What Is a Plier Used for?

Pliers are versatile hand tools designed to grip, hold, bend, cut, or manipulate various materials. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each tailored to specific tasks. Pliers are commonly used in a wide range of applications, from household repairs to professional trades. Here are some of the primary uses of pliers:

• Gripping and Holding: Pliers are often used to grip and hold objects securely. The serrated jaws or flat surfaces of pliers provide a strong grip that allows you to hold onto items without slipping. This is particularly useful when dealing with small, slippery, or hard-to-reach objects.

• Bending and Shaping: Pliers are employed to bend, shape, or straighten materials such as wires, rods, or metal sheets. The jaws of certain types of pliers, like needle-nose pliers or round-nose pliers, are designed to provide precise control over the bending process.

• Cutting: Many pliers are equipped with cutting edges near the base of the jaws. These cutting edges allow you to cleanly cut through materials like wires, cables, and thin metal. Pliers with cutting functionality are known as combination pliers or diagonal cutting pliers (also called side cutters).

Industrial Japanese Type Linesman Plier

• Crimping: Pliers with specialized crimping jaws are used to join connectors onto the ends of cables or wires. Crimping pliers compress the connectors onto the wires, creating a secure electrical connection.

• Stripping: Wire stripping pliers are designed to remove the insulation from the ends of electrical wires. They have specially shaped jaws that allow you to score, grip, and remove the insulation without damaging the wire itself.

• Holding Nuts and Bolts: Adjustable pliers, such as slip-joint pliers or wrench pliers, can be used to hold nuts and bolts firmly while you tighten or loosen them with a wrench or another tool.

• Extracting Objects: Pliers can help extract objects stuck in tight spaces. The gripping capability of pliers makes them useful for grabbing objects that are difficult to reach with your fingers.

Germany Type Heavy Duty Side Cutting Plier

• Creating Loops and Rings: Round-nose pliers and chain-nose pliers are frequently used in jewelry making and crafting to create loops, curves, and rings in wires and other materials.

• Fishing: Long-nose pliers or needle-nose pliers are often used by anglers for removing hooks from the mouths of fish.

• Automotive and Plumbing Repairs: Pliers are commonly used in automotive and plumbing repairs to grip and manipulate parts, tighten fasteners, and perform tasks like crimping hose clamps.

• Electrical Work: Electricians use pliers for tasks such as bending conduit, cutting wires, and stripping insulation from electrical cables.

Overall, pliers are essential tools that find utility in a wide range of applications across various industries and everyday tasks. They provide the user with a firm grip, mechanical advantage, and the ability to perform precise and controlled actions, making them indispensable for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.