Because of this capability, theyre an almost essential tool for plumbing work; installing faucets, tightening an under sink connection, or putting in a toilet are way harder to do without a pair of adjustable pliers. It doesnt alter the functionality of the tool at all, and its likely that you wont even notice it unless you have experience with other thinner-nosed pliers. The most versatile are the V-jaws which, if looked at from the side of the tool, have a V-cut out on both the top and bottom jaw. We dismissed many other models due to the lack of a push button adjustment:Stanley 84-024, Douglas P-813P, Proto J260SGXL, and Greenlee 0451-10M. Once the jaws are securely around an object, they grip in such a way that the lower handle no longer needs to be held. By every marker (other than price), the Cobras excel against the competition. There are some differences, though: The locking mechanism has the same ratcheting action as the Irwin and the jaw design is slightly different. Using the tools side by side in a consistent manner over a long period of time, it has become very clear to me that the Knipex are in an entirely different realm. For the most part, the jaws of these pliers have serrated teeth, so great care should be taken when using them on any kind of delicate material, like the chrome finish on a faucet. I locked the pliers on the connection and stepped on the handles, bouncing my entire body weight to get the connection to move. The tool also has a whopping 25 positions and the smart curves of the handles make for an extremely comfortable grip. On average, they have a jaw capacity of about 2 inches which means they can handle all of the plumbing connections under the kitchen sink as well as any standard 4-inch waste line clean-outs or large pipes.1. Theyre also an all purpose grabbing and twisting tool, like when I need to give a slight tweak to an out of whack mower blade or when I just have to pick something up that I know is hot. of Jaw Positions 22, Chrome Vanadium Steel Material, Nickel Plated Finish, 20112022 Zoro Tools, Inc. All rights reserved, KNIPEX Cobra XL Water Pump Pliers 16 87 01 400 US, KNIPEX Tongue and Groove Pliers, 10 In, Button 87 11 250, KNIPEX 16" Pliers Wrench XL, Plastic Grip 86 03 400, KNIPEX 12" Knipex Cobra Water Pump Pliers, Plastic Grip 87 01 300, KNIPEX 10" Knipex Cobra VDE Water Pump Pliers, Insulated 87 28 250 SBA, EGA MASTER GROOVE JOINT PLIER 12" NON SPARKING Al-Bron 70541, KNIPEX Spring Hose Clamp Pliers, 10" Spring Hos 85 51 250 A, KNIPEX Knipex KX8701-12 12" "Cobra Box" Tongue and Groove Pliers KX8701-12. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. There is also a nice ratcheting feature that lets you adjust the size without using the button. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, Channellock 8WCB WideAzz 8-Inch Adjustable Wrench, Knipex 8702250 10-Inch Cobra Pliers - Comfort Grip, 10-inch Knipex Cobras with the comfort grips, Our pick: Irwin GV10 10-inch GrooveLock Pliers, Upgrade pick: Knipex 8702250 10-Inch Cobra Pliers - Comfort Grip, CH Hanson Auto-Grip LockJaw Self-Adjusting Groove Pliers, The GrooveLock 'press-n-slide' feature makes for super quick jaw adjustment. We independently review everything we recommend. For this guide, we spoke with Marc Lyman, editor of HomeFixated.com, a website devoted to covering tools and the home improvement industry. The Knipex Cobra's self-locking feature is flawless and it has 25 different size options. If youre someone who enjoys using finely-tuned, German-engineered tools, or are very sensitive to tool ergonomics, we recommend the Knipex 8702250 10-inch Cobra Pliers (with the comfort grips). These pliers have a far more precise adjustment mechanism than any of the other tested tools, the handles are more comfortable, and the small, sleek head can fit into the tightest of spots. This means you can put your energy into turning and not worry about gripping, almost like locking pliers (a.k.a. Push-button adjustment - This is a fairly recent innovation and it makes adjusting the jaw size fast and simple, especially when compared to the older tongue and groove mechanism. The Cobras are considerably more expensive than the GrooveLocks, but if youre a regular tool user, youll appreciate what they offer. *At the time of publishing, the price was $40. Once at the appropriate size, the button is released and the handles lock in. This is potentially a huge bonus for a pro electrician or plumber, but its not going to mean a whole lot to the average homeowner. Its a two-handed operation and the jaws only have a parallel opening of about 1 inches (compared to most of the others at well more than 2 inches). Its also only available with a flat jaw. And if it wasnt for the perfect locking feature, I would have never been able to disconnect an old rusted radiator. Ive had a pair of