Pliers buying guide
Pliers buying guide
Introduction
Pliers are versatile tools that are handy for various tasks, making them essential for tradespeople and DIYers alike. But there are different types of pliers available, suitable for different uses, so it can be difficult to know which type you need. We can help.
This guide explains what pliers are used for and how they work. We list the available plier types and highlight the tasks they can be used for. Next, we advise how to store and clean them and share some key things to consider before buying. Finally, we answer some frequently asked questions.
What are Pliers Used For?
Pliers can be used for various tasks covering many professions and jobs and for DIY use. For example:
- Gripping: to screw/unscrew nuts and bolts or to pull out nails and staples.
- Bending and straightening: to grip, bend or straighten metal cabling or sheet metal.
- Splicing and stripping: in electrical work, pliers are used to strip insulation from wires and splice two wires together.
- Crimping: pliers can crimp two pieces of sheet metal to join them.
- Cutting: for example, cutting wires in electrical work or cutting the heads off nails.
How do pliers work?
All pliers are made from two lengths of shaped metal, which are joined together by a screw at a pivot point, creating a handle on one end, and jaws on the other. Although they come in different shapes and sizes, all have the same basic parts as follows:
- Jaws: the working head that opens and closes to grip or cut.
- Tip: the end part of the jaw is used to grip small objects and get into tight spaces.
- Pipe grip: the middle part of the jaws forms a hole for gripping pipe when the jaws are closed. It usually has small teeth for extra grip.
- Cutters: the bottom part of the jaws with blades for cutting wires and cables and stripping insulation.
- Pivot point: where the two handles meet and pivot to open and close the jaws. Also called the fulcrum.
- Handles: the part of the plier that’s held by the user.
All pliers work in the same way. First, you grip the handles to close the jaws around the object to be worked on. Then, when force is applied, the pliers increase the pressure exerted by the user, making it possible to manipulate the material easily.
Types of Pliers
In this section, we list the popular types of pliers used for various tasks. There are those suitable for different budgets, professionals and DIYers.
Combination pliers explained
Combination pliers are the most versatile options available as they’re useful for various tasks. They can be used to grip and tighten/loosen bolts, bend, twist, straighten and crimp metals and wire, cut cables and strip insulation from electrical cables. So, they’re an ideal multi-purpose tool for DIYers.
Different types available:
- Combination pliers come in different handle and nose lengths and can cut wires of different thicknesses, from 2.2mm up to 15mm.
Top things to consider:
- If you plan to use these for electrical work, consider buying a pair with VDE handles, a rubber insulated safety handle that protects you from accidental electric shocks.
- To choose which handle and jaw length you need, consider the task you are working on. If they need to fit into tight spaces, long handles and jaws are better than short ones.
Water pump pliers explained
Water pump pliers have a moveable pivot, which means one side of the jaw can be slid up and down the handle to increase the distance the jaw can open. The jaws are also offset at a 45-60 degree angle. So, why are they called water pump pliers? It’s because they are primarily used by plumbers and were often used to clamp a pump hub while the fan was unscrewed. In addition, the angled head and longer handles allow access to pipes in hard-to-reach places, and the adjustable, serrated jaw can grip pipes of different thicknesses. But water pump pliers aren’t exclusively used for plumbing – electricians and mechanics also use them for adjusting nuts and bolts.
Different types available:
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Water pump pliers come in different handle sizes, jaw opening sizes and jaw positions (although most have seven jaw positions). They can also be found under alternative names such as arc joint pliers, tongue and groove pliers, slip joint pliers, pipe spanners and ‘pumps’.
Top things to consider:
- If you use these for gripping pipes, consider the size of the pipes you’ll be working on. Jaw opening sizes range from 34mm up to 75mm. Also, look at the quality of the adjustment, as some can be adjusted more precisely than others.
- Look for ergonomic, soft grip handles for comfortable prolonged use.
