which lineman pliers to get?

[JradM]

https://www.kctool.com/felo-63817-high-leverage-linemans-pliers-9-5/

Neat! I'm happy to be wrong - at least there will still be a source when the Irwins run out.

Although that just emphasizes my point that they're a bargain in Irwin garb. I actually like the Irwin grips too. Etchase linked to them on Amazon for $29.40 - which is a lot more attractive than these Felo-branded versions for $78.34 (which is more like what they should sell for). However, Felo is a better option if you want people to actually notice how nice your linemans are...

P.s. I admit Klien and Channellock linesman pliers make better hammers, but I prefer everything else about the NWS.

 

[benny27]

I have been in the trade for 28 years as well and I was always told “not to knock the little man off the pole”.

I have had a pair where the joint peined tight, but some oil out of the threader and opening and closing them a bunch of times fixed it.

I like the D-2000’s, but I put on the Tenite grips.

Why did you replace the grips? They do look nice I booked marked them if I need to replace a grip some day. I do tend to like dipped grips.

 

[brownbagg]

the one i got that i thought was stanley was vice grips, with the bent handle

 

[sparky 1971]

I have been in the trade for 28 years as well and I was always told “not to knock the little man off the pole”.

I have had a pair where the joint peined tight, but some oil out of the threader and opening and closing them a bunch of times fixed it.

I like the D-2000’s, but I put on the Tenite grips.

When I started, everyone had the tenite grips on their linemans, dykes, and long nose so I did to. I hated them. I don't know why, but they just don't feel right. I also hate the Journeyman style handles. I like dipped, and when the vinyl starts peeling away at the end, I buy a new pair. I go through the long nose fastest because I use those to blow out the knockouts in boxes.

 

[ecotec]

When I started, everyone had the tenite grips on their linemans, dykes, and long nose so I did to. I hated them. I don't know why, but they just don't feel right. I also hate the Journeyman style handles. I like dipped, and when the vinyl starts peeling away at the end, I buy a new pair. I go through the long nose fastest because I use those to blow out the knockouts in boxes.

I just like the Tenite grips on the Lineman’s. I like the dipped D-2000 dykes and the yellow dipped smaller more rounded handle needle nose. I like the Klein Kurve strippers (not the heavy duty ones).

It is always worth it to get the D-2000 Lineman’s and dykes.

As far as Channellocks go… I preferred the 10” Knipex Cobras… but we are only insured for so much… and I went back to 440’s.

As far as tin snips go… I like the Malco Max 2000 yellow.

I have gotten really picky, over the years, about pliers.

These… plus Channellocks are the pliers I carry every day. And a pair of Olfa scissors for cutting labels to size and Velcro and such.

 

[ecotec]

Why did you replace the grips? They do look nice I booked marked them if I need to replace a grip some day. I do tend to like dipped grips.

Often, they are replaced when the dipped coating is damaged and the pliers are still good.

 

[Chumly]

How did I get stuck on concrete work

going to be for electrical work

 

[jsmeece]

Wow, those Irwin NWS lineman pliers are going for $80 plus on Ebay. I bought several of these when my local Lowes had them on clearance several years ago. I think I got 3 pair for less than $9 each. Also got some of those (6 pairs) bent needle nose pliers. Gave three needle pliers as Christmas gifts that year, but keep 3 for myself. My wife makes jewelry and I gave her a pair of those Irwin NWS lineman pliers so she could cut beading wire, she says that work great. Oh well, could have made a good profit if I had know these were so sought after.

 

[brownbagg]

my favorite pliers are the harbor freight needle nose, they like 18 inch long, great for picking up that one bolt in the engine bay

 

[toplessHO]

I have been in the trade for 28 years as well and I was always told “not to knock the little man off the pole”.

I have had a pair where the joint peined tight, but some oil out of the threader and opening and closing them a bunch of times fixed it.

I like the D-2000’s, but I put on the Tenite grips.

my first pair of 9NEs were $4 and the red grips were .90
I still remember ripping open a soda can,filling with water and heating over a fire to soften the grips for installation.
I believe I still have those 53 yrs later.

 

[ecotec]

my first pair of 9NEs were $4 and the red grips were .90
I still remember ripping open a soda can,filling with water and heating over a fire to soften the grips for installation.
I believe I still have those 53 yrs later.

