What do pliers and tongs have in common. Types of pliers and how to choose them correctly. Pliers - practical versatility

Pliers and pliers are among the most popular tools. This is true for both professionals and home craftsmen. They are indispensable for electricians, mechanics and many other professionals. And how to do without them in everyday life is simply incomprehensible to the mind. With all the variety of the tool market, it is difficult to imagine a more versatile and necessary thing.

But why do we say they? Is there a difference between pliers and pliers? There is also a lot. It so happened that no one really makes a difference between them. This is not surprising since they are very similar in appearance. But, nevertheless, there are differences and very significant. These differences are taken into account not only by users, but also by manufacturers. Each of them has its own technical requirements for production and its own GOSTs. What is the difference between pliers and pliers? What kind of work are they for? How to determine the quality of this tool? This will be discussed in the article.

Hinged - pliers tool, its types

The history of the creation of this type of instrument, and it belongs to the pliers, goes back to the era of at least the Greek gods. Mankind has known blacksmith's tongs since time immemorial. Time passed, human society changed, and the instrument changed. When exactly and in whose head the idea to create a prototype of modern pliers arose, no one knows. It's a pity. The thing turned out to be very necessary and practical.

There are many varieties of pliers and pliers. These include:

  • ticks;
  • pliers;
  • wire cutters;
  • round nose pliers;
  • pliers.

Each category has "subspecies" that have different sizes of the working surface (sponges), purpose and shape. For example, round-nose pliers are very convenient for cutting cable cores (shown in the photo below). The conical shape of the working surface allows you to comfortably bend the cable core under the clamp of different diameters. There are models that are additionally equipped with wire cutters. To work with delicate materials, special nozzles made of plastic or other material are used. The presence of notches on the round-nose pliers allows you to securely fix the part during board soldering, and the special shape of the jaws allows you to get into the most inaccessible places of the microcircuits (the angle of inclination of the jaws can be different).

The same applies to nippers. Different shape of the cutting part, its different size, different purpose. For example, wire cutters for repairing electronic equipment are smaller. For cutting cables, no matter what purpose, they are not suitable. Theoretically, this is possible, but both the worker and the tool are tormented. In the worst case, you can be left without wire cutters.

Types of pliers. Features and scope

Already from the name, the characteristic appearance of this tool is “visible”: flat jaws with notches, swivel and handles. Pliers are indispensable during any plumbing or electrical work. Due to the flat surface, they hold a part of any shape well. With the help of pliers, you can bend cable cores, wiring, wire and metal. The dimensions of the parts are determined by the dimensions of the pliers themselves (usually do not exceed 200 mm). It is very common to use this tool as a wrench, for loosening / tightening nuts of various diameters. This is still somewhat unusual work for them, but what to do when there is no key of the required diameter?

Pliers are divided not only by size. For the convenience of the user, manufacturers produce different types of work surface:

  • elongated narrow jaws - for the ability to work in places with limited access;
  • jaws curved at an angle are designed to work in hard-to-reach places, especially in electronics;
  • the so-called "platypus", in fact it is a kind of tweezers, but with a large compression force;
  • with special nozzles, for work with fragile and delicate materials.

For work in electrical installations or with conductive parts of equipment, special pliers with insulated handles are required. On these handles, the maximum voltage that the insulation can withstand must be indicated without fail. In most household tools, this value is up to 1000V. If this characteristic is not indicated on the pliers, it is strictly forbidden to work with them in energized networks. This means that you are dealing with a bench tool and the manufacturer simply does not provide protection for the user from electric current.

There are many varieties of pliers, their type is selected individually, depending on the tasks.

Pliers - practical versatility

Since pliers are "relatives" of pliers, their purpose is similar. They are widely used for plumbing, electrical and other types of work. The working surface of the pliers has a recess with notches. It is designed to grip and securely hold round and smooth surfaces. As a rule, pliers have a combined surface of the jaws, i.e. in addition to a special recess for round parts, there is a part of a flat working area. And in some modifications there are two recesses for different diameters of the part.

Some models of pliers allow you to adjust the compression force of the jaws, for this there are several options for the location of the hinge in special grooves. The rearrangement process is quite simple, spread the handles and rearrange into the desired recess. In addition to the degree of compression, this also allows you to adjust the distance between the faces of the jaws, i.e. expands the size range of gripped parts.

