The best pliers. Home master. Pliers, what is it, how to choose the right pliers. Pliers: types, properties, application

Pliers and pliers are among the most popular tools. This is true for both professionals and home craftsmen. They are indispensable for electricians, mechanics and many other professionals. And how to do without them in everyday life is simply incomprehensible to the mind. With all the variety of the tool market, it is difficult to imagine a more versatile and necessary thing.

But why do we say they? Is there a difference between pliers and pliers? There is also a lot. It so happened that no one really makes a difference between them. This is not surprising since they are very similar in appearance. But, nevertheless, there are differences and very significant. These differences are taken into account not only by users, but also by manufacturers. Each of them has its own technical requirements for production and its own GOSTs. What is the difference between pliers and pliers? What kind of work are they for? How to determine the quality of this tool? This will be discussed in the article.

Hinged - pliers tool, its types

The history of the creation of this type of instrument, and it belongs to the pliers, goes back to the era of at least the Greek gods. Mankind has known blacksmith's tongs since time immemorial. Time passed, changed human society, and the instrument changed. When exactly and in whose head the idea to create a prototype of modern pliers arose, no one knows. It's a pity. The thing turned out to be very necessary and practical.

There are many varieties of pliers and pliers. These include:

  • ticks;
  • pliers;
  • wire cutters;
  • round nose pliers;
  • pliers.

Each category has "subspecies" that have different sizes of the working surface (sponges), purpose and shape. For example, round-nose pliers are very convenient for cutting cable cores (shown in the photo below). The conical shape of the working surface allows you to comfortably bend the cable core under the clamp different diameter. There are models that are additionally equipped with wire cutters. To work with delicate materials, special nozzles made of plastic or other material are used. The presence of notches on the round-nose pliers allows you to securely fix the part during the soldering of boards, and special shape jaws allows you to get into the most inaccessible places of the microcircuits (the angle of inclination of the jaws can be different).

The same applies to nippers. Different shape of the cutting part, its different size, different purpose. For example, wire cutters for repairing electronic equipment are smaller. For cutting cables, no matter what purpose, they are not suitable. Theoretically, this is possible, but both the worker and the tool are tormented. In the worst case, you can be left without wire cutters.

Types of pliers. Features and scope

Already from the name, the characteristic appearance of this tool is “visible”: flat jaws with notches, swivel and handles. Pliers are indispensable during any plumbing or electrical work Oh. Due to the flat surface, they hold a part of any shape well. With the help of pliers, you can bend cable cores, wiring, wire and metal. The dimensions of the parts are determined by the dimensions of the pliers themselves (usually do not exceed 200 mm). It is very common to use this tool as a wrench, for loosening / tightening nuts. different diameter. This is still somewhat unusual work for them, but what to do when there is no key of the required diameter?

Pliers are divided not only by size. For the convenience of the user, manufacturers produce different types of work surface:

  • elongated narrow jaws - for the ability to work in places with limited access;
  • jaws curved at an angle are designed to work in hard-to-reach places, especially in electronics;
  • the so-called "platypus", in fact it is a kind of tweezers, but with a large compression force;
  • with special nozzles, for work with fragile and delicate materials.

For work in electrical installations or with conductive parts of equipment, special pliers with insulated handles are required. On these handles without fail the maximum voltage that the insulation can withstand must be specified. In most household tools, this value is up to 1000V. If this characteristic is not indicated on the pliers, it is strictly forbidden to work with them in energized networks. This means that you are dealing with a bench tool and the manufacturer simply does not provide protection for the user from electric current.

There are many varieties of pliers, their type is selected individually, depending on the tasks.

Pliers - practical versatility

Since pliers are "relatives" of pliers, their purpose is similar. They are widely used for plumbing, electrical and other types of work. The working surface of the pliers has a recess with notches. It is designed to grip and securely hold round and smooth surfaces. As a rule, pliers have a combined surface of the jaws, i.e. in addition to a special recess for round parts, there is a part of a flat working area. And in some modifications there are two recesses for different diameters of the part.

Some models of pliers allow you to adjust the compression force of the jaws, for this there are several options for the location of the hinge in special grooves. The rearrangement process is quite simple, spread the handles and rearrange into the desired recess. In addition to the degree of compression, this also allows you to adjust the distance between the faces of the jaws, i.e. expands the size range of gripped parts.

In most cases, pliers are equipped with side cutters. They allow you to strip the insulation of the cores and cut the wire or cable cores. In addition, they can have special edges on the front side of the jaws for cutting hard metal wire.

Some manufacturers are expanding working area pliers, making notches on the handles immediately behind the swivel. This allows you to capture the part not only with sponges. How necessary and convenient we will leave it to the users' judgment ...

Pliers are also divided into electrical and locksmith. In the first, dielectric handles must be marked up to 1000V.

Pliers and pliers - the difference

It's time to sum it up. So what's the difference between pliers and pliers? Main three:

The shape of the working surface, for pliers it is flat, without a notch. Although they meet combined types tool with notches on pliers. But this is more the exception than the rule. In addition, pliers are structurally designed for greater compression force. What does it mean? This means that the manufacturer selects the appropriate steel grade for pliers, which has greater strength;

The ability to adjust the gap of the working surface of the jaws and the degree of force of the tool is provided only for pliers (this is achieved by rearranging the hinge);

For pliers, the multifunctionality inherent in pliers is not typical, i.e. the presence of side cutters, special edges for cutting wire, as a rule, is not (again, these possibilities depend on the steel grade and hardening).

  1. If financial opportunities allow, buy professional pliers and pliers. This is not a whim, the difference between an amateur instrument and a professional instrument, even from leading brands, is very significant. When choosing a power tool, you can save on professional equipment. It's not critical. And in manual very even. It's just a shame when, in the midst of work, you are suddenly left without pliers or after 10 bitten pieces of wire, it will be impossible to use side cutters. The joy of such acquisitions will soon disappear. What can not be said about a professional hand tool. If not a fake, then when used in everyday life, it will last a lifetime.
  2. Pay attention to the hinge, there should not be any backlash. The move should be soft and smooth. This is a sign of a quality instrument.
  3. With closed jaws of nippers or pliers, there should be no gaps, the surfaces should touch evenly, this is a guarantee of high-quality production and assembly.
  4. The handles on the handles must sit securely, free sliding, etc. is not allowed. Especially for power tools.

Surprisingly, but true: every repairman will argue that pliers are not a tool for professionals. However, when asked if he uses them, he will answer: "Of course."

There was an opinion that professional tool must perform a single operation (that is, you need to use wire cutters for biting, and pliers for gripping), but this does not seem to apply to pliers: there are more than enough pro models. So we decided to figure out what's what.

FUNCTIONALITY

Pliers as a special case of a pliers tool - a product that combines the functions of two separate devices: pliers and wire cutters. This versatility is useful when petty work. However, this comes at the cost of some restrictions. If wire cutters are a tool, relatively speaking, consumable (blunted - acquired new ones), then pliers, by household standards, are almost eternal. Therefore, the biting function of pliers is most often used only for cutting wires. Otherwise, after contact with hard materials- the cutting parts grind off, and the tool will turn into pliers.

STEEL

The steel from which the pliers are made determines their working qualities to the greatest extent. Here, manufacturers not only maintain the strictest composition of the material, but also use many special processing technologies to give the elements the desired hardness. For example, the age of a hinge mechanism will be maximum only when the hardness of the axial and external parts is the same.

Sponges and cutting edges of expensive models, in addition to ordinary temperature treatments, are often also hardened by high frequency currents.

COATING

The next step is to apply an anti-corrosion compound to the tool so that after the first rain the pliers do not have to be changed. The simplest defense- bluing (synonyms - oxidation or blackening) of steel - consists in the fact that the part is placed in a jet of hot steam containing oils. After that, it is sometimes covered with a special varnish.

