Needlenose pliers that don't flex?

[bareass172]

I did some reading and searching on this but the problem I kept running into was finding guys talking about "stiff" pliers that just needed lubrication.

I have about 6 different sets of needlenose pliers, everything from Cman to Knipex to brands I don't even know. The no names have bad jaws, the others have too much flex for my tastes. Don't get me wrong, I have certain jobs they're good for, but every now and again I wish I had a good pair of needlenose that wouldn't have any flex or "give" to them. Any recommendations? I'm going to assume Snap-ons, but I know that each brand has different types so I likely need specific models. I know my Knipex have a little give, but my understanding is that some other Knipex models don't - it all depends on the application.

I'm going to check HJE and Cripes for more options, but also plan to watch Ebay for some Snappy's.

Oh yeah, I'm just looking for general purpose use. I use them professionally, but haven't found a specific use that I need them for other than grabbing stuff when other pliers won't reach - stuff like that.

As always, all opinions are appreciated.

 

[Matt Irvine]

I have an old set of Sidchrome Australia, that off the top of my head are pretty good, I doubt you will have much luck finding a good pairing them though.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I started buying SO pliers due to that HOT DEALS thread a while back about the ?? 597cf ?? or whatever they were. Those damn things are extremely solid. Really unbelievable. They are larger than most (size per size) but not enough to get in the way.

I haven't tried all the others.

 

[Danglerb]

Needlenose aren't made for a lot of force, unless you find some weird specialty pliers.

Have you looked at the Stanley Maxgrip?

Looks discontinued, maybe Taiwan sourced they lost the license to, but user description is the shiz, one guy is picking up a car battery with one. Sold as either MaxGrip or DynaGrip, I am finding ONLY old stock around $20 shipped.

 

[Jwych]

Actually i wad looking for the same thing a couple years ago and found husky makes a pretty stout pair of needle nose pliers. We had some pairs at work that wereshotty as hell and would bend just trying to bend over a cotter pin so i had to resource another set

 

[volleyball]

Duckbills are more ridged.

 

[rlitman]

Duckbills are more ridged.

Yes. Also wire nose. The wire nose comes to the same point as needle nose, but has short jaws that do not flex.

 

[Davefr]

Just bite the bullet, open up your wallet and get these. They're the best needle nose pliers on the planet. (Klein D314-8's are a close second but they've been discontinued).

http://image.snapon.com/international/pdf/196NCF.pdf

They're solid as a rock, grip at any angle/position and the tapered end allows you to actually get into some tight spots.

IMHO their really aren't that many SO "must haves". However these are one of them.

 

[bcradio]

I really like my crescent blue/gray needle nose pliers. They are really stout.

 

[rlitman]

Just bite the bullet, open up your wallet and get these. They're the best needle nose pliers on the planet. (Klein D314-8's are a close second but they've been discontinued).

http://image.snapon.com/international/pdf/196NCF.pdf

They're solid as a rock, grip at any angle/position and the tapered end allows you to actually get into some tight spots.

IMHO their really aren't that many SO "must haves". However these are one of them.

I have the version of those that have plain jaws (no cutouts to grip round stuff, and no cutters). I prefer plain jaw pliers. There's more metal to keep them stiff, and less places to break. Besides, if I needed round jaw pliers or dikes, I'd just grab a pair.

Anyway, they're ok, and stiffer than any other needle nose pliers I've used, but still not as stiff as wire/chain nose pliers. If you need the reach, these are great. If you just need a nose with a small tip, they're only so-so.

 

[Danglerb]

Snapon 196NCF $49, not all that high. Says Talon Griptm and cold forged. I wonder who makes them?

I just bought one of the Stanley pliers on ebay, I need to feel the pliers in my hand before thinking about $50 pliers though.

Wire chain/nose are those like fencing pliers, those look really tough.

 

[cheechi]

Maybe I'm not understanding. Is the flex coming when you grip something, and you can still squeeze the handles in even though the jaws don't move? or is it a side-side loose hinge? Or like the jaws are bending when you grab something?