GrooveLocks for about four years and it never struck me as an issue until I used the other pliers with smaller noses. A 10-inch pair of adjustables can open up to easily two inches and, depending on what youre grabbing, more than three. Because of their large jaw capacitymore than 2 inches for a pair of 10-inch pliersadjustable pliers (a.k.a. The whole point of adjustable pliers is to grip, hold, twist, and turn and those motions can really work a palm over. All Rights Reserved. The 430X SpeedGrip Tongue and Groove Pliers have the high quality feel that we expect from Channellock, but the tool is only available in a flat jaw version, which isnt as versatile as the V-jaw. The handles are definitely another high point. The Irwins are still holding up with absolutely no problems, and their solid usability combined with their inexpensive cost still makes them an easy choice for our main recommendation. The CH Hanson Auto-Grip LockJaw Self-Adjusting Groove Pliers have an interesting adjustment. But the more I work with the Knipex, the more impressed I am. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Pliers, Tongue and Groove Pliers, Plier Wrench, Plier Jaw Style Straight Jaw, Adjustment Type Push Button, Max. The ease of the system is centered around a button located at the connection point of the two handles. Each tool also took a turn loosening and tightening the 4-inch PVC clean-out on the waste line heading out to the septic (required by code and essential to the homeowner if something gets clogged in the pipe). In 2021, Channellock (finally) released their version of the push button adjustable pliers. A tool of this nature doesnt come cheap, but the price tag, usually closing in on $45, began to make sense once we got into our hands-on testing. After testing, weve added the Channellock SpeedGrip 10-inch Pliers to the competition section. In addition, the jaws are designed so that they self-lock onto a nut or bolt, letting you focus more on turning than on gripping. What this means in practical terms is that the adjustment can be made quickly and, if need be, at arms length. After putting in 20 hours of research, considering at least 50 different adjustable pliers, and testing nine, we found that the best pair for the home toolbox is Irwins GV10 10-inch GrooveLock Pliers with the V-jaw. Whats nice is that this action can be done with the jaws around a nut or bolt, so the correct size can be zeroed in quickly. I even locked the jaws onto a pipe that runs along my basement ceiling and lifted my 185 pounds up off the ground holding nothing but the top handle of the pliers. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. If youre going to own a set of locking pliers (and we strongly suggest you do), the best ones to get are the Grip-On 111-10. Privacy Policy We tested out the Milwaukee 8-Inch Quick-Adjust Reaming Pliers and found them inadequate for many around the house jobs). 10-inch pliers have a grip area of about 5 inches, making them comfortable in most hands with gloves or without. The push-button design also allows for more precision in the jaw sizing. this design works for me not only do they feel good in your hand .I feel like they grip with far less pressure on the grip than others Ive used and that would be a big number . We feel that the added comfort of the padded handles justifies the added expense. Its also one of the more affordable options. The Klein Quick Adjust Klaw Pump Pliers which are made in Germany and share many characteristics with the Cobras, including the overall design of the head and handles. Subscribe now for unlimited access. To adjust jaw size, simply press the button and slide the handle up or down, increasing or decreasing the jaw opening. The Cobras always held, even in places where the competition slipped. Its push-button locking mechanism is large and easily clicks into the adjustment grooves, making it much easier to use than the similarly priced pliers, which didnt always completely lock into place. See Because of these notches, V-jaws are capable of securely grabbing flat, hex, or round shapes. *Excludes orders over 150 lbs.This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. The self-locking handle feature is also very useful. This means they can handle small little nuts and bolts as well as larger items like a garden hose fitting or a big radiator coupling. 