Oxidation slows down oxidation processes, but is not a good protection when wet frequently. Therefore, black (blued) pliers are designed for work in workshops. To "survive" in the open, they need more serious protection, such as chrome plating (or coating parts with chromium-containing compounds). Such products are distinguished by a steel sheen. To give chrome-plated pliers a more attractive look, their sponges are sometimes polished, then the surface acquires a characteristic sheen.

Rarely, but there is a zinc coating. It is in no way inferior to "chromium", and it tolerates shock even better (zinc is softer than chromium). However, in terms of presentability, such samples are clearly inferior to chrome ones.

HANDLES

Now you need to ensure comfortable contact of the pliers with the palm. To do this, the handles are "dressed" in plastic. Offhand, all handles can be divided into single-component, ergonomic (with rubber inserts) and electrically insulating. In the latter, the material, as a rule, is more rigid, but it isolates from voltages up to 1000 volts. Rubber inserts of ergonomic handles make them more comfortable, but at the same time increase sensitivity to chemicals (rubber is a "delicate matter"). If issues of chemical resistance of handles are paramount, a one-component option is more appropriate. And especially for "chemists" many manufacturers produce models without handles at all.

An important point is the reliability of fastening plastic lining. It is impossible to work with a sample whose handles turn or slide off the rod. The simplest way- planting them on glue, but it can dry out or "melt" when in contact with the solvent. This method is supplemented by thermal shrinkage of plastic (in other words, it is put on hot rods). Well, and very rarely the handles are strengthened with special pins.

GENERAL

A notch is applied to the sponges of the pliers. How well the tool will hold the part depends on its size and shape. The notch is sometimes found on the other side of the axis (closer to the handles), this allows you to choose the grip option. In the form of sponges, pliers repeat the thumb and forefinger of the hand, brought together. The geometry of these tools practically does not vary from model to model, only the dimensions change. The total length of the sample indicates the "power" qualities of the tool. All other distances (from the jaws to the axis, the length of the notch on the jaws, the length of the cutting elements, etc.) differ slightly from brand to brand.

A special point is the sharpening of cutting edges. Using various know-how, firms try to give these elements certain qualities: they are hardened in a special way, sharpened at certain angles, etc.

The quality of the final product can be judged by how it is assembled. Ideally, there should be no backlash in the axis, and the handles should be smoothly and effortlessly bred (then the pliers can be operated with one hand). In the compressed position, a small (no more than tenths of a millimeter) gap between the jaws is allowed.

A little trick: to appreciate the "unfamiliar" pliers, look in front of the closed lips. If you see two regular rectangles of the same shape, it is likely that you have a high quality sample. The fact is that in production this nuance is not paid much attention, and the fidelity of the forms of these parts indicates the accuracy of all assembly operations.

Of the proprietary technologies of famous manufacturers, we separately note the original designs of the hinge, which increase the reliability of the tool and extend its life.

ROCKWELL HARDNESS EVALUATION (HRC)

Hardness is the resistance of a material to local plastic deformation when a more solid body is introduced into it - a tip (indenter). The latter is a low-deforming body (diamond, hard alloy, hardened steel) of a certain geometric shape (ball, pyramid, cone, needle).

The magnitude of hardness is judged by the size of the resulting deformation (imprint). Depending on the test method, the properties of the tip and the material under test, evaluation is carried out according to various criteria.

The most widely used measurement is indentation. There are several methods, but the Rockwell method has become the most popular (especially in production conditions). When measuring using this method, a standard-type tip is pressed into the surface by sequentially applied loads - preliminary F0 = 98 N and main F1 = 1373 N. The total force acting on the tip:

F = F0 + F1 = 1471H

The conventional unit of hardness is the value corresponding to the axial displacement of the tip by 0.002 mm. The hardness value is determined after removing the main load (F1) directly on the scale of the device. The formula for calculating HRC is as follows:

HRC = 100 - (h-h0) / 0.002,
where: h0 is the penetration depth of the tip into the test body under the action of the force F0;
h is the penetration depth of the tip under the action of the full load F, measured after its removal.

When measuring, at least three experiments must be carried out.

There is no exact way to convert HRC to other units of measurement (obtained by other methods). Comparisons are made in tables.

TEST CONDITIONS

Considering all of the above, we have tried to full program"Test 12 pliers. The most popular models with a length of 180 mm were selected for testing. We did not insist that the samples be with the same handles or with the same coating.

MECHANICAL TESTS

They were held on the basis of the laboratory "Testing materials and structures" of the department "Applied Mechanics" MSTU. N. E. Bauman. Qualified employees conducted experiments in accordance with the tasks set by the editors.

EXPERIENCE #1.

Preliminary quality assessment. First of all, we conducted a primary inspection of the "exhibits". The presence of backlashes, the accuracy of the geometry of the jaws, and the ease of spreading the handles were noted. The comments were included in the item "Consumer analysis" of the descriptions of the models.

EXPERIENCE #2.

Determination of the hardness of steel. The measurements were carried out on a Rockwell TK-14-250 hardness tester separately for four zones: a small notch zone (in the area of ​​the jaws), a large notch zone (in the area of ​​a round lumen), a bite zone and an axial zone. Note that it was not possible to determine the hardness of the cutting elements due to technical limitations, so the "thick" part of the profile was measured.

EXPERIENCE #3.

Structural strength testing. In accordance with the requirements of GOST 17440-93, the strength of the handles was evaluated. To do this, a force of 800 N (about 80 kg) was applied to the handles, previously freed from the coating, at a distance of 80 mm from the hinge axis. Between the jaws of the pliers, a plate with a hardness of 40 HRC and a thickness of 2 mm was placed at a length of 8 mm from the top of the jaws.

For experiments, we used a universal testing machine 1958U10 No. 95. The loading was repeated 4 times. During the experiment, the dependence between the force and the mutual displacement (approach) of the points of application of forces was recorded. Let us say right away that under loading with a force of 800 N, no plastic deformations were noted in any of the samples, i.e. pliers of all firms have fully retained their performance.

For a comparative assessment of the rigidity of the structure, the bending stiffness of the handles was calculated (the force required to bring the points of application closer by 1 mm).

EXPERIENCE №4.

Snack tests. The experiment also took place in accordance with the requirements of GOST 17440-93.

A piece of high-strength steel wire (diameter - 1.6 mm, tensile strength - 2200 MPa) was installed between the blades of the snacker and the handles of the pliers were loaded with a force of 570 N (about 57 kg). According to the appearance or absence of plastic deformations of the blades, their durability was evaluated.

In addition to the program tests, we decided to conduct another experiment. There is an opinion that well-sharpened pliers should cut a sheet of paper. Although, in our opinion, it is not entirely correct to judge the cutting ability of tools based on the results of this "test", nevertheless, we did it.

EXPERIENCE No. 5.

Retention tests. A steel bar (diameter - 4 mm, hardness - 5 HRC) was installed between the jaws of the pliers and, by selecting the force applied to the handles, it was loaded with a fixed force of 1500 N (about 150 kg). After that, a gradually increasing torque was transmitted to the rod. Up to a certain value, the rod remained motionless, then it began to scroll (a breakdown occurred). According to the magnitude of the moment turning the rod relative to the sponges, indirect conclusions were made about their holding capacity.

According to laboratory specialists, this parameter deserves special attention, since one of the main functions of pliers is to hold details.

EXPERIENCE No. 6.

Evaluation of the ergonomics of pliers. One of the most important indicators is the limiting force transmitted by pliers to sponges during manual work. To a large extent, it depends on the ergonomics of the handle, but design features also contribute to it.

In our experience, successively, men and women, with the help of various samples, tried to give out the maximum that they are capable of. Measurements were made on a universal testing machine 1958U10 No. 95.