I don't think I've experienced what you are describing between no names, CL, Knipex, Klien 2000 (new ones) or those Hot Deal SO ones.

 

[MattPersman]

Snapon 196NCF $49, not all that high. Says Talon Griptm and cold forged. I wonder who makes them?

I just bought one of the Stanley pliers on ebay, I need to feel the pliers in my hand before thinking about $50 pliers though.

Wire chain/nose are those like fencing pliers, those look really tough.

Snap on makes them.

 

[Flatintoone]

I've noticed this too. The jaws of needlenose pliers deflect when you put a lot of force on them. I discovered duckbill pliers and haven't looked back.

 

[92integra]

Yeah snap on talon grip needle nose are unstoppable them sum bitchs will rip a slice out of a pennie!

 

[Davefr]

Maybe I'm not understanding. Is the flex coming when you grip something, and you can still squeeze the handles in even though the jaws don't move? or is it a side-side loose hinge? Or like the jaws are bending when you grab something?

I did a review of Klein, SO and Knipex a while back.

If you grab something tight and give it a twist the needle nose jaws can deflect. Knipex were real bad. SO and Klein stayed real solid/square.

Klein and SO also have a much better serration pattern that grips at any angle. (ie SO's Diamond Talon Grip or Kleins alternate diagonal serration pattern.)

Knipex std. serration pattern was perpendicular to the jaws which renders them useless for gripping and twisting.

I love Knipex adjustable pliers like Cobra's but can't stand their needle nose.

 

[cheechi]

I will have to keep an eye on that. I haven't noticed it being an issue.

 

[rlitman]

Wire chain/nose are those like fencing pliers, those look really tough.

Wire nose pliers are almost the same as duckbill pliers, except the jaws taper to an end like needle nose (but they have jaws that are as short as duckbill pliers). They're made to twist wire, and with the long handle and short jaw, you get a powerful grip, and pliers that do not deflect easily.

From the side, it is hard to tell wire nose pliers from duckbill (unless you look at an off angle like this picture).

These black handled Craftsman wire nose pliers (and their duckbill counterpart) are some of my absolute favorite pliers.

Chain nose pliers are pliers with cone shaped jaws (at least one of the jaws is rounded in cross section). The round inside of the jaws lets you bend wire into chain links without marring the inside (sometimes one jaw is flat).

Fencing pliers are an entirely different animal.

 

[RCStocker]

Yeah snap on talon grip needle nose are unstoppable them sum bitchs will rip a slice out of a pennie!

What is a pennie? Peonies are flowers. You have me confused.
Did you mean penny? If I am wrong I am sure somewhere on the planet you will be able to barter for flowers and squeeze the hell out of them with a needle nose.

I can take most needle nose pliers and bend the ends by squeezing so hard they just give. If I twist most lesser brands I can bend the jaws. What in the world are you doing that need so much pressure. Even puling teeth with not bend a pliers and teeth are hard.

Barrow some ones Snappie needle nose and see if you can bend the hell out of them. That should make someone happy.

Needle nose pliers are not meant to be use as a pry bar and yes anything long is going to flex if you pretend you are supper man.
You might need to use a different tool for the job or hope you get atrophy.
With most mechanics atrophy starts in their brains first. LOL

 

[Danglerb]

Two fail modes on needle nose;

Reach in and try to turn a nut and jaws flex and slip.
Reach in and twist and the joint allows the jaws to go out of alignment.
Bonus fail, squeeze too hard and tip of jaw breaks off or permanently bends.

 

[Jim C.]

What is a pennie? Peonies are flowers. You have me confused.
Did you mean penny? If I am wrong I am sure somewhere on the planet you will be able to barter for flowers and squeeze the hell out of them with a needle nose.

I can take most needle nose pliers and bend the ends by squeezing so hard they just give. If I twist most lesser brands I can bend the jaws. What in the world are you doing that need so much pressure. Even puling teeth with not bend a pliers and teeth are hard.