In most cases, pliers are equipped with side cutters. They allow you to strip the insulation of the cores and cut the wire or cable cores. In addition, they can have special edges on the front side of the jaws for cutting hard metal wire.

Some manufacturers expand the working area of ​​the pliers by making notches on the handles just behind the swivel. This allows you to capture the part not only with sponges. How necessary and convenient we will leave it to the users' judgment ...

Pliers are also divided into electrical and locksmith. In the first, dielectric handles must be marked up to 1000V.

Pliers and pliers - the difference

It's time to sum it up. So what's the difference between pliers and pliers? Main three:

The shape of the working surface, for pliers it is flat, without a notch. Although there are combined types of tools with notches on the pliers. But this is more the exception than the rule. In addition, pliers are structurally designed for greater compression force. What does it mean? This means that the manufacturer selects the appropriate steel grade for pliers, which has greater strength;

The ability to adjust the gap of the working surface of the jaws and the degree of force of the tool is provided only for pliers (this is achieved by rearranging the hinge);

For pliers, the multifunctionality inherent in pliers is not typical, i.e. the presence of side cutters, special edges for cutting wire, as a rule, is not (again, these possibilities depend on the steel grade and hardening).

  1. If financial opportunities allow, buy professional pliers and pliers. This is not a whim, the difference between an amateur instrument and a professional instrument, even from leading brands, is very significant. When choosing a power tool, you can save on professional equipment. It's not critical. And in manual very even. It's just a shame when, in the midst of work, you are suddenly left without pliers or after 10 bitten pieces of wire, it will be impossible to use side cutters. The joy of such acquisitions will soon disappear. What can not be said about a professional hand tool. If not a fake, then when used in everyday life, it will last a lifetime.
  2. Pay attention to the hinge, there should not be any backlash. The move should be soft and smooth. This is a sign of a quality instrument.
  3. With closed jaws of nippers or pliers, there should be no gaps, the surfaces should touch evenly, this is a guarantee of high-quality production and assembly.
  4. The handles on the handles must sit securely, free sliding, etc. is not allowed. Especially for power tools.

There is just a huge number of different hand tools that can be used in the work. The most common can be called pliers. They are used in everyday life and in the organization of professional activities. A fairly common question is what is the difference between pliers and pliers. These differences are taken into account by all masters when choosing a hand tool. It is worth considering in more detail pliers and pliers, what is the difference between these designs and other points.

Pliers

Mankind has been familiar with blacksmith's tongs for many centuries. It is not yet known exactly when the instrument in question was made. There are different types of pliers:

  1. Ticks.
  2. Classic design.
  3. Round nose pliers.
  4. Pliers.
  5. Wire cutters.

Moreover, each group has several of its subcategories, which have their own form and purpose. For example, it is possible to properly process the cores when using round-nose pliers. The curved conical shape of the working surface allows for convenient bending of the cable end.

Varieties and uses of pliers

The most common type of such tools can be called pliers. The required tool has the following design features:

  1. Sponges are flat, have applied notches. In this case, the sizes of the sponges can vary significantly.
  2. The cutters are connected using a hinged design.
  3. To transfer pressure, the design has special handles that can be made using various materials.

A good tool is made by various companies that specialize in the production of similar products. For the convenience of carrying out various works, the design is performed in several versions. There may be significant differences between them. The following pliers are widely used:

It should be borne in mind that working with various electrical equipment or conductive products requires special pliers with handles made using insulating material. The manufacturer is obliged to write on the handles the maximum voltage with which you can work. Information can be written using a variety of technologies, many will exclude the possibility of overwriting during long-term operation. If the maximum voltage is not indicated, then the use of the tool is strictly prohibited.

There are two main groups of pliers:

Classification is also carried out according to the size of the product. The master, who often uses the tool in question, may have several pliers in the kit: the larger the size, the greater the force that can be transmitted, smaller models are suitable for working in hard-to-reach places.

The difference between pliers and pliers

All tools are designed for use in carrying out a specific job. The differences between pliers and pliers are in the following points:

Considering how pliers differ from pliers, it should be noted that the first version is multifunctional, the other is suitable for a small amount of work.

