15 Common Types of Pliers you Should Know

Whether you're an electrician, plumber, mechanic, or jeweler, pliers are one of the most essential hardware tools in your tool set. If you are not sure which types of pliers to choose, this guide will walk you through the main options and how to select the right ones for your tasks.

Parts of Pliers

Understanding the basic parts of pliers helps you understand how different types of pliers work and what they are used for.

Handles

The handles are what you hold and squeeze, and their length sets your leverage. Plastic or rubber coverings add comfort and control.

Jaws

The jaws open and close around your workpiece, and their shape defines the type. Long, narrow jaws reach tight spaces; short, broad jaws do general gripping.

Pivot or Fulcrum

The pivot, or fulcrum, links the two halves and turns your squeeze into jaw movement. An adjustable pivot, as on slip-joint pliers, also changes the jaw opening.

Teeth

Teeth are raised ridges that bite so your workpiece does not slip. Smooth-jaw designs skip them on purpose, for work that must stay unmarked.

Cutters

Cutters are the sharpened edges that cut wire within the tool's rated capacity. Combination pliers place them near the pivot; diagonal cutting pliers are all cutter.

Pipe Grip

The pipe grip is the curved, serrated hollow in some jaws that holds pipes, rods and round objects. It lets water pump pliers bite round stock.

15 Different Types of Pliers

Needle Nose Pliers

The needle nose pliers have long, slender jaws with a pointed tip. This type of pliers is very suitable for operation in narrow spaces and is a universal type of pliers that can be used for clamping, shearing and bending. You can both use it in household repair and professional tasks.

Locking Pliers

The locking pliers have two long handles and thick jaws. This type of pliers is equipped with adjusting screws and a locking mechanism. Once clamped, it can be "locked" without loosening. Locking pliers are suitable for workshop use and also useful for advanced DIY users. In emergency situations, locking pliers can temporarily act as an adjustable wrench or pipe wrench, but they should not replace proper wrenches for regular use.

Circlip Pliers

Circlip pliers are suitable for installing and removing snap rings. These pliers have long jaws and are commonly available in straight and curved jaws. It’s the best tool for automotive maintenance and machinery assembly. But this type of pliers are highly specialized tools and are not suitable for general gripping, twisting, or cutting tasks.

Water Pump Pliers

The water pump pliers have large, serrated jaws and a long handle design that makes it easy to operate in confined spaces. The handle also features a sliding adjustment mechanism, making them particularly suitable for pipework and bathroom repairs. The serrated jaws of water pump pliers can easily scratch or damage finished surfaces such as chrome-plated fittings, polished nuts, and decorative fixtures, so it’s not suitable for high-torque fastening work.

Combination Pliers

Combination pliers are also a very practical multi-functional type of pliers. The jaws have serrated edges; the front of the jaws can be used for gripping, and the hinge point near the rear of the jaws has a cutting edge. Whether for daily household repairs or basic electrical work, combination pliers are one of the most practical general-purpose tools to have in your toolbox.

Slip Joint Pliers

The slip joint pliers has a sliding hinge point in the middle of the jaws, allowing for two or more adjustable opening settings. Compared to other types of pliers, slip joint pliers have larger jaws, suitable for household and DIY use. If you frequently need to grip parts of different sizes, you can choose these pliers. But they are not ideal for heavy-duty industrial applications. 

Diagonal Cutting Pliers

Diagonal pliers have short, thick pliers heads, and the overall shape of the pliers looks like "diagonal scissors." They are an ideal cutting tool that you can use to cut wires, cable ties, metal wires. This type of pliers are suitable for electrical work, cable installation, electronics assembly and cutting zip ties and soft wires.

Wire Strippers

A wire stripper is an essential tool when you are engaged in the electrical industry. This kind of pliers can help you remove the insulation layer on the outside of the wires. There is a row of holes of different diameters at the front end of the clamp head. Usually, the wire diameter (such as AWG, mm) is marked beside each hole to match wires of different thicknesses. Wire strippers are only for insulation removal. You should not use it as a substitute for heavy-duty cutters, pliers, or crimping tools.

Flat Nose Pliers

Flat nose pliers have short, broad jaws with squared-off, flat gripping faces, offered serrated for grip or smooth to protect finished work. 

The wide faces spread your holding force across the part instead of two points, so you can grip flat stock, small nuts and sheet metal without denting edges. Use them for gripping and bending flat material in your electrical, machinery and jewelry work, and choose smooth jaws when your surface must stay unmarked. They carry no cutting edge and only a limited jaw opening, so keep them as your holding tool rather than your cutter.

Bent Nose Pliers

Bent nose pliers look like needle nose pliers with the jaws bent 45 or 90 degrees. The bend lets you reach past wires and brackets into tight spots, and you can still see what you are gripping. Electricians use them inside full panels, car techs behind dashboards and jewelry makers inside settings. The bent tip is a little weaker than a straight one, so do your heavy pulling with straight-jaw pliers.

Wire Twisting Pliers

Wire twisting pliers cut wire and twist it with one tool. Squeeze the handles and the head turns, winding the wire into a tight, even twist. Plane and race crews safety-wire bolts with them, and fence and vineyard work runs tie wire through the same motion. You get the same tidy twist every time, instead of improvising with plain pliers and your fingers. The head only twists, so do not use it for general gripping.