2022 Matco Tools Corporation. We found that it worked best on hex shapes like nuts and bolts and was less successful on round objects like pipes. Theyre nice and wide and have a very slight texture to them that adds a considerable amount of stickiness. The upper handle swells a little at the top edge, creating a nice spot for a thumb to rest. Ergonomic handles - Always look for pliers with some kind of padding on the handles. If you are a resident of, or wish to acquire a franchise for a [Matco Tools distributorship] to be located in, one of these states or a country whose laws regulate the offer and sale of franchises, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your jurisdiction. We also have to note that Knipex sells the Cobras with both ergonomic handles (which we recommend) and old-school dipped handles. The older style of adjustment requires that the handles be opened to their maximum width, so if youre looking for a specific size (and you usually are), it can take a few tries before you find the right one because youre making your size selection with the jaws fully opened. What sets them apart is an extremely smooth adjustment as well as the consistency of the self-locking feature. These are meant for delicate surfaces that might dent under the pressure of the teeth, like a PVC fitting or a finished material like chrome. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). But, even then there is a workaround. Never. He also has fully converted to adjustable pliers. return the product for a refund. Due to the slip-joint mechanism, those pliers have only two jaw widths, neither of which is very large. He lives in a very demanding 250-year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. Our runner-up DeWalt pliers were discontinued. Heres what to get when youre ready to handle routine home problems. The Wiha Adjustable Plier is a pricey one but only has eight jaw settings and if youre already closing in on the $40 mark, it makes sense to go with the Knipex Cobras. This added precision means a more snug fit on a wider size of nuts and bolts. There were a number of other tools that we looked at but decided not to test. Thin head fits in tight places, teeth bites hard and won't slip, push to adjust and locks in place. With the handles so nicely formed to the natural curves of the hand, theyre far less tiring to use for extended periods of time. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Measuring inch, the GrooveLock is almost twice as wide as the majority of the the tested pliers. Even having worked in construction for ten years, written about tools for seven, and recently gutted and rebuilt my own house, I cant remember the last time I even picked up a pair of slip-joint pliers. just a really good tool .I purchased a couple of sizes, This pair is the best pair of slip joint pliers I ever had.Puts my Channellock pliers to shame,easier to adjust than my Channelock pliers with the locking pin.Made by the best pliers maker in the world,Knipex. Still, the GrooveLocks were better than most at this. The Irwin GV10 10-inch GrooveLock Pliers have a quick adjustment that makes setting the jaw width easier, especially if youre working in an awkward spot, such as the cramped space behind your washing machine. Because they focus on industrial users, Milwaukee has equipped this tool with an interesting pro-only pipe reaming feature at the end of the handles. WIth this feature, they can grab anything from a nut or bolt, to a pipe or the end of a garden hose. Ive worked in such cramped spaces that Ive had to hold nails with my pliers as I pounded them in. Use them everyday and wouldn't trade them for the world, Gripping surface with special hardened teeth is wear-resistant and grips any shaped object-round, square, hex or flat, Self-gripping jaw design and self-locking ability means no slipping off the workpiece, Push-button means adjust once and it stays while fine-adjustment provides optimum adjustment to different size workpieces, loc_, sid_192575, prod, sort_[SortEntry(order=RELEVANCE, direction=DESCENDING)]. He spent 10 years in high-end construction as a carpenter, foreman, and supervisor. The most useful all-around gripping tool to have in the home toolbox is a pair of adjustable pliers. Adjustable pliers shouldnt be the first tool that you buy (that honor goes to the screwdriver), but once you get past the point of the most simple around the house projectslike hanging pictures and assembling knock-down furniturethis all purpose grabbing and twisting tool can really come in handy. Once the upper jaw is hooked around a nut, the lower jaw can just slide up to where its snug and the tightening/loosening can begin. I also strained the hinge point by clamping the tip of the upper jaw in a vice and twisting, pulling, and pushing on the other handle. Even having worked in construction for ten years, written about tools for seven, and recently gutted and rebuilt my own house, I cant remember the last time I even picked up a pair of slip-joint pliers. At roughly $43 theyre not cheap, but they surpassed the others in basically every category. As for me, Ive been reviewing hand tools since 2007, relying on extensive knowledge gained from a decade-long career in construction. Because of the way the locking notches are designed, the lower jaw can be adjusted upwards (to narrow the clamping width) without having to press the button. 