What's the difference?

[FiendFX]

Is it worth that extra $30?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X4MOF2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X4KNTG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[91bronc300]

The alligators are a lot like tongue and groove pliers. You open the jaws way wide to free up the mechanism and then slide it to wherever you want it. They have the same drawbacks as tongue and groove pliers. If they happen to open up way wide while you are using them they lose their place on you and if you open them way wide to adjust them and then try to close them while they are between detents then they bind on you.

The cobras can be adjusted in any position by pushing the button. They can't actually be adjusted from completely closed but anywhere between slightly open to all the way open then you can push the button and adjust the pliers. Also, once the button snaps back into place the mechanism is locked into place and the pliers will not lose their adjustment until you push the button again.

Cobras are awesome in my opinion (I have 4) and I wouldn't buy the alligators.

 

[bahcoswed]

They have a push button and are much much easier to get the right size, alligator are little more difficult to do that so in my head they are worth the extra! EASILY

 

[FiendFX]

i've heard in the past the locking mechanism has problems?

 

[91bronc300]

i've heard in the past the locking mechanism has problems?

With the Cobras? I've never had any trouble with the locking mechanism myself and I use those pliers a lot. The cobras and pliers wrenches are some of the best tools from a top-tier tool maker. Must have tools IMO.

 

[Wamsutta]

i've heard in the past the locking mechanism has problems?

Not mine they don't. More to the contrary, bullet proof.

 

[MikeF2316]

I bought a pair of each last fall. The Cobras are the ones I always grab now for all the reasons outlined by 91bronc300. I won't be buying any more Alligators.

 

[FiendFX]

thanks much guys! ordering it from zoro

 

[91bronc300]

thanks much guys! ordering it from zoro

If you can wait until the 20th of this month Zoro will be doing a $40 off a $150 dollar order from 4-20 through 4-26.

 

[Fedwrench]

As others have mentioned, the push button feature makes for speedy jaw adjustment on the cobras. Depending on vintage, the cobras may also open wider than the alligators. The alligator jaws are a little thicker. I own both styles but, I favor the alligators.

 

[Joe B.]

Many years ago I used the 12" Alligators professionally when working on fire sprinkler systems. (I kept them stuck in my belt whenever I was working. If you use them every day you can get the right flick of the wrist down that allows you to adjust the size with one hand while holding the grip end of the pliers. There is no way the Cobras could be as fast or easy. That said, people that don't use them regularly may not be able to develop this skill. Considering they are pliers and not precision wrenches, the fewer adjustment increments don't matter much.

I don't find the push button adds any value.

 

[Joe B.]

The other thing I would add is that I don't see much value to the 10" size. The 12" has only a slightly larger head but has a good bit more strength and leverage. I almost never find myself using the smaller size either.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I have encountered older Cobras (push button) with much coarser teeth than the current production. The alligators are, by their very nature, somewhat on the coarse side as far as adjustment, but they still work Ok. I have a set I bought at the flea market (alligators) that are private labeled with a different name, but are the same pliers.

The other thing I would add is that I don't see much value to the 10" size. The 12" has only a slightly larger head but has a good bit more strength and leverage. I almost never find myself using the smaller size either.

Depends on the job at hand. I work in Aviation, and when Lowes sold off the combo pack of 10" and 12" Cobras for cheap, I went to virtually every store in central GA and East Alabama and bought all I could find on the shelves and on the overhead too. I sold several dozen sets to guys at work, they all preferred the 10" and some even wanted me to break the sets just to get the 10". I did once and had a difficult time selling the odd 12".

Charles

 

[Joe B.]

Depends on the job at hand. I work in Aviation, and when Lowes sold off the combo pack of 10" and 12" Cobras for cheap, I went to virtually every store in central GA and East Alabama and bought all I could find on the shelves and on the overhead too. I sold several dozen sets to guys at work, they all preferred the 10" and some even wanted me to break the sets just to get the 10". I did once and had a difficult time selling the odd 12".

Charles

Fair enough. I was probably working a lot larger/less precise stuff. Still, for around the house & car, I still like the 12" better.

 

[FiendFX]

i'm using for automotive use and for home. Small one could be handy. A got the snap on channel lock, don't like it much.