A Guide to Choosing Pliers - Handyman Tools

This professional guide aims to assist both beginners and professionals in understanding and selecting the right pliers for their specific tasks. It provides a comprehensive overview of the various types of pliers, their applications, how to choose the right one, and tips on maintaining them.

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Understanding the Different Types of Pliers

Pliers are versatile hand tools designed for gripping, bending, cutting, and manipulating objects with precision and control. The most common types of pliers include slip-joint pliers, needle-nose pliers, lineman’s pliers, diagonal pliers, and locking pliers. Slip-joint pliers feature an adjustable pivot point that allows users to increase or decrease the jaw size for various tasks. Needle-nose pliers have long, pointed jaws ideal for reaching into tight spaces and holding small objects. Lineman’s pliers, also known as combination pliers, have cutting edges near the pivot point for cutting wires and gripping objects. Diagonal pliers, or wire cutters, have angled jaws for cutting wires flush without leaving sharp edges. Locking pliers, also called Vise-Grips, have a locking mechanism that holds objects in place, making them ideal for hands-free work. Each type of pliers serves a specific purpose, so understanding their unique features and applications is essential for choosing the right tool for the job.

How do the various features of pliers affect their performance?

The performance of pliers is greatly influenced by their design features, materials, and construction. Understanding how these various aspects affect their functionality can help users make informed decisions when selecting the right tool for the task at hand.

• 1. Jaw Design:
  The jaw design of pliers plays a crucial role in their performance. Pliers with serrated jaws provide a better grip on objects, preventing slipping during use. Smooth jaws, on the other hand, are ideal for working with delicate materials to avoid marring or damaging the surface. Additionally, the length and thickness of the jaws determine the tool’s strength and durability, with thicker jaws offering increased cutting power and longevity.
• 2. Handle Ergonomics:
  The ergonomics of the handles significantly impact the comfort and ease of use of pliers. Handles with non-slip grips reduce hand fatigue and improve control, especially during prolonged use. Some pliers feature cushioned or insulated handles to provide additional comfort and protection against electric shock. The length and shape of the handles also affect leverage and maneuverability, with longer handles providing greater leverage for tougher tasks.

Which Pliers Should You Choose for Specific Tasks?

When it comes to selecting the right pliers for specific tasks, it is essential to consider the unique requirements of the job at hand. Different types of pliers are designed to excel in specific applications, offering users versatility and precision in their work.

For gripping and twisting tasks, needle-nose pliers are an excellent choice due to their long, slender jaws that provide access to tight spaces and offer a firm grip on small objects. These pliers are commonly used in electronics, jewelry making, and intricate mechanical work where precision is key.

On the other hand, lineman’s pliers, also known as combination pliers, are ideal for heavy-duty tasks such as cutting, twisting, and gripping thick wires and cables. With their robust construction and cutting edges, lineman’s pliers are well-suited for electrical work, construction, and general repairs that require strength and durability.

For cutting tasks that involve wires, cables, and other materials, diagonal cutting pliers, also known as wire cutters, are the go-to tool. These pliers feature sharp, angled cutting edges that provide clean cuts without crushing or deforming the material. Diagonal cutting pliers are indispensable in electrical work, jewelry making, and wire crafting projects where precision cutting is essential.

How to Maintain Your Pliers

Proper maintenance of your pliers is essential to ensure their longevity and optimal performance. To keep your tools in top condition, it’s important to regularly clean them after use to remove dirt, grease, and debris that can affect their functionality. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe down the pliers and remove any residue that may have accumulated during use.

Additionally, it is recommended to lubricate the pivot point and cutting edges of the pliers with a light coat of oil to prevent rust and corrosion. This simple step can help extend the life of your pliers and ensure smooth operation when using them for various tasks.

Inspect your pliers regularly for signs of wear, such as loose joints, dull cutting edges, or bent tips. Address any issues promptly by tightening loose screws, sharpening or replacing dull blades, and straightening bent parts to maintain the integrity and functionality of your pliers.

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Pliers, a jewelry making essential with an overwhelming amount of options. Have you ever looked at a pair and had no idea what it's purpose is?!? We've all been there! 

This article is sponsored by our friends Gesswein! They sent me some awesome pliers from a company called Xuron. What I love about Xuron is they are made in Maine, the quality is excellent but the price points are middle of the road. They are much nicer than economy pliers but affordable. Okay, let's do this!

Hard Wire Cutters

The tool I didn't know I needed, these are perfect for cutting steel binding wire! Previously I would cut my binding wire with a cheap pair of flush cutters that were quickly getting destroyed (when you cut steel binding wire with steel cutters the blades get messed up over time.)

These also cut both sides of your wire pretty flat so if you wanted to use them on silver or gold and quickly get two relatively flat sides, they work great!

Maxi-Shear™ Flush Cutter

A pair of flush cutters is an essential in my book. I have owned many, many pairs and this one from Xuron is a work horse! They can cut up to 12g wire on soft metals. For example brass, copper, silver and gold. Did you notice the little ™ on the name? That is because the blade edges bypass each other in a shearing motion rather than striking, resulting in clean square cuts with no spikes. Your blades stay sharper and last much longer than conventional nippers because there is no edge-to-edge impact.

Xuron Metal Shear

A heavy-duty pair of scissors that can be used for cutting sheet metal up to 20g thick. Iif you are a fan of using sheet solder you can use these to cut your own solder chips! They also cuts jump rings leaving a flat end on both sides. I was able to cut through a coil of 20g jump rings and it left both sides pretty flush not quite as perfect as sawing through them slowly but this saves a HUGE amount of time. There is also a built-in return spring which always brings the blades back to the open position.

Xuron Short Nose Chain Pliers

These Short Nose Pliers are similar to the Flat Nose in their shape however they have shorter jaws. These would be primarily used for closing jump rings, and bending smaller items. For many jewelers we may not find a need for these smaller flat nose pliers however I do like how easy they are to maneuver and because they are on the smaller side they make working with smaller pieces easier. If you’ve tried to close a tiny jump ring with a really large pair of pliers you know what I mean