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Tekton push button adjustable pliers pliers?

mikebaker1129

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I wonder if they are going to be bringing in any more of the NWS line ?
Fantastico diagonal pliers or the Lineman’s pliers?
 
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Bigblue&Goldie

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Even here in Germany, NWS isn't really a common brand name and not that easy to get. This is because they are a classic white label manufacturer that primarily produce for other brands. So nothing wrong with buying rebranded versions.

M.Jay, where are you located in Germany? Where do you typically shop for quality German (or Euro) made mechanic's tools?
 

CHI_Tool&Die

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I think that KC Tool will warranty German tools. I don't know if it covers tools you buy from them or any German tool brand they sell.
My only problem with KC Tool is that I have to pay to ship in the warranties and they have the right to refuse. I’m not against either policy in and of themselves, but I’d like to know that if I’m dropping the change to ship an item that it will be accepted and warrantied out. It’s why I prefer Tekton (just snap a photo) or the tools trucks and Harbor Freight (just bring it to the driver/service desk) because I get an answer immediately. Also, it’s a pain in the **** to warranty large items via shipping. If I trash a German tool, I usually junk it and order another from KC Tool anyways.
 

KnurledNut

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Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Fedwrench. I hadn't noticed this release yet.

I have the original discontinued NWS-made 10" Klein Classic Klaw. They had smooth dipped grips. I carried these at work along with the same size Cobra and I really liked the design and function, but I found the teeth were a little soft and the notch at the tip of the top jaw was more of a hindrance than a help on a few occasions. The 5" and 7" dont have this.

54950624357_446d2e794f_b.jpg1764341546565.png

I would like to try the 16". I have Knipex, but I see some benefit to the double step jaw and I am really liking that ribbed handle.
1764344118145.png
1764344072906.png
 
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lardy1

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Maybe off topic but I have both the Alligator type in both Knipex and Klein and the Cobra type in Knipex and prefer the Alligator type adjustment. I just can't get myself to like the push button adjustment in either the water pump pliers or the Pliers Wrench. I find that adjustment type to be awkward and annoying.
 

M.Jay

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M.Jay, where are you located in Germany? Where do you typically shop for quality German (or Euro) made mechanic's tools?
I live in the Stuttgart Metro area and just go to the nearby Hornbach if I need something quick. They carry the usual suspects: Knipex, Wiha, Witte, Halder, Inbus, Rennsteig...
But availability changes and prices aren't that good most of the times, which is why I find myself buying stuff from specialized online retailers (Hoffmann/Contorion, tuulzone, gotools) most of the times.
 

Bigblue&Goldie

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I live in the Stuttgart Metro area and just go to the nearby Hornbach if I need something quick. They carry the usual suspects: Knipex, Wiha, Witte, Halder, Inbus, Rennsteig...
But availability changes and prices aren't that good most of the times, which is why I find myself buying stuff from specialized online retailers (Hoffmann/Contorion, tuulzone, gotools) most of the times.

We were just there for Cannstater Wasen. I might be back in May to go to Nürburgring with a buddy, and I'd like to check out some tools. My wife is never inclined.....
 

Skyman

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Maybe off topic but I have both the Alligator type in both Knipex and Klein and the Cobra type in Knipex and prefer the Alligator type adjustment. I just can't get myself to like the push button adjustment in either the water pump pliers or the Pliers Wrench. I find that adjustment type to be awkward and annoying.

I have a number of Knipex with the pus-button adjustment. They work well enough, but I always feel a little clumsy when trying to adjust them to the desired setting.
 

Hakeem

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Maybe off topic but I have both the Alligator type in both Knipex and Klein and the Cobra type in Knipex and prefer the Alligator type adjustment. I just can't get myself to like the push button adjustment in either the water pump pliers or the Pliers Wrench. I find that adjustment type to be awkward and annoying.

I agree. The main benefit of the push button style to me is that they hold their size so if you’re going to be working with one size of something, say pipe or conduit, you won’t have to readjust them. Otherwise, i find them a bit fiddly to get the proper size. Usually takes me 2-3 tries. The snapon style of these, where they can be adjusted without a button makes a lot of sense to me and I want to try a pair.

Honestly I still prefer Channellocks …
 

sparky 1971

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Maybe off topic but I have both the Alligator type in both Knipex and Klein and the Cobra type in Knipex and prefer the Alligator type adjustment. I just can't get myself to like the push button adjustment in either the water pump pliers or the Pliers Wrench. I find that adjustment type to be awkward and annoying.
I don't like using Cobras in the shop for that very reason, I prefer my Channellock 420's out there.. Where I love the Cobra is at work for conduit; set them for whatever size conduit I'm running and go without them becoming unadjusted like the 420's would every time I put them down. My first Knipex were Alligators and I didn't care for them but didn't really give them much of a chance. I had gotten to the point I could adjust my Channellock's with one hand but couldn't get the hang of it with Knipex.
 

