Slip Joint/water Pump Pliers

[Sidewinder]

Well,

I have a pair of Haupa "VDE" insulated 10" long slip joint pliers which do most of my electrical works, on site, but, I could do with a few pairs of different sizes of "slip joints" for my mechanical works, both on site & in the workshop, my workshop is used to do mechanical jobs for me when I'm not there, so I need to have some kit there for the guy who comes in to work with.

The ones I have, are, getting, really, tired now, they are overdue replacement, they were my Dads, he died in 1984, and they were not a fantastic make then, they have worked hard in the intervening time too.

Now I do have a nice set of Roebuck in the mehanical box in the van, but, the stock code is now obsolete.

So does anyone have some recommendations?

Knipex, Bahco, Crescent, Rothenberger, RS, Roebuck, Kennedy, Irwin, any other?

 

[steptoe]

I have a couple of pairs of knipex,  NOT VDE tho,

I've had one pair for about 20years, the other for about 6, cost me about £12 at the MGP,  

Would buy another pair tomorrow,

 

[Sidewinder]

Not looking for VDE Steps, sorted for VDE.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Andy™]

ive got some irwin ones, very good and they have the press button to adjust to larger size so they stay put. they also adjust without having to open them either

 

[steptoe]

Can you use them just on the push Andy,?

Without having to actually squeeze the handles,? 

That's what I like about the knipex ones, you can virtually use them simply using the 'back' handle, if that makes sense,

Tho, I have been tempted to try those push button type ones next time. 

 

[Andy™]

mostly yes, but it still needs a little squeezing to grip on some things

 

[OnOff]

Have a set of 3 Rothenberger now. No problems with them tbh.

EDIT: Thinking about it, I was at our local timber yard the other day and they had some in that were self adjusting for one handed use. Didn't see the make though. Also had some self adjusting moles.

 

[Lurch]

I've got a few pairs, some are better than others but for day to day usage I have an unknown brand pair (purchased from ITS) that are pretty good and I tend to pick up first. I also have a couple of pairs of Channel Lock grips and use these when something reliably needs undoing. If I was buying again I would go straight for Channel Lock.

 

[roys]

Got 2 or 3 different brands, think my favourite are the Bahco ones, nice and chunky and feel proper.

 

[NozSpark]

That reminds me.... I need to buy a decent set, the ones I have were cheap when I got them and now they're worn out

 

[HandySparks]

These Knipex 'pliers wrenches' are brilliant if you don't want to mark a fitting. Parallel smooth jaws but high gripping force:

http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&page=group_detail&groupID=1500

Quite expensive, but only to be expected for Knipex quality.

Edit: video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_RLWKMXrqk

better?:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z7_NpmUuKA

 

[Tony S]

Have a look at the Kennedy range. Like you, part of my work was mechanical so I have the 8, 12 & 18” pump pliers.

The 18” set I’ve been doing pull-ups on them and I’m no lightweight.

Just why anyone needs VDE pump pliers is beyond me. A fashion accessory maybe?

Kennedy have a bad reputation, I’ve never had a problem with there fitting tools.

 

[Lurch]

Kennedy have a bad reputation,

Really? I've used them for years, also heard mechanics and mechanical fitters say they prefer them to more expensive brands for the most part, can't say I've ever heard anyone say anything bad about them tbh.

 

[Sidewinder]

Kennedy are OK, I have a fair bit of Kennedy kit.

Cromwell Tools have a supply agreement with Ford, and a few of the other large multi-nationals, so all the guys in there use their kit.

I buy quite a lot off Cromwell.

I have bought 3 socket sets, 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2" sq drive of theirs.

Pricing will probably be keen too.

 

[Tony S]

We had a supply contract with Cromwell so a fair amount of my of my stuff is from Kennedy. Their screw driver sets are crap but that cheap that if someone lost a terminal driver stores would just issue a new set. It saved them making out a requisition as a full set was on automatic reorder.

The logic of big company buying policy. Fight tooth and nail over a discount and then make the system so you can’t get an individual item.

BTW Lurch, I don’t appreciate quotations taken out of context.

 

[Lurch]

BTW Lurch, I don’t appreciate quotations taken out of context.

???

WTF have I done now? Are you just following me round the internet trying to provoke me into something? Have I done something to upset you in the past? I really have no idea why I get all this unpleasantness from you.

 

[Marvo]

I have an old set of Sykes Pickavant which are larger and numerous normal sized pump pliers including Knipex parallel action, Record and Monument and they're all good. I don't have an overall preference. 

 

[revjames]

Ive had a couple of pairs of knipex for 30 years. excellent kit

 

[kerching]

I have CK, Rothenberger, Britool, Facom and a few others

All,very good......only iffy ones are the Facom VDE ones: they seem to have a weird 'sizing'......you,either have the handles so,far apart you cannot grip with one hand, or so close there is no purchase when fitting SWA glands

Just saying

 

[Apache]

These Knipex 'pliers wrenches' are brilliant if you don't want to mark a fitting. Parallel smooth jaws but high gripping force:

http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&page=group_detail&groupID=1500

Quite expensive, but only to be expected for Knipex quality.

Edit: video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_RLWKMXrqk

better?:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z7_NpmUuKA

I hate threads like this.

I've just bought a pair......