a couple of those Kobalt but I hate the handles. Channellock is by far my favorite and I have Klein, Snapon and MAC.

 

[designer485]

My Recommendation, quality over qty and under $50.

https://www.amazon.com/ULTIMATE-4-PIECE-PLIERS-SET/dp/B00L2EGUE8/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=pliers+set&qid=1611549567&sr=8-13

 

[rsanter]

Channel lock
Good multi piece set

 

[DTE]

I would go with the Channelocks.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

That CL set ^ is what I would consider minimum viable. I'd get that or something from Wilde.

 

[M6erfan]

+1 fot a Channellock set.

 

[ItsNemo]

Another vote for the Channellock set.

I'd add a pair of linesman style to it and a set of wire strippers.

 

[Buster21]

Add my vote to the Channellock set

 

[magicrat]

Channellocks!!!!

 

[subroc]

4 piece set from channellock. It is likely he will still have them when he is 60 and they will still be usable.

 

[BrandoJames]

I normally don't recommend HF hand tools, but their Doyle line of pliers are excellent quality for DIY use.

 

[Mr_B]

I normally don't recommend HF hand tools, but their Doyle line of pliers are excellent quality for DIY use.

^
I would have to agree, bit more work as kind of need build own set and keep price low want use coupon thus need go few times or need go with friends and have each person go through checkout using a voucher .
They good design and quality and sensible price.
The Bremen locking pliers also proper good and shoot above the price .
CL do some okay plies as does wilde, also look at tekton and toptul if can find a source and want expand pliers further .
Some used pliers can be good too, find some great quality for buck or 2 and son can get some experience refinishing them .

 

[captain14]

If you do the Kobalt pliers set, wait for the next holiday -Fathers Day. They just had a lot of their sets on sale during the Xmas season.

 

[Davefr]

For starter pliers, I would take Textons or Doyles over Channelocks any day!!

Don't buy a set because slip joints are rarely used. And instead of traditional adjustables, get Knipex Cobras.

I would start with:
- 10" Knipex Cobras
- 7" Doyle Needle Nose
- 8" Doyle Needle Nose
- 8" Doyle Dikes

Substitute Texton for Doyle if you want. (they're identical)

 

[Dumber than lumber]

For starter pliers, I would take Textons or Doyles over Channelocks any day!!

Don't buy a set because slip joints are rarely used. And instead of traditional adjustables, get Knipex Cobras.

I would start with:
- 10" Knipex Cobras
- 7" Doyle Needle Nose
- 8" Doyle Needle Nose
- 8" Doyle Dikes

Substitute Texton for Doyle if you want. (they're identical)

I think the Knipex are going to blow up his budget!!

 

[Davefr]

I think the Knipex are going to blow up his budget!!

Not by too much. The Cobras are about $30 but he should be able to get the three Doyles for around $30 using a coupon. If his budget is a hard stop at $50, he can forgo the 7" needle nose.

A lot can be done with 8" dikes, 8" needle nose and 10" Cobras. The next pliers I'd add to his shopping list would be Vise Grips if his son is working on an old truck.

 

[bonneyman]

I'll join the Channellock choir!

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Channellock here as well. I use a variety of brands professionally and those are some of the most affordable USA pliers ever. I have several NOS Craftsman USA pliers I found too got them at Ollies for a great price. Don’t buy the Kobalt ones or at least I don’t recommend them the reason why being is I bent the needle nose ones the first use because they are pretty weak in the jaws. Also as mentioned above Doyle and Tekton are nice too. But I have to cast my vote for Channellock.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[D-n-Tyke]

Thanks everyone.

Yeah, when we were at Lowes I had pointed out the Chnnellocks as being one of the best pliers, but they didn't have any sets and at $20+ a pop that was more than I wanted to pay. I did come home and find the 5 Pc set but it is a bit more than I wanted to spend right now. The 4 Pc shown above looks like it might just fit the bill.

Those Doyles look nice, might have to go take a look at those.

Thanks for everyones advice.

 

[jgromada]

Not much of a fan of Channellocks

Proto has much nicer pliers

 

[Dzmax77]

Pliers are tools that should last atleast a decade and I’d prefer domestically made brands but Tsunoda’s from Japan are the best option for the price. They cost just as much as anything from Taiwan or China and the steel quality and finish on Tsunoda’s are just exponentially better than any other Asian brand and even domestic ones.

