Pliers - please help me decide
- Thread starter JayL
- Start date
eschoendorff
Well-known member
MAC P92S - there's no equal.
Those are JUST LIKE any of the many imported from -insert Asian country here - pliers available everywhere. Facom are made in France and offer a unique design. They are a high quality alternative to the Knipex, Channlelock designs (and let's face it - all the Craftsman and Snap on (et al.) pliers are just basically variants of Channellock designs).
Facom have not let me down....
Channellocks for the house and knipex for work ....... hmmmm
I'm thinking to bite the bullet and go all the way knipex since I am planning to own only one whole set in the end ,, will take a little bit more time to complete after the basics since these cost more.
Is it worth it ???
I'm thinking to bite the bullet and go all the way knipex since I am planning to own only one whole set in the end ,, will take a little bit more time to complete after the basics since these cost more.
Is it worth it ???
Merkava_4
Banned
They're made by KAL-Tool. Is that a roll of Sudafed I see in the background?
eschoendorff
Well-known member
They're made by KAL-Tool. Is that a roll of Sudafed I see in the background?
Yup. And a shock collar.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
There isn't a perfect brand of pliers. One man's meat is another's poison. You may like Channelock for slip joint pliers, Snap on for side cutters, and Knipex for water pump pliers. You'll end up with different brands and more than one set in time. Buy your pliers based on how much you like their feel and balance, and they way they perform. It's a purchase that shouldn't be based on pictures, you really need to touch and feel first.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
And THAT is precisely why everyone should at least TRY a set of Facoms before they buy anything.
The OP asked for opinions and I am at least trying to offer something other than the typical "Snap On is the best but Channellock is good too" argument....
Merkava_4
Banned
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Facom offers good pliers (and other excellent tools) and I have a few. However, I'm not too sure about that plastic spring they use on some of their models. I am also slightly concerned now that they are part of Stanley empire, what their U.S. future will be. However, overall Facom is a viable choice.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Facom offers good pliers (and other excellent tools) and I have a few. However, I'm not too sure about that plastic spring they use on some of their models. I am also slightly concerned now that they are part of Stanley empire, what their U.S. future will be. However, overall Facom is a viable choice.
I will agree with you on the whole Stanley thing... not my cup of tea. but the spring is supposed to be rated for something like a million cycles. i can tell you that the plastic springs on mine have never given me a lick of trouble - in fact they have saved my *** on more than a few occasions....
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Whatever goes on between you and the misses is none of my business.
It's for the dog. That's why it's RED and not PINK.
Over the years I have used most makes available and now have an assortment of Proto, Klein, Craftsman, GRAY, Vise-Grip, Mastercraft, and Channellock, and have never found them to be of any great difference in quality or function. I do however really like the feel of the Klein lineman's pliers.
Heres my assortment. Basically purchased as needed or when a sale came up. The newest ones are the Channellock. They work as good as any I have used for the limited time I have owned them.
Heres my assortment. Basically purchased as needed or when a sale came up. The newest ones are the Channellock. They work as good as any I have used for the limited time I have owned them.
rsanter
Well-known member
I have pliers from SO, MAC, Klien, Channellock and I am happy with them all
I also have some of the basic Cman and they range from decent to nice
I have the made in china Cman pro small pliers and they seem to work well. interestingly I was at the local farm show (ag equipment trade show) and there was a gut there selling tools that had the same small pliers that did not say Cman pro but were identical. I an sure they are the manufacturer and sears just has the labeled fro them without any changes/improvements
bob
I also have some of the basic Cman and they range from decent to nice
I have the made in china Cman pro small pliers and they seem to work well. interestingly I was at the local farm show (ag equipment trade show) and there was a gut there selling tools that had the same small pliers that did not say Cman pro but were identical. I an sure they are the manufacturer and sears just has the labeled fro them without any changes/improvements
bob
creatureofthewheel
Active member
take a look at Wiha pliers too. ive had great luck with the Basic line, spring for the hard chrome, ergo handled models if u use them a lot. i have some of the Channel lock compound diaganol cutters and they work very well. craftsman slip joint pliers with the black grip have failed me since new! the $%$#% handles touch at the non work end and slip off my work all the damn time leading to countless bloodblisters the size of a healthy grape on my palm. i should just throw them away but i cant bring myself to do it.
GDA
Well-known member
Completely agree with this simple statement.
I got most of my ChannelLock pliers used (hint, very cheap!) but they are tough and well made.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
How about these Double X pliers from GearWrench? Anyone try them?