CHEMICAL TESTS

In this series of experiments, we studied the resistance of samples to the effects of petroleum products on them (or the petrol-oil resistance of pliers). The most stringent conditions were set, but let's say right away that most of the models passed the test.

The tests were carried out on the basis of the laboratory of the department "Chemistry" of the Moscow State Technical University. N. E. Bauman. The experiments were carried out by qualified specialists, we only set them tasks.

EXPERIENCE No. 7.

Petrol resistance. For 24 hours, 12 pliers were placed with one handle in AI-92 gasoline. On electronic scales the masses of the samples were recorded before immersion and after extraction from gasoline. The next two measurements were taken after 24 and 120 hours of drying. All mass changes were correlated with the initial values.

EXPERIENCE No. 8.

Oil resistance. The only difference from the previous test was that instead of gasoline, the pliers were immersed in BP Visco 3000 10W40 oil and did not take a fourth measurement, corresponding to 120 hours of drying. The comments in this case came down to a single conclusion - all the pliers easily passed the test.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

STEEL: alloyed chrome-vanadium; coating - bluing for protection against corrosion.
HANDLES: two-component.
LENGTH: 180 mm. Weight: 76 g.
PECULIARITIES: original design hinge; hardening of sponges and cutting edges with high frequency currents; return spring for opening the handles.
RANGE OF THE MANUFACTURER: handles - one-component, two-component, electrically insulating (up to 1000 V); coating - chrome-plated, burnished. Length of models: from 160 to 200 mm.

CONSUMER ANALYSIS

The range of Bahco, a well-known global manufacturer of professional equipment, has always been distinguished by quality and abundance. original solutions. The pliers we tested were no exception.

CONSTRUCTION: Bahco universal pliers models are very different from similar products from other companies. Form plastic handles does not have wide parts in front of the rods - there is nothing to rest against. But the rubber pads completely cover the ends - it is easy to produce longitudinal pressure.

Metal parts are rounded not only for fashion reasons, but also in order to facilitate access to difficult places. In general, the geometry of the parts is completely unusual - Hi-Tech, in a word.

The originality of the design of the hinge lies in the fact that the fixed engagement of the axis in one of the halves does not look like a round rod, but an asterisk. The hardness of the metal in this place differs "demonstratively" - the material is less hardened. Technologically, this ensures a long service life of the hinge without loosening. Initially, there is no backlash in the hinge at all, but it opens easily with one hand, the move is smooth. The hardness of the remaining parts is maintained very strictly.

The sharpening of the blades allows you to effortlessly cut even a thin sheet of paper. This is due not only to their special hardening with the help of high-frequency currents, but also to the fact that there is a small gap between the jaws, and all the pressure of the handles is first transferred to the cutting edges.

Blued coating does not tolerate moisture well. Note that Bahco has models that differ from the 2628G only in chrome; there are modifications with a one-component handle (gasoline-oil-resistant) and electrically insulating (with traditional protective "casings" that prevent contact of fingers with metal).

The original part - the return spring (by the way, can be switched off) - is on all Bahco pliers. A thin strip of elastic steel at one end goes under the plastic of the first handle, and at the other it springs against the approximate second handle.

To help the customer, the packaging of all tools graphically shows all the "talents" of each particular model with a special marking.

TEST RESULTS: the high professional "applications" were fully confirmed by our tests. The rigidity of the structure is excellent: even with a heavy load, the handles approach hardly noticeably. The hardening of the jaws is correct: there are no deformations left after contact with the test sample. The holding capacity of the notch is very good, and the force transmitted to the jaws by hand is one of the greatest.

Prolonged "swimming" in gasoline led to a slight shrinkage of the rubber lining. Handle oil is harmless.

SUMMARY: original model with outstanding abilities. It does not only have chemical resistance (corresponding Bahco pliers have a different "lining"). Optimal for work in the workshop or workshop.

Pliers are universal.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

STEEL: high-carbon tool; coating - bluing and varnishing to protect against corrosion.

LENGTH: 180 mm. Weight: 263 g.
RANGE OF THE MANUFACTURER: handles - one-component, two-component, electroinsulating; coating - chromium-nickel, burnished. Length of models: from 100 to 280 mm.
CONSUMER ANALYSIS

The international group of companies Brigadier has already gained worldwide fame as a manufacturer of high-quality professional equipment and building materials.

CONSTRUCTION: simple and solid - that's the exact definition for this model. In strict accordance with the canons of "pliers construction", Brigadier specialists have made a classic product.

The protrusions on the front of the plastic handles protect the hand from slipping forward. They are also included in the work when squeezing widely spaced pliers. Invisible at first glance, there are roughnesses only on the outer surface of the plastic, the rest of the zones are smooth.

The hinge is made with high quality - there is no backlash, it works smoothly, with one hand it easily opens almost to the limit.

The hardness of the steel turned out to be relatively low. When the hardness tester passed through the large notch and the bite zone, a gradual increase in values ​​was noticeable.

All parts are blued, and not hidden under plastic, they are also varnished. Such protection is not designed for aggressive environments; this model is not "street", but "shop", it is better not to leave it in the rain.

TEST RESULTS: pliers showed good values ​​in terms of structural rigidity, they spring slightly under load.

Hardening of cutting elements - not resistant to heavy loads. After passing the endurance test, small dents remained on the blades, visible through the light with the lips closed.
According to the ability to transmit forces and hold a scrolling rod, the model fell into the middle of the list.
As you would expect, the one-component handles have successfully passed the tests for petrol and oil resistance.

SUMMARY: professional model for everyday work. It did not distinguish itself by outstanding indicators, but it transmits average efforts regularly. It has good petrol and oil resistance, but not the strongest moisture protection, therefore it is suitable for workshops or workshops.

Universal pliers with ergonomic handles.

PURPOSE: holding parts with great effort; cutting electrical wires, etc.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS



FEATURES: original hinge design; induction hardening of cutting edges.
LENGTH: 180 mm. Weight: 262 g.
RANGE OF THE MANUFACTURER: handles - one-component, two-component, electrically insulating (up to 1000 V), uncoated; covering - varnished, chrome-plated, chrome-plated with polishing. Length of models: from 160 to 200 mm.

CONSUMER ANALYSIS

Gedore is a world famous professional tool brand. High-quality and reliable, it has won the trust of many European users. The range of offered goods is very wide, but with a pronounced bias towards "power" models.

CONSTRUCTION: there is a certain grace in the simplicity of the form of the Gedore 8245-180 - it is pleasant to hold such an instrument in your hands: nothing superfluous, everything is in place. Rubber pads are not felt by hand, as a separate element of the handles. They cover only those areas that account for the maximum pressure, that is, the half farthest from the hinge, this makes them discreet and inconspicuous. The shape of the handles themselves is convenient: moderately thin, they allow you to work both accurately and strongly. The thumb and forefinger fit comfortably into the recesses on the handles, allowing you to transfer force even to wide-open jaws.

The originality of the design of the hinge lies in the fact that the axial rod, pressed into the fixed handle, at the place of pressing is not round, but resembles a rounded gear. Such a system is stronger: it does not loosen over the years, it does not form a backlash. By the way, it is not there at all - the mechanism is assembled very precisely, it works smoothly, fully opening with minimal effort.

The material from which the pliers are cast has a high hardness, unchanged at any point of the product, except for the cutting edges, hardened in a special way. The geometry of all elements - from the symmetry of the side faces to the accuracy of the dimensions of the jaws - is maintained very accurately.

Good corrosion protection - galvanized. Such a tool, falling into the rain, will not fail.
Good sharpening of the blades makes it easy to cut even a thin sheet of paper.

TEST RESULTS: the mechanical performance of the pliers turned out to be very high, both men and women gave high values ​​for the transfer of force to the sponges. Good results were also obtained by checking the rigidity of the structure.

