Pliers, Grips & Cutters
Lineman pliers, locking pliers, diagonal cutters and related gripping tools.
Who invented Vise-Grip locking pliers?
Short answer: William Petersen, a blacksmith in DeWitt, Nebraska, developed and patented locking pliers in the 1920s, and they were sold under the Vise-Grip name.
William Petersen, a blacksmith in DeWitt, Nebraska, developed and patented locking pliers in the 1920s, and they were sold under the Vise-Grip name. Locking pliers can be clamped onto a part and left in place, which made them extremely useful for holding, clamping and gripping rounded fasteners.
Who popularized tongue-and-groove pliers?
Short answer: The Champion-DeArment Tool Company of Meadville, Pennsylvania popularized tongue-and-groove pliers in the 1930s.
The Champion-DeArment Tool Company of Meadville, Pennsylvania popularized tongue-and-groove pliers in the 1930s. The adjustable pivot slides in channels to change jaw size, and the company later took the name Channellock.
When did Channellock get its name?
Short answer: The company that makes Channellock pliers traces its roots to the 1880s in Pennsylvania and was long known as Champion-DeArment Tool Company.
The company that makes Channellock pliers traces its roots to the 1880s in Pennsylvania and was long known as Champion-DeArment Tool Company. It adopted the name Channellock, Inc. in the 1960s, reflecting the fame of its tongue-and-groove "Channellock" pliers.
Why were slip-joint pliers common in early car tool kits?
Short answer: Slip-joint pliers are among the oldest general-purpose pliers, with a pivot that shifts to open the jaws wider.
Slip-joint pliers are among the oldest general-purpose pliers, with a pivot that shifts to open the jaws wider. They were common in early car tool kits for gripping, bending and holding parts during roadside repairs.
Why did needle-nose pliers become essential as vehicles added wiring?
Short answer: Needle-nose pliers have long, thin jaws for reaching into tight areas, holding small parts and bending wire.
Needle-nose pliers have long, thin jaws for reaching into tight areas, holding small parts and bending wire. They became essential for electrical work, clips, cotter pins and small springs as vehicles added more wiring and small fasteners.
Why did hose clamp pliers become common?
Short answer: As automakers adopted constant-tension spring clamps on coolant and other hoses, technicians needed a way to open and hold them.
As automakers adopted constant-tension spring clamps on coolant and other hoses, technicians needed a way to open and hold them. Hose clamp pliers, including remote cable-operated versions, became common cooling-system tools.
How did retaining rings create demand for snap ring pliers?
Short answer: As transmissions, axles and steering components increasingly used retaining rings, technicians needed pliers whose tips fit the rings' holes.
As transmissions, axles and steering components increasingly used retaining rings, technicians needed pliers whose tips fit the rings' holes. Snap ring pliers, also called circlip pliers, became standard tools for this work.
Who founded Knipex?
Short answer: Knipex was founded in 1882 by C. Gustav Putsch in Wuppertal, Germany.
Knipex was founded in 1882 by C. Gustav Putsch in Wuppertal, Germany. The company specializes in pliers and became one of the best-known plier manufacturers in the world, with designs such as its adjustable pliers wrench widely used by professionals.
Who founded Klein Tools?
Short answer: Klein Tools was founded in Chicago in 1857 by Mathias Klein.
Klein Tools was founded in Chicago in 1857 by Mathias Klein. The company became known for pliers and other hand tools for electricians and linemen, and its tools are also found in many automotive electrical kits.
Why did diagonal cutters become indispensable in auto shops?
Short answer: Diagonal cutting pliers snip wire, zip ties and cotter pins.
Diagonal cutting pliers snip wire, zip ties and cotter pins. They became indispensable as vehicles added more wiring, plastic ties and cotter-pinned fasteners over the twentieth century.
Why have upholstery shops long used hog ring pliers?
Short answer: Hog rings have long been used to attach seat covers and upholstery to frames.
Hog rings have long been used to attach seat covers and upholstery to frames. Hog ring pliers close these metal rings, and automotive upholsterers and restorers still use them on vintage and modern seats.
Why did older tool kits include battery terminal pliers?
Short answer: Battery terminal pliers have angled jaws for gripping the bolts on battery terminals.
Battery terminal pliers have angled jaws for gripping the bolts on battery terminals. They were common in older tool kits because battery service and terminal cleaning were frequent maintenance tasks.
Why were wire strippers and crimpers added to automotive tool kits?
Short answer: As vehicles added more electrical accessories, technicians needed to repair and splice wiring with proper terminals.
As vehicles added more electrical accessories, technicians needed to repair and splice wiring with proper terminals. Wire strippers and crimpers designed for insulated and non-insulated automotive terminals became standard tools for electrical repair.
Why were brake spring pliers a standard brake shop tool?
Short answer: Drum brakes use strong return springs that are hard to remove and install by hand.
Drum brakes use strong return springs that are hard to remove and install by hand. Brake spring pliers were standard brake shop tools during the decades when most vehicles had drum brakes on all four wheels.
How did the pliers wrench differ from traditional pliers?
Short answer: Pliers wrenches, introduced in the twenty-first century by Knipex, use parallel smooth jaws that grip nut flats like an adjustable wrench.
Pliers wrenches, introduced in the twenty-first century by Knipex, use parallel smooth jaws that grip nut flats like an adjustable wrench. The design blends features of pliers and wrenches and became popular with technicians.
General guidance only. Follow the vehicle and tool manufacturer's procedures, and confirm vehicle coverage on the tool maker's list before buying.