It is necessary to choose the most suitable tool correctly in order to provide the most comfortable conditions for performing work. The fact that the design can consist of several elements determines the difficulties that arise when choosing. The best performance option can be selected based on the following information:

It is recommended to pay attention to the offer of exclusively well-known manufacturers. This is due to the fact that they value their reputation and use only the highest quality materials, and also checks all products.

Transfer force adjustment

On sale you can find products that allow you to adjust the compression force. Similar models can be used when the workpiece to be processed should not be subjected to mechanical stress. The highlights of this proposal are:

Many models are also additionally supplied with side cutters. They are used for stripping and cutting cable cores.

There are models with extended working heat of pliers. To do this, notches are made immediately after the swivel. Due to this change, the capture of the part is carried out not only with sponges, the scope of the tool is significantly expanded.

In conclusion, we note that a fairly large number of different sets are on sale. It is not recommended to purchase sets, since in most cases cheap products are included in their kit. It is best to select tools individually and assemble your own set.

The most common tool in the household are pliers. They are universal and help in almost all types of work during construction and repair. Often, pliers are used not quite for their intended purpose, for example, unscrewing threaded connections with them. But a set of wrenches is not always at hand, and everyone probably has pliers. They are sometimes called pliers, although they are different pliers. Pliers are more specialized for installation work. Let's look at them in more detail.

Tool pliers

Despite the fact that pliers are widespread, pliers were the first to be invented. It is a tool for gripping and holding small parts so that work can be done with them, such as bending, biting, stripping, and the like.

If we consider pliers and pliers, the difference is obvious. The word "flat" itself implies the presence of sponges on the tool, the working part of which has a flat surface. In some models, they are stuffed with a special fine notch for better fixation of parts during their processing.

There are several modifications of pliers, the difference between which lies in the shape of the sponges. To perform various functions, the following have been developed:

  • pliers with elongated jaws;
  • with bent at an angle, for work in inconvenient places;
  • with their subtle form;
  • pliers with short jaws for a firm grip;
  • with plastic overlays for accurate clamping of the part;
  • edge-modified to cut wire.

The material from which the pliers are made is U7A carbon steel. In addition, the metal is subjected to a volume hardening of forty-five units and covered with a protective layer using:

  • oxidation;
  • phosphating;
  • chrome plating.

Pliers are available with or without handle insulators. In the first case, the tool is allowed to work with live electrical elements, which must be indicated by the inscription on the insulators.

pliers

The word "pliers" comes from French and translates as "clamp the rod." Therefore, the pliers tool has special oval or round recesses on the clamping edges for easy gripping of tubular elements or cylindrical parts. They are usually several different diameters. And the recesses must have a serrated notch.

Sometimes pliers can be confused with combination pliers. But the latter, along with the oval recess, have a cutting edge, and sometimes in the area of ​​​​swivel on different planes of the tool there is also a selection for cutting hard metal wire.

In modern models, to capture parts of various diameters, not a set of recesses is used, but a complex design of the hinge connection, where the latter can move apart, thereby increasing the distance between the jaws. These are more functional pliers (the photo demonstrates this perfectly).

Structurally, pliers are a more powerful tool than pliers. They are made from high-strength chrome-vanadium and chromium-molybdenum steel. The degree of hardening reaches fifty-three, according to HRC.

Pliers equipped with plastic handles can be used in electrical work. To do this, they must be affixed with an inscription on how many volts they are designed for.

Pliers and pliers - the difference

There are several signs by which it is easy to distinguish pliers from pliers:

  1. Form of working sponges. For pliers, it is even, with small notches, and for pliers - with oval selections.
  2. The size. Pliers (their photo is presented in the article) are usually larger in appearance, have massive clamping jaws, often short.
  3. The presence of a rotary hinge of an adjustable type indicates that we have pliers in front of us.
  4. Multifunctionality is inherent in pliers, and the narrow focus of application is inherent in pliers.
  5. The steel grade, if it is indicated on the product, can also tell the type of tool.

Holding pliers and pliers in front of you, everyone can see the difference.

Wiring pliers

Especially for electrical installation operations, universal insulated pliers have been developed. With them, you can do:

  • Fixing round and flat parts.
  • Bending wires and twisting copper wire.
  • Cutting copper cable, the thickness of which does not exceed 15 mm.
  • Removal of electrical insulation.
  • Crimping cable lugs.
  • Stripping the wire from oxides.

