Pliers Wrenches” vs. Water Pump Pliers

[minke]

In the spirit of the threads like “tools for the car” I’ve been wondering about the suitability of “pliers wrenches” as an alternative to “water pump pliers”.

We all know the mechanical advantage that comes from length. Do these two types of pliers have equivalent “grasping force” from hand pressure on the “tangs”? Since I have never held one I have no idea.

Pliers example:
https://www.zoro.com/knipex-water-pump-pliers-7-14-in-87-01-180-sba/i/G2259923/
Pliers wrench example:
https://www.zoro.com/knipex-pliers-wrench-86-01-180/i/G702634654/

If the ability to grasp is about the same then the advantage goes to the pliers wrench except for price.

Is it that simple?

 

[bscman]

Pliers wrenches generally have smooth jaws, and act more like an adjustable wrench.
Not really pliers persay.
The two aren't really interchangeable.

That being said, I've found the leverage applied by pliers wrenches to be surprisingly high.
Also, you don't have to squeeze both handles and grip while your torque (like you would with water pump pliers).
Once they're adjusted and gripped on a fastener you don't really need to squeeze, just rotate like a wrench--you can completely let go of the inside handle and just push on the outside handle.

 

[Indexmill]

"Once they're adjusted and gripped on a fastener you don't really need to squeeze, just rotate like a wrench-"

That's an important piece of information right there.

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

I remember when I saw Star Wars in ‘77 at the big mall-theater place in Lake Jackson tx. and Han Solo asked Chewie to bring him the Hydrospanner , I went, wait, what?…you mean the Water Pump pliers?. …proves how you misrember things over time, that scene was in “Return of the Jedi “. Unless we remember the past we are condemned to relive it…

 

[Qualitytools]

"Once they're adjusted and gripped on a fastener you don't really need to squeeze, just rotate like a wrench-"

That's an important piece of information right there.

The Plierwrench and the Cobra have this feature. As already said above the comparison is unequal due to the fact that the Plierwrench having smooth jaws.

 

[American Locomotive]

Pliers wrenches can exert quite a bit of force, about 10x the pressure on the end of the handle. So you can pretty easily wind them up to over 1000 pounds of force.

But they won't grip round pipes since they're smooth parallel jaws. I use mine as a replacement for adjustable wrenches and for sheet metal work.

 

[JradM]

The pliers wrench is one of those tools that seems too good to be true - but it's really that useful.

Think of all the infomercials you've seen where some new gadget can replace a whole toolbox ful of tools. The pliers wrench maybe doesn't go that far, but it CAN substitute for a combination wrench set 90% of the the time (so long as there's room). There are many occasions where this "multi tool gadget" is actually better - because of the squeezing action, it's great for rusty fasteners for example.

It's also handy for squishing, holding, bending, pressing tasks. It is easily my favorite hand tool. I can emphasize though - I also struggled to see how some flat jaw pliers with a pivot could be useful, until I finally bought a pair.

They can substitute for regular pliers at times - but they do not have the same range of motion without clicking between positions and using them as pliers will be quite a bit slower. Some tasks won't be possible at all - I'm thinking of trying to loose a radiator hose spring clamp. The pliers wrench opened far enough to grab the tabs, wouldn't close enough to take the hose off.

Smooth parallel jaws also don't grip round things near as well.

Generally I don't think you can replace pliers with a pliers wrench - but you could replace a combination wrench set with them.

 

[M635_Guy]

I have multiples of both, and use them both consistently, but agree there's essentially no overlap.

The pliers wrenches have relegated the adjustable/Crescent wrenches to the 'family tools' cabinet, and the cobras have entirely replaced my Channellock equivalents.

If I'm going somewhere with tools, I have at least one of each.

 

[JradM]

I have multiples of both, and use them both consistently, but agree there's essentially no overlap.

The pliers wrenches have relegated the adjustable/Crescent wrenches to the 'family tools' cabinet, and the cobras have entirely replaced my Channellock equivalents.

If I'm going somewhere with tools, I have at least one of each.

That's a good point. I hardly ever use a regular adjustable wrench anymore, even though I have nice ones. The only thing I can think of is as a backer wrench when I'm not working beside my tool boxes and I'm not sure of the size. Even then, I'm probably more likely to take two pliers wrenches of different sizes with me.

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

Hydrospanner

 

[RAS61]

Plier Wrenches sound great, who makes good ones, or is Knipex the best way to go?

 

[minke]

Thanks very much. There are two issues that I really found interesting.

One: It doesn’t require much force compressing the handles. That was my major concern for it’s usability. I guess that the cam/lever next to the fulcrum has the mechanical advantage responsible for this.

Two: The range of motion (at a given setting) is limited. Again,,, I guess that the cam/lever next to the fulcrum has the mechanical advantage responsible for this.

I’m convinced that I should have one each in the truck. The pliers wrench will be the smaller one.

Thanks again,

 

[JradM]

Plier Wrenches sound great, who makes good ones, or is Knipex the best way to go?

Yeah, Knipex is still the best as far as I can tell. Irwins are the worst - they're bulky and don't open far enough to "ratchet" over fasteners.

Wiha is made well-enough (apparently "Maximum" may be a clone), but it doesn't have a push-button adjustment. Instead you open the handles fully and then slide the jaw into position. That's not a huge compromise, but I'd prefer the button.

Gedore and Gray have version too - but not cheaper or better. Until there's a new competitor, I think Knipex remains the default.

 

[JradM]

One: It doesn’t require much force compressing the handles. That was my major concern for it’s usability. I guess that the cam/lever next to the fulcrum has the mechanical advantage responsible for this.

Yep- because the top handle moves the lower jaw, you naturally squeeze the jaw as you push on the pliers wrench. The effect is that, in use, you really don't need to think about squeezing.

 

[bscman]

I’m convinced that I should have one each in the truck. The pliers wrench will be the smaller one.

Thanks again,

Good call.
The smallest pair of pliers wrench makes there way into a lot of guys EDC kit (every day carry).
There are several people making custom leather belt holsters for the mini pliers wrench. Small tool with HUGE ability.
A must have IMO. My most used seems to be the 7 1/4 size.

 

[Qualitytools]

Plier Wrenches sound great, who makes good ones, or is Knipex the best way to go?

Knipex is the way to go. There are knock off around but I would stick with the original.

 

[928'er]

It depends, do you want to tighten/loosen things - or do you just want to round them off?