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Pliers - please help me decide

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Lightning

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If you are willing to spend a little more, Knipex makes some really nice pliers. They have a very large selection also.
 
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philw

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It would probably be hard to beat those prices unless Sears has a sale. I have some black handle Craftsmans and they are OK but they seem to rust easily and the grips like to retain dirt/grime. I prefer smooth grips, they are much easier to wipe down. I have a pair of the Craftsman needle nose and both of them are loose in the joint now.

I have switched over to Channellock, Klein and Snap-on in the past few years. The Craftsman set is a solid set especially if your on a budget.
Here is a set of Channellocks I found:
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/CHA-5PCKIT.html
 
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Lightning

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Pliers are espeically rust prone, but you can prevent this problem by spraying with silicone lubricant.
 
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Merkava_4

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And you don't have to buy tools in sets either; buying tools one at a time gives you the opportunity to scrutinize the quality better.
 
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SocketDeviler

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I've sold a lot of nice used Klein sets on ebay for much less than retail price (some near new). If I were to lay out dough for pliers I'd go that route.
 
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Uncle Buck

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JayL

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Thanks for your replies.

Actually I already have the Xcelite Pliers for my electronic needs and I really do love these that I don't want to use them for working on cars. . I am looking for something more suited and useful for automotive use. Import tuning in particular. Is the Facom pliers set Made in USA? If I am going to put up a custom set of 4 or 5 pliers what are the types and sizes that I should get, not necessarily from one manufacturer?

regards to all ....
 

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kartracer55

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ChannelLock By far. They are a great product at a great price, made here for something like 100 years and I have never had an issue with a pair of channel locks. Sure, they arnt the fanciest german laser cut toothed needle nose pliers, but I have done a lot of work with these things, as Im sure a lot of other guys on here have as well. Then again, I take that back because channel lock does laser harden the cutting edges on their cutters.

I have regular channel locks, cutters, needle nose, bull nose etc. Good stuff, HomeDepot sells a 5 pieces set for just shy of 40$ which I recommend as a good starting point. On a side note, I love my snap on cutters, and would probably recomment getting a pair of high leverage cutters for more "abusive" jobs. Knipex and klein deliver an excellent product, along with snap on, I believe Channel lock would make them as well, I just had a pair already.

On another note, I have some craftsman pliers as does my dad, and they definitely get the job done, so I wouldnt regret buying them either.
 
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Lightning

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There are other companys that make great pliers beside Snap On. Shop around to find the best prices. When they get wet spray them with lubricant to prevent rust.
 
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Mike83

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I do not like Channelock pliers grips. They are quality, and some are great for the price, but I personally love the Snappy pliers grips and the fact that the needle nose have a nice thick end, not prone to breaking. I had a black handle Cman pair that broke the first time I used them. They sucked imo. Go for used Snappys and you will love them!
 
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Merkava_4

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Why don't we talk about one type of pliers at a time? There's no way I can recommend a brand for all types of pliers because there's not a brand that's excellent in all types.
 
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nissan_crawler

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Lightning said:
If you are willing to spend a little more, Knipex makes some really nice pliers. They have a very large selection also.
Click to expand...

Merkava_4 said:
Check out some Knipex and Klein first.
Click to expand...

x3 on knipex. The four long needlenose are Sunex, the one long skinny pair of dykes are Snap-On, everything else is Knipex.

DSC00716.jpg


aktoolsonline.com has excellent prices and customer service on knipex. They can get the ENTIRE line, so just because it's not on their website, it doesn't mean they can't get it.
 
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JayL

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I checked the price, looks reasonable and yes I would need something that can cut hard metal. what can you suggest to complete the set? nothing special just the basics, 3 to 5 pieces. is it better to get all knipex?

I don't see these two pliers in the picture from your box, do you have another drawer with pliers?

thanks a lot ...
 
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Merkava_4

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JayL said:
I don't see these two pliers in the picture from your box, do you have another drawer with pliers?

thanks a lot ...
Click to expand...

Here's my pliers drawer. Those tin snips are very old, but I have them sharpened in a way to where they'll cut paper. ;)

DSCN1890.jpg


Here's a short list of necessary pliers:

- long needle nose
- diagonal cutters
- slip joint pliers
- common pliers
- duck bill pliers
- terminal crimps
- wire strippers

Here are some brands I'd recommend:

- Snap-on
- Knipex (cobras are a must have)
- Klein
- Ideal (terminal crimps and automatic strippers)
- MAC (only the U.S. made)
- Channellock
- Armstrong
- Irwin (tin snips)
- Sargent (open barrel terminal crimps)
- Grip-on (locking pliers)
 
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JayL

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Just as I suspected. There must be another drawer of pliers.

What's special about the Knipex Cobras and what size is most usable.

Looks like its better for me to buy the pliers one at a time rather than going for a set.

Pardon my inexperience. I just started an automotive course as a hobby. Actually I work in the computer field.

thanks again
 
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Merkava_4

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JayL said:
What's special about the Knipex Cobras and what size is most usable.
Click to expand...

They have a spring loaded push button that automatically locks the jaw width adjustment in place when the button is released. And ... they are of superb quality. Start with the 12 inch.

Buying individual pliers one at a time is the best way to get the best from each manufacturer.

If you need anymore recommendations on individual types of pliers, just ask. ;)
 
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Joe B.

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JayL said:
What's special about the Knipex Cobras and what size is most usable.
Click to expand...

Merkava_4 said:
They have a spring loaded push button that automatically locks the jaw width adjustment in place when the button is released. And ... they are of superb quality. Start with the 12 inch.
Click to expand...

The 12" is the way to go. The smaller sizes have about the same head size but less leverage.

The Knipex Cobra/Alligator pliers have very hard and sharp teeth when compared to other pliers. They really bite into whatever you are trying to grab. You can even use them as a pipe wrench in a pinch.

The Knipex Alligator pliers are the same as the Cobras but have a different hinging mechanism. I like the Alligators better but that is a personal preference.


There was a good thread on the Knipex pliers here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14926&highlight=knipex+alligator+cobra
 
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JayL

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Ok for now I already have some vise grips, a channel lock tongue & groove and a few so so pliers. I'm in need of an upgrade. For starters I'll go with the Knipex. Which one is better or most useful?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X4OGNU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X4OGNU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.co...3-BA91-4851-88ED-8EFBA29ED7E8}/qx/product.htm

or maybe

http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.co...3-BA91-4851-88ED-8EFBA29ED7E8}/qx/product.htm

I see that there are comfort grip models too ...probably you have a better suggestion ... for a 12" and a good online supplier too

tks
 
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JayL

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My plan now is to go with Channellock for the basic ones like the cutter and the long nose. If I get these 2 pliers plus the Knipex then I think I would in a better position.

Currently I have an Orbis Cutter and a Long nose. These are German made but does not fall into the more upbeat ones they manufacture.
 
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Merkava_4

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A lot of manufacturers make nice nose pliers, but for some strange reason, they all have such short length handles; that's why I like the MAC's because they have long handles for me to grab with my big hands.
 
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MAD

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The top left five piece set (45128) from this Harry Epstein link are the original black handled Craftsman pro pliers. I have owned a set of these for a long time. They are great. The cutters from this series that I own are better than my Klein 2000 series cutters on hard stuff like cotter pins. This tells me these are not just standard Craftsman pliers with fancy handles.

Link:
http://www.harryepstein.com/craftsmantoolrobogrip.htm
 
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JayL

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I forgot to ask. What sizes for Cutter and Long Nose to choose for my first "real" plier set.

thanks again to all of you. this forums makes acquiring tools a real joy and a well informed decision.
 
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