The only low indicator was obtained when evaluating the holding capacity of the sponges. Inspection of the notch showed that it was not sharpened sharply. On the one hand, this reduces the reliability of gripping thin parts, on the other hand, the notch is not threatened by grinding.
After experiment No. 4, a barely noticeable deformation remained on the cutting elements, which can be seen only when viewing the compressed tool through the light. It must be said that when cutting paper after this experiment, the sheet remained uncut precisely at this point. So it is better not to use pliers for biting hard materials.

Despite the fact that after a 24-hour exposure to gasoline, the handle lengthened, during the drying time "everything returned to normal." A few days later, it was possible to distinguish a sample that had passed chemical tests from an inviolable one only by the smell of gasoline. Rubber inserts have not lost their qualities.

SUMMARY: high quality professional tool. Two-component handles have not only good ergonomics, but also high petrol and oil resistance. Chrome-plated coating reliably protects parts from rusting. The tool is suitable for hard work in harsh environments

Kraftool Will 65/180 22002-1-18
Price: retail - $18 (June 2003).

PURPOSE: holding parts with great effort; work with material under tension; cutting electrical wires, etc.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS



LENGTH: 180 mm. Weight: 238 g.
FEATURES: metal cross pin inside the handles to prevent them from slipping off the rods.
RANGE OF THE MANUFACTURER: handles - one-component, two-component, electroinsulating, without covering; coating - chrome. Length of models: from 160 to 200 mm.

CONSUMER ANALYSIS

A wide range of professional tools under the name Kraftool is available to the Russian buyer. Pliers with this brand are found in workshops and repair shops, but also for home use they fit perfectly.

DESIGN: the originality of this particular model is that the soft plastic handles are cast directly on the rods (pins are welded to the latter and it is impossible to put the handles on otherwise). Such measures completely exclude the slippage of plastic during the transfer of any effort, because it sits literally like a glove.

The handles are not only electrically insulated, but also molded from plastic that is pleasant to the touch, and their shape is thought out and convenient. Wide "aprons" closer to the axis of rotation do not allow the hand to slip forward and touch the metal (after all, it may be energized). Next comes the narrow “waist”, which comfortably fits the thumb and forefinger of the working hand. It is here that the most force is transferred to the rods when the wide open pliers are squeezed. Therefore, in this place (and from the inside, closer to the end of the handle) the surface is covered with "peas" (corrugated with dots). And to transfer large forces in a compressed state outer sides the far parts of the handles are smooth.

The assembly quality of the pliers emphasizes their professionalism - there is no backlash in the mechanism, the handles open easily. But not to the full width, but to about half (this is how the tool is "plowed" most often), then you will have to make a little effort, but everything is doable with one hand.

The geometry of the sponges for all samples is almost perfect, which indicates high quality assemblies. A fine notch does not start immediately - about 2 mm of the compressing edges are flat - this way you can clamp the part more tightly. The cutting planes are well sharpened, they even cut paper.

The hardness of the material is quite high and differs significantly in different parts mechanism. This indicates a special hardening technology.

Chrome plated - reliable protection from corrosion. Thanks to him, the tool not only has an attractive appearance, but also works in the rain on the street as reliably as in a dry shop.

TEST RESULTS: pliers turned out to be one of the most flexible when testing for the strength of the structure, but they invariably restored their shape after removing the load. Blade cutting elements shown high strength: after testing, no traces were left on them. Low rates were obtained when evaluating the "power" qualities of pliers, with all the perceived convenience in transferring power to the sponges, they were inferior to many other samples.
The pliers passed the oil resistance test very well. So even if you forget them overnight in a puddle of gasoline, nothing bad will happen.

SUMMARY: high quality tool for professional use. It features a thoughtful shape of an electrically insulated handle. It is molded directly on the rod with a pin, sits firmly without slipping. The tool is well protected against corrosion and chemical influences, suitable for work in extreme conditions, for example, in car workshops where frequent contact with water, salt or gasoline.

Universal pliers with ergonomic handles.

PURPOSE: holding parts with great effort; cutting electrical wires, etc.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

STEEL: alloyed chrome-vanadium; a covering - the chromeplated anticorrosive, opaque.
HANDLES: two-component; protective protrusions that prevent hand contact with the part.
LENGTH: 180 mm. Weight: 245 g.
RANGE OF THE MANUFACTURER: handles - one-component, two-component, electroinsulating; coating - chrome. Length of models: from 160 to 180 mm.

CONSUMER ANALYSIS

Brand "Legioner" - new on Russian market. A professional instrument with this name is created using original design solutions and apart from professional quality has an attractive appearance.

DESIGN: the handles of the pliers are divided into two parts. The inside is finished with plastic, and on top is dressed in soft rubber, which improves contact with the palm. Moreover, the ergonomic insert stretches along the entire surface, even covering the protective "apron" (the extension of the handle near the hinge, preventing the hand from slipping forward). Thanks to its presence, the tool can safely rest on the detail.

The pliers are made with high quality, there is practically no play in the joints. The geometry of the jaws is also strictly maintained, which indicates a high level of all factory operations.

Noble matt sheen - the effect of the usual anti-corrosion chrome plating. The special technology of its final refinement allows you to give the pliers an advantageous appearance. And under the coating is hidden steel of high hardness, strictly maintained in all details.

The sharpness of the cutting edges deserves praise: not every tool has them sharpened so that it is easy to bite even one sheet of paper.
Pliers are easy to use with one hand. Easily they open up to medium corners. Next, the handles need to be “pushed” a little, and only for the fullest opening will you need to take the tool in both palms. By the way, in this position, the "aprons" already noted by us at the top of the handles turn out to be advantageous - the angles created by them allow even in this position to transfer rather large efforts to the levers.

TEST RESULTS: in all mechanical tests, the pliers proved to be confident middlings. Not champions, of course, but quite comfortable for professionals.

The cutting elements demonstrated good durability: there were no traces of a rather severe impact in experiment No. 4 on them.
Ergonomic handles are able to transfer quite a lot of force to the sponges.

The only thing that the pliers could not cope with was a one-day aging in gasoline: the plastic was deformed, and the rubber insert lost its elasticity. Prolonged oil "baths" did not cause any harm to the instrument.

SUMMARY: professional model with good working qualities. It stands out from others with an attractive design. The noble matte reflection of the chrome-plated anti-corrosion coating is both effective and functional. Pliers do not always tolerate prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals (such as gasoline), so they are more suitable for the workshop or for the home.

Pliers are universal.

PURPOSE: deduction of details; cutting electrical wires, etc.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

STEEL: alloyed chrome-vanadium; a covering - the chromeplated anticorrosive, polished.
HANDLES: one-component; protective protrusions that prevent hand contact with the part.
LENGTH: 180 mm. Weight: 276 g.
FEATURES: laid on cutting block.
RANGE OF THE MANUFACTURER: handles - one-component, two-component, electroinsulating, without covering; coating - chrome-plated, burnished. Length of models: from 145 to 225 mm.

CONSUMER ANALYSIS

NWS- famous brand professional equipment. For the production of hand tools, the company uses high quality materials Solingen, as evidenced by the markings on the pliers we tested.

CONSTRUCTION: polished chrome plated to protect the pliers from rusting. The appearance of the tool undoubtedly benefited from this, and the durability of the protection has improved.

The hardness of the material is high enough to provide long term services. Its value at various measurements showed that hardening specifically strengthens the jaws and the axis (their hardness is higher). The rotational mechanism works smoothly and it is easy to open more than halfway with one hand. However, it already initially has a small backlash.

The cutting parts that are placed relative to the parts help to cut the material more accurately (the cutting line is more visible). The blades themselves in this "situation" are located on the line of the edge of the sponges. By the way, the type of pliers only benefits from this.