Barrow some ones Snappie needle nose and see if you can bend the hell out of them. That should make someone happy.

Needle nose pliers are not meant to be use as a pry bar and yes anything long is going to flex if you pretend you are supper man.
You might need to use a different tool for the job or hope you get atrophy.
With most mechanics atrophy starts in their brains first. LOL

Tell me you're just kidding. You're not really busting on a guy for a spelling error are you? Seriously? Have you ever gone back and proof read any of your posts? They're LOADED with spelling and grammar mistakes!! LOADED! Talk about brain atrophy.

Jim C.

 

[Flatintoone]

Wow we're a testy bunch around here lately...

I know (now) one isn't supposed to use needlenose pliers for heavy-duty work. I've been happy with my duckbill pliers, but I'm going to keep an eye out for those wire nose pliers.

 

[quattroJoe]

I'm curious what you guys are doing with needle nose pliers where you are gripping and twisting with so much side load that they're deflecting. Is there some situation where a tool that is more stout and suited to this kind of force just won't fit?

 

[bareass172]

Thanks for the replies. I don't know who got the ball rolling on the idea that I (or anyone else here) is using needlenose pliers in place of slip jaw pliers, channel locks, etc - I'm not an idiot. I'm not trying to use them as flare wrenches or any other ridiculous thing. What I'm talking about is simple - try to use them to grab something small and the jaws FLEX with the item between them. This usually results in dropping the item, therefore my problem. You guys who have no idea what I'm talking about must have never owned a pair of cheap pliers in your lives, lol... I attached a picture below to show the flex I'm talking about when holding something. I also attached a picture of what I'm dealing with right now. Left to right they are really terrible laminated Cman pliers, old Oxwall, not sure, Husky (firm jaws, handles flex badly ), Knipex needlenose w/ sidecutter, and Knipex 4 in 1. The 4 in 1 are probably the best of the bunch for general use stuff. The 3 on the right are newish.

What I want is something like those SO 196's mentioned above, they have good "teeth" and I doubt they give. I saw those Klein's on a hot deal on Ebay a couple months back and I skipped on them because I was still "looking". Mistake! I've added the Klein's to my Ebay search and I'm going to talk to my driver about those SO 196's. I would agree that the one listed above (196NCF) looks like it has a lot going on, but that's really what I'm looking for is an "all-in-one" type pair I can carry on my belt. I also want to look for other style 196's as well as some duckbills in other brands as well.

Thanks a lot for the feedback, you confirmed what I had thought and read, but more importantly gave me some specific models to look for.

 

[Rossco]

Man av just used my yellow Cat (****-on) NN pliers as Hog pliers and then never missed a beat. Made the expensive Klein plier look like a McDonald straw.

I used them to bend the hog's out with the Klein NN. In the end I had to use the SO & Linesman plier as a pair.

Quality.

 

[sparky7]

snap on talon grip

im sure its been said... but really just buy them

 

[gagreen]

You want better teeth. You shouldn't have to apply so much force to hold something. when you need to bear down and yank needle noses will let you down time and time again. Needle nose pliers are the precision/delicate work pliers. Check out the duckbill, they are designed with more jaw integrity. The western forge craftsman duckbills are really nice and keep a low profile for tight access.

The snappy nn pliers are less flexy than any of my other ones if you have to only have nn's. Pliers are the most misused tool in my box. I'm filling up on more tho so i can use the right set for the situation. I grab a pair of pliers every two weeks or so when i see a design i think could be useful. Plus pliers are cheap enough to not hurt the tool fund to much unlike wrenches, ratchets, hammers etc...

 

[Adam.C]

I go about this the other way around. What is the design/use requirement for flexible jawed pliers? My guess is, making pliers harder means post machining heat treating or possibly differential heat treat (heat treating one localized area, as opposed to the entire too. Snap On does this). EU manufacturers may be looking to comply with safety regulations by designing a tool that cannot brittle fracture.

I too am annoyed by Knipex's soft pliers. They look pretty, but I think I would prefer to have my old craftsman pros back again.

