Plier set recommendation?

[MrPink]

I am on the hunt for a new plier set, really don't want to buy individual ones if i don't have it. I keep finding the "extreme leverage" type of plier and am leery. What do you guys use daily, that would cost under $150 for a set?

 

[noid]

If you're just looking for run of the mill set, probably channel lock, they have a nice roll set.

But, in having all sorts and makes of pliers, I can say value for money is in the Japanese options, like Tsunoda; their quality just boggles the mind for the amount they charge. But they don't do sets as far as I can tell.

 

[redragoon]

I have a Gearwrench set and a Kobalt set. The GW have better handles and are larger. The Kobalt ones are more compact for transport.
I've added various ones as needed to these from HF, Knipex, etc. depending on the specialized job.

Engineer pliers are the best I've found so far, but they are expensive.
Any decent USA, Japan, Euro, or Taiwan set will get you through most jobs.

 

[noid]

I have a Gearwrench set and a Kobalt set. The GW have better handles and are larger. The Kobalt ones are more compact for transport.
I've added various ones as needed to these from HF, Knipex, etc. depending on the specialized job.

Engineer pliers are the best I've found so far, but they are expensive.
Any decent USA, Japan, Euro, or Taiwan set will get you through most jobs.

Which engineer pliers do you have? I got the vampire flavor for Secret Santa a couple years back, and the screw extractor style (same as engineer) are amazing, they grip so darn hard.

 

[lardy1]

Tekton might be just what you're looking for. They have sets and I think you can build your own set and get a discount on the multiple purchase. Many of the are made in USA (Wilde) and their Taiwan pliers are not bad pliers. Their ease of purchase might be your ticket.

Pliers and Pliers Sets | TEKTON

Shop Tekton Pliers including Groove and Slip Joint (made in USA), Long Nose, Cutting, Nut Jaw, Lineman's, Locking, and Mini Pliers.

www.tekton.com

 

[four.cycle]

4-pc Wilde set $80 bucks incl. shipping (but buy it direct from Bowers, not through ebay.)
Little pliers: look at the Japan-made stuff: Igarashi, Tsunoda, Engineer, Vampire.

 

[KnurledNut]

Klein.
Disregard. See post #10.

 

[richfinn]

I've had good luck with Knipex via Amazon, I think my 3 piece set of Combination/Needle nose/Side cutters cost around £50 and you could add in some Cobras and some Crimpers and be well under $150.

It depends on exactly what you need in a "complete set" and what trade I guess??

 

[AEAdam]

I think Klein is a really good US brand, slightly better quality than Channellock. For household, general maintenance work, I don’t think you can do better cost-wise.

I prefer this style over others including KNIPEX cobras. Arc joint pliers are pretty common in sets and maybe not worth while.

Pump Pliers, 12-Inch - D502-12 | Klein Tools

These Klein Tools 12-Inch Pump Pliers are designed for excellent gripping with a secure tongue and a wide range of jaw positions. They feature a tension-loaded joint to reduce wobbling of the handle.

www.kleintools.com

I’m not a huge fan of KNIPEX, but I like their assembly pIiers and use them often. These duck bills:

https://www.knipex-tools.com/products/long-nose-pliers/flat-nose-pliers/round-nose-assembly-pliers/2801200

And the round nose versions:

Round Nose Assembly Pliers

Suitable for gripping and assembly work, Serrated gripping surface for better grip on material, High-grade special tool steel; forged, oil-hardened

www.knipex-tools.com

I think for $150, you could get a nice set of pliers. I’d personally go larger than what is typically sold in stores. Those 8” assembly pliers are very nice, very strong needle nose. 12” Water pump pliers are super handy.

 

[MrPink]

I guess I should mention these would get used in an automotive setting as I am a Mechanic, and rarely do much house related stuff.

 

[Mr_B]

Reality with pliers is you got mix brands up to get the best pliers design/quality/value .
Don't overlook the odd gem from icon and doyle And also look at Pro America .

 

[AEAdam]

I guess I should mention these would get used in an automotive setting as I am a Mechanic, and rarely do much house related stuff.

Yeah that would have helped. Here’s the question I think you should ask: “other than electrical/electronic pliers, what pliers do you use most often for automotive repair?”

Heres my answer: Not much! Don’t buy sets. I don’t find linesman’s pliers useful for example. I find them clumsy for household electrical, so way too clumsy for automotive.

Here’s my advice:
1) go buy a bunch of Xuron electronic cutters and needle nose type pliers for electronics work. They are cheap and good.

2) The KNIPEX assembly pliers I posted above are awesome for automotive. I like that they have more leverage (for drum brakes etc). Alternate, snap on talon grip (needle nose) 96CF or 96ACF are pretty fantastic. Nice but expensive.

