How many types of cutting pliers are there? Find out in this article.
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When someone mentions cutting pliers, I know what comes to your mind is either side cutters, end cutter pliers, or perhaps snips. But do you know there are more than half a dozen types of cutting pliers? Well, in this article, I will try to list as many cutting pliers as possible including their uses so that you know them. This will also help you choose the most appropriate cutting pliers the next time you go shopping for them.
Types of cutting pliers and their uses
1. Side cutters/diagonal cutters
Side cutters and dykes are the most common cutting pliers. They are useful for cutting electrical wires and cables. They have many other uses including pulling nail staples from wood, cutting cable ties and plastics, cutting screws flush with the surface, removing cotter pins, and opening food cans among other DIY hacks.
2. Flush cut pliers
Flush cut pliers are a type of miniature diagonal cutters for precision work. They have blades for making accurate flat cuts. You can use them to cut plastic, copper, aluminum, very soft metal wire, and small staples.
Flush cut trimmers are the best for electronic work and jewelry crafts. You can use them to cut electronic wires and trim off solder on wires and circuit boards. The pliers are also great for cutting zip tie ends off. So, after bundling wire cables and with zip ties in your cable management efforts, you can use flush cut pliers to cut the zip ties flush.
In jewelry-making, flush cutters are great for cutting soft jewelry wire cleanly without leaving sharp ends. They can be useful in jewelry wire craft projects.
3. End cutting pliers/end nippers/cross cut pliers
Unlike side cutters whose cutting edges are parallel with the handles, end cutting pliers have cutters that are perpendicular to the handles. The primary use of end cutters is to nip off different materials flat with the surface.
There are different sizes of end cutters. The mini cutters and large cutters. Mini end nippers are common in many applications including trimming plastic parts, nipping off tabs of polymer p80 builds, cutting guitar fret, and cutting small copper rivets and memory wire in jewelry making.
The large end nippers are more suitable for heavy-duty applications such as tying and twisting tie wires and cutting off nails and screws. Both mini and large end cutters cut flush with the surface. This makes them useful for finishing work.
The secondary use of end nippers is to pull nails and staples from a trim. Their slightly round nose profile allows you to bite and roll nails and staples out wood or trim with minimal damage to the surface. They do a neater job than any claw hammer.
4. Carpenter’s pincers
Carpenter’s pincers are a variation of end cutting pliers. They are a lot like end nippers with a more round head and a wider diameter between the jaws. Compared to the end cutters, carpenters’ pincers have slightly blunt edges but you can use them to cut nails and thick wires.
However, because of their perfectly round head, carpenters’ pincers make better nail and stapler pullers than cutters. Their jaws are designed to bite effectively on a nub of a nail or even a nail without a head. Furthermore, their well-rounded jaws provide a better rocking action to allow you to pull nails and staples without leaving marks on the wood or molding.
In a nutshell, carpenters’ pincers don’t cut as cleanly as end cutters but they pull nails and staples better with less effort and minimal or no damage to the surface of the trim.
5. Bolt cutters
Bolt cutters are a type of heavy-duty cutting pliers for large bolts, screws, and thick metal rods. They have super-hardened jaws for increased cutting strength and long handles for increased leverage. Some have compound jaws that make cutting hard materials less strenuous.
Most people use bolt cutters to cut padlocks when they misplace the keys or the padlock refuses to open.
Bolt cutter pliers are also common in construction sites for cutting narrow rebar wire. They cut faster than a hacksaw but need a bit of hand muscle.
Unlike side cutters, bolt cutters have compound jaws that provide sufficient leverage to cut soft or hardened metal rods of different sizes. Good bolt cutters are tough enough to cut hardened metal without denting the cutters or bending the handles out of shape. Check out this article if you would like to see some of the best bolt cutters for soft and hardened metal.
6. Cable cutters/cable shears
Cable cutters or cable shears are a type of cutting pliers that use shearing action to cut cable and other materials. Unlike regular cutters whose cutting edges pinch onto a material to make a cut, the jaws of cable shears glide over each other like scissors to make a cut.
Cable cutters provide high leverage cutting and have exceptional cutting capacity. They are perfect for flush cutting small and large diameter copper and aluminum cables. You can also use them to cut bundles of communication cables.
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Cable shears have very sharp jaws to give you a flat cut every time. However, the jaws are quite fragile and can easily become dull if you cut hard materials with them. So, do not use your cable cutters to cut steel or any other hard material unless the manufacturer says it is ok.
7. Wire rope cutters
Wire rope cutters are special types of cable cutters for cutting wire ropes. They have short overlapping blades that are sharp enough to cut wire cable without fraying or smashing the cable ends. The best wire rope cutters have hardened blades for cutting both aluminum and steel wire ropes.
Wrap up
Well, as you can see, there are more than half a dozen types of cutting pliers. So, don’t restrict yourself to side cutters and end cutters while there is a variety to choose from. You just need to know which pliers work best for your cutting needs and you could make your life much easier.
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.
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.
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