20112022 Zoro Tools, Inc. All rights reserved For more controlled tests, I took them all out to the workshop and used them with a wide variety of nuts and bolts. What makes adjustable pliers so unique is that the jaw opening can be adjusted, but the two jaws remain parallel. 12-inch pliers can be tough to get into tight spaces (theres also quite a bit of handle to deal with) and 8-inch models have limited jaw capacity (about 1 inch), less leverage, and much smaller handles. The one area where the GrooveLocks fell short compared to the rest is the width of the nose. The connection points all proved to be sturdy and the teeth all fell within the same range of durability, so it really all came down to ease of adjustment, general usability, and overall ergonomics. The square PVC fitting was a good indicator of jaw width (the fitting is about 2 inches). During that time, I worked as a carpenter, foreman, and finally a job supervisor for a high-end builder in the Boston area. Straight flat jaws run totally parallel to one another and are tailored to flat and hex materials but will struggle if you ever need to hold a pipe or anything else thats round. What set the Irwin apart most was its ease of adjustability. V-jaw - Adjustable pliers generally come in three designs; v-jaw, straight jaw, or smooth jaw. The lower jaw is spring-loaded to the closed position, so to make an adjustment, you need to pull it down, and when the jaws are around something, release the lower handle so it slides up and into place. Doug Mahoney, Best basic tool kit (for the home), Wirecutter, Marc Lyman, Editor of HomeFixated.com, Interview, Carl Duguay, The GrooveLock 'press-n-slide' feature makes for super quick jaw adjustment, Canadian Woodworking, Thomas Gaige, Irwin Groovelock Pliers Review, ProToolReviews, Dan Maxey, Irwin Groovelock Pliers - Review, Tools in Action, Marc Lyman, Knipex Cobra vs. Irwin Groovelock Pliers - Channellock Killers?, HomeFixated. Vise-Grips). A 10-inch pair of traditional tongue and groove pliers might only have seven size settings, but the push button adjustment allows for at least twice that and, depending on the manufacturer, sometimes much more (the Knipex Cobra has 25 settings). 10-inch length - The 10-inch length splits the difference between too big and bulky and too small and ineffective. your Authorized Matco Tools distributor for warranty or return While anyone looking for a set of pliers for the junk drawer would likely balk at the $40 price tag, if you really want a high-quality tool, youll be happy you spent the additional money. This is a very nice tool, but the dipped handles and meager 11 jaw positions took it out of contention. The Milwaukee Quick Adjust Reaming Pliers have comfortable handles, a nice push-button action, and 22 size settings. Minnesota state franchise registration number F-2705. Ive also found adjustable pliers to be a fantastic fill-in-the-cracks tool. Klein specializes in electricians tools, so its not surprising that the jaw has a small notch for gripping a wire. Its a cool feature and one that we ended up relying on while removing the rusty fittings of the radiator. It is for information purposes only. Of the pliers tested, the 10-inch Irwin GrooveLocks provided the best balance of functionality and price thanks to their easy push-button adjustment, very comfortable handles, 15 jaw adjustment sizes, and a handy self-locking feature that holds the bottom handle in place so you can focus on turning instead of gripping. Better tools can do better work. An offer is made only by Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Welders, Shop Equipment and shipped items weighing more than Offering all of this for a reasonable $13 currently, this pair is also unlikely to break your tool budget. If youre in a crawl space, under your deck, or reaching into the nether region behind your water heater, this feature will come in handy. Since then, I moved to a circa 1773 home that requires a high level of hands-on upkeep. If you are not 100% satisfied with your returnable items, The most important things to look for in a pair of adjustable pliers are a push-button adjustment, padded ergonomic handles, a 10-inch length, and a V-jaw design. The majority of the other pliers needed the button to be pressed regardless of whether the adjustment is being opened or closed. I also spent three years completely gutting and rebuilding my own 100-year-old farmhouse. We remain confident in our other picks. Knipex Cobra vs. Irwin Groovelock Pliers - Channellock Killers. In practical terms, a better fit translates into a gripping force that is more evenly spread over the nut, resulting in a better grab and an easier turn. water pump pliers or Channellocks, a trademarked name) are excellent