Looking for some pliers

[puttsy]

I'm looking to add more to my pliers selection in my on-the-go box and want some input. I needed a pair of slip-joint pliers (NOT Tounge & Groove) and while looking for a good, quality pair, I couldn't decide which brand to go with. I can't afford really expensive tools but, have spent a bit on cheaper brands that are **** (*Ahem*, Duracraft) so I see a good tool as an investment... within reason.

Pliers already in my box:
Channellock 337 7" diagonal pliers
Craftsman 10" Tounge & Groove
Duracraft 7" diagonal pliers
Duracraft 7" Needle-nose
Pittsburgh precision needle-nose (surprisingly good for cheap!)
Vice Grip 10" 10WR (Original Vice-grip. Before they were a sell-out)
Irwin Vice Crip 5" 5WR
Gardner Bender wire cutter/stripper
Commercial Electric Wire cutter/stripper

So, I've got a hodge-podge of brands in my box already, my ties aren't with one specific company. Just want a quality tool. I do tend to favor Channellock though, but I'm not yet a convert so there's room to change...

I plan on slowly upgrading the lesser pliers in my box (Duracraft, GB, Commercial electrich --ick--) to Klien's and Channellocks as I see them on sale but, that's going to have to be a slow process and get held back as there are more tools I need.

Any thoughts on ~$12 slip-joint pliers? Who makes the Craftsman pliers, Channellock? I know Knippex has the wiring pliers but how about the general ones like these?

Slip Joint pliers:

Image courtesy of Channellock. Pic. of Channellock 526

There a several people confusing Slip-joint pliers and Tounge-and-groove(also called channellocks) The pic. is of what this thread is primarily about.

 

[kissmeimgerman]

Puttsy,
Just get the channellocks and be done with it. They are around $20 8)

 

[Basskiller]

Puttsy,
Just get the channellocks and be done with it. They are around $20 8)

Agreed

 

[nelstomlinson]

Recently Cripe had a pair of long, slip-joint, USA made, bent-nose, NAPA pliers. I got a pair, and like them. Under $20, as I recall.

Edited to add that Epstein has some Wilde slip joints with grooves for spring hose clamps. This is another reasonably priced pair that I like.

 

[cundifc]

What do you guys use slip joints for? I have a couple pairs and find myself very seldomly using them.

 

[archirelic]

What do you guys use slip joints for? I have a couple pairs and find myself very seldomly using them.

I was going to ask the same thing myself. I actually detest them, b/c I can always find another pair of pliers more aptly suited to whatever task I *might* have used slip-joint pliers for.

 

[JASTECH]

Slip-Joint tear up or mark up whatever your trying to undo or tighten. They get used alot to hold pipe, I have the pliers made to hold pipe. I think it's the low budget or lazy way to do things. JMHO

 

[HandyManny]

Go with Channellock slip-joints. The 6" are the most easy to find, still made here, and still very high quality while being reasonably priced.

 

[HandyManny]

Slip-Joint tear up or mark up whatever your trying to undo or tighten. They get used alot to hold pipe, I have the pliers made to hold pipe. I think it's the low budget or lazy way to do things. JMHO

Hmmm..... Sounds like you must have limited experience in working on equipment.

My experience is that pliers only chew up and damage things when the users doesn't know how to use them properly or when to use them. True they are not be the best tool to use on nut/bolts when a wrench is available, but they do suffice well if you know how to use them and know when to use them.

There are actually a whole lot of aplications where pliers are nessesary. I don't think using pliers is the lazy way of doing thinks, sometimes it's the nessesary way of doing things. For example: It's hard to remove or install spring type hose-clamps without pliers, most techs and pros I know simply use a pair of slip-joints or tongue&groove pliers for this. They are also invaluable for pulling, twisting, and gripping things.

 

[iroc409]

Hmmm..... Sounds like you must have limited experience in working on equipment.

My experience is that pliers only chew up and damage things when the users doesn't know how to use them properly or when to use them. True they are not be the best tool to use on nut/bolts when a wrench is available, but they do suffice well if you know how to use them and know when to use them.

