Proto Pliers. Not worth the $.

[Dzmax77]

Steel quality is probably good, but fit and finish is garbage. Gaps, uneven tips, tight and uneven tip and center point making opening and closing difficult.

I’ve seen Chinese tools that work better and don’t have these fit finish issues. What Stanley Plant/Factory are these made from?

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

Hate to say it but so typical these days, even from U.S. made legacy brands. I've had to sort through every one on the hang peg to find a good pair sometimes. That's why I don't like buying certain things online. I like to pick out the good ones.

 

[Dzmax77]

Hate to say it but so typical these days, even from U.S. made legacy brands. I've had to sort through every one on the hang peg to find a good pair sometimes. That's why I don't like buying certain things online. I like to pick out the good ones.

I did get them on Ebay and Amazon and I wonder if these are the rejects that someone got cheap and are flipping. Still, quality control shouldn’t have let these to leave the factory.

 

[Dzmax77]

Can I get these replaced by Proto? Their customer service warranty site isn’t too user friendly.

 

[fourjeepin]

Send them back if you aren't happy

 

[kngelv]

I know I’ve said this multiple times on these forums. Proto are great for wrenches, sockets and ratchets but under no circumstances should one buy their pliers. Complete junk and I don’t understand why.

James

 

[d.mcfarland]

Ouch.

 

[ive]

Who makes the pliers for them?

 

[ive]

I did get them on Ebay and Amazon and I wonder if these are the rejects that someone got cheap and are flipping. Still, quality control shouldn’t have let these to leave the factory.

Well said.

 

[neophyte]

Who makes the pliers for them?

Proto is owned by Stanley/Black&Decker, and likely makes most of their own US made pliers in one of their own plants.
One of the Stanley owned Plants/Brands even specialized in pliers from what I recall.

 

[Fedwrench]

Who makes the pliers for them?

Most of the US made Proto pliers are made by Wilde.

 

[Dzmax77]

I know I’ve said this multiple times on these forums. Proto are great for wrenches, sockets and ratchets but under no circumstances should one buy their pliers. Complete junk and I don’t understand why.

James

I see that now. And they’re not cheap.

 

[measuredtwice]

I think there was a manufacturing change. The old Proto pliers with the cross hatched jaws were excellent pliers.

You might take a look at Klein. For small needle nose pliers, Klein does an EXCELLENT job. The little 6 inch that I bought are perfect.

Proto does make excellent sockets and ratchets.

 

[Skin]

Most of the US made Proto pliers are made by Wilde.

You sure? I thought a fair number were Pro-America. In either case Stanley doesnt seem to own any domestic plier manufacturing. Even MAC are imported, Knipex, Channellock, Wilde, or Facom.

 

[Dzmax77]

You sure? I thought a fair number were Pro-America. In either case Stanley doesnt seem to own any domestic plier manufacturing. Even MAC are imported, Knipex, Channellock, or Facom.

You may be right. Pro-America does some rebranding, probably most for SBD. I’ve never seen anyone use Pro-America branded tools.

 

[Dzmax77]

I think there was a manufacturing change. The old Proto pliers with the cross hatched jaws were excellent pliers.

You might take a look at Klein. For small needle nose pliers, Klein does an EXCELLENT job. The little 6 inch that I bought are perfect.

Proto does make excellent sockets and ratchets.

I have another pair of Engineer Needle Nose but they’re mostly for electronics and don’t have a serrated end.

Pic of my plier collection.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

I think there was a manufacturing change. The old Proto pliers with the cross hatched jaws were excellent pliers.

You might take a look at Klein. For small needle nose pliers, Klein does an EXCELLENT job. The little 6 inch that I bought are perfect.

Proto does make excellent sockets and ratchets.

I have the 7 inch version of those Kleins and they are very well made.

 

[DerekV]

Dang, those are embarrassing

 

[jgromada]

Couldn't disagree more. I have close to 30 Proto pliers with about 15 that i bought within the past 3 years. All are fine. For comparison I also have new Knipex & Klein & NWS. So maybe you got some "seconds" as someone suggested.

 

[Dzmax77]

I called Proto earlier and explained the problems to customer service. They’re sending me new ones. I’ll post pics of them once I get them (if I get them)...