The permissible voltage with which you can work with such pliers should not exceed 1000 V, which is indicated on the handles of the tool.

Multifunctional pliers

This type of product is more of a survival tool than a normal construction and repair tool. This is evidenced by the presence of many functional elements included in the kit. This is a set of knives, a screwdriver, a corkscrew and, of course, pliers. All this is folded into the handles of the latter, according to the principle of a penknife.

Multifunctional pliers are not designed to work with electrical circuits, as it is technically impossible to equip them with insulating handles. The steel grade from which this tool is made is not of high quality, so these pliers belong to a purely domestic class of products. The design of the tool sometimes involves hiding the sponges themselves inside the body, and the kit can come with a case for carrying in a bag or pocket.

Pliers 200 mm (multifunctional) have a jaw length of 2 centimeters, cutting edges for wire and a selection for cylindrical parts, like pliers. Their handles are equipped with rubber or two-component insulators.

How to work with pliers

In order for the pliers to serve for a long time, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules for working with them:

  • The tool must be lubricated.
  • Pliers are not designed to hold large items, so they will grip medium to small items.
  • The grip involves holding the product, for example, to guide the part, to prevent it from slipping from the selected position. This is especially true if it is inconvenient to manipulate with the hands and the strength of the fingers is not enough to hold.
  • Capture does not involve violent actions with the subject. This can damage the instrument and also damage the surface of the product.
  • Pliers produce a grip on the flat parts of the part.
  • When working with live parts, the tool is held only by insulated handles. If possible, turn off the power supply before work.
  • Pliers are not designed to cut through hard metals such as steel.
  • The most successful use of pliers in radio work.

How to work with pliers

Pliers can be used in a more diverse way at work, but certain rules must be observed:

  • It is not recommended to use a rusty, unlubricated tool.
  • The distance between the handles should be sufficient so as not to pinch your fingers.
  • You can hold flat and cylindrical parts with pliers. You can hold the nuts, but it is not recommended to unscrew tightened nuts with pliers.
  • When working, the pliers do not push, but pull.
  • When biting the wire, it is held perpendicular to the cutting edges.
  • When biting off the edge of the wire, it is necessary to ensure that it does not fly off and injure others.
  • Work with electricity is allowed only with pliers with insulated handles.

Conclusion

Despite the apparent simplicity of the tool, when working with pliers and pliers, it is necessary to adhere to all safety regulations for the operation of a metalwork tool. If you choose the wrong pliers and pliers, the difference in the convenience of working with them will be amazing.

There is no such type of plumbing work that can be done without the use of pliers. In amateur slang, this tool is also called pliers. Briefly describe the tool - it consists of two "X" figuratively connected metal elongated parts.

Moreover, the swivel is not in the middle, but is shifted towards the working area in the ratio of 1/3 or 1/4. The long part is designed in the form of handles, and the short part is adapted for grabbing and squeezing objects.

And yet, a similar name is pliers and pliers - what's the difference?

These products have common roots. Both devices belong to the category of pliers. They are designed to capture, hold and squeeze a variety of objects.
Let's define each of them:

pliers

Manual multifunctional locksmith and electrical tool. Designed for gripping, crimping, holding parts and blanks of round and other shapes with the help of hands.

In the presence of a dielectric coating on the handles, it allows you to perform electrical work without turning off the voltage in electrical installations up to 1000 volts.

The shape and dimensions of the device are determined by the GOST 17438-72 “Pliers. Specifications".

Pliers device

On the inner surface of the jaws there are one or two recesses of different sizes to capture round objects. Notches must be formed on the grooves to prevent slippage. The angle and depth of the teeth allows you to unscrew loose nuts.

IMPORTANT! When using pliers as a wrench, the edges are damaged. Therefore, this application is the exception rather than the rule.

On the jaws, on the inside in the hinge area, a wire cutter can be molded in the form of wire cutters. The hinge mechanism often has a slot for cutting the wire using the offset method.

With the cups open, the slots are combined into one, the workpiece is laid, and the handles are closed. At the same time, even steel wire is easily bitten.

The outer shape of the sponges has a different design. Rectangular, with sharpened edges or semicircular. This is done for ease of penetration into cavities with limited access. For special work, the product can be given a special shape, which in no way limits its capabilities.

In order to increase functionality, the tool is completed with a screwdriver and an awl (hole punch). However, for the average user, the classic performance is more familiar.