There are actually a whole lot of aplications where pliers are nessesary. I don't think using pliers is the lazy way of doing thinks, sometimes it's the nessesary way of doing things. For example: It's hard to remove or install spring type hose-clamps without pliers, most techs and pros I know simply use a pair of slip-joints or tongue&groove pliers for this. They are also invaluable for pulling, twisting, and gripping things.

Quite happy with my slip joints, use them for all the things you stated. I don't have any fancy "hose clamp pliers" (though I guess I should), so the slip joint pliers usually get used for that.

I use them around the house too, pulling nails out of walls and stuff.

Bought a pair of Wiha linesman/combo pliers, and they are cool (though I probably should have bought the plain Knipex instead of ergo Wiha), and not sure I'll use them as much as I thought.

My Channellocks get a lot of use too, for all kinds of stuff.

 

[HandyManny]

Quite happy with my slip joints, use them for all the things you stated. I don't have any fancy "hose clamp pliers" (though I guess I should), so the slip joint pliers usually get used for that.

I use them around the house too, pulling nails out of walls and stuff.

Bought a pair of Wiha linesman/combo pliers, and they are cool (though I probably should have bought the plain Knipex instead of ergo Wiha), and not sure I'll use them as much as I thought.

My Channellocks get a lot of use too, for all kinds of stuff.

Funny, I have two very different pairs of specialty Hose-Clamp pliers and I rarely use either of them. When I need to remove or install a hose clamp I reach for either the Slip-Joints or Water-Pump pliers for that stuff . I also find many uses for pliers in pulling cables or wires snug and in compressing certain springs, and snugging up zip-ties, etc. Not sure why some think that pliers are the wrong tool for stuff. Not sure of any techs or tradesman out there who can get through too many jobs without at least a couple different types of pliers. My own personal road-side truck tools consist of at least three different types of pliers in addition to other tools.

 

[puttsy]

I work on a lot of odds and ends, FAR from a professional in the field and I like to use Slip-joint for things that a wrench of sorts won't work with. I was working with plastic, wire, and hitch-pins/clevis pins and got to a point saying "man, a pair of slip-joints would be real nice here" I needed to bend some insulated wire (used as a cotterpin sorta) and the needlenose just didn't work well for said application. I don't use pliers on "round" objects more than I have to but, for bending sturdy, rigid items, they work quite well. Same with pinching and pulling (think about pulling pins). If I must crab onto a pipe, I usually grab a vice-grip so that there is only one major eaten-up part of the pipe (err. 2, both side) but, when I need to pull on something and adjust the pressure, pliers is where I wanna be.

Thanks for the input guys! I will indeed pick up a pair of Channellocks. It seems pretty much unanimous. I love my channellock diagonal pliers (moreso than the Klien pair I used to use. But the Klien's were bigger) so I'm glad I can finally snag a brand to start building with. Anyone seen what a pair of Channellock Needlenose goes for though!? Like, $20 for one pair!! That's insane. I'll probably end up getting some eventually (maybe AFTER college...) but that seems like a heck of a pretty penny for what they are...or aren't. Their Oil filter pliers are less than that for hecks sake!

Anyone use Channellock wire cutters/strippers? How close are the to the Klien's? Right now, a pair of Klien's is on my list but, to save some $$, I'd get the CL's if their equally as sound.

Also, Does/did Channellock make Craftsman pliers? I *used* to have a pair of Craftsman slip-joint pliers but they got lost when...long story, let settle with they got lost.

 

[kissmeimgerman]

I work on a lot of odds and ends, FAR from a professional in the field and I like to use Slip-joint for things that a wrench of sorts won't work with. I was working with plastic, wire, and hitch-pins/clevis pins and got to a point saying "man, a pair of slip-joints would be real nice here" I needed to bend some insulated wire (used as a cotterpin sorta) and the needlenose just didn't work well for said application. I don't use pliers on "round" objects more than I have to but, for bending sturdy, rigid items, they work quite well. Same with pinching and pulling (think about pulling pins). If I must crab onto a pipe, I usually grab a vice-grip so that there is only one major eaten-up part of the pipe (err. 2, both side) but, when I need to pull on something and adjust the pressure, pliers is where I wanna be.