for a wide range of uses like tightening the under-sink plumbing, installing a new toilet, or adjusting your garage doors. When the jaw is in the widest position, the top and bottom handles are basically touching one another, so if youre using them and something slips, your palm can easily be pinched and you could be looking at a massive blood blister. The Milwaukees were also the only pliers that did not have anti-pinch handles. Smooth jaws, the third style, run parallel but have no teeth for gripping. Irwin offers a full lifetime warranty for the GrooveLocks that covers defects in material and workmanship for the life of the tool under normal wear and tear, except for damage caused by misuse or alteration. So presumably, if something goes wrong, you should be able to return them for a new pair. 30-Day Risk FREE return for refund or replacement This is the best slip joint pliers I ever owned. We prefer our picks, but anyone who is brand loyal to Channellock will likely appreciate what this tool offers. If you want to see the Cobras locking feature, Lyman has a video of the tool in action (the relevant part begins around the 1:00 mark). This feature works well for the most part, but we often had to fiddle with the jaws in order to get them to lock in. *At the time of publishing, the price was $16. When I asked Lyman to comment on them, he said, I never use slip joint pliers, seriously. information on purchases made offline. except branded apparel size exchanges for exact items. * Applies to all purchases made on Even if cost were no object, we would still choose them over all of the otherswith the exception of our upgrade, the Knipex Cobras, which typically go for around $45. Many companies still manufacture the older-style grips, which are nothing more than metal handles dipped in plastic or metal surrounded by a thin layer of plastic. If you need to take the blade off your mower or remove a radiator so you can paint behind it, youre going to be exerting a lot of hand strength on the pliers and theres no point in using the dipped style that is sure to leave a giant, sore, red line running through your palm. The 10-inch Irwin Groovelocks have a lifetime warranty, an incredibly easy push-button locking system, and comfortable handles. If youre someone who wants total finesse and ease out of your tools (and youre willing to pay for it), we highly recommend the 10-inch Knipex Cobras with the comfort grips. Learn more. Jaw Opening 2 3/8 in, Jaw Width 1 1/2 in, Jaw Length 1 1/4 in, Overall Length 12 in, Handle Type Dipped, Tether Capable, Nonsparking No, Insulated No, No. I tested the strength of the teeth by clamping each pair of pliers down on the head of a galvanized joist hanger nail. The Cobras also had the smallest head of all the tested pliers, making them easy to work with in tight spaces and allowing for great sight lines no matter what position youre in. To test the tools, I used each one to disconnect and reconnect a radiator as well as a number of the fittings around my water heater. And even though they tend to live in a toolbox, on one occasion, Ive even fetched them to crank open an incredibly stuck jar of honey. The Anvil Homeowners Tool Set from Home Depot is the best basic pre-assembled home toolkit weve found. The jaws very easily grab, lock, and hold nuts, bolts, or round objects. The self-locking mechanism was by far the best that we looked at. Terms & Conditions Slip-joint pliers are what most people think of when they hear the word pliers. One trick Ive seen plumbers do is wrap the faucet in a rag to buffer the teeth of the pliers, this maintains the gripping strength, but prohibits the teeth from marring the surface. For the past sevenyears, Ive used the Irwin Groovelocks and the Knipex Cobras quite a bit while wrapping up a renovation and moving to a new home. Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. MatcoTools.com excluding Toolboxes, Tool Carts, Diagnostics, The DeWalt DWHT7046 Push-Lock Pliers were once a runner-up pick, but have since been discontinued. The non-ergonomic Cobras are priced at about $10 less (around $33) and in all other aspects are identical. Theyve been replaced with the DWHT74427 Push-Lock Pliers, but only appear to be available in a straight jaw for the 10-inch size. The self-locking feature on the Cobras is outstanding. 150 pounds; Excludes all Gifts and Branded Apparel items This pair has a jaw capacity of more than 2 inches, an easy push-button jaw-size adjustment, and very comfortable handles. He also raises sheep and has a dairy cow that he milks every morning. After testing 15 wrenches over the past three years, weve determined that the Channellock 8WCB WideAzz 8-Inch Adjustable Wrench, with its comfortable handle and wide jaws, is still the best for all-around home use.
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