Renewing damaged or broken pliers

[KnurledNut]

I came across these Williams 5" diagonals that someone had snapped the tip off one side. Nice little pliers with undamaged cutting edges, just needed some TLC. A few minutes of grinding made what was destined for the trash, like new again. Hard to tell they have been touched up:



These Snap-on 17C had the cutting edges blunted but not heavily damaged. I decided to turn them into flush cutting end nippers. After a few minutes freehanding:


Anyone else rescued blighted pliers?

 

[The Cobbler]

good job on the resurrections

 

[Dave455]

Nice work - particularly the 17C’s.

I’ve never had any luck re sharpening cutters, but never thought about turning them into flush cutters. Brilliant idea.

I think flush cutters might actually work better for me as end cutters than side cutters, but I don’t own any.

 

[cody1325]

I **** at trying to fix cutting edges. Tried multiple times, only to make matters worse.

 

[Skyman]

Nice work salvaging those two cutters. I especially like your conversion of those end nippers into flush cutters.

As one who can't stand to see useful tools left to die a sad death, I've "rescued," resuscitated and rehabbed more than I could count. I've had a life-long Tool Jones, and I have a particular affinity for pliers, especially vintage, high-quality, made-in-USA examples. But, I'll attempt to salvage nearly any pliers that come my way, without regard for their condition or country of origin. Many of those I've rehabbed were rusted solid at their hinges.

 

[KnurledNut]

Nice work - particularly the 17C’s.

I’ve never had any luck re sharpening cutters, but never thought about turning them into flush cutters. Brilliant idea.

I think flush cutters might actually work better for me as end cutters than side cutters, but I don’t own any.

Thanks.
As many here are well aware, the old Snap-on cutting pliers used high quality steel and were very well made. I personally think the ergonomics and finish of times past was superior to current production.
It's always interesting to pay attention to the spark pattern of different steels when grinding. I am no metallurgist, but a trained eye can tell a lot about the content.
I don't think Snap-on offers end cutters any longer.

 

[RTM]

I’m 2/5 in renewing damaged cutting edges on diagonals, 4/5 on end cutters. Converting a pair to flush cutters is a great idea.

I’ve never tried fixing frozen pliers, only those that were a bit stiff.

If it’s a good name, and $1, I’ll try to rehabilitate.

 

[Skyman]

Kroil can work miracles on frozen pliers hinges. Other penetrating lubricants can also work, but Kroil is excellent. For general rust removal, Evaporust can be a great friend unless there’s a black oxide finish that you wish to preserve.

 

[KnurledNut]

Another one I forgot about.
Diagonal pliers with trashed cutting edges.
New jaws from brazed in carbide inserts.

 

[NHtoolguy]

I came across these Williams 5" diagonals that someone had snapped the tip off one side. Nice little pliers with undamaged cutting edges, just needed some TLC. A few minutes of grinding made what was destined for the trash, like new again. Hard to tell they have been touched up:



These Snap-on 17C had the cutting edges blunted but not heavily damaged. I decided to turn them into flush cutting end nippers. After a few minutes freehanding:


Anyone else rescued blighted pliers?

I rescued an unloved Snap-on 17C end nipper the same way you did! I have also reground the tips on multiple diagonal cutters, both Klein and Snap-on.

 

[Beerhippie]

Another one I forgot about.
Diagonal pliers with trashed cutting edges.
New jaws from brazed in carbide inserts.

That's going above and beyond!

I hereby nominate you for the Tool Hoarder's Medal Of Honor.

 

[fourjeepin]

I’ve got a pair of damaged channel lock linesman pliers that I’ve been hanging onto for a few years thinking I’ll find a use for them. So far, just collecting dust; I don’t have the skills of @KnurledNut

 

[Indexmill]

Another one I forgot about.
Diagonal pliers with trashed cutting edges.
New jaws from brazed in carbide inserts.

Now, you are just showing off.

Wow.

 

[KnurledNut]

I have shown these here before, but here is a pair of Klein D203-8’s that I modified around a decade ago. They quickly became a favorite on the job. The two pin gripping zones are a huge advantage. The perpendicular one near the tips work a treat for looping solid copper wiring without damaging it. The parallel one finds all kinds of uses.