Thanks for the input guys! I will indeed pick up a pair of Channellocks. It seems pretty much unanimous. I love my channellock diagonal pliers (moreso than the Klien pair I used to use. But the Klien's were bigger) so I'm glad I can finally snag a brand to start building with. Anyone seen what a pair of Channellock Needlenose goes for though!? Like, $20 for one pair!! That's insane. I'll probably end up getting some eventually (maybe AFTER college...) but that seems like a heck of a pretty penny for what they are...or aren't. Their Oil filter pliers are less than that for hecks sake!

Anyone use Channellock wire cutters/strippers? How close are the to the Klien's? Right now, a pair of Klien's is on my list but, to save some $$, I'd get the CL's if their equally as sound.

Also, Does/did Channellock make Craftsman pliers? I *used* to have a pair of Craftsman slip-joint pliers but they got lost when...long story, let settle with they got lost.

never look back

 

[HandyManny]

To the question of who makes Cman pliers. The basic pliers are made by Western Forge in Colorado Springs, CO. The exception being the End Knippers, they appear to be made by Channellock for Cman.

Personally I think Channellock makes a much better plier than Klien. I think most of Kleins basic level pliers are not quite as hardened in the jaws or cutters as they should be. That's just been my experience. You need to go up a level (and up in price) to get the hardened jaws with Kliens.

When it comes to buying good quality pliers I'd stick with Channellock and Knipex. You just can't go wrong with either. I even find that the newer Irwin pliers are pretty darn good if you don't mind buying China made.

 

[plinker]

Menards does have semi-frequent sales on Channellock, FWIW.

Western Forge (WF) makes most all of the Craftsman pliers for the most part. I'm not overly impressed with them myself, but they seem ok, depending on how hard you are on pliers.

IMO, Overall Value-wise, the Channellocks are a better one then the Klien, but the curved handle wire strippers Klien has are very nice and near same price as the Channellock at 15$. I really like the adjustable wrenches Klien has.

As for the wire cutters I cant say, I've got the red handled Kliens and will likely need to replace them in a few years. I'm not sure what I'll replace them with yet though.

Maybe someone can chime in on the Channellock cutters.

 

[HandyManny]

Menards does have semi-frequent sales on Channellock, FWIW.

Western Forge (WF) makes most all of the Craftsman pliers for the most part. I'm not overly impressed with them myself, but they seem ok, depending on how hard you are on pliers.

IMO, Overall Value-wise, the Channellocks are a better one then the Klien, but the curved handle wire strippers Klien has are very nice and near same price as the Channellock at 15$. I really like the adjustable wrenches Klien has.

As for the wire cutters I cant say, I've got the red handled Kliens and will likely need to replace them in a few years. I'm not sure what I'll replace them with yet though.

Maybe someone can chime in on the Channellock cutters.

True Klein does make one of the best adjustable wrenches around, problem is that they are difficult to find. Have to be special ordered most times. Since Cooper sent Crescent to be made in China recently, Klein along with Western Forge are now about the only two domestic USA makers of good quality adjustable wrenches left. Current Klein adjustables are simply a home grown clone of the old Japanese made wrenches they once imported. They were even able to duplicate the quality too.

Personally I think the Spanish made Irega wrenches that Channellock offers are a little bit better overall quality, not by much though.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Interesting that no one has mentioned the Knipex Cobra pump pliers. I have a set and like them alot... you can find them in the electrical section at Lowe's. I have a set of Crescent and Channellock pliers, I prefer the Channellocks. Have one Channellock plier that lives in my tool bucket. Those darn Crescent tongue and groove pliers started spot-rusting on me in my toolbox! (they were a gift).

I also have an OLD pair of Wilde angle-nose pliers that I find useful, use them alot on small jobs (found them at an estate sale a while back). Didn't know that Harry Epstein's carried Wilde pliers!

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/SlipJoint/7G.html

 

[scspringer]

Menards does have semi-frequent sales on Channellock, FWIW.

Western Forge (WF) makes most all of the Craftsman pliers for the most part. I'm not overly impressed with them myself, but they seem ok, depending on how hard you are on pliers.

Western Forge is now owned by Ideal Industries

 

[HandyManny]

Interesting that no one has mentioned the Knipex Cobra pliers. I have a set and like them alot... you can find them in the electrical section at Lowe's. I have a set of Crescent and Channellock pliers, I prefer the Channellocks. Have one Channellock plier that lives in my tool bucket. Those darn Crescent tongue and groove pliers started spot-rusting on me in my toolbox! (they were a gift).