Long nose pliers explained
Long nose pliers, also known as needle nose pliers, have long, thin jaws, allowing the user to have greater precision and access areas other types can’t reach. They also have short handles and slim profiles. So, what are needle nose pliers used for? Primarily, they’re used by electricians and engineers to carry out detailed work with wire, such as bending, gripping and cutting wires in confined spaces. But their flexibility and precision also make them an ideal choice for craftspeople and jewellery makers.
Different types available:
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These come in different handle and jaw sizes and cut different types and thicknesses of materials. They can also be found under alternative names such as needle nose pliers, pinch nose pliers and snipe nose pliers. There are also bent nose pliers available, which have a long nose that’s bent on the end for reaching wires at awkward angles.
Top things to consider:
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If you use these for cutting, check what material type and thickness you need to cut before buying. Some long-nose options can only cut wire, copper or plastic, while others are suitable for multiple types of materials. Cutting thicknesses can range from 1.6mm to 22mm, and some make bevelled cuts while others make angled cuts.
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If you plan to use these for electrical work, consider buying a pair with VDE handles, a rubber insulated safety handle that protects you from accidental electric shocks.
Side or diagonal pliers explained
Side or diagonal pliers are types of pliers specifically designed to cut. The cutting edges of the jaws are set at an angle or diagonal, hence the name. There is a slight difference in diagonal pliers vs side cutters, though. The function of side cutter pliers is to cut at an angle, so they are predominantly used in electrical work to cut wires. On the other hand, diagonal pliers make a straight cut, so they are ideal for jewellery makers as they don’t leave a sharp end.
Different types available:
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Side or diagonal pliers come in different handle and jaw sizes and cut different types and thicknesses of materials. Also referred to as cutting pliers.
Top things to consider:
- Check what material type and thickness you need to cut before buying. Some side or diagonal options can only cut wire, copper or plastic, while others are suitable for multiple types of materials. Cutting thicknesses can range from 1.6mm to 30mm, and some make bevelled cuts while others make angled cuts.
- The best side cutting pliers to use for electrical work are those with VDE handles, a rubber insulated safety handle that protects you from accidental electric shocks.
Wire strippers explained
Wire strippers are those designed to remove the insulated protective coating on electrical wires. They have cutting edges in a circular shape that cuts through the insulation without cutting the wire itself. There are several holes of varying sizes along the cutting edge, each marked with the wire size it can cut. Wire strippers are predominantly used by electricians or other trades who carry out some electrical work.
Different types available:
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Wire strippers are available in several designs, including those that self-adjust to cut a range of cable sizes. Some wire strippers also include a blade for cutting and crimping.
Top things to consider:
- Check what cable thickness you need to cut before buying, as the cutting range on wire strippers varies considerably. For example, some cut small cables ranging from 0.2mm-0.6mm, while others cut much thicker cables ranging from 12-36mm.
- Consider buying wire strippers with VDE handles, a rubber insulated safety handle that protects you from accidental electric shocks.
Locking pliers explained
Locking pliers can be gripped onto an object and then locked in place to maintain that grip without the user having to hold the handle. The upper jaw and handle are fixed, while the lower handle and jaw are adjustable. So, how do locking pliers work? They have a connecting rod between the two handles that features a special bolt and lever mechanism. When they are gripped around an object, they lock to keep it in place. There’s also an adjusting bolt at one end of the handle that can be turned to adjust the jaw width. The other handle features a lever that releases the lock when pulled. Plumbers, carpenters and mechanics commonly use them, but they can also be used by any professional or DIYer. Locking pliers uses include removing rounded nuts or as a vice or ‘third hand’ for people who work alone.
Different types available:
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Available in many sizes and can have curved jaws, long-nose jaws, smooth jaws, serrated jaws or c-clamp jaws. They are also called mole grips, mole wrenches, plier wrenches and lever wrenches.
Things to consider:
- May not be suitable for use on reusable fasteners as, if you apply too much force, the fasteners will be damaged.
- Before buying, consider the size of the material you need to grip or clamp, as the maximum jaw width between different models can vary from 20mm to 76mm.
Cable cutters explained
Cable cutters are types of pliers that are primarily used for cutting cables. But the jaws are not at an angle, unlike side or diagonal pliers. They use two steel blades to cut in a similar way to scissors. These are mainly used by electricians or other professionals who carry out electrical work.