Steve_P

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Ugh, I hated the adjustment method of the Alligators; I had one pair, rarely ever used them, and eventually gave them away. It was probably just from using Channellocks for decades prior, but I also greatly prefer the Cobras over Channellock style adjustment. Yes, the Cobras can be a little finnicky, but that's because you probably have 5X the adjustment selections. The NWS adjustment looks a little bit wider spaced, so maybe that will make them easier to adjust, yet still have plenty of selection.
 

dscheidt

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^ That's an American thing, and a carry-over from the old days of the "no questions asked" Craftsman warranty, and yes, it is completely unrealistic and unreasonable.

So is "they worked once, so they can't possibly be defective", which is the position of many German manufacturers, even when presented with clear evidence of manufacturing defects, like porous castings, or slag inclusions in forgings.
 

nh_yota

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Sears didn't go bankrupt because of the Craftsman warranty- c'mon, tools were a tiny part of their sales. They sold everything from socks to riding mowers. The market changed to online purchases and they didn't adapt. I know everyone here thinks that Craftsman hand tools was all that Sears sold, but that was probably 5% of the square footage of their store.
Sears went bankrupt because Eddie Lampert purposely ran it into the ground so he could strip it and sell off the parts.
 

AEAdam

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I agree. The main benefit of the push button style to me is that they hold their size so if you’re going to be working with one size of something, say pipe or conduit, you won’t have to readjust them. Otherwise, i find them a bit fiddly to get the proper size. Usually takes me 2-3 tries. The snapon style of these, where they can be adjusted without a button makes a lot of sense to me and I want to try a pair.

Honestly I still prefer Channellocks …
I think I don’t love V jaw pliers. The plumbing I’m doing involves no metal pipe. And for everything else (mechanica) I prefer straight jaw pliers.

One more mention. I just want to rain a little on the German plier love fest. I don’t love KNIPEX. Cobras are thin jawed and a bit rattly. The Snap on arc joint pliers are very very nice tools. Beefy handles and smooth tight joints. I also like Channellocks but my dikes **** the bed. I think quality is spotty. I bought a new set of duck bills and despite needed so deburring, they are pretty sweet.I think the pivot on my dikes rotated and they became very stiff.

And since it’s now a GJ requirement to own a tool to post here, I have many many KNIPEX pliers, several sets of cobras, push buttons and alligators. I can provide photographic proof upon request.
 

seber

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I don't own a pair of the Tektons and I am not a fan of the push button on the several pairs of that type that I do own. Just because there are too many stops and always seem to be wrong anyway. But the exposed spring on the Tekton looks like a guaranteed failure point to me.
 
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rust in the eye

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That's only because you guys over there have a very unique interpretation of warranty. Expecting to get a tool replaced for free when it's worn out or got abused is unreasonable.
Many of those sellers (esp Craftsman) advertised and made their brand with a no questions asked warranty. Agreed about abuse but everyone's definition of that varies so......
 

SouthernIllinois

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Jan 14, 2024
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I have only recently started buying Tekton sockets and Torx and hex bit sockets.

So far I have been happy with them.

A set of Torx bit sockets showed up with a broken clip on the socket rail - Submitted a claim with a picture on their website, within 20 minutes I had a reply and 3 days later I had a pick of new socket rail clips.

There are some things I am dead set on brand loyalty

Ratchets - Snap On and Matco
Pliers - Knipex and Snap On
Screwdrivers - Snap On

For sockets, bits, wrenches, I am a little more willing to experiment with other brands and so far, I have no reason to complain about Tekton however I have only used their sockets and Torx bits.
 

daithi

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Canada
That's only because you guys over there have a very unique interpretation of warranty. Expecting to get a tool replaced for free when it's worn out or got abused is unreasonable.
I bought a not-cheap set of Gedore circlip/snap ring pliers. Literally the first time one I used one of the sizes it broke - tip snapped right off. Using as intended, on an appropriate sized snap ring. Gedore were useless, Amazon.de were useless.

So yeah, I'm not dropping hundreds of dollars on any brand of tools unless they have a good warranty policy.

Tekton and Astro Pneumatic have both gone above and beyond for me in the past - I would go so far as to say that they make our local SnapOn rep and their warranty policy look like a joke. For that reason I will keep buying Astro or Tekton tools if/when they release something I need/want.

As for the German tools... I have some Knipex and I really like them. But manufacturing defects happen, no matter the brand, and if they're as sticky on warranty/customer service as Gedore then that makes me think twice about spending more on their premium priced tools. If Tekton want to rebadge any Knipex pliers I'd probably buy them right away.
 