Pliers, pliers, pliers, wire cutters are representatives of a very diverse group of tools called pliers. Their main difference is in the shape of the working surface, determined by their purpose. These tools are actively used in various fields, they are used by dentists, blacksmiths, and railway workers. In particular, pincers are one of the most ancient tools; they are an integral attribute (along with the hammer) of the Greek god of fire - Hephaestus. Let's start with ticks.

Ticks

Usually this is a tool with relatively long handles and short jaws, which close over a short distance with flat or pointed surfaces. The pliers are intended primarily for gripping parts. Blacksmith tongs hold red-hot metal, they have long handles and various shapes of sponges.

Railroad workers have tongs for carrying railway sleepers, as well as for carrying rails.


Tongs for carrying sleepers and rail (ROBEL)

Carpentry (carpentry) tongs pull out nails.


Joiner's (carpenter's) tongs (GEDORE)

Plumbing tongs (pipe) usually have a serrated recess for gripping pipes, inclined jaws and an adjustable hinge mechanism for clamping pipes of different diameters.


Sanitary pliers (STAYER)

The pliers also include a number of electrical installation tools: these are crimp pliers for terminals, pliers for stripping wires, pliers for connectors, pliers for cable glands, current pliers, insulating pliers for replacing fuses, etc.

In general, almost any pliers can be called pincers, for example, pliers, in a simplified way, these are pincers with flat jaws.

Pliers are pliers that have a flat working surface, often with a fine notch. They are used to capture relatively small parts and perform various manipulations with them (bending, biting), often using two tools at once. For different jobs, the shape of the sponges themselves may be different. There are pliers with elongated jaws (long nose pliers, platypuses) and pliers with curved jaws, used when working with parts that are in hard to reach places; pliers with narrow jaws (narrow-nose pliers) used for fine work; pliers with short jaws, providing a large gripping force at the ends of the jaws. Some pliers have pads on the working surface to prevent damage to parts. Often pliers have cutting edges for cutting wire.

Combination pliers, sometimes called pliers, are a tool that includes pliers, has cutting edges for cutting wire and nails, a notch with teeth for gripping pipes, nuts and various cylindrical parts. This is a multifunctional tool, on the one hand, able to help in various situations, on the other hand, special tools cope with specific tasks better. Therefore, combination pliers are a tool for a household tool kit, and not for a professional one.

The difference between round nose pliers and pliers is the round section of the jaws tapering towards the end (conical shape of the jaws). Round nose pliers are designed for curly bending of wire, the conical shape of the jaws makes it possible to bend with different radii, they are an important tool for jewelers. Round-nose pliers can have sponges of different sizes, both in length and thickness, and there are models that have sponges of different shapes in one tool, there are round-nose pliers with curved jaws. There are models with notches on the lips and without notches. Just like pliers, round nose pliers can have cutting edges for cutting wire.

pliers

Based on the French origin of the name of this tool - pinces-a-tige, pince - clamp and tige - rod, then pliers are a tool for gripping pipes and other cylindrical parts. That is, the main thing in pliers, which determines their name, is a notch with teeth.


Antique pliers with two notched notches,
for large and small diameters

Modern pliers, instead of several notches, have an adjustable hinge for pipes of different sizes.


Adjustable joint pliers (Task Force)

Apparently, pliers differ from plumbing pliers in a smaller size, or you can safely put an equal sign between them.

What many are accustomed to calling pliers, according to GOST 5547-93, are combined pliers. And it turns out that on the one hand, this tool can be defined as pliers with pliers, and on the other hand, pliers with pliers.

wire cutters

Nippers are pliers with a cutting working surface used for cutting wires, nails, fittings. Depending on the position of the cutting edges on the jaws, five main types of wire cutters are distinguished: side cutters (side cutters, diagonal cutters), end cutters (transverse cutters), cable cutters, stripping cutters (they are stripping pliers, see above) and end cutters. More often use side cutters, or side cutters.

When buying wire cutters, pay attention to what kind of material they are intended for cutting, as copper wire cutters may not be able to cope with nails, and the cutting edges will be damaged.

Wire cutters for cutting cables, ropes, fittings, bolts have a particularly strong design, increased hardness of the cutting edges, often several hinged nodes to provide increased compressive strength.

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