Hand Tools - Pliers and Wire Cutters

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• What are common types of pliers and wire cutters?
• What are some safety tips to know when using pliers and wire cutters?
• What should I avoid doing?

What are common types of pliers and wire cutters?

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Pliers are made in various shapes and sizes and for many uses. Some are used for gripping something round like a pipe or rod, some are used for twisting wires, and others are designed to be used for a combination of tasks, including cutting wire. There are also tools that are used just for cutting wires (as opposed to wire cable and rope). Use the correct pliers or wire cutters for the job.

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Proper use of side cutting (lineman's) pliers:

• Many applications, including electrical, communications and construction work
• Use to grip, splice or cut wires and strip insulation.

Proper use of long nose pliers:

• Use to grip small objects, reach awkward places, hold wires, bend loops, and attach wires
• Work involving smaller gauge wire.

Proper use of utility pliers:

• Use to grip round square, flat and hexagonal objects.
• Can apply limited torque (twisting force) without damaging the work.

Proper use of diagonal cutting pliers:

• For work involving cutting and skinning wires, cutting and removing pins, nails and other fasteners.

Proper use of flat nose pliers:

• Common pliers are used in many applications and assembly work.
• Use to grip, turn and bend wires.

Proper use of slip joint pliers:

• Used to adjust nuts or bolts.

Proper use of end cutting pliers

• Use for cutting wires, nails, and rivets close to work.

What are some safety tips to know when using pliers and wire cutters?

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• Wear safety glasses, goggles or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles) whenever there is a potential hazard from flying particles, pieces of wire, etc.
• Cut at right angles. Never rock the cutting tool from side to side or bend the wire back and forth against the cutting edges.

• Choose pliers or wire cutters that have a grip span of 6 cm - 9 cm (2 1/2 - 3 1/2 in.) to prevent your palm or fingers from being pinched when the tools are closed.
• Use adjustable pliers that allow you to grip the workpiece firmly while maintaining a comfortable handgrip (i.e., hand grasp is not too wide).
• Use tools only if they are in good condition.
• Make sure that the cutting edges are sharp. Dull and worn-down cutting edges require much more force than needed for cutting.
• Make sure that the toothed jaws are clean and sharp. Greasy or worn-down jaws can result in compromised safety. Such tools also require increased force to hold the workpiece, which, in turn, increases the risk of muscular fatigue and repetitive strain injuries. Replace tools when the teeth or cutters are worn. 
• Use the correct size pliers.  Keep the plier's jaws as parallel as possible for a better grip.  
• Oil pliers and wire cutters regularly. A drop of oil on the hinge will make the tools easier to use.
• Pull on the pliers; do not push away from you when applying pressure. If the tools slip unexpectedly, you may lose your balance or hit your hand against equipment or something else hard that could result in an injury.

What should I avoid doing?

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• Do not cut hardened wire unless the pliers or wire cutters are specifically manufactured for this purpose.
• Do not expose pliers or wire cutters to excessive heat.
• Do not bend stiff wires with light pliers. Needle nose pliers can be damaged by using the tips to bend large wires. Use a sturdier tool.
• Do not use pliers as a hammer.
• Do not hammer on pliers or wire cutters to cut wires or bolts.
• Do not extend the length of handles to gain greater leverage. Use a larger pair of pliers for gripping or a bolt cutter for cutting.
• Do not use cushion grip handles for jobs requiring tools with electrically insulated handles. Cushion grips are primarily for comfort and do not protect against electric shock.
• Do not use pliers on nuts and bolts because they can round the corners of the nut or bolt; use a wrench.

Refer to the OSH Answers on General Hand Tool Operation for more tips.

• Fact sheet last revised: -01-16

You might have seen pliers in your toolbox. It is a hand-operated tool that consists of three parts head or jaw, pivot, and handles. A plier has hard metal parts at one end and two handles to hold on the other. Further, the formation of two levers of pliers in such a way that they can hold objects securely when exerting opposite force. Pliers are based on the “law of lever“. Thus, it enables you to exert greater force on the object. The force you can apply on an object depends on the distance between two handles. Confused about what pliers are used for. Let’s learn about the uses of pliers with JCBL Hand Tools –

Do you know, it can do more than just gripping and twisting objects? Pliers come in handy for students in DIY activities, as well as for professionals. You can perform various tasks using pliers like cutting, bending, attaching, detaching, holding, turning, etc. Many industry professionals use them like mechanics, jewelers, electricians, plumbers, etc. It is important to use the right type of plier so that you don’t cause any damage to the object. There are many types of pliers available in the market, thus finding the right one is difficult. Now, let’s learn about the uses of different types of pliers-

Uses of different types of pliers

Pliers have different uses depending on the features of their jaws. For example, some types of pliers have an adjustable joint that can provide more leverage. In addition, some pliers are versatile for a variety of tasks, whereas some are not. Let’s clear out the confusion by understanding the uses of different types of pliers:

What are slip joint pliers used for

Slip joint pliers are multipurpose pliers making it an all-rounder tool in the field of hand tools. They have adjustable pivot joints. This further allows the grip to be adjusted based on the size of the object. Further, their ability to adjust makes them versatile. You can find out whether slop joint pliers are for your use or not by understanding the following pros and cons-

Pros

• Have many use cases like cutting, gripping, bending, crimping, etc.
• Suitable for DIY, as well as professional use.
• Offers strength and adjustability.
• Adjustable pivot point, thus allowing to adjust jaw for objects of various sizes.

