Needle nose pliers?

[rodm1]

I'm looking for a good quality pair of 8" needle nose pliers. Looking over different brands Channellock and Klein Journeyman. They all seem to have there tips ground of center. Channellock seems to not even care about this (no consistency), haven't inspected enough Klein to know about them.

Sow is this a new design because I don't think any of my vintage models are like this?

 

[MoToys]

I just got these off the truck, been pretty impressed with them. Good pulling grip and no deflection when twisting, very strong.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...40143&PartNo=196NCF&group_id=681925&supersede

 

[OEXL16B]

MAC P92S - they're fantastic nose pliers and they're only $23.99.

 

[magova1104]

In my opinion Klein is the World's best pliers manufacturer. The Klein brothers came from Germany in 1848 and they have been manufacturing pliers for various companies since then. My brother in law is a Quality Control Supervisor in the Chicago plant and he taught me they use a lot of German Engineering. They have the most complete lines of pliers and they have lifetime warranty. I like Channellock pliers also, and Snap on, but if I have to choose between all these, I go with Klein, specially the Journeyman.

 

[rodm1]

Is the your SO ,Mac and Klein's tips ground on center looking from the side? It seems there are some quality problems with Channellock and Klein. What about Knipex and NWS are they on center?

I think my HF ones are ground better the Channellock and Klein pathetic for a USA tool.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Klein for me as well.
Magova, I am jealous...I love their stuff, 99 percent of my voice/data and electrical tools are Klein, and have a Klein Tools banner hanging in my workshop (courtesy of the local rep)

 

[magova1104]

Is the your SO and Mac's tips ground on center looking from the side?

Can you put a picture of that. Sorry, I don't understand.

 

[fivespdcat]

I really like my kleins, I have the journeyman and they are great! If you want something different, the knipex are really nice too.

 

[allinon72]

Knipex for me

 

[MoToys]

Can you put a picture of that. Sorry, I don't understand.

Yes, please.

 

[PowerGenGuy]

Klien IMO best hands done, although currently my road box pair are Channellock. Channellock are very good as well. I had a pair of klien that walked on me, twice, and I could not afford to keep replacing them. Hands down Klien are the best, but I prefer the ones without the 12 gauge stripper in the middle of the cutters, that anoyed me. Get the Journeyman series, no strippers. Canadain Tire up here regularly has sales on Channellock stuff, so for cost that is the direction I went, Channellock still good though!

 

[Davefr]

Get these. They're fabulous and on clearance. Far superior to anything else. (Knipex needle nose don't even come close)

https://www.kleinconnection.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_10001_10001_-1_17873

 

[metaldad]

that site lit off my anti virus.

 

[jeffmoss26]

PowerGenGuy, I have a pair of 203-8N with the stripping hole. They have clearish-yellow plastic grips, and say M. Klein and Sons so I know they are old
I am sure they have taken a beating over the years, but they work great!!

 

[RedFordTruck]

Cant go wrong with either Klein or Channellock. Both are High quality.


As far as being ground off center, I have a newer pair of Craftsman needle nose that the width of the tips is about 70:30 off center.

Channellocks are great though!

 

[PRH44]

I have used many pliers for the past 30 plus years. Klein has been the best performer and are as tough as they get and will last a very long time. Knipex is not far behind.

 

[shoturtle]

If you want a precision needle nose, go with a knipex or wiha. They are fine tips.

 

[Trucky]

I've owned all three (Klein, CL, and Knipex). They're all fantastic... I say go with the price point that you can afford best. They will all not only do the job, but for years.

If you guys are so concerned about the tips, just look through them and find one that's to your satisfaction. none there? go to the other brand. HD has Klein and CL and the Lowes in my area has Knipex, so I can pick and choose as I like.

 

[pipsters]

-1 for Channllock I bent mine bending thin aluminum, POS

They make good locking pliers but not needle noses

 

[Trucky]

-1 for Channllock I bent mine bending thin aluminum, POS

They make good locking pliers but not needle noses

What gauge? A little context might reveal why it happened, or you might have just gotten a bad pair. They aren't made to "spring", and they're rigid as heck, so I'm wondering how you bent them. Also, needlenose pliers are not meant to bend metals really. Was it sheet, or a smaller piece that necessitated the use of needle nose pliers?

 

[Treeman]

I was disappointed in the inconsistency of Klein pliar type wire crimpers when I shopped for them a while back. Maybe just a bad batch of German engineering slipped through?

Some of the male anvil parts were mis-shaped and/or off centered from the female side.

These might be off centered tips. Notice the right side tip appears smaller than the left, just barely: I have seen much worse, like the OP explains.

 

[shoturtle]

Klein is not what they uses to be, allot of their new tools are no where the level of their older tools. Screwdriver tips are allot softer, and their cutting edges do not hold up as long.

 

[frankush]

Hate to break it to you guys, but don't be surprised if Klein outsources a bunch of their products overseas very soon. The Klein manufacturing plant is about 3 miles from my house and is just about shuttered.

http://www.suntimes.com/business/9351391-420/klein-tools-closing-2-subuurban-plants.html

 

[balane]

A lot of good suggestions here. I'm a big fan of all the NWS pliers.

