What are the different types of pliers?

Pliers are one of the handiest tools that have a variety of uses, from cutting to clamping. Pliers are responsible for covering a wide range of technical operations. Usually, there are a lot of varieties of pliers where size can vary from four inches to ten inches for various purposes. The very basic design of pliers consists of two handles, a head, and a pivot. Read on to find out more about different types of pliers and what they are used for.

See also: Drill bit types and their uses

 

Different types of pliers and their applications

Following are some of the main types of pliers found in homes and workshops for various uses.

 

Slip joint pliers

Slip joint pliers are not fixed with a rivet. They have an adjustable pivot area, which allows two pieces of pliers to shift. These pliers can grip and hold very thick materials. Usually, the shape of the jaws is square. However, these can not cut wires.

 

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Tongue and groove pliers

Tongue and groove pliers are also known as water pump pliers or multi-grips. The working principle is quite the same as the slip joint pliers. These are quite commonly used in plumbing jobs. You can find an adjustable pivot with the jaws placed parallelly, but you can open up those pliers with a wide gap. The handles are long, and the head of the plier is angled correctly, so you can easily access the thinner spaces.

 

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Linesman pliers

Linesman pliers are also known as electrician pliers and they come with a dedicated pivot point. You can find flat fronts in these pliers. These pliers help twist wires to stick them together. In these pliers, you can find cutters just behind the jaws. Also, various kinds of handles are available to access tiny places.

 

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Cutting pliers

Cutting pliers, also known as diagonal pliers, are a must-have for electrical tool bags. They come with smaller jaws and angles. In these pliers, you will find cutting knives that are extended to the tip. This kind of design helps snip wires properly. To get extra leverage, handles should be changed accordingly.

 

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Locking pliers

To clamp down things, locking pliers are the best option. You can be hands-free with these pliers. Locking pliers consist of double-lever action, which is the main reason the pliers can act as handheld devices. The jaws are closed down just like any other type of pliers. But the main feature is that you can lock the jaws in the desired position. You can open the lock when you trigger the lever. Also, jaws are adjustable with the help of a screwdriver.

 

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Needle nose pliers

The jaw of the pliers is tapered down to a point. This plier works well where the space or area of work is very compact, and you need to work delicately. You can make use of needle nose pliers for bending or twisting wires, placing fasteners, cutting wires, etc. According to the space available, you can adjust the pin-pointed jaws. The jaws of the pliers consist of knurled surfaces and side cutters.

 

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Crimping pliers

Crimping pliers, also known as a nutcracker, is another type of pliers consisting of a fulcrum at the top. Using these pliers, technicians usually deform plastics or metal boards slightly. This plier is widely used in networking and telecommunications.

 

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Hose clamp pliers

The primary work of the hose clamp pliers is to make a joint tighter by compressing its spring and hose. Other names for the hose clamp pliers are radiator hose pliers and spring clamp pliers. The tooth of the hose clamp jaw helps to pinch the clamp properly to get the work done.

 

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Battery pliers

Battery pliers are mainly used in the automotive industry and help in holding any bolt on the battery of cars or other cables. Small angled jaws are used to hold the bolt with a firm grip. Usually, the lower jaw of this plier is shorter than the upper jaw. Both jaws are thick enough, making them durable and sturdy.

 

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see also about: Construction Tools

Eyelet pliers

Eyelet pliers are usually used in fabric works, cobbling, the textile industry, etc., where they work to hold laces and rings on the fabric. The upgraded version of eyelet pliers consists of interchangeable dies. It may have different kinds of die tips.

 

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Running pliers

Running pliers are essential tools used for shaping glass in various applications such as cutting glass for windows and picture frames. Similar in shape and size to linesman pliers, these pliers feature curved jaws, and after scoring the glass, they are used to bend the glass at the score mark until it snaps.

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Round nose pliers

Round nose pliers are versatile tools commonly used in wirework for making jump rings, chains and filigree designs. They have a round cross-section with tapered tips that allow them to reach tight spaces. They are also called chain nose or rosary pliers and are equipped with a spring to facilitate smooth opening and closing.

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Sheet metal pliers

Sheet metal pliers, also known as seamer pliers, are a type of plier commonly used in metalworking and sheet metal industries. They are designed with broad and rectangular jaws for bending and forming seams in sheet metal. These pliers are easily identifiable due to their specific usage and shape.

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Split ring pliers

Split ring pliers are commonly used in fishing tackle and keyring manufacturing. They have a similar appearance to stubby versions of needle nose or chain nose pliers, but their lower jaw features a tilted tip that acts as a wedge, enabling the separation of coiled rings. They are also known as fishing pliers.

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FAQs

What are some major types of pliers?

Some major types of pliers include slip joint pliers, needle nose pliers, locking pliers, etc.

What are some hand tools?

Some primary hand tools are wrenches, pliers, cutters, screwdrivers, clamps, snips, saws, etc.

What are the major classifications of pliers?

Pliers are divided into a few categories like diagonal, long nose, end cutting, groove joint, slip joint, etc.