Cons

• Not suitable for objects that need to be held tightly.
• Might slip out of hand because of its dull teeth.
• Handles might wobble at the pivot point.

What are snap ring pliers used for

The primary application area of snap ring pliers is to install and remove the circlips or snap rings. These are specially designed to manipulate the snap rings. Also, securing the components in advanced machinery and equipment is another area of use for such types of pliers. There are different types of snap ring pliers available in the market. Some of its types include inner, outer, heavy-duty, loose-nose snap ring pliers, etc. To ease their use, you need to understand their pros and cons-

Pros

• Allows installation, removal, and manipulation of pliers.
• Provide better control and precision in securing, as well as removing snap rings in machines.
• Able to handle tough and large snap rings
• Offers flexibility in the limited spaces.

Cons

• Designed for specific use.
• Lack of versatility.
• Needs mastery to use snap ring pliers.

What are locking pliers used for

Locking pliers have lock functioning. This allows you to hold, turn, and clamp the object with a tight grip in the locked position.  In addition, they are suitable for loosening the bolts with a stripped head. Vise-grips or mole-grips are some other names for locking pliers. They come in different sizes and styles like clamps, wrenches, and needle nose pliers. Furthermore, locking pliers is a good choice for welding. They also have many pros and cons-

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Pros

• Offer tight and strong grip, thus when locked it stays in the same position.
• Versatile for different tasks.
• Suitable in cases with stripped or stuck bolts, also where bolts need to be removed.

Cons

• Locking mechanisms might wear out thus reducing their effectiveness.
• Large and bulky in size.

What are needle nose pliers used for

Needle nose pliers are used in tasks where high levels of precision and detail are needed. Its primary uses are repositioning, snipping, and bending. Also, their thin jaws make them feasible for use in tight spaces. Thus, they are known as long-nose pliers. They are suitable for tasks involving the use of wires like electricity and project work. They also have many pros and cons:

Pros

• Offers precision, thus suitable for tasks requiring a high level of detail.
• Ideal for small spaces.
• Versatile for a wide range of tasks.

Cons

• Can break easily as they are not tough and strong enough to handle too much force
• Not suitable for heavy-duty work.

What are cutting pliers used for

The primary use of cutting pliers is to cut nails, wires, and other materials. They have sharp edges on the sides near the pivot to cut the tough materials. Jewelers, electricians, and technicians also use them to cut different types of metals. Further, they have many pros and cons-

Pros

• Have sharp cutting edges, thus efficient for cutting wires and other materials.
• Highly durable due to their special design to cut and handle tough materials.
• Versatile for different tasks ranging from jewelry to electricity tasks.

Cons

• Not feasible for tasks like gripping, bending, and twisting.
• Efficiency reduces over time, thus they need regular maintenance

What are water pump pliers used for

Water pump pliers contain multiple adjustment positions. They are also known as groove joint pliers or tongue pliers. Their multiple adjustment position makes them suitable for plumbing purposes. Just like other types of pliers, they also have pros and cons- 

Pros

• Multiple adjustments make them highly versatile.
• Good choice for repair in the plumbing and automotive field.
• Provide a strong and secure grasp.

Cons

• Need proper adjustment.
• difficult to handle.
• Heavy and bulky in size.
• Not suitable for delicate tasks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pliers have many use cases than just gripping and twisting objects. They come in handy in a variety of tasks in households, plumbing, electricity, construction, etc. Also, each type of plier is designed for a specific task. Thus, understanding their uses, pros, and cons is important, so that you can choose the right one for your needs. 

Get yourself pliers to your needs at JCBL Hand Tools. We have years of experience in manufacturing a variety of hand tools that meet international quality standards. Click here to check out our product range of hand tools and complete your toolbox.

FAQ

What are pliers?

Pliers are hand tools. It has three parts- jaw, pivot, and handles. Their design makes them suitable for a variety of tasks like gripping, cutting, bending, or holding. Professionals are not the only ones who use pliers, they also have use cases in households and school projects. 

What are tongue and groove pliers used for?

The primary purpose of tongue and groove pliers is to turn and hold nuts and bolds. Clamping materials and gripping the objects tightly in one position are also some of their uses. 

What are the types of pliers?

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