Jul. 14, 2025
The correct use of pliers increases the efficiency of work, whether they are professional or DIY. Even though pliers are among the most essential equipment you should have in your toolbox, if you use the “wrong” kind of pliers, you might not be able to complete the task. For example, it makes no sense to use pliers without a cutting function when trying to cut a wire. Since each pair of pliers has different uses, you must have pliers ready that meet the demands of the task at hand.
Probuilt are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.
There are more than 30 types of pliers, some are multipurpose to used for a variety of activities, while others are made specifically for a single purpose. In this blog, we will discuss 12 of the most commonly used pliers you should be aware of when performing all kinds of technical work.
It is important to understand their functions and parts before moving on to the main topic, especially if you are new at DIY. Pliers can be used for a variety of tasks, but their features that are frequently mentioned include cutting, twisting, gripping, placing, tightening, loosening, and clamping. Let’s know each part in detail
Now that we’ve outlined the different types of plier, let’s take a closer look at some specific plier types:
Combination pliers are versatile hand tools featuring flat jaws for gripping and cutting. They are essential for a variety of tasks, including electrical work, general repairs, and crafting. With a cutting edge near the pivot point, they efficiently cut wires, while the serrated jaws ensure a secure grip on various materials. Combination pliers are a must-have in any toolbox due to their ability to perform multiple functions, making them ideal for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.
Fence pliers are specialized tools designed for tasks related to fencing, such as installing, repairing, and removing wire fences. These pliers typically feature a combination of jaws for gripping, cutting, and pulling staples and nails. With their sturdy construction and ergonomic design, fence pliers are essential for farmers, ranchers, and DIYers involved in agricultural and outdoor projects.
Long nose pliers, also known as needle-nose pliers, feature slim, tapered jaws that come to a point. This design makes them ideal for reaching into tight spaces and gripping small objects with precision. Whether you’re working on electronics, jewelry-making, or intricate mechanical repairs, long-nose pliers are indispensable for grasping, bending, and manipulating delicate components.
Lock grip pliers, also known as locking pliers or vice-grip pliers, feature a unique locking mechanism that allows them to clamp onto an object and hold it in place without requiring constant pressure from the user. This feature makes them ideal for holding, clamping, and tightening objects securely. Lock grip pliers are particularly useful in situations where a third hand is needed to free up the user’s hands for other tasks.
Side cutting pliers, also known as diagonal cutting pliers or wire cutters, feature sharp, angled jaws designed for cutting wires and other materials flush to a surface. These pliers are commonly used in electrical work, cable installation, and crafting. Their sharp cutting edge enables clean and precise cuts, making them essential for tasks that require trimming wires to specific lengths.
Slip joint pliers are characterized by their adjustable pivot point, which allows the user to switch between multiple jaw openings to accommodate various sizes of objects. These versatile pliers are suitable for gripping and turning nuts, bolts, pipes, and fittings. With their combination of strength and adjustability, slip joint pliers are a staple in both professional trades and DIY projects.
Tin clip pliers are specialized tools designed for bending and cutting metal clips or fasteners used in upholstery and automotive upholstery. These pliers typically feature wide, flat jaws with sharp cutting edges, allowing for precise trimming and shaping of metal clips. Tin clip pliers are essential for upholstery work, furniture repair, and automotive restoration projects.
Water pump pliers, also known as groove joint pliers or tongue and groove pliers, feature serrated jaws with multiple adjustment positions, allowing them to grip objects of different sizes securely. These pliers excel at gripping and turning large nuts, bolts, and pipes. Their adjustable design makes them versatile enough to tackle a wide range of tasks, from plumbing repairs to automotive maintenance.
Hose grip pliers, sometimes referred to as hose clamp pliers, are designed for gripping and compressing hose clamps, which are used to secure hoses onto fittings in automotive, plumbing, and HVAC systems. These pliers typically feature a ratcheting mechanism that allows for easy adjustment and locking of the clamp in the open position, facilitating the installation or removal of hoses.