3) I like the flat jaw water pump pliers (posted above) better than the cobra hex jaw style. I don’t turn a lot of bolts with pliers. KNIPEX pliers wrench MIGHT be a good idea down the road but are no substitutes for water pump pliers.

4) Decent diagonal cutters from Klein in a couple sizes would be helpful and won’t cost much. Snap On are harder and last longer. Their tips are pointier and sharper, good for cutting away hard to get under insulation. But so expensive. 90% of the time, Klein are more than good enough.

5) Then complete your kit with all the speciality stuff (Lisle, Bluepoint etc). Include super long needle nose and bent needle nose in this category. The cheap ones have a lot of flex, but sometimes that’s okay. These are really just big tweezers after all.

 

[redragoon]

Which engineer pliers do you have? I got the vampire flavor for Secret Santa a couple years back, and the screw extractor style (same as engineer) are amazing, they grip so darn hard.

I have 5 so far. Engineer produces the Vampliers that are commonly found in the US.
PZ-59 - Vamplier/Extractor Linesman Pliers PZ-59 Amazon.jp
PZ-56 - Screw Extractor Pliers PZ-56 Amazon.jp
PZ-60 - Long nose gripping pliers PZ-60 Amazon.jp
PZ-01 - E-ring/Snap Ring pliers PZ-01 Amazon.jp
PS-03 - Mini Needle Nose Smooth PS-03 Amazon.jp

I just order them from the Amazon.jp website.
Most items can ship from Tokyo in 1 week for less than the US Amazon price.
100 yen ~ $0.70

 

[bcradio]

I guess I should mention these would get used in an automotive setting as I am a Mechanic, and rarely do much house related stuff.

Side question... Who does your house repairs?
Just curious...

 

[richfinn]

Side question... Who does your house repairs?
Just curious...

I used to discuss this with my automotive techs when I was a manager, they would ask for time off to do domestic stuff at home.

"How much would it cost to get a professional in to do it, £250 per day?"

Yep, about that

"I'll pay you more to fix cars"

Problem solved

 

[Bubba Fett]

Icon pliers at HF are actually quite good for the money, and are aimed at automotive applications. I don't think they have sets, but you can pick and choose what you want. I know there is some controversy around their pliers that are nearly identical to Snap-On's offerings, and they may not be as good as Snap-On, but they don't really have to be.

I second Channellock sets, and I also highly recommend Tsunoda. They are an excellent bang for the buck, and their machining is much better than what you'd expect at that price point.

Wilde makes good slip-joint pliers. Tekton's USA-made pliers are made by them. Wilde also makes some pliers for Proto.

 

[Rockable]

I'm impressed with the Tekton pliers.

 

[JradM]

What are the pliers you want in your set? I think that would determine the best recommendation more than any other factor (or maybe that's the recommendation you need first).

There are many good plier brands, most already mentioned by others, but I'd probably lean toward Channellock for daily-use pliers I expected to abuse in automotive work. They're both good and inexpensive, so I wouldn't feel so bad about wearing them out like I might with something more expensive like Proto or NWS.

On the other hand, NWS pliers are objectively "better" than Channellock - but you might only get three for $150 and they don't even offer certain styles (waterpump pliers, for example).

Knipex has a very broad selection of top-quality pliers. More expensive than Channellock or Tsunoda though. Probably can't go wrong with Knipex, though they probably won't be the cheapest option. You can do a lot with a 10" Knipex pliers wrench and some cobras.

 

[Steve_P]

If this is for daily use, forget Channellock. Yes, sorry, but they are just not going to last compared to Knipex, NWS, Snap On.... And yes, quality pliers cost more. And if you're using them professionally in an automotive setting, you should just buy what you need, and not a set. You should know which ones you need by now and look at those in the highest quality brands.

 

[MrPink]

Side question... Who does your house repairs?
Just curious...

We hire contractors, I am a mechanic by trade. My home repair knowledge is very limited to some light plumbing work and replacing electrical outlets/switches. I am not going out of my way to buy tools to do home repairs when my garage is small and i don't have enough room for what i currently have

If this is for daily use, forget Channellock. Yes, sorry, but they are just not going to last compared to Knipex, NWS, Snap On.... And yes, quality pliers cost more. And if you're using them professionally in an automotive setting, you should just buy what you need, and not a set. You should know which ones you need by now and look at those in the highest quality brands.

I know "buy once, cry once."

 

[Ton ton]

I appreciate channellock other than the linesman's. Avoid kobalts from Lowe's.

 

[Kurt4440]

I used to discuss this with my automotive techs when I was a manager, they would ask for time off to do domestic stuff at home.

"How much would it cost to get a professional in to do it, £250 per day?"

Yep, about that

"I'll pay you more to fix cars"

Problem solved

My neighbors just had some of their kitchen cabinets painted. The cost was $5300, the one and only painter was on site for 36 hours. Even if the bill at Sherwin Williams was $800 for paint and supplies, labor is exceeding $100 per hour.

