Have you ever wanted a quick and easy guide to understanding the difference between the different styles of pliers and clamping tools? A small investment in the right tools can make a world of difference when it comes time to punch down wires, strip them, crimp them, or pull them. If you have just started working with twisted-pair cables, it is important that you have this guide, also. This will help you choose the right tool for your job so that you complete it efficiently, effectively, and safely.
Pliers and clamps are great for rough projects, but for most precision tasks, you'll want a set of tools that are made specifically for the job. Making sure you've got the right pair (or two) of pliers can mean the difference in your work going smoothly—and ending up with a broken piece.
The main function of pliers is to hold objects firmly in place by crushing them between the jaws. There are many different sizes of pliers, each varying in gripping power and used to cut objects ranging from small wires to thick steel pipes.
Pliers are part of almost everyone's toolkits. They're used in a variety of settings, including plumbing, do-it-yourself projects and metalworking — just to name a few. Pliers can generally be grouped into three styles: locking, adjustable and nonadjustable pliers.
Pliers are a type of gripping tool that can be used for a number of different tasks. These tools are designed to provide a firm grip on objects and materials, allowing you to cut and shape them with relative ease. Pliers come in many different styles, all of which have specific uses and benefits.
Guide to Pliers and Clamping Tools
Pliers are a type of hand tool used to hold objects firmly, possibly developed from tongs used to handle hot metal in Bronze Age Europe. They can be made from many different materials, but most often from metal (most commonly steel or cast iron) or thermoplastic. They are usually designed to grip objects with sharp edges, nails, and other points. The jaws are generally not set at 90 degrees to the handle so that when closed they do not meet; this is known as slip-joint construction.
In the case of locking pliers the pivot is tightened to create a rigid joint with no play. This can be useful for applications where the plier may need to withstand heavy loads and/or vibration, such as when cutting metal. Locking pliers were originally developed for use in the automobile industry.
A variety of plier and clamping tools are available for the hobbyist. The selection depends on the type of work you want to do, how much money you want to spend, and what materials you will be working with.
There are three basic types of pliers: slip-joint, locking, and needle-nose. A slip-joint plier is used for general purposes and has no locking mechanism. A locking plier is used when cutting wire or tubing and has features that prevent it from slipping off the object being cut. A needle-nose plier has a tapered nose on one side of the jaw with a wire cutter on the other side.
There are also many different types of clamps available for use in model building. Clamps hold objects together while the glue dries or parts are assembled. Some clamps are made specifically for holding plastic models together when glueing them together; others can be used for holding any object together while glueing dries or parts are assembled.