CHI_Tool&Die

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I think I don’t love V jaw pliers. The plumbing I’m doing involves no metal pipe. And for everything else (mechanica) I prefer straight jaw pliers.

One more mention. I just want to rain a little on the German plier love fest. I don’t love KNIPEX. Cobras are thin jawed and a bit rattly. The Snap on arc joint pliers are very very nice tools. Beefy handles and smooth tight joints. I also like Channellocks but my dikes **** the bed. I think quality is spotty. I bought a new set of duck bills and despite needed so deburring, they are pretty sweet.I think the pivot on my dikes rotated and they became very stiff.

And since it’s now a GJ requirement to own a tool to post here, I have many many KNIPEX pliers, several sets of cobras, push buttons and alligators. I can provide photographic proof upon request.
The Wilde tongue and groove pliers are way better than the Channellock pliers. And you can purchase them through Tekton and have that insanely good warranty. If you go through the Wilde website, order the flush pliers which are even better because the rivet is gone.
 

four.cycle

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The Wilde tongue and groove pliers are way better than the Channellock pliers. And you can purchase them through Tekton and have that insanely good warranty. If you go through the Wilde website, order the flush pliers which are even better because the rivet is gone.
^ Yes.
you can get a Wilde 10-inch groove joint (plain steel handles) for $10 bucks from Harry J. Epstein
8 inch "flush fastener" slip joint $16.55 / Harry Epstein
10-inch "flush fastener groove joint vinyl handles $22.25 / Harry Epstein

This thing from Tekton, though, is a completely different animal. Apples and oranges to the conventional angle-jaw groove joint everyone is so familiar with.
 
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Fedwrench

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Got a text today from Tekton saying their 12 & 16 inch push button pliers were in stock now and ready to ship should anyone need larger sizes.


 

four.cycle

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Got a text today from Tekton saying their 12 & 16 inch push button pliers were in stock now and ready to ship should anyone need larger sizes.
I'm waiting to see what my "Secret Santa" victim @Caleb T thinks about the 10-inch pair he got for Christmas.
I only took them out of the package to take a look at them, so I have no clue how they function under the hood of a car.
Seems odd they'd make them in a 16-inch size. I have a pair of 16-inch groove-joint, angle-jaw pliers and they're ungodly awkward to use.
 

Bagherra

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Virginia Beach, VA
Maybe off topic but I have both the Alligator type in both Knipex and Klein and the Cobra type in Knipex and prefer the Alligator type adjustment. I just can't get myself to like the push button adjustment in either the water pump pliers or the Pliers Wrench. I find that adjustment type to be awkward and annoying.
I feel the exact same way....
 

NMTrailboss

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Sep 18, 2024
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Tekton's socket page says that 'extra shallow' and 'semi deep' sockets are coming out soon too. Appears they will both be available in 3/8" drives and semi deep only in 1/4" drive. Curious to see these!
 

Callelle

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Depew NY
The mid length sockets interest me. Even though I already have mids in all sizes in my box at work, I wouldn't mind cheap mids to take in the Jeep and not have to take both shallows and deeps and slim down what I have on me. I hope the extra shallows are something more than just another company copying nanos.
 

NMTrailboss

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The mid length sockets interest me. Even though I already have mids in all sizes in my box at work, I wouldn't mind cheap mids to take in the Jeep and not have to take both shallows and deeps and slim down what I have on me. I hope the extra shallows are something more than just another company copying nanos.

From Tekton's website:

1768617032474.png
 

Caleb T

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Upstate NY
Hey everyone! I'm finally chiming in after taking the time to get a solid feel for the Tekton pliers I received from my SS @four.cycle .

I had been wanting to get a set of Cobra style pliers after losing my favorite (Craftsman professional) pair many years ago.

So let me start out with what I've actually used them for more than anything else... It's an odd task for these, but they work extremely well for it- removing crushed, smashed, and just plain STUCK oil drain plug washers. Particularly the aluminum ones where you can grab ahold of a bit of meat. I clamp them down, and then spin the plug out with a ratchet.

I used them for braking loose small to med sized hoses, spring clamps, adjusting inner tie rods (rusty vehicles that will get marred up no matter what you use).

I really like them, and may get another size in the future! I like Tekton as a whole, and have several of their tools in my work box. I know there seems to be love/hate with Tekton much like HF... My personal experience with the company has been good, and the items I have purchased or used have been good and competitive.

So- overall I've really enjoyed them! It was a slot that needed to be re-filled in my toolbox, and I haven't been disappointed. (Thanks @four.cycle!)
 
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