If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation where you couldn’t form a strong enough grip with your hands to pull two objects apart, then you know how useful pliers can be. There are various types of pliers that are intended for various uses. This is what this article aims to make clear and explain a thing or two about the main types of pliers and their uses.
So, here are the best pliers that most homes already have and couldn’t imagine life without. These are the most common ones as they can serve both professional workers, hobbyists, and anyone in between for countless tasks.
Lineman’s Pliers
It’s surprising how many people aren’t aware of the technical term for this type of pliers. The Lineman’s pliers are among the most popular and commonly used across the world. They may go by different names in different places, but they serve a number of purposes.
This type of pliers is the most general-purpose one you’re ever going to find. They are highly popular in the electrical field. These pliers can offer a bit of everything. They’re great for cutting wires, they have strong jaws and a firm grip, they’re durable and powerful enough to bend certain metals, and are quite comfortable for everyday use.
Strengths
- Durable
- Great for Gripping
- Can Cut Wires
- Can Bend Metal
Weaknesses
- Can’t Fit in Small Places
Needle Nose Pliers
Among the most unique and popular pliers, the Needle Nose ones are definitely easy to spot thanks to their thin and long jaws. Like all things, the Needle Nose pliers have their weaknesses and strengths as well. They’re perfect for reaching tight places and are great for working with wires and gripping small and light objects. However, they can’t be identified as strong gripping pliers as you can see by their appearance.
They aren’t the most durable pliers out there and are quite tiny. Depending on what you need them for, this can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. The Needle Nose pliers are great for jewelry workers, electricians, and anyone who constantly bends, snips, and re-positions wire.
Strengths
- Can Reach Tight Spaces
- Great for Wire Work
- Great for Gentle Projects
Weaknesses
- Can’t Grip Bigger Objects
- Not Very Durable
- Can’t Bend Harder Objects
Flat Nose Pliers
The Flat Nose pliers are extremely similar to the Needle Nose ones. A few small differences can be found in the jaws, the tips of the jaws, to be more specific. These pliers have a flat nose, making it easier to work with wire where bending at a flat angle would be required.
They come in many sizes and nose lengths, making them very versatile and ideal for a variety of different projects in metal and wire-related fields. The only way to tell the difference between these and the Needle Nose pliers is at the tip of the jaws. It’s the one thing that defines the types of tasks they are capable of doing.
Strengths
- Can Reach Tight Spaces
- Can Bend Wire and Softer Metals
- Can Cut Wire
- They Make More Accurate Curves
Weaknesses
- Not Durable for Working with Bigger Objects
- Don’t Have an Extremely Firm Grip
Diagonal Pliers
You may know these pliers by their more famous name – wire cutters. These are the ultimate pliers specifically designed for cutting a variety of wires. They usually have the same structure and can be found by many different brands.
A typical example of wire cutters includes a set of pliers that have a long rubberized handle and a short head with blades for cutting wires. That’s their main purpose – cutting wires. You can also cut wires without wire cutters but it will be a much more difficult task. They aren’t as versatile as the Lineman’s, as they can’t be used for gripping or bending any other objects.
Strengths
- Perfect for Cutting Wires
- Long Handles Provide More Power
- Comfortable
- Great for Wide Range of Wire Sizes
- Can Usually Cut Small Nails
Weaknesses
- Can’t Grip
- Can’t Bend Other Objects
Crimping Pliers
Just as the name suggests, these pliers are used to crimp a variety of materials but mainly wires. The Crimping pliers have a unique construction. They are built in a way that provides a lot of force to make the crimping process easier and quicker. This is done thanks to the long handles and the perfectly placed fulcrum.
The jaws are very durable in these types of pliers and can handle a lot of force. They’re great for crimping wires and a variety of metals and objects. These pliers are designed for special use but are quite popular and common, as they make this type of job extremely easy.
Strengths
- Durable
- Strong Grip
- Easy to Work With
- Don’t Require a Lot of Force
Weaknesses
- Not as Versatile
- Can’t Cut Wires
Slip Joint Pliers
Here is among the most versatile pairs of pliers that anyone can ask for. The Slip Joint pliers are also known as Water Pump pliers, as they are mainly used in the field of plumbing. These pliers are great to work it, as they can adjust their fulcrum. This allows for a lot of versatility and makes them able to handle a number of tasks.
They are a great pair of general-purpose pliers that can grip almost anything, bend metals, and all without suffering even a bit of damage. They may not be as comfortable as the Lineman’s but are extremely popular and useful. The Slip Joint pliers are simply a must-have.
Strengths
- Very Durable
- Strong Grip
- Adjustable Fulcrum
- General-Purpose Pliers
- Perfect for Plumbing Jobs
Weaknesses
- Can’t Cut Wires
- Only Good for More Heavy-Duty Tasks
Tongue and Groove Pliers
Lastly, one of the most unique and easily recognizable sets of pliers, the Tounge and Groove pliers. These two have an adjustable fulcrum and an extremely wide jaw opening. Similar to the extremely useful bolt cutters, they are the kings of heavy-duty tasks and are slightly bigger than most types of common pliers.
Their unique jaw design that features one flat and one curved jaw allows them to have a far better grip than many others. Because of this, these pliers are a must-have for any job that often requires tightening or loosening certain objects and connections.
Strengths
- Very Durable
- Adjustable Fulcrum
- Strong Grip
- Versatile
Weaknesses
- Can’t Cut Wires
- Only Good for More Heavy-Duty Tasks