I will work on my own house for $100 per hour net income.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Icon pliers at HF are actually quite good for the money, and are aimed at automotive applications. I don't think they have sets, but you can pick and choose what you want. I know there is some controversy around their pliers that are nearly identical to Snap-On's offerings, and they may not be as good as Snap-On, but they don't really have to be.

I second Channellock sets, and I also highly recommend Tsunoda. They are an excellent bang for the buck, and their machining is much better than what you'd expect at that price point.

Wilde makes good slip-joint pliers. Tekton's USA-made pliers are made by them. Wilde also makes some pliers for Proto.

The Doyle stuff isn't bad at Harbor Freight actually. Channellock is really hard to beat for general use too. I'm steadily adding more Knipex stuff to my box though. They take making pliers to a science it feels like. I want to try the Vampliers next, but I can't find any locally to lay hands on.

 

[JradM]

If this is for daily use, forget Channellock. Yes, sorry, but they are just not going to last compared to Knipex, NWS, Snap On.... And yes, quality pliers cost more. And if you're using them professionally in an automotive setting, you should just buy what you need, and not a set. You should know which ones you need by now and look at those in the highest quality brands.

That's an unusual criticism of Channellock.

Often the complaints are that they're heavier, less ergonomic, don't have a rust proof coating, aren't finished as nicely or are generally less refined.

Being robust and durable? That's kinda their thing.

 

[four.cycle]

RE: "Channellock" tongue-in-groove

^ meh... not really... Wilde makes a better product if you're shopping for a tongue-in-groove type plier. Get the close-out $10 model from Epstein with the zinc finish - can't beat it with a stick.
Better than the ProAmerica on those models, but not the Wilde.

Actually... if I were to do it all over again, I wouldn't worry about having all "matching" pliers, as there isn't one of them that makes the "best" across the board.
I can't speak to Knipex, because I don't own any.
Tongue-in-groove: Wilde is a better unit.
Standard (full size) needle-nose: go with Klein
Slip-joint: Wilde "flush fastener" is the only way to go.
Itty-bitty pliers: the Japanese stuff is light years ahead of anything else: Tsunoda, Merry, Vampire
ProAmerica makes some damn nice LONG pliers: needle-nose, hose grips, etc. Their miniature pliers are top-shelf, but not as nice as the Japanese-made stuff.

There's a reason that several members received NOS pliers in their "NOT Secret Santa" packages the last couple years.

 

[wayne55]

The Doyle stuff isn't bad at Harbor Freight actually. Channellock is really hard to beat for general use too. I'm steadily adding more Knipex stuff to my box though. They take making pliers to a science it feels like. I want to try the Vampliers next, but I can't find any locally to lay hands on.

I used my vampliers recently. I have an awning that I made, but used about 10 small screws on the exterior that had rusted. I wanted to change the rusted screws to stainless steel, but they were so rusted a screwdriver did not work. I got out the vampliers and while I was holding to the ladder with one hand, I was able to hold the vampliers in the other hand and reach, grip the head of the rusted screw, and unscrew the rusted screws. This was one time that I had the exact perfect tool I needed for a job. I had ordered mine online.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I used my vampliers recently. I have an awning that I made, but used about 10 small screws on the exterior that had rusted. I wanted to change the rusted screws to stainless steel, but they were so rusted a screwdriver did not work. I got out the vampliers and while I was holding to the ladder with one hand, I was able to hold the vampliers in the other hand and reach, grip the head of the rusted screw, and unscrew the rusted screws. This was one time that I had the exact perfect tool I needed for a job. I had ordered mine online.

As someone who like to wrench on rusty old junk, I guess I need to just go ahead and order some. Thanks.

 

[wayne55]

As someone who like to wrench on rusty old junk, I guess I need to just go ahead and order some. Thanks.

I have the red handle pliers. Engineer makes the same pliers with green handles, sold on Amazon for $22. Both are made in Japan. My brother bought the green handle. FYI

 

[four.cycle]

^ there are several variants in Vampire's line-up - the larger "extractor" is made in Taiwan. the original "Vampliers" screw removal pliers are Japanese-made and are only about 5 inches OAL.
they also make a couple larger versions.

 

[Jtels85]

Being that your profile says you're in Michigan, I'm going to assume you have a Menard's near by.

While I'm not a huge fan of Masterforce brand tools, their dipped handle green pliers and absolutely amazing. Super high quality, comfortable and affordable. I can see them holding up in a shop like setting.

 

[MrPink]

I am actually replacing the masterforce stuff I've now had for 6yrs or so.

 

[LOW1]

Lots of good names. But at the end of the day it’s what you are personally most comfortable with that matters the most. Your hand shape, what you work with, how stout or lite you prefer, etc all matter. So try out as many as you can and then decide.