Round Nose Pliers

Round nose pliers have two smooth cones instead of flat jaws. They taper from thick to thin and have no teeth; most have no cutting edge either. Wrap your wire around a cone and it comes off as a round loop. 

Where you hold the wire on the cone decides how big the loop is. Jump rings, eyewire and terminal eyes are exactly what you make with them. Soft wire stays unscratched, but they slip when you pull hard, so do not grip or twist under load with it.

Crimping Pliers

Crimping pliers squeeze a metal terminal onto a wire so the joint will not pull out or overheat. Shaped notches called dies sit in the jaws, and professional models add a ratchet: the handles stay closed until the dies fully close. 

Electrical terminals, car connectors and network plugs all get crimped with them; many heads also cut and strip wire. The dies come in sizes that match terminal sizes. Check that the die size matches your terminal before you order.

End Cutting Pliers

End cutting pliers have the cutting edge at the very front, across the head, at a right angle to the handles. You may also see them called end nippers or top cutters. That front edge cuts nails, staples and wire almost level with the surface; then you flip the tool and pull the leftover stub out with the head. Machine work uses them on spring wire; carpenters and upholsterers use them to pull fasteners. There are no gripping jaws behind the edge, so they only cut and pull.

Hose Clamp Pliers

Hose clamp pliers grip the screw tab of a screw-type hose clamp (the worm-drive clamp on car hoses), even when the clamp sits at an awkward angle. Wide, toothed and often swiveling, their jaws hold the clamp while you turn the handles. A clamp hidden at an angle behind the radiator still comes loose. Cooling, fuel and vacuum lines are their everyday job. Flexible-shaft models reach clamps buried behind engines and panels. The jaws fit clamp tabs, not nut flats, so do not use them on nuts and bolts.

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What to Look for When Buying a Pliers Set?

The article above has provided you with a detailed introduction to different types of pliers. The following section will introduce the factors to consider when choosing a pair of pliers that suits your needs.

Choose the Pliers by Your Daily Task

The first step in choosing pliers is to consider what tasks you need to accomplish, and then decide if you need to add other types. The most common uses of pliers include clamping, cutting, bending, twisting, and securing. If you mainly do everyday household repairs or basic DIY projects, needle-nose pliers, slip joint pliers, and diagonal cutting pliers are more practical.

Consider Industry-Specific Requirements

As a professional user and your pliers are frequently used in harsh environments, you need to consider the material, quality and practicality of the pliers. Electricians often rely on needle nose pliers, diagonal cutting pliers, and wire strippers for wiring, cutting, and cable installation. Plumbers typically prefer water pump pliers because of their strong grip on pipes and fittings. Automotive technicians may need locking pliers for securing components and circlip pliers for installing or removing retaining rings.

Consider the Material and Grip

The material determines the performance limit of pliers, while the grip determines your actual experience every time you use it. Pliers made of carbon steel are strong enough and affordable, making them suitable for occasional home use. However, if you need to cut stiffer wires, it is recommended to choose pliers made of CR-V material, which has better durability and resistance to deformation.

Check the Size and Structure

• For home repairs, a pair of 7-8 inch combination pliers or needle nose pliers, plus 8-10 inch multi-position adjustable pump pliers, can cover most clamping and tightening tasks.

• If you frequently need to repair electrical boxes, the inside of appliances, or access furniture crevices, prioritize long needle-nose pliers with narrower jaws, around 6-7 inches in length; don't blindly pursue larger sizes.

• When dealing with pipes with different diameters, you can prioritize pliers with a sliding joint or multi-position adjustment mechanism like slip joint pliers and water pump pliers. 

FAQ

1. Which type of pliers is used to cut electrical wire?

Diagonal cutting pliers, also called side cutters, are the type you use to cut electrical wire. Their angled blades shear copper cleanly, so your cut ends stay neat. Choose a pair rated for the wire gauge you handle most, and check the AWG marking near the joint. Cut only de-energized wire, and use insulated handles rated for your working voltage.

2. What are the strongest types of pliers? 

Lineman’s pliers are the strongest type of pliers, specifically designed for high-frequency, high-load work.

3. How do I maintain my pliers for longevity?

To extend the lifespan of your pliers, clean them after each use and store pliers in a dry place to prevent rust from prolonged exposure to moisture. If the opening and closing mechanism becomes stiff, apply a small amount of lubricant to the hinge. Also, periodically check that the jaws are still properly closing.

4. Can one pair of pliers safely replace a wrench in most situations?

Pliers cannot be used safely as a long-term replacement for wrenches. Using pliers to tighten nuts for extended periods can easily damage the parts. In emergency situations, certain types of adjustable wrenches, such as locking pliers, can be used temporarily as a substitute.

5. What is the safest way to cut hard wire or nails with pliers without damaging the tool?

• First, check if the pliers are clearly labeled "can cut hard wire/steel wire". Ordinary light diagonal cutting pliers are not suitable for cutting high-hardness steel wire.

• When cutting, place the thread or nail near the pivot point to minimize impact on the blade; do not place it near the tip of the pliers.

• Use a steady, continuous force to clamp vertically to prevent chipping and deformation of the jaws.

Final Thoughts

Now that you understand the uses of different types of pliers, you can add the appropriate tools to your toolbox. On our Diversitech website, you can view various types of high-quality pliers sets. We also support OEM/ODM services. We can customize pliers sets and professional tool sets according to your target customers. We are really looking forward to your contact with us！