I have those. Nicest Chinese pliers I've ever used.
Several online retailers offer a 3 pc set of cobras 7", 10", & 12" for around 70.00. I bought the 3 pc set then added the 16" & 22" which are truly huge. The 7" seem to be my go to size for projects around the house. With the 10" I have loosened a frozen bleeder screw on a caliper I had in the vise that vise grips just went around on. Can't go wrong with the Knipex, I got rid of my cheap junk pliers when I got these and will never go back, don't miss the days of pinched skin and scrapped up knuckles from them slipping or changing adjustment on their own.
Dex,I do however really like the feel of the Klein lineman's pliers.
Are the lineman pliers at the lower right Kleins? If so, do you have any idea as to when they were made?
Here is my plier drawer too many discount and unknown ones here.. a couple of them I don't even know where I got them from.
The yellow handle ones (long neck set) don't take too much abuse but they are a life saver retreiving stuff.
I don't use pliers working on my cars so much (prefer visegrips if I needed to really gnaw at some parts).. so I can't justify to buy all USA expensive pliers.. a few cheap ones get lost in the attic or get drop in the dirt outside I won't need to cry over it.
The craftsman pro I just got, they have a clear coat on them to protect from corrosion overall the precision is nice. I like the craftsman pro mini's also but they are one of the rare ones not made in USA.
Thinking of adding this Thorsen set for $70 to try my luck..
The yellow handle ones (long neck set) don't take too much abuse but they are a life saver retreiving stuff.
I don't use pliers working on my cars so much (prefer visegrips if I needed to really gnaw at some parts).. so I can't justify to buy all USA expensive pliers.. a few cheap ones get lost in the attic or get drop in the dirt outside I won't need to cry over it.
The craftsman pro I just got, they have a clear coat on them to protect from corrosion overall the precision is nice. I like the craftsman pro mini's also but they are one of the rare ones not made in USA.
Thinking of adding this Thorsen set for $70 to try my luck..
Attachments
nope but but I found the few reviews I found here seems OK
http://www2.northerntool.com/product/200343050.htm
Ultimately if working at home it's definitely your own choice to spend $1-10 per pliers or $40 ...
They are craftsman professional made in USA
Brandon_Lutz
Well-known member
All of the Channellock stuff I find is made in USA. At least plier wise.I've never seen an imported plier made by them, or are you referring to some of their new "tools" like those socket sets you can buy at Sams?
Unlike other tools I use and will use , in my opinion, I would only settle for USA made pliers or equivalent. I would not go for branded pliers made in the far east. Are Channellock Pliers all made in the USA? They are highest on my purchase list because of this and if they are manufactured somewhere else then I guess I should be looking more closely again at other products.
Try search for craftsman professional pliers
here is a link
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=craftsman+professional+pliers
It appears I have the set of 6 that would cost $99.99
but I came to that set by other smaller kits
Merkava_4
Banned
The Alligator doesn't have the push button lock. I've used both and the Cobras are easier to use. The price difference is negligible too.
Merkava_4
Banned
I think you should forget about the set of C-man pliers and buy some high quality pliers from a mix of American and German manufacturers. That's my opinion; what you do with it is entirely your choice.
Ok... How about these for starters ...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t..._shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A3SKJE188CW5XG&v=glance
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t..._shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A3SKJE188CW5XG&v=glance
Merkava_4
Banned
That's a nice set; however, if I were buying them for me, I wouldn't like the nose pliers because of the short handles.
You can do a lot of things with the 10 inch. I've got the 7 inch and I use those a lot too. Knipex are ultra high quality; there's no comparison between them and C-man.
Merkava_4
Banned
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
That's also my opinion. If you shop on aktoolsonline.com, you can get knipex at a very nice price, and free shipping over $200. They aren't that much more than Craftsmam pro's, and a hell of a lot better.
Agreed. I bought my knipex set for home, and as soon as I get the dough, all my Craftsman Pro, SK, Mac pliers are going bye-bye to make room for more Knipex. HUGE difference in fit (jaws have very little play even wide open), the teeth grip MUCH better, and I've done so many things to them where I think "oh ****, there goes the teeth", and they look new. My other pliers just haven't held up to the use.
How about this one , are these better than the standard vise grips ..i mean in terms of handle grip
http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.co...9-2DAE-43C9-89D5-9045EC0358D9}/qx/product.htm
http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.co...9-2DAE-43C9-89D5-9045EC0358D9}/qx/product.htm