Wow. The cutters on them cut after all that time?

 

[gahrajmahal]

Darn you benny27!



now I can replace my channel locks. Somehow the cutting jaws has a big missing spot with what looks like welding flash. Wonder how that happened?

 

[nadogail]

My first pair of Lineman's pliers were made by Boker.

Klein Toois are the "Gold Standard" that all others are compared to.

 

[KnurledNut]

Somehow the cutting jaws has a big missing spot with what looks like welding flash. Wonder how that happened?

Ask my Knipex insulated long nose pliers. They know the story of what happened.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I would not concern myself with the Vise-Grip-branded pliers made by NWS. They are not worth the money that they are selling for, and were always overrated IMO.

Klein and Knipex make the best ones. Snap-On makes good ones too, but they are expensive, and no better than Klein.

For a budget option, there's Channellock. Maybe Doyle, but the price is so close, you may as well get the Channellocks.

Get a cheap no-name/HF/junk brand to act as decoys on your tool bag.

 

[ecotec]

The few guys that I know that have Snap-on lineman’s pliers got theirs for free. They were on a job where tools were required to be tethered. They got Williams screwdrivers with a tether ring and Snap-on pliers with tether rings.

The Snap-on lineman’s pliers definitely rust more than Klein.

 

[redwrench60]

I do like having the crimper and steel fish tape puller. I like the Tenite grips on Linemans only also.

 

[ecotec]

I have one pair of 9” heavy duty J-2000-59 diagonals with Tenite grips on them. I never use them, though. I just do not like them at all.

 

[redwrench60]

I have one pair of 9” heavy duty J-2000-59 diagonals with Tenite grips on them. I never use them, though. I just do not like them at all.

It’s funny you mention those J2000-59’s. I bought a pair when they came out thinking that they would be the best thing ever and ended up hating them too. I tried hard to like them but they are huge, awkward and just don’t cut well.

 

[Grokew]

Neat! I'm happy to be wrong - at least there will still be a source when the Irwins run out.

Although that just emphasizes my point that they're a bargain in Irwin garb. I actually like the Irwin grips too. Etchase linked to them on Amazon for $29.40 - which is a lot more attractive than these Felo-branded versions for $78.34 (which is more like what they should sell for). However, Felo is a better option if you want people to actually notice how nice your linemans are...

P.s. I admit Klien and Channellock linesman pliers make better hammers, but I prefer everything else about the NWS.

I wanted to find out if they made an NWS version, but only found the Felo one. They also make VDE pliers for Milwaukee, but for the european market.

 

[ecotec]

It’s funny you mention those J2000-59’s. I bought a pair when they came out thinking that they would be the best thing ever and ended up hating them too. I tried hard to like them but they are huge, awkward and just don’t cut well.

They feel all wrong. They are, also, ridiculously heavy.

Union electricians work out of hand boxes or bags, that we lock up in gang boxes at night. You cannot go too far overboard with the weight of your tools. Sometimes you have to carry them a half mile from your car to where your crew’s gang boxes are… sometimes over railroad bridges or other obstacles.

We really have to pare down our tools to the exact tools that we prefer to use. While tool lists are a good guideline… I could not function with only the exact tools on it. Everything you have needs to be well chosen.

The 9” Klein heavy duty dykes feel twice as heavy, and much bulkier than the normal ones. That is a problem.

 

[webscrounger]

FYI - I found a Menard's closeout deal for the Irwin Vice-Grip 9-1/2 Lineman's #1902415 for $12 (+tax & shipping). They appear the be the NWS Germay pliers. I ordered and assuming they are still in stock, should be on the way.

https://www.menards.com/main/tools/hand-tools/pliers-plier-sets/irwin-reg-vise-grip-trade-9-1-2-linesman-pliers/1902415/p-5239772153204408-c-9156.htm

 

[KnurledNut]

FYI - I found a Menard's closeout deal for the Irwin Vice-Grip 9-1/2 Lineman's #1902415 for $12 (+tax & shipping). They appear the be the NWS Germay pliers. I ordered and assuming they are still in stock, should be on the way.

