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🛠️Reach for the wrong pliers and they slip, round off a nut or damage the work. A handful of the right types covers almost everything. Here is what each one does.
Pliers are one of those tools every kit needs, but there is no single pair that does it all. Each type is shaped for a job, and using the wrong one is how you round off a fitting or damage a wire. A small, well-chosen set covers the vast majority of work.
This guide runs through the common types of pliers, what each is best for, and which ones are worth having in your kit.
📌Quick summary
Combination pliers are the pair most people reach for first. They grip, bend and twist, and the jaws include a cutting edge for light wire. If you only own one pair, these are it, though they are a jack of all trades rather than a master of any.
Long nose, or needle nose, pliers have slim, tapered jaws that reach into tight spaces and handle fine, fiddly work. They are ideal for electrical work, bending small loops and retrieving dropped parts. Most also include a small cutter near the pivot.
Cutting pliers, often called side cutters, are made purely for clean cuts through wire and cable. Because the jaws are dedicated to cutting, they cut closer and cleaner than the light cutter on a pair of combination pliers. For anyone working with wire regularly, a proper pair pays off.
Locking pliers clamp onto the work and stay put, acting like a portable vice or a third hand. They are the go-to for gripping a rounded fitting, holding parts for welding, or freeing a seized bolt. Adjustable jaws let them lock onto a range of sizes.
💬Not sure which pliers your kit is missing? The team at Select Fasteners in Heatherbrae can point you the right way. Give them a call on (02) 4020 7951.
Most kits are well covered by combination pliers, a pair of long nose, a dedicated cutter and a pair of locking pliers. That handful handles the bulk of gripping, bending, cutting and holding jobs. Add specialty pliers, like circlip or fencing pliers, as the work calls for them.
Good pliers hold their edge, grip without slipping and are comfortable over a long day. Cushioned handles and quality jaws are worth the extra, especially on a pair you use daily. Buy well once rather than replacing cheap tools.
The trade specialist team at the Heatherbrae store can help you find combination, long nose, cutting and locking pliers in our hand tools range. With decades of experience, they can help you pick tools that last.
You will find the fasteners and fittings to go with the job in the same shop, so you can sort it all in one trip.
The common types are combination pliers, long nose pliers, cutting pliers and locking pliers. Combination pliers are the all-rounder, long nose reach into tight spots, cutting pliers cut wire cleanly, and locking pliers clamp on like a vice.
Combination pliers grip, bend and twist, and include a cutting edge for light wire. They are the everyday all-rounder, the pair most people reach for first, though a dedicated tool does each individual job better.
Use long nose pliers for fine, fiddly work and to reach into tight spaces, such as electrical work, bending small loops, or retrieving dropped parts. Their slim jaws go where wider pliers cannot.
Locking pliers clamp onto the work and stay put, acting like a portable vice or third hand. They are ideal for gripping rounded fittings, holding parts for welding, or freeing a seized bolt.
A good starting set is combination pliers, long nose pliers, a dedicated cutter and locking pliers. That covers most gripping, bending, cutting and holding, and you can add specialty pliers as the work demands.
For tools you use regularly, yes. Quality pliers hold their edge, grip without slipping and stay comfortable over a long day. Buying well once usually beats replacing cheap tools.
Knowing which pliers to use makes every job cleaner and quicker. The team at Select Fasteners in Heatherbrae will help you build a set that covers the work.
Give the team a call on (02) 4020 7951, drop by the store at 1 Archibald Place, Heatherbrae, or send us an online enquiry!
We supply hand tools, fixings and trade supplies across Port Stephens, Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and Dungog, with the largest range north of the Hunter River.
Select Fasteners is a specialist fastener and industrial supplies business based at 1 Archibald Place, Heatherbrae NSW, serving Port Stephens, Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and Dungog. This article is general information only and does not account for the specific conditions of your project. For advice specific to your job, get in touch with the team.
02 4020 7951