I also have an OLD pair of Wilde angle-nose pliers that I find useful, use them alot on small jobs (found them at an estate sale a while back). Didn't know that Harry Epstein's carried Wilde pliers!

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/SlipJoint/7G.html

+1 on the Knipex Cobras. I have an older pair and like them alot. I'm just not sure that the average home owner would be willing to pay that money for pliers.

As far as rust goes, it's not a mark of less quality. Before Channellock started clear coat varnishing their tools they would rust badly in a humid environment. It's just a normal thing with high carbon steel.

I think Wilde isn't as good as they could be these days. Still nice pliers, but generally very hard to find unless you buy them under the Blackhawk or SK brand. I also see many defects with the jaws not lining up on many new Wilde pliers.

 

[HandyManny]

Western Forge is now owned by Ideal Industries

And they still make pliers for a few other high-end brands as well. Ridgid being one. Would not suprise me to see SK switch from Wilde made to WF made pliers soon, if not already.

 

[lowbucktruck]

As far as rust goes, it's not a mark of less quality. Before Channellock started clear coat varnishing their tools they would rust badly in a humid environment. It's just a normal thing with high carbon steel.
.

Understood about the carbon steel. Maybe so... but my set of Crescent pliers were spot-rusting after only a few months (in the tool box), even with application of WD-40. By comparison, my Channellocks took a few years of steady use to even start to spot-rust.

I have since placed silica desiccant packs in all my toolbox drawers and placed a humidity gauge in my garage. Didn't think that it was that humid in my garage, until I started monitoring humity level closely. I think it may have something to do with the fact that my washing machine/dryer are in my garage; so I recently installed a vent above them. But I am a bit off-topic here.

 

[plinker]

Personally I think the Spanish made Irega wrenches that Channellock offers are a little bit better overall quality, not by much though.

I've got one of the 8" Channellock adj. wrenches, it is nice. The one thing I dont care for is the jaws are tapered, it's not really a big deal though.

 

[HandyManny]

I've got one of the 8" Channellock adj. wrenches, it is nice. The one thing I dont care for is the jaws are tapered, it's not really a big deal though.

Tapered jaws just allow for easier access into tighter spaces when using the tool. Channellock used to mill narrower the upper jaw of their tongue and groove pliers to match the thinner width of the bottom jaw. I liked them better that way as they could fit into narrower spaces when needed. Now both the upper and lower jaws are a bit thicker.

 

[HandyManny]

Understood about the carbon steel. Maybe so... but my set of Crescent pliers were spot-rusting after only a few months (in the tool box), even with application of WD-40. By comparison, my Channellocks took a few years of steady use to even start to spot-rust.

I have since placed silica desiccant packs in all my toolbox drawers and placed a humidity gauge in my garage. Didn't think that it was that humid in my garage, until I started monitoring humity level closely. I think it may have something to do with the fact that my washing machine/dryer are in my garage; so I recently installed a vent above them. But I am a bit off-topic here.

Yeah I know what you mean. I have a few older adjustable wrenches that were either plain finished steel, black oxide coated, and one that is phosphate parkerized. The plain finished steel one took several years to develop a nice greyish patina with some minor surface rust spots. The oxide finished wrench lost much of it's finish with regular use and handling over years and basically ending up similar to the plain finished wrenches greyish patina. The phosphate parkerized one has lightened slightly to a greyish/olive color over time and the polished faces slightly grey'd, but no rust. All tools have the wear marks, small nicks and small abrasions from useage.

All my plain finished Channellock pliers have developed a grey patina over time with slight surface rust. The handles have years of dirt and grease on them too. Still blue, but dirty.

 

[puttsy]

Interesting that no one has mentioned the Knipex Cobra pump pliers. I have a set and like them alot... you can find them in the electrical section at Lowe's. I have a set of Crescent and Channellock pliers, I prefer the Channellocks. Have one Channellock plier that lives in my tool bucket. Those darn Crescent tongue and groove pliers started spot-rusting on me in my toolbox! (they were a gift).


I also have an OLD pair of Wilde angle-nose pliers that I find useful, use them alot on small jobs (found them at an estate sale a while back). Didn't know that Harry Epstein's carried Wilde pliers!