 

[ex-x-fire]

When ever I see laser etched tools I assume they are a 2nd tier tool.

 

[Dzmax77]

When ever I see laser etched tools I assume they are a 2nd tier tool.

Aside from Knipex, most are going that route, even Klein and Snap On.

 

[Steve_P]

Pro America definately makes some of Proto's pliers. I purchased a long reach Proto plier and it was obviously the same mfg as a similar Pro America I have

 

[Skin]

Aside from Knipex, most are going that route, even Klein and Snap On.

Knipex is actually the worst. On a lot of pliers the model number is silk screened on the handle sleeve and lasts about a day before it's gone. Etching is a step up from that.

 

[Steve_P]

Both Knipex and NWS print on the model number; and I don't think anyone would consider them second tier. At least NWS isn't on the grip.

 

[upgrading]

Are Proto locking pliers still COO Spain ?

 

[Fedwrench]

Are Proto locking pliers still COO Spain ?

Yes, if you're speaking of the rebadged Grip-ons.

 

[upgrading]

Thanks.
I couldn't think of the name Grip-on, I just remembered they were made in Spain.

 

[Dzmax77]

They sent replacements. The 223G long needle nose are a little better but the 229-03G pliers they sent are worse. Its like they are locked into place, cant open them single handed. Who ever is on the Proto needle nose plier line needs to be fired.

 

[Taco Truck]

They sent replacements. The 223G long needle nose are a little better but the 229-03G pliers they sent are worse. Its like they are locked into place, cant open them single handed. Who ever is on the Proto needle nose plier line needs to be fired.

Get some really fine sand from a craft store. Put some of it in the joint with some 3 in 1 oil and work the action. It'll loosen them right up. Sounds like ********, but I've used this method several times, and it always works.

 

[davethorik]

Aside from Knipex, most are going that route, even Klein and Snap On.

This is my newest pair of Knipex. Laser etched and the lettering on the grips.

 

[ironbuilt]

I bought a set of pliers off the MAC truck years ago that were misaligned just like that. Makes you wonder if there is any QC in these factories. Thankfully, the toolman replaced them. I have taken quite a liking to Knipex as of late. Worth the extra money, IMO.

 

[ZRX61]

Well poop, this thread had made me realize my duckbill pliers are awol & it's probably been years since I last saw them.
Probably replace with ChannelLocks.

 

[four.cycle]

You sure? I thought a fair number were Pro-America.

My understanding from a phone conversation I had a few years back with Proamerica was that they were making "some" of Proto's pliers. That's as much information as I was able to extract regarding Proto.
I do know that the majority of Proamerica's product is produced for other companies - they don't seem to be much concerned about direct sales to the consumer.

 

[Davefr]

I bought a set of pliers off the MAC truck years ago that were misaligned just like that. Makes you wonder if there is any QC in these factories. Thankfully, the toolman replaced them. I have taken quite a liking to Knipex as of late. Worth the extra money, IMO.

Knipex screws up too:

They sent replacements. The 223G long needle nose are a little better but the 229-03G pliers they sent are worse. Its like they are locked into place, cant open them single handed. Who ever is on the Proto needle nose plier line needs to be fired.

Sometimes stiff pliers just need to be broken in. SO's can be stiff at first until they're used a few times.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

You may be right. Pro-America does some rebranding, probably most for SBD. I’ve never seen anyone use Pro-America branded tools.

I have a ProAmerica socket that I bought to replace a cracked CMan USA. Pro America labeled tools are mostly gov't contracted tools. KAL tools are the same company.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I know Wilde makes Proto's slip-joint pliers. I have a Wilde pair at home and a Proto pair at work. They are flush joint and are identical, except the Proto handle is more orangish-red, with the Proto logo in the inside of the handle.

The Proto pliers cost nearly twice the price, so go with Wilde, who also used to make Craftsman flush slip joints, which were really good. I know slip-joint pliers have fallen out of popularity, but I still think they have a place as general-purpose grippers.

For needle nose, diagonal cutters, and Linesman pliers, I go with Klein. However Channellock is also quite good and also USA-made.

I do love Knipex combination pliers, which are handy and reasonably priced.