Different Types of Pliers & What They're Used For

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Pump Pliers
Designed to work much like a wrench does, pump pliers are what most people are likely to envision
when they hear the P-word. They're what you'll find in just about every toolbox. With short, knurled
jaws that can be adjusted at the rivet to either increase or decrease their span, pump pliers are made
primarily for gripping and turning hard-to-budge nuts, bolts and pipe fittings.
When to use them: Pump pliers are ideal for tackling plumbing jobs, as well as miscellaneous
household repairs that call for the installation or removal of stubborn bolts. They're like hands, but
less sweaty and more grabby.

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Long Nose Pliers

Just as their name implies, long nose pliershave a very long and lean profile that lets them squeeze
easily into tight spaces to grip and manipulate wires. Perfect for making precise bends in wire, long
nose pliers are one of those tools that are indispensable to electricians when it comes time to loop
wires before connecting them to receptacles and other fixtures. Heard of lineman's and needle-nose
pliers? They all belong to the same family.
When to use them: Any time that precision counts. Narrow jaw tips make this type of pliers the
right choice for zeroing in on specific points along wires that need to be carefully shaped.

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Cutting Pliers
Built with sharp cutting edges and some serious shearing power, these pliers have one main job. Can you guess what it is? No seriously, take a second and think. Heres
a hint: they aren't called cutting for their biting wit. Intended to shear through materials like heavy-gauge electrical wire and even small metal hardware like nails and
screws, cutting pliers find use with everyone from professional contractors to home DIY'ers. Unlike many wire cutters, cutting pliers are often tempered to reduce the
jarring "snap" that you feel when a wire is cut, and have extra leverage that enables you to slice through thicker materials with less effort.
When to use them: Times when you need to cut through thick wires that won't yield to a standard household wire cutter. Or if you've gotten bored of your fingers
JUST KIDDING! Be careful when you use these.

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Electronics Pliers
Not Electronic Pliers, which sound like what they belong in a video game character's toolbox and
also don't exist (at least as far as I know), but ElectronicS Pliers, which are designed to be used to
cut delicate electronic components like circuit boards and very fine wires. These pliers, as well as the
similarly focused flush cutters, have very small, narrow jaws that allow you to get in close for
extremely precise trimming and tip cutting. While other types of pliers are typically between 6" and
10" in length, electronics pliers are only about 5" long, so they fit comfortably in your palm and give
you maximum cutting control.
When to use them: Anytime you need to make very carefully controlled cuts on circuit boards.
Also perfect for trimming the delicate wire used in jewelry-making.

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Insulated Pliers
While jaw size and shape usually have a lot to do with the classification of a pair of pliers, that's not
the case with insulated pliers, which come in just about every style imaginable. The thing that sets
insulated pliers apart is the dielectric coating that covers their handles and makes them far less
electrically conductive than your average pair of pliers. Should insulated pliers accidentally make

contact with live circuitry during use, their handle insulation has the ability to lessen or stop the flow of current into the user's body. In simpler terms, Insulated pliers will
keep you from being zapped (and possibly killed) if you happen to touch them to a live electrical surface.
When to use them: Every single time you work in close proximity to live electrical circuits and energized components. Insulated pliers are a must-have for all
electricians, or anyone in the habit of doing their own home electrical repairs and installationsunless you want the last thing you hear to be, Are you SURE those are
the right pliers you should be using? Now, after reading this article, you've got no excuse.

Needle-nose pliers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced
material may be challenged and removed. (December 2009)

Needle-nose pliers

Needle-nose pliers (also known as pointy-nose pliers, long-nose pliers, pinch-nose pliers or snipe-nose pliers) are both cutting and holdingpliers used
by artisans, jewelry designers, electricians, network engineers and other tradesmen to bend, re-position and cut wire. Their namesake long nose gives excellent control
while the cutting edge near the pliers' joint provides "one-tool" convenience. Because of their long shape they are useful for reaching into small areas where cables or
other materials have become stuck or unreachable with fingers or other means.

Round-nose pliers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Round nose pliers, rosary pliers or snub-nose pliers are a specialized plier characterized by their rounded, tapering jaws and most commonly used for creating loops
in pieces of wire by electricians and jewellers.[1] Some round nose pliers have insulated handles for safeelectrical work, a spring-fitted joint and comfortable grips on the
handles.

Slip joint pliers

Diagonal pliers or side cutters

Lineman's pliers or combination pliers

Needle-nose pliers

Pincers

Electrical wire stripping and terminal crimpingpliers

Crimptool for N, R-SMA, TNC connectors for RG174, RG58 and HDF/LMR200

Heavy duty crimping pliers that have interchangeable RJheads

Hand crimp tool

Hand crimp tool for insulated terminals and non-insulated terminals; also has a wire cutter and stripper and screw cutters

Tongue-and-groove pliers

Locking pliers

Circlip pliers, for fitting and removing retaining rings

Round-nose pliers, for making loops in wire