One slight rant - a little weary of GJ members extolling the virtues of good looking, poorly designed or made tools (Knipex), and throwing better made tools (Snap On) under the bus because they are elitist, poser, fanboy tools. GJ needs more thoughtful analysis and fewer unfounded opinions (realizing I'm as guilty as the next guy. I'll try to do better going forward.) rant off

 

[gagreen]

I go about this the other way around. What is the design/use requirement for flexible jawed pliers? My guess is, making pliers harder means post machining heat treating or possibly differential heat treat (heat treating one localized area, as opposed to the entire too. Snap On does this). EU manufacturers may be looking to comply with safety regulations by designing a tool that cannot brittle fracture.

I too am annoyed by Knipex's soft pliers. They look pretty, but I think I would prefer to have my old craftsman pros back again.

One slight rant - a little weary of GJ members extolling the virtues of good looking, poorly designed or made tools (Knipex), and throwing better made tools (Snap On) under the bus because they are elitist, poser, fanboy tools. GJ needs more thoughtful analysis and fewer unfounded opinions (realizing I'm as guilty as the next guy. I'll try to do better going forward.) rant off

I'm a snap on guy, but calling knipex poorly manufactured or designed is a reach. Knipex makes some of the best pliers, they are not snap on but they serve different roles. I've yet to find a snap on plier that gives me the precision of a knipex. The plierwrench is the best thing since containing fire. Knipex crimp tools are on par with Daniels. I've never found a pair of knipex i thought were poorly manufactured or designed. Snappy pliers are burly, good burly. Knipex are much more precise. different tools for different jobs.

 

[Trucky]

Some of you guys are completely off base.

1. Knipex makes pliers that do not flex.
2. Knipex makes more than 1 serration pattern!
3. Not all needle nose are meant to be used like a pair a freakin slip joints.

As for the people out there that don't want to take maybe 5 minutes out of their lives and find this information for themselves, I'm not sure what to tell you. It's on their website, plain as day. You wanna talk about bashing SO? Tisk Tisk.

A little homework goes a long way. OP, I'd recommend the Klein journeyman needle nose for your purposes. They're a little beefy but no flex to them.

 

[davethorik]

I am pretty sure I was searching for something similar. I was at a swap meet and found these Channellock #738 and I like them a lot. I guess these are duckbill style.

I haven't seen the blue handles mentioned yet, but to be fair the handles do flex if you really squeeze em...on the positive side this model in particular has wider than normal handles which = comfy. Like all other new Channellock products they work great just have a lot of really sharp edges.

 

[Davefr]

I'm curious what you guys are doing with needle nose pliers where you are gripping and twisting with so much side load that they're deflecting. Is there some situation where a tool that is more stout and suited to this kind of force just won't fit?

Have you ever removed a tough cotter pin in a tight spot? You usually grab, twist/wiggle and pull.

Like I said earlier, Klein and SO needle nose don't deflect and grip very well. (unlike Knipex)

IMHO needle nose pliers are kind of like screwdrivers in that you often push them to the limits for jobs they aren't 100% intended for. Klein and SO are up to the challenge. In fact the beveled tip on the SO 196's really allows them to do many precision tasks.

However for precision work I usually use pliers intended for the electronics/jewelry industry. (Tronex, Swanstrom, Erin, Lindstrom and even SO). These are the ones you don't want to push to the limits.

 

[rlitman]

3. Not all needle nose are meant to be used like a pair a freakin slip joints.

Funny you mention that. I picked up a German made (brand I did not recognize) pair of needle nose pliers with a slip joint at the flea market on Sunday. Mainly bought them for the novelty.

I am pretty sure I was searching for something similar. I was at a swap meet and found these Channellock #738 and I like them a lot. I guess these are duckbill style.

I haven't seen the blue handles mentioned yet, but to be fair the handles do flex if you really squeeze em...on the positive side this model in particular has wider than normal handles which = comfy. Like all other new Channellock products they work great just have a lot of really sharp edges.

