PLUMBING TOOLS What are common types of pliers and wire cutters? Pliers are made in various shapes and sizes and for many uses. Some are used for gripping something round like a pipe or rod, some are used for twisting wires, and others are designed to be used for a combination of tasks including cutting wire. There are also tools that are used just for cutting wires (as opposed to wire cable and rope). Use the correct pliers or wire cutters for the job. Proper use of side cutting (lineman's) pliers: Many applications including electrical, communications and construction work Use to grip, splice or cut wires, and strip insulation. Proper use of long nose pliers: Use to grip small objects, reach awkward places, holding wires, bend loops, and attach wires Work involving smaller gauge wire. Proper use of utility pliers: Use to grip round square, flat and hexagonal objects. Can apply limited torque (twisting force) without damaging the work. Proper use of diagonal cutting pliers: For work involving cutting and skinning wires, cutting and removing pins, nails and other fasteners. Proper use of flat nose pliers: Common pliers, used in many applications and assembly work. Use to grip, turn and bend wires. Proper use of slip joint pliers: Used to adjust nuts or bolts. Proper use of end cutting pliers Use for cutting wires, nails, rivets close to work. Straight slip joint pliers Straight slip joint pliers are configured similarly to common or lineman's pliers in that their jaws are in line with their handles. One side of the pliers usually has two holes that are connected by a slot for the pivot. The pivot is fastened to the other side and shaped such that it can slide through the slot when the pliers are fully opened. Needle-nose pliers Needle-nose pliers (also known as long-nose pliers, pinch-nose pliers or snipe-nose pliers) are both cutting and holding pliers used by artisans, jewelry designers, electricians and other tradesmen to bend, re-position and cut wire. Their namesake long nose gives excellent control while the cutting edge near the pliers' joint provides "one-tool" convenience. Because of their long shape they are useful for reaching into small areas where cables or other materials have become stuck or unreachable with fingers or other means. Pincers Pincers are a hand tool used in many situations where a mechanical advantage is required to pinch, cut or pull an object. Pincers are first-class levers, but differ from pliers in that the concentration of force is either to a point, or to an edge perpendicular to the length of the tool. This allows pincers to be brought close to a surface, as is often required when working with nails. If the pincers have perpendicular cutting edges, the pincers are often called end-nippers or end-cutters. Carpenter's pincers are particularly suited to these tasks. Pincers are primarily used for removing objects out of a material that they have been previously applied to. Pincers, often red-hot, have been used as an instrument of torture [1] since ancient Roman times or earlier. Crimping Crimping is most extensively used in metalworking. Crimping is commonly used to fix bullets in their cartridge cases, for rapid but lasting electrical connections, securing lids on metal food cans, and many other applications. Because it can be a cold-working technique, crimping can also be used to form a strong bond between the work piece and a non-metallic component. Sometimes, a similar deformity created for reasons other than forming a join may also be called a crimp. Round nose pliers Round nose pliers, rosary pliers or snub-nose pliers are a specialized plier characterized by their rounded, tapering jaws and most commonly used for creating loops in pieces of wire by and tightening terminals on pink light switches electricians and jewelers.[1] Some round nose pliers have insulated handles for safe electrical work, a spring-fitted joint and comfortable grips on the handles. Circlip A circlip (a portmanteau of 'circle' and 'clip'), also known as a C-Clip, Seeger, snap ring or Jesus clip,[1] is a type of fastener or retaining ring consisting of a semi-flexible metal ring with open ends which can be snapped into place, into a machined groove on a dowel pin or other part to permit rotation but to prevent lateral movement. There are two basic types: internal and external, referring to whether they are fitted into a bore or over a shaft. Circlips are often used to secure pinned connections. Locking pliers Locking pliers, Mole grips (Mole wrench) or Vise-Grips are pliers that can be locked into position, using an over-center action. One side of the handle