when do you use pliers vs wrench / sockets
- Thread starter PoorOwner
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quad shop
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Senior member 1688 posts. 
Anyways as a absolute last resort on some thing that is compleatly rounded. Sockets and wrenches where made for a reason to take nuts and bolts apart. Pliers and vice grips where ment to hold stuff
Anyways as a absolute last resort on some thing that is compleatly rounded. Sockets and wrenches where made for a reason to take nuts and bolts apart. Pliers and vice grips where ment to hold stuff
Its because I have never really used pliers to take anything off, except for some stripped flare nut on a brake line, after someone didn't use a flare wrench, I guess..
So just got me thinking, how important is it to get good quality pliers?
So just got me thinking, how important is it to get good quality pliers?
Also, have you been to some one's house to fix something, their only tools are a hammer, a linesman plier, a needle nose pliers. Sometimes they have a cordless drill, but it only has 1 drill bit. 
and if you are lucky, you will find a single pair of channel lock pliers
and if you are lucky, you will find a single pair of channel lock pliersCodyY
Well-known member
Wow.
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Nocturnal-G
Well-known member
Knipex pliers wrench
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
If I'm replacing a fastener and can't get anything but pliers in there I'll use pliers. I'll round the hell out of them both coming out and going in; I'll try to use an open end on it going back on usually it'll go on no problem. Yeah that leaves me at square one sometimes but for the fact that a new fastener is usually in better condition than a ten year old one. Sometimes it's a **** shoot. If you f- up you're out a buck or two.
Why you think I'm looking for kiwi pliers boss?
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
If you're an electrician I'm thinking they're not. Good pair of needlenose an electrician would probably give their first born for.
For a mechanic...you need them sometimes but usually there is more than one way to get stuff done. Usually the pliers would be last resort territory.
Tell all your electrician buddies that the MAC P92S is the bomb.
The Muffin Man
Well-known member
As someone who deals with large and small electrical work frequently, I strongly disagree. The pliers that I need have to be precise, not have any play in the joints, ergonomic, and of course durable. Searching high and low only a very select few brands meet these requirements and rest assured they are super high end and very expensive. But they are worth every penny.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
If I'm dealing with a fastener, never. If it's stripped then one form or another of vise grip generally, and no I don't consider vise grips to be "pliers"
I DO use different breeds of pliers a lot, for forming things, for holding things (think wire wheel or hot, or welding at times) for electrical or electronic work. For squeezing things together, etc... Having the best set for the purpose makes for a lot less frustration over trying to use "compromise" pliers, so I have a LOT of pliers, in endless configurations and styles. Just the difference between long needle nose or shorter ones depending on the need is night and day...
And the difference between cheap pliers and good ones is no different than any other tool. Good pliers do the job better. Again, less frustration.
I DO use different breeds of pliers a lot, for forming things, for holding things (think wire wheel or hot, or welding at times) for electrical or electronic work. For squeezing things together, etc... Having the best set for the purpose makes for a lot less frustration over trying to use "compromise" pliers, so I have a LOT of pliers, in endless configurations and styles. Just the difference between long needle nose or shorter ones depending on the need is night and day...
And the difference between cheap pliers and good ones is no different than any other tool. Good pliers do the job better. Again, less frustration.
dadsEH
Well-known member
In my experience, vise grips generally destroy whatever you attach them to. Working on cars, I use the heck out of my duck bill pliers, tho I couldn't honestly tell you what I use them for.
My initial attempt is always sockets, wrenches always come second.
Knipex plier wrenches deserve a special category. They are the worlds best adjustable wrench and can rival a proper open end at times (because you can squeeze the fastener I.e. zero play between wrench and fastener).
Every other plier is a tool to help you hold something awkward. That's not say that isn't an important job. I think expensive/good quality pliers destroy stuff less than cheapies.
My initial attempt is always sockets, wrenches always come second.
Knipex plier wrenches deserve a special category. They are the worlds best adjustable wrench and can rival a proper open end at times (because you can squeeze the fastener I.e. zero play between wrench and fastener).
Every other plier is a tool to help you hold something awkward. That's not say that isn't an important job. I think expensive/good quality pliers destroy stuff less than cheapies.
ddawg16
Well-known member
Right tool for the right job......
About the only thing I use pliers for is to hold something while I'm grinding on it.
About the only thing I use pliers for is to hold something while I'm grinding on it.
Farmall450
Well-known member
PVC threaded fittings are another spot where I use Channellock type pliers around the house. Cleanout plugs, the nut on a p-trap, 2.5+ nuts and fittings around swimming pool pumps. Not a lot of torque needed for any of these applications.
joebachor
Well-known member
you re funny !
3 at 8
Well-known member
Never fear, this is GJ. If you want to grab a nut with pliers you must use these $50 Bahco nut gripping pliers
neophyte
Well-known member
Never fear, this is GJ. If you want to grab a nut with pliers you must use these $50 Bahco nut gripping pliers
Aren't those designed for some sort of aviation fastener, or maybe for rigging?
CodyY
Well-known member
The correct answer is to TIG weld a nut to the top of the damaged fastener and remove with the proper socket.
Duh
Duh
False! Air hammer solves all problems.
My boss has an Integra he's been restoring. He seems to use an air hammer for freaking EVERYTHING. It boggles my mind. If anyone knows what the "***** pin" is on a honda shift linkage, he told me he removed that with an air hammer. There is now a running joke at the shop if you're ever having a difficult time with absolutely anything and you ask me for advice, I always recommend the air hammer.
But on topic I never use pliers for nuts or bolts with a few excetions. For rounded fasteners, gripping the nut on a through bolt, and sometimes when adjusting tie rods.
only time I use pliers on a nut or bolt is A. if it is already buggered up and a socket or wrench won't take it off, or B. when I had my motorcycle and I was broke down on the side of the road the leatherman might come out if it was something I could fix or at least rig to get me home.
Like my dad always said, proper tool for the job. Pliers and vise grips are not the proper tool for the job unless that job is holding a couple pieces of metal together for something, or removing a broken/rounded bolt.
If he caught me using a crescent wrench on my bicycle I'd get a lecture, especially if I was using it with the jaws pointed the wrong way. That is a double whammy, first, why are you using it the wrong way, then second, why are you using a crescent wrench when you should be using a wrench.
If he caught me using a crescent wrench on my bicycle I'd get a lecture, especially if I was using it with the jaws pointed the wrong way. That is a double whammy, first, why are you using it the wrong way, then second, why are you using a crescent wrench when you should be using a wrench.
Never fear, this is GJ. If you want to grab a nut with pliers you must use these $50 Bahco nut gripping pliers
Could be. Who knows. If they where under $20 I might actually try them just to counter hold rusty ehxaust nuts.