Amazon has a Tsunoda store with all their offerings.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tsunoda/page/A815C79B-A018-4ADA-9397-4C474E1C6473?ref_=ast_bln

 

[Davefr]

Thanks everyone.

Yeah, when we were at Lowes I had pointed out the Chnnellocks as being one of the best pliers, but they didn't have any sets and at $20+ a pop that was more than I wanted to pay. I did come home and find the 5 Pc set but it is a bit more than I wanted to spend right now. The 4 Pc shown above looks like it might just fit the bill.

Those Doyles look nice, might have to go take a look at those.

Thanks for everyones advice.

IMHO that 5 pcs set is silly because I doubt he'll ever need both 9.5" and 10" T&G pliers. And as I said earlier, slip joints are a waste of money IMHO. I can't remember the last time I used a pair.

10" adjustables, a stout pair of 8" needle nose and dikes, and a few vise grips will do 95%. Over time, more specialized pliers can be added to the collection. Yes, go look at the Doyles. They are really nice.

 

[Dzmax77]

Not much of a fan of Channellocks

Proto has much nicer pliers

I thought so until I purchased the Proto J223G needle nose pliers and they were not made well. The center joint does not have a precise fit and thus are wobbly. The tips dont come to a complete center close.

I have pics I can upload.

Id you can afford SnapOn, I’d say that’s the way to go. Or if you can find NOS USA made Armstrong or Craftsman.

Otherwise my opinion is:

For needle nose - Japanese (Engineer, Tsunoda, Fujiya (not Taiwanese versions).
For Linesman/Multipurpose - Klein, Wilde, Vampliers.
Bent nose - SK, Williams, Klein, Gedore or any other German brand.

 

[Dzmax77]

I thought so until I purchased the Proto J223G needle nose pliers and they were not made well. The center joint does not have a precise fit and thus are wobbly. The tips dont come to a complete center close.

I have pics I can upload.

Id you can afford SnapOn, I’d say that’s the way to go. Or if you can find NOS USA made Armstrong or Craftsman.

Otherwise my opinion is:

For needle nose - Japanese (Engineer, Tsunoda, Fujiya (not Taiwanese versions).
For Linesman/Multipurpose - Klein, Wilde, Vampliers.
Bent nose - SK, Williams, Klein, Gedore or any other German brand.

Do you see what I mean? They aren’t precise. I don’t know if it’s maybe this particular pair, but for $25, they shouldn’t be this far off.

 

[Dzmax77]

These Kliens and the Tsunoda’s are great. And if you can find any NOS Armstrong (like the ones in the images) or Craftsman USA, I highly recommend them for the price.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Channellock!

 

[itwnexus]

In my opinion 10 pliers is overkill for a beginner.

Kobalt 5-Pack Assorted Plier Set $19.98:

6-in long nose pliers,6-in diagonal pliers, 6-in slip joint pliers, 7-in linesman pliers and 8-in groove joint pliers

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-5-Pack-Assorted-Plier-Set/50029422

 

[MarineScott]

Channellock. USA made, should last a life time.

 

[kngelv]

Channellock all day long. I’m still using ones I got over 25 years ago. Made in the USA too. BTW I love Proto. I have ASD wrenches, sockets and a couple of ratchets. However their pliers are utter garbage. My employer issued me a set of linesman and diagonal cutters. They were the worst I have ever used in my 30 years as an industrial electrician.

James

 

[Davefr]

In my opinion 10 pliers is overkill for a beginner.

Kobalt 5-Pack Assorted Plier Set $19.98:

6-in long nose pliers,6-in diagonal pliers, 6-in slip joint pliers, 7-in linesman pliers and 8-in groove joint pliers

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-5-Pack-Assorted-Plier-Set/50029422

^^^IMHO too small for working on an old truck. Those are for the kitchen junk drawer.

 

[thickhead]

I thought Tekton was selling US made pliers too, are they out of favor?
Asking because I hear their warranty/service is really good.

 

[_Riddle]

The channel lock sets are great

 

[bigjeff94]

Channellock here! The set linked from amazon is a great set. I bought mine at home depot.