Effective and transparent handles made of elastic material. Their external surfaces strewn with dots ("peas") that reduce slippage. And the front end is trimmed with protrusions that prevent the palms from breaking forward with a longitudinal emphasis. The same elements allow you to transfer force to the wide-open handles.

The accuracy of the factory execution of all forms is impeccable.

TEST RESULTS: the handles showed "miracles of flexibility". When a test load of 800 N was applied to them (specified by GOST), the measurement points approached almost a centimeter. However, each time the pressure was released, there was no residual deformation, so that all requirements are met.

After a test test, traces visible to the eye remained on the cutting surfaces. So the reinforced appearance of the blades is not a reason to overload them: they will last a long time only when cutting soft metals.

The fine notch did not show great holding power. The "transfer" function proved to be much better: it is easy to transfer a decent force to the sponges.

The chemical resistance test was excellent. However, we did not expect anything else from one-component pens.

SUMMARY: good protection against external influences allows you to complete with these professional pliers even auto repair shops (neither gasoline nor moisture will harm them). The tool did not show transcendental abilities, but it is quite suitable for solving everyday tasks.

Universal pliers with ergonomic handles.

PURPOSE: holding parts with great effort; cutting electrical wires, etc.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

STEEL: alloyed chrome-vanadium; coating - chrome anti-corrosion.
HANDLES: two-component; protective protrusions that prevent hand contact with the part.
LENGTH: 180 mm. Weight: 253 g.
FEATURES: original hinge design; induction hardening of cutting elements.
RANGE OF THE MANUFACTURER: handles - one-component, two-component, electroinsulating, without covering; coating - chrome-plated, burnished. Length of models: from 110 to 225 mm.

CONSUMER ANALYSIS

Orbis is a professional tool.

DESIGN: the underlined "professionalism" of this tool is visible in everything. Handles with large protective lugs prevent the hand from slipping forward. They are also included in the work, transferring forces when squeezing wide-open pliers. Rubber tabs, which strengthen the places of application of maximum forces, have a rough surface. Their material is dense, its slight compression is felt only under heavy loads.

There is no backlash in the hinge, and it should not appear even when working with heavy loads. For reliability, the end of the hinge axis, pressed into the fixed half, is not in the form of a round rod, but a gear with four rounded teeth.

On the inside of the cutting elements, it can be seen that the blades have undergone a special hardening, which increases their durability. They are sharpened so well that with minimal pressure they cut the paper. All other details give off a characteristic brilliance - the metal is chrome-plated to protect against corrosion.

The hardness of the steel from which the pliers are made is high. In the region of the axis, the metal is slightly "released" (hardness is less) - this situation is typical for products that have undergone technological production.

TEST RESULTS: high rigidity design is not shown. When loaded with eight hundred Newtons, the control points approach each other by almost half a centimeter, however, when the pressure is removed, the pliers restore their shape (by the way, GOST requires this).

The hardened surface of the blades did not receive visible deformations after experiment No. 4, but it became less brisk to fight, for example, with a paper sheet. Having made many cuts with a new sample, we noticed that razor-sharp surfaces gradually come to the usual state for all pliers - sharp, but significant efforts are required to cut a paper sheet.

The holding abilities of the tool turned out to be not very high, but the force with the help of pliers turned out to be quite decent.
Prolonged soaking in gasoline significantly deformed the handle - the rubber insert hardened and decreased slightly, while it itself stretched out a lot and did not return to its original state after drying. Oil "baths" were painless for the instrument.

SUMMARY: professional model, suitable for working with heavy loads. The hinge axis is reinforced, the parts are chrome-plated to protect against corrosion, the ergonomic handles are equipped with protective "aprons". The tool is not resistant to long-term exposure to gasoline, so it is more focused on carpentry or locksmith workshops.

Pliers are universal.

PURPOSE: deduction of details; cutting electrical wires, etc.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

STEEL: alloyed chrome-vanadium; coating - nickel-ferrum (Ni-Fe) anti-corrosion, matte.
HANDLES: one-component; protective protrusions that prevent hand contact with the part.
LENGTH: 180 mm. Weight: 308 g.
RANGE OF THE MANUFACTURER: handles - one-component, two-component, electroinsulating, without covering; coating - chrome-plated, burnished. Length of models: from 160 to 200 mm.

CONSUMER ANALYSIS

Remocolor products combine affordable price and quality for professional use.

CONSTRUCTION: The plastic from which the handles of the pliers are molded, though firm to the touch, is flexible enough to last a long time. If you leave a dent on it with a sharp object, then gradually it will restore its shape. The geometry of the handle allows you to rest while working, without fear that your fingers will jump forward.

The tool is assembled soundly, there is no backlash. The quality of the material is strictly maintained - the jaws are hardened along the entire surface in the same way, on the axis the hardness is slightly less, and for all three measurements (the average value is placed in the table).

The mechanism works well and is easy to open with one hand. The parts are coated with an anti-corrosion NiFe coating, its matte sheen gives the product solidity.

TEST RESULTS: Plier blades require careful handling. After loading them in experiment No. 4, deformations remained visible even to the eye on the cutting edges. The initial sharpening did not provide cutting of the paper sheet. Thus, it is better to "bite" only the wires, they are soft enough - there will be no harm.

The design has been tested for rigidity: under load, the handles spring almost imperceptibly. The notch also performed well - the torque required to rotate the test rod was large.

But the ergonomic indicators of the handles turned out to be low - the wide handles did not allow you to properly press the levers even with a small opening. The length of the fingers, of course, is enough to reach the second handle, but you can’t give out special power with an open palm.
The plastic handles have passed the petrol-oil resistance test without damage. When aged in gasoline, they, however, first changed their shape, but after drying they restored their original appearance.

SUMMARY: model suitable for both home use and for work in production. Wide handles are oil and gas resistant, but not designed to transmit significant forces.

Pliers are universal.

PURPOSE: deduction of details; cutting electrical wires, etc.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

STEEL: alloyed chrome-vanadium; a covering - the chromeplated anticorrosive, polished.
HANDLES: one-component; protective protrusions that prevent hand contact with the part.
LENGTH: 180 mm. Weight: 313 g.
FEATURES: original hinge design.

CONSUMER ANALYSIS

The Stanley professional tool has been one of the trendsetters in the world market for more than a dozen years. This brand has reached a similar level of fame in Russia. Many salespeople use the Stanley as a "watershed" when comparing everything else as "better" or "worse". We could not help but hold the pliers of this brand in our hands.

CONSTRUCTION: all forms are classical. No deviations from accepted standards in the geometry of metal parts or plastic handles were found.

Handles are simple, without "bells and whistles". There are protective lugs at the front and a rough surface on the top of the plastic.

The hinge is accurate - no backlash, works smoothly, but we managed to open only one of the three tested samples with one hand to the end. In the other two, he was easily exposed only to the average "span". For a long and reliable service, the designers strengthened it by pressing the axis of rotation into a fixed part with gear-like engagement.

Wide edges, not hidden in plastic, polished. As a result, the chrome coating has acquired a mirror reflection - it looks more spectacular. Functionally, chrome is a reliable anticorrosive agent.

The hardening of these pliers is carried out cunningly - this was evident from the hardness measurements. The values, which fluctuated everywhere from HRC 45 to 47, fell closer to the hinge to 37-39 - the metal is softer here.
The cutting elements are sharpened with high quality - without much effort they bite even a single sheet of paper.

TEST RESULTS: Stiffness tests gave poor results. Under load, the handles are noticeably closer, but when released, they return to their "legitimate" place. The loading of the cutting elements left minor marks on the blades, so to increase the resource it is better to cut something softer than hardened bars with them.

The "strength" abilities of the pliers are commendable for a model with single-component handles. The holding capacity of the sponges is also on top.
The test for oil resistance once again confirmed the main advantage of simple plastic handles - insensitivity to gasoline.