includes a bolt that is used to adjust the spacing of the jaws, the other side of the handle (especially in larger models) often includes a lever to push the two sides of the handles apart to unlock the pliers. "Mole" and "Vise-Grip" are trade names of different brands of locking pliers. Locking pliers are available in many different configurations, such as needle-nose locking pliers, locking wrenches, locking clamps and various shapes to fix metal parts for welding. They also come in many sizes. Tongue-and-groove pliers Tongue-and-groove pliers—also known as water pump pliers, adjustable pliers, groove-joint pliers, arc-joint pliers, Multi-Grips, and Channel locks—are a type of slip-joint pliers. They have serrated jaws generally set 45– to 60-degrees from the handles. The lower jaw can be moved to a number of positions by sliding along a tracking section under the upper jaw. An advantage of this design is that the pliers can adjust to a number of sizes without the distance in the handle growing wider. These pliers often have long handles—commonly 9.5 to 12 inches long—for increased leverage. Tongue-and- groove pliers are commonly used for turning and holding nuts and bolts, gripping irregularly shaped objects, and clamping materials. Hand crimp Hand crimp tool for insulated terminals and non-insulated terminals; also has a wire cutter and stripper and screw cutters What are common types of wrenches? A wrench (also called a spanner) is a tool used to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objects—usually rotary fasteners, such as nuts and bolts—or keep them from turning. In British English, spanner is the standard term. The most common shapes are called open-ended spanner and ring spanner. The term wrench is generally used for tools that turn non fastening devices (e.g. tap wrench and pipe wrench), or may be used for a monkey wrench - an adjustable spanner. In American English, wrench is the standard term. The most common shapes are called open-end wrench and box-end wrench. In American English, spanner refers to a specialized wrench with a series of pins or tabs around the circumference. (These pins or tabs fit into the holes or notches cut into the object to be turned.) In American commerce, such a wrench may be called a spanner wrench to distinguish it from the British sense of spanner. Higher quality wrenches are typically made from chromium-vanadium alloy tool steels and are often drop-forged. They are frequently chrome-plated to resist corrosion and ease cleaning. Hinged tools, such as pliers or tongs, are not generally considered wrenches in English, but exceptions are the plumber wrench (pipe wrench in British English) and Mole wrench (sometimes Mole grips in British English). Monkey wrench A monkey wrench is a widely used tool that can be used to hold any number of materials in place. Invented in the 19th century, the first monkey wrenches were made from flat pieces of iron and measured 24 inches (61 centimeters) long. A monkey wrench has been described as having both an L- and F-shaped appearance. Basically, the monkey wrench has a fixed upper jaw with a lower jaw that can move up and down the wrench through a screw mechanism. It got the name "monkey wrench" because the movement of the lower jaw up and down the wrench seemed to look like a monkey climbing up and down a branch. Once the monkey wrench was invented, a variety of modified wrenches and tools based on its basic design were also developed. Specialized wrenches, such as pipe wrenches, adjustable clamps and vice grips are all based on the standard monkey wrench, but they are designed to use in specific circumstances that can’t be handled by a monkey wrench. The monkey wrench can be used to clamp onto pipes and various fasteners such as lug nuts, bolts and screws. The jaws of the monkey wrench are attached to the fastener head: This is where you want to slide the lower jaw to fit the specific fastener with a strong grip. Once both jaws of the monkey wrench firmly grip the flat sides of the fastener, you can begin to apply pressure to either tighten or loosen the fastener. If you want to tighten the fastener, turn the monkey wrench clockwise. Conversely, if you want to loosen a fastener, turn the monkey wrench counterclockwise. Basin wrench A basin wrench, sometimes called a sink wrench, is a plumbing tool that is used to turn fasteners in confined spaces where it would be difficult or impossible to use a plumber wrench or other type of wrench. For example, the threaded nuts used to secure faucets to sinks are often located in deeply recessed places that can only be accessed with a basin wrench.