The 205mm Needle Nose on this page linked are very nice.

http://german-hand-tools.com/nws-pliers3.html

Ash, the site owner, is a member here and most excellent to deal with.

.

 

[BuckHenry]

I don't think the tips of any of my long nose pliers (including: Channellock, Klein, and Knipex among others) are ground to match perfectly. I can't see that it really matters though as long as the jaws and cutiing blades are alligned correctly.

Be sure to check out Channellock's Code Blue pliers (318 CB) if you haven't already. They are a much stouter than any of my other long nose pliers. I would recomend them if your looking for a pair for general purpose tasks. The Knipex pliers are more of a true needle nose. They are not nearly as beefy as the Code Blue, but their jaws are much longer and narrower for getting into tight places so I would recomend them if that is what you need. I don't think either brand will have their tips ground to match perfectly though.

 

[fomocoforrester]

that site lit off my anti virus.

...+1

 

[Skin]

snap-on 97ccp. Stay away from their talon grip ****. I'll post some pics tomorrow.

 

[rodm1]

I was disappointed in the inconsistency of Klein pliar type wire crimpers when I shopped for them a while back. Maybe just a bad batch of German engineering slipped through?

Some of the male anvil parts were mis-shaped and/or off centered from the female side.

These might be off centered tips. Notice the right side tip appears smaller than the left, just barely: I have seen much worse, like the OP explains.

Turn them 90 degrees and they all are ground of center all sow.

 

[TwoInch]

Turn them 90 degrees and they all are ground of center all sow.

can you find a picture to explain what you mean? i certainly dont understand. i thought i did, as others were talking about the jaws being different at the tips.

???

 

[MoToys]

snap-on 97ccp. Stay away from their talon grip ****. I'll post some pics tomorrow.

I'd like to see the failure you experienced. I've been very happy with my talon grip stuff.

 

[Trucky]

can you find a picture to explain what you mean? i certainly dont understand. i thought i did, as others were talking about the jaws being different at the tips.

???

I do believe he means something like they're ground off center, NOT in line with the flats like the picture shows but in like with the pliers themselves as viewed from above.

As an extreme exaggeration (top down)

=========-----_____
=========------------
^the "handle": ^^^^gripping section

Eh?

 

[MoToys]

I edited my first post with the actual pair of pliers I was talking about. I looked at the part number when I got to work this morning and it was not the one I originally thought I had. When You look them up on the site( http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...40143&PartNo=196NCF&group_id=681925&supersede), there is no picture, so I attached two.



I have been very happy with these. I agree with others who like their Klein Journeyman stuff. I have their side cutters and they cut everything and stay sharp.

 

[HandyManny]

Klein is not what they uses to be, allot of their new tools are no where the level of their older tools. Screwdriver tips are allot softer, and their cutting edges do not hold up as long.

Having used and thrown out a few newer Klien tools and having used their older vintage stuff I can say that I 100% agree with you. As soft as newer Klien pliers jaws are and as soft as their screwdriver tips are I can't believe that they are still regarded as a professional grade tool. Yet because it says USA on it people somehow think it's the best. Not sure why!

 

[franzdom]

Strange comments about Talon Grip, I love the 47CF slip joint pliers as well as the 196CF needle nose, they are superior to the straight groove types. I have a nice mix of Snap-on, NWS and Knipex, they are all pretty good.

 

[HandyManny]

I'm looking for a good quality pair of 8" needle nose pliers. Looking over different brands Channellock and Klein Journeyman. They all seem to have there tips ground of center. Channellock seems to not even be care about this (no consistency), haven't inspected enough Klein to know about them.

Sow is this a new design because I don't think any of my vintage models are like this?

Those things are machined by hand, not by computer CNC. Any hound ground tool will have slight variations in the overall dimensions. Vintage tools are no different. Rest assured that Channellock makes a tough plier, never had any let me down. I'd go with them everytime over newer Kliens. To me the basic line of Klien are too soft and way overpriced.

 

[Skin]

I'd like to see the failure you experienced. I've been very happy with my talon grip stuff.

No failure, i just detest the design on needle nose. Stupid to taper the tips for a general purpose plier, really only has its uses for electrical work.

 

[rodm1]

Having used and thrown out a few newer Klien tools and having used their older vintage stuff I can say that I 100% agree with you. As soft as newer Klien pliers jaws are and as soft as their screwdriver tips are I can't believe that they are still regarded as a professional grade tool. Yet because it says USA on it people somehow think it's the best. Not sure why!

Are you talking about the klein D2000 series Journeyman line? I believe there lower end stuff isn't hardened steel and only good for copper and aluminum.

I stopped buy Lows today and looked at there Channellock's and knipex they both where almost perfectly ground. Menards must have got an order of Vodka specials.

 

[PRH44]

When purchasing Klein pliers the 2000 series steel is harder. I use the HD2000-9NE side cuts daily. I have cut bolts, nails, fish tapes and beat with them and they hold up.
I have some 200 series that have failed to cut 1/4" fish tapes.

 

[otis66]

I've had my MAC/Channel lock needle nose pliers for almost 20 years now. I'd go with Channel Lock.

 

[jeffmoss26]

PRH, I had to cut my fish tape when it got stuck in the wall. No problem for my Klein linesman pliers. One pair is a D213-9NE and one is D2000-9NE. What's the difference?