SUMMARY: simple and high-quality model, created for hard work in harsh conditions. Differs in good power data, moisture protection and petrol-oil resistance. Suitable for a wide variety of professional applications.

Universal pliers with electrically insulating (up to 1000 V) handles.

PURPOSE: deduction of details; work with material under tension; cutting electrical wires, etc.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

STEEL: alloyed chrome-vanadium; coating - bluing and varnishing to protect against corrosion.
HANDLES: one-component electrically insulating (up to 1000 V); protective protrusions that prevent hand contact with the part.
LENGTH: 180 mm. Weight: 300 g.
RANGE OF THE MANUFACTURER: handles - one-component, electroinsulating; coating - burnished. Length of models: from 160 to 180 mm.

CONSUMER ANALYSIS

The Stayer trademark has firmly taken root in the Russian market. Both professionals and amateurs have something to choose from in the instrument with this name. Reliability and durability are emphasized by the name itself (stayer - long-distance runner).

CONSTRUCTION: simple, unsophisticated model. Well-made: the play in the rotational mechanism is small, the quality of sharpening the blades is good (despite the fact that the pliers do not cut paper). The hinge works smoothly, easily opens with one hand to the extreme position.

The plastic handle is securely seated with adhesive. By the way, its shape corresponds to the name of the pliers - "electrically insulated": a wide element on the handle prevents the palm from slipping forward and does not allow contact with the part. So when working, it is safe to rest with pliers.

The hardness of the samples is high and constant in all elements, which indicates the exact holding of the technology during production. On two of the three samples, the geometry of the sponges is not ideal (one rectangle is slightly smaller than the other), but this can only be noticed with the naked eye.

The anti-corrosion coating is quite simple, the black color of the pliers indicates that they were only burnished. Therefore, this product is best suited for work in a workshop or workshop, it is contraindicated for exposure to rain.

TEST RESULTS: bending stiffness and deflection under load - not the highest, but quite sufficient for a long and reliable operation tool. The durability of the blades is commendable - the number of samples on which, after the removal of the load in experiment No. 4, deformations remained, amounted to half of those tested. Stayer just got into the "resistant" group.

Good results in terms of the moment of turning the bar in the jaws indicate a well-executed notch. But it was not possible to transfer great efforts with the help of a wide handle - you cannot squeeze them strongly even in an incompletely opened state (the palm is not large enough for this). This is the "payment" for electrical insulation. And, by the way, for petrol and oil resistance - in these tests, the samples showed excellent results.

SUMMARY: solid pliers suitable for work at home or at work. Electrically insulated wide handles do not allow the transfer of large forces, but they are distinguished by good petrol and oil resistance.

Universal pliers with ergonomic handles.

PURPOSE: holding parts with great effort; cutting electrical wires, etc.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

STEEL: alloyed chrome-vanadium; coating - polishing for protection against corrosion.
HANDLES: two-component.
LENGTH: 180 mm. Weight: 266 g.
FEATURES: custom geometry inner surface sponges (shortened, without a large notch, with an elongated cutting zone); additional notch on the side closest to the handles.
RANGE OF THE MANUFACTURER: handles - one-component, two-component, electroinsulating, without covering; coating - chrome-plated, burnished. Length of models: from 150 to 200 mm.

CONSUMER ANALYSIS

CONSTRUCTION: These pliers look very solid. The red plastic handles are almost completely hidden in "covers" made of rough rubber. Handles look elegant (if only such an epithet is applicable to pliers). In the palm of your hand, the tool lies comfortably, and due to the right angles and thin plastic coating efficient to use.

Backlash in the hinge is minimal, the mechanism works accurately. Opening is not difficult in any way, and to the largest angles it is easily done with one hand.

The hardness of the metal, which is high on the jaws and on the cutting surface, noticeably decreases in the axial part and in the zone of a wide notch. This indicates the manufacturability of production - hardening of parts takes into account the features of the tool.

Small protrusions on the jaws in front of the blades do not allow the cutting parts to be pressed tightly against each other, leaving a gap of hundredths of a millimeter. Such measures protect the sharpening of the blades, but it was for this reason that the pliers could not cope with cutting the paper. By the way, the same "emphasis" leaves a gap (about 0.1 mm) between the jaws visible only in the light.

Among those tested, there were only two samples of the American type (unlike all the others belonging to the German type) - without a large notch and round hole between jaws and blades. Workman is one of them. Its cutting elements are slightly elongated compared to the dimensions adopted for such a tool. The front notch by 3 mm does not reach the edge of the jaws, some of which are flat, but not polished (so that the part does not slip). A small notch on the side closest to the handles goes all the way to the plastic.
Plastic, by the way, is electrically insulating (up to 1000 V), but for frequent work under voltage better pliers do not use, since the lack of protective plastic protrusions forces the master to be careful that the index finger does not slip and touch the metal.

TEST RESULTS: the material of the sample, and the entire structure as a whole, proved to be very durable. Under high loads, their deflection was very small, and even the harsh impact of experiment No. 4 did not leave any marks on the cutting elements.

The highest results were obtained in terms of "power" characteristics. The remarkable moment of scrolling of the clamped steel rod indicates the quality of the notch, and the great value of the force transmitted to the jaws indicates the excellent transmission abilities of the mechanism and the well-thought-out shape of the handles. Not the last reason is the shortened distance from the jaws to the axis of rotation compared to other models (the shoulder is smaller - the force is greater).
Soaking in gasoline affected the rubber coating: it shrunk, became a little smaller and stiffer. Of course, such a tool can continue to work, but not as new. Oil "baths" do not change the shape of the pliers, but the rubber becomes more slippery, and its texture does not allow the handles to be wiped dry.

SUMMARY: good professional model. Best suited for dry environments such as carpentry. It distinguished itself by enviable "power" indicators, which are largely due to the original shape (one notch instead of two on the lips and a shortened distance from the edge to the axis).

Pliers are universal.

PURPOSE: deduction of details; cutting electrical wires, etc.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

STEEL: alloyed chrome-vanadium; coating - chrome anti-corrosion.
HANDLES: one-component; protective protrusions that prevent hand contact with the part.
LENGTH: 190 mm. Weight: 313 g.
FEATURES: non-standard geometry of the inner surface of the jaws (shortened, without large notches); additional notch on the side closest to the handles.
RANGE OF THE MANUFACTURER: handles - only one-component; The finish is chrome only. Length of models: from 115 to 215 mm.

CONSUMER ANALYSIS

These pliers belong to the "Mechanic" series of tools. The Enkor company also has another series - Precise Mechanics, which consists of models that are more suitable for working with electronics and other "simple" tasks.

CONSTRUCTION: The shape of the pliers differs greatly from that generally accepted among today's manufacturers. The fact is that they belong to the American type (most of the models in our test belong to the German class). In the assortment of "Enkor" there were no samples with a length of 180 mm; we took a 190 mm tool for testing and tested it, regardless of the difference in "growth" (GOST offers a technique only for 180 and 200 mm pliers).

With a larger overall length of the sponge model, it turned out to be the shortest of all the samples taken. In a word, it is clear that all the efforts of the designers were aimed at increasing the transmitting capabilities of the instrument. Since the cutting elements on the jaws are of the usual length, the remaining space was only enough for one notch. It is quite large - after all, the model is power. On the other side of the hinge, another notch is provided - smaller. It is able to clamp even thin parts - the edges are brought together with a gap of about a millimeter.

The build quality gives no reason for complaints: there is practically no backlash, all dimensions are exactly the same. The mechanism works smoothly, but with one hand it is easy to open the pliers only to medium angles, then you cannot do without the help of the second.

The hardening of the metal is of high quality, uniform - the hardness in all details is almost the same, everywhere the measurements showed high values.

