Pliers

In general terms, pliers must be rugged, with rubber-covered handles to ensure a solid grip and added comfort.

If the pliers are equipped with a locking or tightening mechanism, make sure that the tool is of sufficient quality to ensure that the device works smoothly. Make sure that the edges of any cutting tool are perfectly aligned as well.

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Maintenance and Usage
In all cases, the tried and true rule of thumb (more expensive = better quality) applies here: the quality of the assembly, the adjustment, the handle covering and the type of metal varies according to price. For example, a pair of chromium vanadium steel pliers made in China and sold for $10, will not provide the same quality as a pair of chromium vanadium steel pliers made in Canada or the United States and sold for $35. This lack of quality may be reflected in the ruggedness, the sharpness, the comfort, the durability or the adjustment precision of the tool.

In addition to quality, the most important consideration when choosing pliers is to understand which tool is the most appropriate for your needs. The following is an overview of the various pliers and their functions.

Groove Joint Pliers

Also called “plumber’s pliers”, these multi-position pliers can be adjusted according to the size of the object, most notably to fit various pipe sizes. Its sharpened teeth are designed for maximum hold and, as a result, this tool is not recommended for use on delicate surfaces.

Electrician’s Pliers

A tool found in most every home, electrician’s pliers are extremely versatile. They can be used to cut various gauges of electrical and metal wires and are ideal for gripping a wide range of household objects. These tools are often used as a solid anti-slip gripping tool when the human hand won’t quite do the trick. The wide ends of the jaws are flattened to grip and twist electrical wires.

Cutting Pliers

These pliers should be included alongside the electrician’s pliers in any functional tool box. Offered in a variety of sizes, these pliers are designed for one purpose only: cutting. Smaller models are ideal for cutting little wires in hard to reach places while bigger models are made to cut thicker wires. When it comes to cutting, these pliers are more effective than electrician’s pliers as the cutting surfaces extend right to the end of the tool and can apply greater cut pressure on the wire.

Slip-Joint Pliers

Another must for any tool box, slip-joint pliers are much like electrician’s pliers (without the cutter) and, what’s more, their dual adjustment rounded jaws provide even better grip on all kinds of objects of varying sizes.
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