Selecting the Right Pliers for the Job

Pliers Safety Tips

When using any tool, always wear safety glasses for eye protection.

Keep in mind that slip-joint pliers are called that because they can slip during use.

Pliers should not be used for cutting hardened wire unless specifically manufactured for this purpose.

Never expose pliers to excessive heat. This may draw the temper and ruin the tool.

When using cutting pliers, always cut at right angles. Never rock from side to side or bend the wire back and forth against the cutting edges.

Don’t bend stiff wire with light pliers. Needle-nose pliers can be damaged by using the tips to bend too large a wire. Use a sturdier tool.

Never extend the length of handles to secure greater leverage. Use a larger pair of pliers or a bolt cutter.

Discard any plier that is cracked, broken, sprung or has nicked cutting edges.

Pliers should not be used on nuts or bolts. A wrench will do the job better and with less risk of damage to the fastener.

Oil pliers occasionally. A drop of oil at the hinge will lengthen tool life and assure easy operation.

Unless specified as insulated handles, the cushion grips on pliers are not intended to give any degree protection against electric shock and should not be used on live electric circuits.

Box-Joint Pliers

General utility tool with up to eight adjustments, allowing for jaw openings up to 4-1/2".

Either multiple hole or tongue-and-groove designs available.

Straight and curved jaws are available.

Most common type of box-joint (multiple slip-joint) is 10" water pump pliers.

Crimping Pliers

Multi-purpose electrician's pliers to crimp solderless connectors, strip most common gauge wire, cut and hold or bend wire.

They also have sheaving holes that cut common sizes of screws without deforming threads.

Cutting Pliers

Can be side, end or diagonal types.

Side cutters have a cutting blade on one side only and are available in long-, curved- and short-nose types.

End cutting nippers have cutting blades on the end and are used to make sharp, clean cuts close to the surface on wires, bolts and rivets.

Diagonal cutters have two cutting blades set diagonally to the handle. They offer leverage when pulling cotter pins and are used by mechanics and electricians for general cutting.

Fence Pliers

Used to pull and cut staples in fencing and other work involving wire.

Only tool needed for work on wood or metal posts.

Feature flat, heavy head for hammering, staple-pulling hook, wire cutters on each side and pliers jaws to pull wire.

Linemen's Pliers

Also called electrician’s pliers. Used by professionals engaged in electrical, communications and construction work.

Used for cutting, holding, shaping and twisting wire.

Heavy-duty, side-cutting pliers designed for all regular wire-cutting needs.

Have gripping jaws in addition to cutting edges.

High-leverage lineman’s pliers have rivet placed closer to the cutting edges to provide more leverage.

Two head patterns are available: standard (bevel nose) and round nose, which is more streamlined.

Sizes range from 6-1/4” to 9-1/4”.

Locking Pliers

Adjustable, vise-type locking pliers that can be locked on to a work piece and operate like a clamp.

Features an adjustment screw that changes the jaw size to apply the correct clamping pressure.

Available in various sizes and shapes: curved jaw puts pressure on any style nut or bolt head; curved jaw with wire cutter also allows user to cut wire; straight jaw provides maximum contact on flat, square or hex work; long nose provides easy access in hard-to-reach places; large jaw is used by plumbers, welders and mechanics working with large objects; and bent nose is for work in tight places.

Some use a mechanism that allows one-handed release; others require two hands to disengage.

Needle-Nose Pliers

Also called long-nose pliers, they have a pointed nose for doing work in tight places.

Used frequently for electrical and electronics work.

Most have side cutters for cutting wire.

The jaws and cutting blades meet evenly

Midget Pliers

Include straight, chain, round, end-cutting, diagonal-cutting and flat-nose pliers in extra-small sizes.

Used by professionals such as electronic technicians who work with small objects in confined areas.

Self-Adjusting Pliers

Feature an adjustable pivot with handles that allow compound movement.

They have deep teeth and curved jaws that stay parallel as the handles are squeezed.

Designed to provide additional leverage and gripping power.

Slip-Joint Pliers

General utility pliers with two jaw-opening size adjustments.

Used to tighten and loosen nuts and bolts.

Some have a shear-type wire cutter to cut small-gauge wire.

Available in regular or thin-nose design to reach into tight places

Thin-Nose Pliers

Also called bent-nose pliers, since the nose is bent at about an 80-degree angle so it can be used to grip and force wire through odd angles or reach around objects.

Provide firm grip on fine work in tight places.

Feature serrated jaws.

Tongue-and-Groove Pliers