With apparent simplicity, the handles are well thought out. Wide protrusions in front do not allow the palm to slide off, besides, on the upper part along the entire length of the cover, the plastic is made rough. The material is elastic and does not bend the hand during the transfer of significant efforts.

TEST RESULTS: pliers successfully passed all tests. The design has a commendable rigidity, so that you can fearlessly apply the greatest efforts to the handles. The holding ability of the jaws is at a height - it took a high torque to turn the steel bar.

In terms of force transfer, pliers took one of the first places, so the main task of the designers - to create a "power" model - was completed. sharpening cutting edges corresponds to the status of "strong man": he transfers loads well.

One-component pliers handles successfully passed the test for oil resistance. Slightly elongated after a one-day stay in gasoline, they regained their shape the very next day.

SUMMARY: solid professional pliers, optimized for power work. The transmission of high forces is facilitated by an unusual geometry with elongated handles and shortened jaws. The handles are petrol and oil resistant, so the tool is ready for harsh conditions.

One of the most common tools are pliers and pliers, but not everyone knows what their difference is, so let's try to figure it out. These tools are used by both professionals and home craftsmen. Locksmiths, electricians, mechanics and other specialists cannot do without them. In the household, it often becomes necessary to carry out various types of work, during which it is almost impossible to do without these devices.

Many people believe that these are the names of the same tool, but they are mistaken, since pliers and pliers are different from each other. Although outwardly they have similarities, in the production of each of them their own technical requirements are met and they have different GOSTs.

Types of pliers

This type appeared a very long time ago and is constantly being improved, new types of it appear.

Round-nose pliers are used when soldering microcircuits.

Varieties of pliers:

  • pliers;
  • round nose pliers;
  • ticks;
  • pliers;
  • wire cutters.

In addition, each species also has its own subspecies, which differ in the size and shape of the sponges. Each model has its own purpose. For example, to bend a cable of different diameters, a device with cone-shaped jaws is used. For convenience, wire cutters can be additionally installed on such models.

If it is necessary to work with plastic or other fragile parts, special nozzles are used. Special notches are made on the round-nose pliers, which helps to more reliably fix parts with their help, and the fact that they have such a sponge shape allows you to work in hard-to-reach places, for example, when soldering microcircuits or carrying out other work.

Nippers can have different sizes and shapes of the cutting part. For work with a thick cable, more powerful wire cutters are used, they are not suitable for working with radio components, small wire cutters are needed here.

Plier Features

The name itself indicates the shape of this device; pliers have flat jaws, on which notches are made. The tool is used when performing various plumbing, electrical and other types of work. With it, you can simply and securely hold parts, bend cables, metal, the tool is often used instead of wrench for loosening or tightening nuts.

In addition to the difference in size, the pliers differ in the type of working surface:

  • elongated jaws are used to work in confined spaces;
  • in electrical engineering, elongated jaws are often used, curved at a certain angle;
  • there are tools in the form of tweezers with flat lips, the so-called "platypuses";
  • for work with fragile materials use special nozzles.

When performing electrical work, there is a great danger of electric shock, therefore, devices used when working with electrical tools and wires must have specially insulated handles on which the manufacturer indicates the maximum voltage that they can withstand.

Most often, for domestic use, a device with protection up to 1000V is used. If the pliers have rubber handles, but the voltage value is not indicated, then they are not intended for electrical work - they can only perform plumbing work.

Features of pliers

They are direct relatives of pliers, so their scope will be similar.

On the working surface of the pliers there must be a recess with notches.

Its presence allows you to securely hold the parts.

Sponges usually have a combined shape, and their edge is made in the form of pliers.

Some models of recesses can have two different sizes, which allows you to hold parts of different shapes and sizes.

There are models in which the hinge can move in the grooves, so it is possible to adjust the compression force and the amount of opening of the jaws, which allows you to work with pliers with parts of different sizes.

Most of these devices have side cutters with which you can remove the insulation from the cable, there can also be special edges that allow you to cut hard wire. Pliers are available for plumbing and electrical work, so the voltage at which to work must be indicated on the handles of the latter them safe.

The main differences between pliers and pliers

Having considered the device and the purpose of these devices, we can highlight their main differences:

  1. The shape of the working surface of the pliers is flat and does not have a special recess.
  2. With the help of pliers, you can create much greater forces, so they are made from higher quality steel.
  3. Pliers have the ability to adjust the degree of compression and gap of the jaws, while pliers do not.
  4. Pliers are more versatile, they have side cutters, a device for cutting wire, which pliers do not have.

How to buy a quality tool?

Joinery and carpentry tools: a, b - wire cutters, c - tongs, d, e - pliers.

It is best to purchase a professional tool, but keep in mind that its cost will be more expensive than that which is intended for everyday use. The professional tool has best quality, it is more reliable, if you bought not a fake, it will last you a lifetime, it will serve reliably and always do its job with high quality.

One of the main features of a quality model is a hinge, which should not have any play, its movement should be easy and smooth. Another sign of a high-quality professional tool is the absence of a gap when the jaws of pliers or pliers are closed. The surface must be flat and they must be adjacent to each other throughout the plane.

When choosing a power tool, pay attention to the quality of the insulation on the handle. It should sit tightly, in no case should it move, it must necessarily indicate the value of the maximum voltage at which you can work with such pliers or pliers.

As you can see, there is no big difference between pliers and pliers, both are used to perform similar work, but there are still some differences. In the household it is necessary to have both, then you can independently, without outside help do all housework.

For many people, including owners of building and repair skills, pliers and pliers are one and the same. In a sense, they are right, but if you go into details, the differences are so significant that they allow us to consider these names as inherent in individual instruments!

Dielectric pliers, combined and universal

When the house has the right tool, you don’t think about the need for it when performing tasks. However, as soon as a person is away from the usual workshop or in a new house where there is nothing yet, even the absence of ordinary pliers will cause a lot of discomfort and stop work. Therefore, it is better to make a list of the most necessary tools in advance, which will include a hacksaw, an ax, screwdrivers and, of course, pliers, often mistakenly called pliers.

Few people understand the difference between them, but it is, and very significant. Moreover, each tool has its own GOSTs and relevant requirements from both the manufacturer and the user. They are united by a common relationship - they belong to the pliers, which are rooted in the very ancient history humanity. Perhaps, among the first tools that began to be made of metal were pliers - the progenitors of modern pliers, because without them further metal processing and the manufacture of more complex things is almost impossible.

Over time, the design of the tongs was taken as the basis in many similar tools, which nevertheless have significant differences. In addition to pliers and pliers, this group also includes wire cutters and round nose pliers, which in turn have many varieties that differ in the shape of the sponges, their length and width, depending on the functions assigned to them.

Types of pliers - explore the differences!

For ease of understanding, let's start with pliers. Already from their name it is clear what appearance is inherent in the tools - these are flat jaws with transverse notches of varying degrees of frequency, a swivel joint and handles. The working part and handles, as a rule, are monolithic parts. In any electrical or plumbing work, they will be indispensable, because with their help it is easy to grab and hold a part of any shape, as well as bend wire or metal in the right direction.

In addition to the main purpose, one such tool can replace a whole set. Although, in fairness, it should be noted that these are completely unusual tasks for him, but when the wrench of the right size is really not around, pliers are quite capable of coping with such a task as screwing or unscrewing all kinds of bolts and nuts. In addition to dimensional differences, pliers also differ in the shape of the working part.

So, the ability to work in hard-to-reach places is provided by a tool with narrow elongated jaws, and curved ones are able to get the necessary parts even from under the surface, for example, a screwed board, as is often the case in electronics. "Duckbills" are also pliers, just with sponges elongated like tweezers, for greater compressive force. To work with particularly delicate materials, there are not only special tools, but also silicone nozzles for conventional models. In addition to the structure of the working part, the tool is also distinguished by handles.

