precision pliers

[Txchevy18]

It seems I've been doing alot more technical electrical repairs at work lately and my full size pliers just aren't cutting it. The newer cranes are getting more complicated than the space shuttle it seems.

I've done some research and it seems the brands to look for are xcelite, xuron, Lindstrom, and knipex.

xcelite-It seems I can pick up a set of 6 nib for about $100 on ebay
Xuron -used go for about $15
Lindstrom - very little used in good condition. about $15 used. $40 new
knipex - set of 5 about $250... ouch... nothing used.

I did find some made by Irwin with a nice zip case for $140 but, a little digging I found them for $50 on sale.

Any thoughts? I know Irwin is now import but, with a price like that it makes me want to think they are of higher quality. I looked but, can't find ay coo information on them. I like the case due to me working out of my service truck 50% of the time.

If they're junk I'll just stick to the known quality ones.

I'm also considering an Irwin set for the truck and maybe a higher quality set for my shop box.

Thanks guys.

 

[Danglerb]

My only "set" is the $8 HF, which I use a lot, but I have dozens of good pliers and cutters. What you need depends a lot of the type of repairs, most of those cutters for example I think are only really needed on circuit boards.

What sort of wiring are you doing on a crane?

I like some of the nice multifunction tools electricians use, cut, strip, form, crimp all with the same tool. Like the Snap-on PWCS7.

 

[PrecisionTools]

You might be interested in the discussion here...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104287

 

[vintagefan]

I had that set quite a while ago.

For $50, it's actually quite a good little set, they are imported, but as far as imported precision pliers go, they're pretty reasonable quality.

The absolute BEST value for USA made precision pliers that are readily available and can be found immediately without deal hunting, are Pro America brand pliers. You can get a 6pc set with case for only slightly more than the set you posted above.

Here's a blog post about them by All-spec.com (also a good place to buy them)

http://blog.all-spec.com/2011/03/esd-safe-cutters-and-pliers-by-pro-america-tools/




edit: I wanted to mention, if you're only looking at cutters, the scope broadens significantly. When you start to include other styles of pliers, though, you have a much more limited selection in the lower price range. There is also xcelite, but many of their lower cost pliers are now imported, although still good in quality.

The reason Pro-America wins for me is because they are the only brand that offers many different styles, all at an affordable price, and all USA made. You can find other options, but you'll be doing a lot more work to get to a complete set.

 

[Txchevy18]

Hmm. pro America. I'll have to look them up.

as far as uses - circuit boards, terminal strips, wiring harnesses, data network connections, Onboard control panels and switches, and more. These rigs have gotten 10x as Complex as a car or truck. The average crane now has a minimum of 3 separate computer control systems running at once, our truck cranes have 7. They all communicate on a high speed data network.

thanks for the tips guys.

 

[Txchevy18]

Is this the set you were referring to?? They look very similar to a set my dad used to have.

I like some of the nice multifunction tools electricians use, cut, strip, form, crimp all with the same tool. Like the Snap-on PWCS7

I love those pliers. I've 3 sets of them. (worktruck , Shop and the house)

 

[vintagefan]

Is this the set you were referring to?? They look very similar to a set my dad used to have.

I love those pliers. I've 3 sets of them. (worktruck , Shop and the house)

Yeah that is one of the sets. They have a few different sets, there's also some 4pc. ones that are only $50.

They have really nice squishy grips. They're similar to the vinyl foam they use on Snap-on pliers, which is one of the reasons I love Snap-on pliers so much. My old employer used to buy them amongst several other brands, and they never let us down.

They certainly aren't the finest money can buy, but I would say they probably are the finest money can buy in that price range.

 

[Txchevy18]

Works for me, I would rather go with a good quality made tool from the usa any day of the week. I have quite a few snap on pliers so these will fit right in. Now to decide which set to get, seems there's only two suppliers for these.

Thanks

 

[vintagefan]

Works for me, I would rather go with a good quality made tool from the usa any day of the week. I have quite a few snap on pliers so these will fit right in. Now to decide which set to get, seems there's only two suppliers for these.

Thanks

I think you'll probably be happy with them. My old boss used to buy the tapered flush cutters ten at a time; they were what all of the technicians got used to, and nobody wanted to use anything else, everyone would always be stealing them from each other.