Bent nose pliers feature jaws that are angled or bent at the tips, allowing for greater accessibility and maneuverability in confined spaces. These pliers are ideal for reaching into tight spots and gripping objects at odd angles. Whether you’re working on intricate electronics or fine jewellery, bent nose pliers are invaluable for tasks that require precision and dexterity.
Flat nose pliers feature flat, wide jaws that provide a large surface area for gripping and bending objects. These pliers are commonly used in jewellery making, wire wrapping, and metalworking for shaping and manipulating materials. The flat jaws minimize marring and distortion, making flat-nose pliers ideal for delicate tasks that require precise control and uniform pressure.
Crimping pliers are specially designed for crimping metal sleeves, connectors, and terminals onto wires and cables. They feature indentations or dies on their jaws that compress the crimping components securely, creating a strong and reliable electrical connection. Crimping pliers are indispensable for electrical work, automotive repairs, and DIY projects involving wiring and cabling.
In this article, we’ve covered different types of pliers, but one thing we have not yet talked about is JCBL Hand Tools.
JCBL Hand Tools is a type of hand tool brand with a reputation for producing high-quality tools – specifically pliers. The company has been in continuous operation for many years and its entire tool range is exclusively manufactured under strict conditions in India.
Forged from steel and state-of-the-art technology, JCBL Hand Tools pliers come with a guarantee and are built to last. Professional craftsmen have them as their preferred brand of pliers.
With the right set of pliers at your disposal, you can tackle any task with confidence and precision. Whether you’re working on electrical installations, automotive repairs, or crafting endeavors, there’s a plier designed to meet your needs. By understanding the unique features and applications of each type of plier, you can unleash their full potential and elevate your DIY skills to new heights.
Pliers of various types are used by practically every tool user, both amateur and professional. There are many types and sizes, each designed for specific uses, although their versatility makes some pliers adaptable for many jobs. Read this article and choose the right pliers for the job.
Basic safety rules which apply to the use of pliers.
1) Pliers should not be used for cutting hardened wire unless specifically manufactured for this purpose.
2) Never expose pliers to excessive heat. This may change the material properties and ruin the tool.
3) Always cut at right angles. Never rock from side to side or bend the wire back and forth against the cutting edges.
4) Don't bend stiff wire with light pliers. Using the tips to bend too large a wire can damage long-nose pliers. Use a sturdier tool.
5) Never use pliers as a hammer nor hammer on the handles. They may crack or break, or edges may be nicked by such abuse.
6) Never extend the length of handles to secure greater leverage. Use a larger pair of pliers.
7) Pliers should not be used on nuts or bolts. A wrench will do the job better and with less risk of damage to the fastener.
8) Oil pliers occasionally. A drop of oil at the joint will lengthen tool life and assure easy operation.
9) Safety glasses or goggles should be worn when cutting wire, etc. to protect eyes.
10) Never attempt to cut a “HOT” wire.
Warning: Comfort grips on handles are not intended to give any degree of protection against electric shock and shall not be used on or near live electric circuits.
What follows are tips for specific types of pliers.
Long-nose pliers
This type of pliers includes various nose configurations. They may be available with wire cutters or notches for stripping insulated wire. Small and miniature sizes are designed for electronic work. Handles may have plain or comfort grips. Certain designs are made in both straight and curved nose design. Typical sizes range from 4 to 12 inches in length. Most long-nose pliers are designed for electrical, and electronic work involving smaller wire gauges. They will reach into awkward places and perform work difficult with any other tool. Their usefulness, however, is not limited to wire work.
Proper use and care:
1) Cut at a right angle to the wire.
2) Serrations on the gripping surface may be cleared of foreign materials by brushing with a file card or stiff wire brush.
Avoiding abuse/misuse:
1) Never expose these pliers to excessive heat.
2) Don't bend stiff wire with the tip of the pliers.