Those are the wire nose I was talking about. The jaw gripping surface of a duckbill is rectangular (does not taper like that).
Both are some of the handiest style pliers.

 

[sparky7]

i love knipex and many of their tools are great, but their needle nose pliers flat out **** they have no gripping force at all.

SNAP ON TALON GRIP

 

[cheechi]

Ok bare. based on your picture I can tell you I have only experienced that with a pair of Kobalt pliers that doesn't get used anymore. Even my SOG multi tool doesn't flex like that, let alone any of my actual needle nose or similar.

Those 'not sure' pair could be older, but not super old Kliens.

 

[bareass172]

To try and cover all the bases of what was said above, and thanks for the feedback as it helps confirm what I think I know about this stuff. I'm not stupid about tools, but I know a lot less than many of you guys with more time and experience under your belt.

I realize that some NN are for precision work, but I also feel like the poster who said they are kinda like a "grab for whatever" tool. I will occasionally reach for them for help with whatever task I'm doing, and I think that's why when I really try to think about what I use them for I come up largely blank. I just know the last time I was using them I was thinking that I didn't have a pair that gripped well and I chalked it up partly to flex and partly to the teeth. Since this thread began I scooped up a set of the SO 96CF talon grips as a jump off point. I look forward to getting them when they arrive.

I am kinda hooked on the idea of those 196NCF's, especially since I'm looking for something that can be a "swiss army knife" of needlenose pliers. I also added the Klein D314-8, Journeyman's, and Channellock 738's to my Ebay watch list and I plan to add some duckbills to my kit when I find the right ones at the right price. Hell, if I'm honest I have about 50 pair of pliers in my Ebay watch list, all the big name brands and looking like nice and solid jaws, so I may be back at some point to discuss what I've learned about what I bought.

Those 'not sure' pair could be older, but not super old Kliens.

Thanks for that - I believe that's what they are too but there are no markings. It would make sense, since I have a pair of linesman's that I bought about the same time that I think are Klein's but have no markings either.

Thanks again for all the feedback, always learning here.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

I hit on Klein years ago...most of my tools were used ones found at fleamarkets, I did not know Plomb existed and couldn't afford Snap on.
By good stuff was Craftsman V, then still current, but I never liked their pliers.
I had some sort of killer job for needlenoses...don't remember what, but someting in a deep hole needed some serious twisting. REAL needlenose, nothing like duckbill could get to the victim.
Everything twisted and released, some almost instantly, others after giving a good try. Rooted through boxes, tried everything from Korea to good brands like Krauter. Finally a black and brown chunk of dirt and rust did the job, cleanly and without even hinting at possible failure...it received an immediate field promotion to GOOD TOOL, and I took it over to the wire wheel. It emerged as an ancient Klein, most likely older than me.
Since then I have bought many Kleins, mostly older, predating gaudy rubber, some new yellow handles. They all seem pretty damn good. Snap-on's old vacuum grips seem to all be good, though they often need the adjustable pivot retightened and staked, newer Snap-on stuff looks ridiculous to me so I've never tried any of it.

 

[jptbay]

I've found NWS pliers to be very ridged.

140-49-205 Chain Nose Pliers (Radio Pliers)

 

[Danglerb]

I bought a pair of the Stanley Dynagrip pliers I mentioned earlier in the thread, ebay seller, brand new $13 shipped, and I don't think they are going to flex, but are kind of funky big, 9". Jaws look like that are riveted between two stamped metal holders and have some kind of articulation at the joint that lets the jaws stay parallel.

They feel like that would be great for the reaching in and turning a nut type jobs, but way too heavy and bulky for a typical needle nose job.

 

[carterbeauford]

What is a pennie? Peonies are flowers. You have me confused.
Did you mean penny? If I am wrong I am sure somewhere on the planet you will be able to barter for flowers and squeeze the hell out of them with a needle nose.

only saw this because someone else quoted you, you're on my ignore list due to previous underhanded insults, but wow.

you have a personality disorder or complex where you have to insult others because of your own shortcomings. you contribute nothing. stop posting.