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/SlipJoint/7G.html

+1 on the Knipex Cobras. I have an older pair and like them alot. I'm just not sure that the average home owner would be willing to pay that money for pliers.

The Knippex Cobra pliers are tongue and groove pliers, not slip-joint. I've already got a pair of Craftsman tounge-and-groove pliers and seldom use them as is. OEM on them seems to be Western Forge. Thx HandyManny for that insight!

 

[puttsy]

Well all, I got the Channellock 526 slip-joint pliers. $9.89 at Farm and Fleet. And let me say they are GREAT! The cutter on them actually seems to do a better job than my Duracraft diagonal pliers/cutter (no surprose there though i suppose)

If only the Channellock needle nose pliers weren't so darned pricey I'd be outfitting my box with those too...and *maybe* their tounge and groove pliers too. The knippex Cobra's don't fit well with my stash of other tools in my small (16") dorm room box, but when I get a real box and drawers, they are at the top of the list! (Next to some Armstrong ratchets which are #1 on that list!)

 

[plinker]

You'll really like the 526's, I know I do.

You dont use the T&G's much? 10" Channellocks (430's) are my go-to's for most things plier related (except for cutting of course).

If it makes you feel better about the Channellock needle nose pliers price, Snap-on's run about 40$ for the one's Ive got.
They are real nice with the "talon grip" teeth though.


One thing that does make a difference (at least it did when I was buying the majority of my basic tools) is if you can wait for a sale or special, do it, if possible. Asking for tools for Christmas also helps, if thats an option.

 

[kapster]

I picked up Channellock 546 slip joint, 436 side cutter and 326 needlenose today. Very impressive when you really take a look at them. I was thinking snap on till I checked their prices. Channellocks seem hard to beat for the money.

Like others said, they're adjustables are awesome too. Made me feel differently about adjustable wrenches.

 

[davesnothere]

Snapon 47cf.
$30 no-brainer.

 

[iroc409]

Well all, I got the Channellock 526 slip-joint pliers. $9.89 at Farm and Fleet. And let me say they are GREAT! The cutter on them actually seems to do a better job than my Duracraft diagonal pliers/cutter (no surprose there though i suppose)

If only the Channellock needle nose pliers weren't so darned pricey I'd be outfitting my box with those too...and *maybe* their tounge and groove pliers too. The knippex Cobra's don't fit well with my stash of other tools in my small (16") dorm room box, but when I get a real box and drawers, they are at the top of the list! (Next to some Armstrong ratchets which are #1 on that list!)

I have three pairs of Craftsman WF needle nose pliers. Two of the pairs, I spent about $10 on.

The basic ones they sell serve me just fine, but I have one set of the older "professional" ones. They were $9 from Harry Epstien (new, old stock). They are almost identical to my regular ones, but the teeth on the jaws are a lot nicer.

Another pair I have, is a cool spring-loaded "ergo" version of the same. I found them on eBay. There are some around, in various degrees. The spring loaded helps a lot when I'm trying to grab something in an odd area, which happens a lot for me apparently.

My slip joints are the basic Craftsman, and the discontinued Craftsman Pro red/black handle. The pros are really nice, I'd like a few more of those. The regular ones I've used a ton, with no problems.

The Channellocks I've looked at look great, too.

 

[Bryan Burns]

Pliers are small and simple and thus inexpensive. I was lucky to get these top end vintage pliers for cheap. I agree with other posters that slip-joint pliers are of limited use so I'm only going to keep one of these:
View media item 15698
That would be these:

View media item 15699

 

[littletoes]

Needlenose huh??? Check these out;


http://chadstoolbox.com/nws-1406-69...needle-nose-with-stripper-cutter-crimper.aspx

 

[JASTECH]

I use to use slip-joints on sring clamps and many times they would unspring. Did this for many years until I was shown the proper tool for the job, others would rather spend the difference on beer friday. I was young but taught well and don't drink, so this allowed me the extra money for the proper tool. I might have all the types of pliers Channelock made then and have used the incorrect one in a pinch or couldn't get the proper tool into where needed. But I do have experiance sir, so please don't deminish my years of wrenching for my health condition now.

Thanks, JASTECH