3) Never rock the pliers side to side when cutting.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit plier and cutter manufacturer.
4) Never pry with the nose of the pliers.
5) Never attempt to cut a “HOT” wire.
When to repair or replace:
Attempts to repair linemen's side-cutting, long-nose and ironworker's pliers are not recommended. Discard any pliers that are cracked, broken, sprung or have deformed cutting edges.
Diagonal cutting pliers
Diagonal cutters are made in several designs, ranging from the high-leverage, heavy-duty design down to the mini design for electronic work. There are designs for flush cutting, semi-flush cutting, and standard cutting. Some have wire-skinning holes; some have coil springs to open the jaws. Handles may have plain or comfort grips. Typical sizes range from 4 to 12 inches in length. Diagonal cutting pliers are designed for electrical, electronic, , general and automotive work.
Proper use and care:
1) Flush cutting and semi-flush cutting pliers should be used only for cutting small soft wires used in electronic wiring applications.
2) It is recommended that the standard cutting-edge pliers be used for all general cutting requirements except hard wire.
3) Always cut at right angles.
4) Dull cutting edges may be touched up with a small, medium-grade honing stone.
Avoiding abuse/misuse:
1) Never expose pliers to excessive heat.
2) Don't rock pliers from side to side when cutting wire.
3) Never use pliers as a hammer, or drop on hard or paved surfaces.
When to repair or replace:
Attempts to repair these pliers are not recommended. Discard any pliers that are cracked, broken, sprung, or have deformed cutting edges.
Slip joint pliers
These pliers are available in several designs; standard, thin nose, bent nose and heavy-duty. Their slip joint capability increases the capacity range. They are available with or without wire cutters in sizes from 4 to 10 inches in length. Handles are available with plain or comfort grips.
These versatile tools are designed for a wide range of service involving gripping, turning and bending.
Avoiding abuse/misuse:
1) Never expose these pliers to excessive heat.
2) Never use as a hammer.
When to repair or replace:
Attempts to repair these pliers are not recommended. Discard any pliers that are cracked, broken or sprung.
Multiple-position pliers
These wide-range-capacity pliers are made with tongue and groove or other multiple position joint adjustment designs. Jaw capacities up to 5 3/8 inches are available. Jaws may be smooth or serrated and curved or straight. Sizes range from 4 to 20 1/4 inches in length.
These pliers are widely used by plumbers, electricians, auto mechanics and professionals in the construction and industrial fields. They will grip a variety of shapes.
Avoiding abuse/misuse:
1) Never expose these pliers to excessive heat.
2) Never use as a hammer.
When to repair or replace:
Attempts to repair these pliers are not recommended. Discard any pliers that are cracked, broken or sprung.
Locking pliers
Locking pliers are available in a variety of sizes with straight or curved jaws. Compound leverage systems lock jaws and hold various shapes and sizes of work.
Locking pliers are combination tools which function as pliers, wrenches or clamps. They are not intended to replace open-end or box wrenches because of possible damage to fitting or fastener.
Avoiding abuse/misuse:
1) Do not hammer to tighten jaws or to cut wire or bolts.
2) Do not expose locking pliers to heat from welding torches or contact with welding electrodes. 3) When subjected to severe vibration such as encountered during riveting, locking pliers holding the work pieces should be wired or taped closed to prevent accidental opening.
4) Do not use pipe, other extensions or hammering to increase torque applied to these tools.
5) They should never be used as steps or ladders to support personnel.
When to repair or replace:
Avoid excessive wear on working parts by frequent lubrication. Attempts to repair these tools are not recommended. Discard any damaged tool.
For more china hand tools wholesalerinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
This article is an excerpt from the upcoming fourth edition of the Hand Tools Institute publication “Guide to Hand Tools: Selection, Safety Tips, Proper Use & Care”.If you are interested in sending in a Guest Blogger Submission,welcome to write for us!
All Comments ( 0 )