For example, dielectric pliers allow you to work in electrical installations. On such, it is imperative to look for the indicated maximum voltage value that one or another material used for handles can withstand. In household models, this figure rarely exceeds 1000 V. If you don’t find such a figure on the tool at all, it’s strictly forbidden to poke into live electrical equipment - most likely, you have a bench tool in your hands, which is not intended for such tasks.

Practical foreigner Pliers: three in one!

Since the name of the instrument comes from French, it is logical to assume that such a product came to us from abroad, although it has not yet occurred to anyone to prove this unambiguously. The main difference between these spongy tools and the same pliers is the presence of grooves with notches, with which it is convenient to grab and hold smooth and rounded surfaces, for example, pipes of small diameter.

In its pure form, you are unlikely to find such a tool - they are often combined with the same pliers, making the front working part even, as well as supplying side cutters and wire cutters conveniently located in the hinged part. For the most part, pliers do not have such “conveniences”. Some models deliberately simplify, making perhaps not one, but two recesses of different diameters for working with rounded surfaces, in other models there is an adjustable hinge that allows you to expand the grip.

Pliers and wire cutters are cousins ​​of pliers

Of course, we must not forget about round pliers - unlike other tools, their sponges have round section which tapers towards the ends. It is convenient to bend the wire with this, and to make bends with different radii. There are round-nose pliers with jaws of different sizes, there are models with a curved working part, with and without notches. Otherwise, they are similar to their older "brothers" in the same dielectric handles and wire cutters.

Wire cutters in one version resemble pincers, with the exception that they have cutting edges that can be used to bite metal different thickness, depending on the capabilities of the edge.

In turn, the wire cutters are divided into side and end (transverse). It is more convenient to use side cutters in everyday life, or side cutters, as they are also called. When buying such products, you should specify which metals they are able to master, because there are wire cutters only for copper wire, while others will bite and nails. There are also reinforced wire cutters that can even cut through a cable or reinforcement due to increased strength cutting edges and multiple hinges for greater clamping force.


In case of hand tool it’s better not to spare money - in electric mechanisms, the manufacturer can save money due to a secondary function (fifth speed or an extra nozzle), and in simple tools, if you can save on something, then only on loss of quality. Therefore, as far as your capabilities allow, buy professional tools. The difference between ordinary philistine and professional will be so tangible that you will very soon thank yourself for such "wastefulness."

For example, even in products from leading manufacturers, the cost of wire cutters or pliers will depend on the quality of the steel. Cheap tools will become blunt or lose even notches after a few days of work, while professional products will serve and serve, and your children will also have left.

Visually evaluate how firmly the jaws of the tools close together - there should be no gaps between them, only uniform contact of the surfaces is allowed. The hinge also should not have any backlash; when compressing and unclenching, a soft and smooth ride should be felt. The handles on the handles must sit very securely, because in low-quality products there is slippage, which is very inappropriate when working with the same electricity.

We will not hide that in any household it is very useful to have pliers. The versatility of pliers is confirmed by the practice of conducting household: twist, then fix or install again. Among the variety of tools among the variety of home craftsmen, it is pliers and pliers that noticeably distinguish and give deserved attention.

Pliers for the home master

Pliers are multifunctional hand tools. A successful combination of the functions of pliers and comfortable handles allows you to work on clamping, grasping and holding various parts and elements in a given mode.

According to regulated regulatory requirements, pliers and pliers are made industrial way from steel grades that ensure the fulfillment of specifications and loads when testing bench tools. At the same time, the hardness of the cutting elements of the hinge, the edges of the jaws and the clamping surfaces should not be lower than the recommended HRC values ​​on the Rockwell scale. Before starting the selection, it does not hurt to know the difference between pliers and pliers.

How to distinguish pliers from pliers

Pliers and pliers are considered to be pliers designed for carpentry, carpentry and electrical work on the wiring of low-voltage electrical networks. In the arsenal of a home master, the presence of these tools is a must. With the use of pliers, it is possible to clamp or capture not only parts of various configurations, but also pipes of small diameter.

What is the difference between pliers and pliers? The difference from pliers is obvious, because pliers have one, less often two pairs of notches of a serrated shape. Serrated recesses are designed to capture and rotate parts of a classic cylindrical shape. In addition, the pliers are decorated with a notch, which is located on the recesses and the flat part of the jaws.

Pliers design

According to the type of work performed, the design of the pliers may vary. I make pliers in the following versions:
with elongated jaws
with short lips.
Pliers with elongated jaws up to 200 mm are a bench tool designed for manipulating, holding, twisting and pulling elements and parts.

The advantageous length of the jaws allows the use of the two-way leverage rule on gripping jaws and cutting edges. Pliers are equipped with ergonomic handles with overlays.

Pliers with short jaws are small in size, opening the inner jaw and breeding up to 33 mm.

Types of pliers

There are the following types of pliers:
dielectric pliers
pliers for eyelets
combined pliers.
To find out what type of pliers belong to, just look at their photo.

dielectric pliers

Dielectric pliers are distinguished by handles with electrical insulation according to IEC (IEC) 60900, in which it is allowed to work with tools and equipment with an operating voltage of up to 1000 V AC, as well as up to 1500 V DC.
Soft cast handles of pliers, streamlined shape with insulation allow you to comfortably and safely perform electrical work.

So, for example, plastic knipex pliers are successfully used when installing electricity meters in an apartment. The safety of work is ensured by the body of the handles, made of plastic reinforced with fiberglass. Reliable electrical insulation completely eliminates the possibility of electric shock. The handles of the pliers have a ribbed surface, which excludes any slip during installation. Flat jaws tools are equipped with teeth that provide a good grip. With a small weight of pliers of about 130 g and a length of handles of 180 mm, working with pliers for a long time is not burdensome.

pliers for eyelets

The most popular tool for a home craftsman can be confidently called pliers for eyelets. Moreover, a metal or plastic ring - a grommet with a diameter of up to 7 mm is often used in the arrangement of curtains and curtains for apartment windows. Thanks to the presence of pliers for installing eyelets, installation is quick and comfortable. With the help of pliers, the installation of the eyelet is simplified to a minimum: a few vigorous squeezes with the handles and the metal rings are completely fixed along the edge of the material.

combined pliers

Models of combined pliers combine several functions of a bench tool: these are pliers, cutters for thin wire and side cutters. Models of combined pliers are made of carbon steel, and the cutting edges of the jaws are hardened for a long service life.

The metal parts of the pliers are processed and polished, and also coated with anti-corrosion varnish. The handles of combined pliers are made of two materials of the same type, the handles are comfortable in the hand due to the ergonomic design.

How to choose pliers

If the home master does not intend to perform complex electrical or plumbing work, and the ongoing work will be episodic, then there is no need to purchase an expensive professional tool. It will be enough to purchase household pliers. Which quality parameters should pay attention when choosing?

Of course, this is a high-quality material for the manufacture of the tool. Most best pliers made from quality steel. The fact that this is really steel and the brand mark can be seen with your own eyes on the body of the pliers in the form of an engraving. It is also necessary to pay attention to anti-corrosion coating tool. The best coatings are chromium and vanadium. By the way, the shiny lips of the pliers are not an indicator of excellent quality. Get in direct contact with the pliers. If your palm feels confidently protected from slipping, and there are no external reinforcements of the handles with pins, then the handshake can be considered friendly.

Such a "friendly interface" will serve the home master in good stead. And, of course, test drive the pliers. Well, here without "divorce" is simply not enough. Spread the handles of the tool and follow the smoothness of the move. Repeat the procedure several times. If, with the eightfold “divorce” of the pliers, not a single muscle flinched on the face of the saleswoman of the building supermarket watching your manipulations, this means that it is time to pay for a new convenient tool.