Different types available:
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Cable cutters come in different handle and jaw sizes and cut different types and thicknesses of materials. There are also high leverage versions, with long handles for more cutting power, and heavy-duty ratchet cable cutters, which also have a locking mechanism.
Top things to consider:
- Check what material type and thickness you need to cut before buying. Some cable cutters can only cut wire, copper or plastic, while others are suitable for multiple types of materials. And cutting thicknesses can range from 1.6mm to 32mm.
- For electrical work, consider buying cable cutters with VDE handles, a rubber-insulated safety handle that protects you from accidental electric shocks.
Other types of pliers
We’ve covered the most popular types above, but here are a few other less common types to be aware of:
- Fencing pliers: these jaws have a hammer shape head for hammering staples into wooden fencing. They also have pincers at the top to remove staples and nails, wire grippers for twisting and bending wire and wire cutters on the sides.
- Circlip pliers: these specialised tools are used to remove or install retaining rings (circlips) in devices such as motors, pistons and turbines.
- Pincers and end cutters: these two types of pliers have rounded jaws that close only at the tip. Pincers are used to pinch, twist or cut wire and pull nails or staples out of wood. End cutters are similar but are more focused on cutting wires, bolts, nails and rivets.
- Flat nose pliers: as the name suggests, these have a flat nose used for shaping, bending, straightening and crimping wire. Mainly used by jewellers.
- Crimping pliers: while other types can crimp, these are designed exclusively for heavy-duty crimping of tough materials such as galvanised steel. They are traditionally used for crimping around metal pipes, gutters and downspouts.
- Specialist metal cutting pliers: have a reduced handle span to provide extra pressure for cutting tough metals. Examples include pipe duct cutters for cutting 28-gauge galvanised steel, tin snips for cutting 24-gauge galvanised steel and aviation snips for cutting 22-gauge galvanised steel. These powerful pliers can cut metal as easily as scissors cut paper.
- Mini pliers: small versions of other types such as side cutters, long-nose pliers, needle-nose pliers and end cutters. They are useful for crafting tasks, such as jewellery making.
- Wire twisting pliers: these specialist pliers are designed for precise wire work on car and aeroplane engines or other environments prone to vibration.
How to Maintain and Store Pliers
To ensure these tools are kept in excellent working condition, always clean, maintain and store them carefully.
How to maintain and store pliers:
- Wipe them down with a rag to remove dust, grease and debris after every use.
- Periodically, lightly spray them with an all-purpose oil such as WD-40 to prevent corrosion and rust.
- Ideally, store them in a toolbox that’s kept in an area with minimal moisture exposure and drastic temperature changes.
- Sharpen bladed pliers once per year, or more often depending on how frequently they are used.
- If rust forms, wash and dry them, then scrub the rust with an abrasive material to remove it (i.e., a scouring pad, sandpaper or steel wool). Once the rust is gone, lightly coat the metal in WD-40.
Key Considerations When Buying Pliers
Before you buy, here are a few more things to consider:
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What are the pliers being used for, and for what frequency?
Buy pliers suited to the task you need to carry out. They will make the job easier, and the pliers and material you’re working on won’t get damaged. If you use them frequently, consider buying the best quality your budget will allow. You may pay more initially, but it will be worth it in the long run. Also, consider how comfortable they’ll be to hold and use over long periods. -
What length pliers do you need?
They come in many sizes, so consider whether you’ll need to use them in tight or awkward spaces before buying. If you do, look for long handles and noses and slim designs. -
Have you taken the correct safety precautions?
As with all hand tools, using pliers comes with some risks which can be mitigated by taking precautions. For example, choose those with VDE (rubber insulated) handles for electrical work to protect against electric shocks. In addition, wear gloves when dealing with sharp blades and, if there is any risk of flying debris when cutting, wear safety goggles. - Do you need a set of pliers or a single pair of pliers?
If you’re buying pliers for a specific task, then buying a single pair is fine. However, a set is useful to have in your toolbox as they give you a range of different types or various sizes to cover a wider range of tasks.