https://www.menards.com/main/tools/hand-tools/pliers-plier-sets/irwin-reg-vise-grip-trade-9-1-2-linesman-pliers/1902415/p-5239772153204408-c-9156.htm

Super deal if its them! Let us know what you get!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Kleinnnnnn

 

[Etchase]

FYI - I found a Menard's closeout deal for the Irwin Vice-Grip 9-1/2 Lineman's #1902415 for $12 (+tax & shipping). They appear the be the NWS Germay pliers. I ordered and assuming they are still in stock, should be on the way.

https://www.menards.com/main/tools/hand-tools/pliers-plier-sets/irwin-reg-vise-grip-trade-9-1-2-linesman-pliers/1902415/p-5239772153204408-c-9156.htm

That is an amazing find!! Thanks. I guess. Did I really need a second pair. They are cheaper then two Big Macs is how I’m looking at it.

 

[webscrounger]

We'll see. It's good if they send what they advertise.

 

[webscrounger]

Update: "We'll see. It's good if they send what they advertise." I received them today and they are the 'Made In Germany' Irwin Vice-Grip 9-1/2 Lineman's #1902415. I don't know how many of these are left in Menard's inventory. I do have Klein Linemans but I couldn't pass this up.

Subtotal: $12.99
Processing Fees: $2.80
Shipping: $6.19
Tax Subtotal: $0.99
Total: $22.97




https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...-pliers/1902415/p-5239772153204408-c-9156.htm

 

[KansasArt]

my favorite pliers are the harbor freight needle nose, they like 18 inch long, great for picking up that one bolt in the engine bay

Needle nose plier thread 2 doors down

 

[Lt CHEG]

The NWS ship done sailed. That venture ended quite some time ago. Unfortunately.

I had no idea. I’m glad I got a few pair of the NWS Irwin’s when I did.

 

[sparky 1971]

Update: "We'll see. It's good if they send what they advertise." I received them today and they are the 'Made In Germany' Irwin Vice-Grip 9-1/2 Lineman's #1902415. I don't know how many of these are left in Menard's inventory. I do have Klein Linemans but I couldn't pass this up.

Subtotal: $12.99
Processing Fees: $2.80
Shipping: $6.19
Tax Subtotal: $0.99
Total: $22.97




https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...-pliers/1902415/p-5239772153204408-c-9156.htm

I ordered two pair and they showed it today. I don't care for the style of grip, but the pliers themselves are nice.

 

[redwrench60]

Since we’re posting our goofy Linemans, get a load of these Klein-Pex pliers I have. I know, I know…they are a bit of an abomination.

 

[webscrounger]

Looks like Menard's may have sold out of those Irwin 'Made in Germany' 9-1/2" Linemans (1902415) mentioned earlier that were on sale.

 

[KnurledNut]

Looks like Menard's may have sold out of those Irwin 'Made in Germany' 9-1/2" Linemans (1902415) mentioned earlier that were on sale.

They had a stat on there yesterday of how many had recently sold. It was a lot. Looks like your find wiped out their old stock. Just shows how many lurkers are on here...or thirsty resellers.

 

[65Goat]

 

[webscrounger]

They had a stat on there yesterday of how many had recently sold. It was a lot. Looks like your find wiped out their old stock. Just shows how many lurkers are on here...or thirsty resellers.

I just looked again today and they are listed as in stock. Not sure what happened yesterday. Still $12.99 with a Menards Rebate.

 

[Slednut]

I use my Kleins to pound in staples and other things so the weight is a big thing for me.

 

[Jmellc]

https://www.kctool.com/felo-63817-high-leverage-linemans-pliers-9-5/

For $80, they should be good. I hope you are good at keeping up with your tools. I try but have always moved around with them a lot and lose a few along the way.

 

[webscrounger]

I believe those Felo are from NWS. They look the same as the Made In Germany Irwins (1902415) with the addition of a crimper.

 

[Grokew]

For $80, they should be good. I hope you are good at keeping up with your tools. I try but have always moved around with them a lot and lose a few along the way.

I don't own them. And I wish I was better at taking care of my tools and equipment. Living in a high humidity place is just a constant battle with rust. Curiously, the only tools I seem to misplace the most are the flashlights. They seem to have a life of their own.