Knipex Plier Wrench Size

[ToolJoe]

I've been pondering getting one of the Knipex Plier Wrenches. Is there one size that works for general usage? I don't think I'd go with one of the bigger ones.

[Vidar]

The the 12.5cm (5") is too cute to be for general use, and the 15cm (6") tends to be just a bit small for stuck stuff. So the 18cm or 25cm is about right for general use.

[Vidar]

On a sidenote: Since the patent has expired several copies from other good brands have also hit the market. You might want to check out the versions from Garant, Wiha or Holex as well.

[smiller43147]

On a sidenote: Since the patent has expired several copies from other good brands have also hit the market. You might want to check out the versions from Garant, Wiha or Holex as well.

Good to know, thanks.

[cody6268]

Most of my main use pliers are somewhere around 6" or 7", a size that allows the pliers to open wide, give enough leverage for tough jobs, and still fit in a pants pocket, either my front pocket or the plier pocket most carpenter's pants have. 

[gregozedobe]

Choosing a size depends on three factors:

-  How big an object you want to grip (ie maximum jaw opening).

-  How hard you want to grip it (longer handles and larger jaws are better for increasing amounts of force).

-  How big a tool you want to carry around (or leave in the toolbox), and have room for in the location you want to use it (smaller is better for use in a confined space)

[Vidar]

Choosing a size depends on three factors:

-  How big an object you want to grip (ie maximum jaw opening).

-  How hard you want to grip it (longer handles and larger jaws are better for increasing amounts of force).

-  How big a tool you want to carry around (or leave in the toolbox), and have room for in the location you want to use it (smaller is better for use in a confined space)

Yes, a more detailed approach might make sense.  A few tidbits to add to that though:

The grip opening is certainly critical. If it doesn't open wide enough to grip what you want then you simply need bigger. The Knipex 125, 150, 180, 250, 300 and 400 pliers grip around 23, 27, 35, 46, 60 and 85 mm respectively. A useful special feature of plier wrenches is that they have almost an ratcheting action; you can maintain position and shift grip just by loosening a bit and tightening again. For that reason it is useful to have a bit wider grip than you actually need.

The plier wrenches have serious compound leverage and a varying number of adjustment positions according to size. Thus gripping power and longer handles doesn't have a traditional linear relation. In my experience the simple practical rule here is that they all grip hard enough for their respective grip sizes.

Length of the handles does affect the torque you can apply to a nut though, and this might be the main consideration: For example, even if a 125 can grip over a 21mm nut the handles are way on the short side for that size nut; a normal wrench for that size will be twice the length. Normal wrench lengths are standardized according to what torque the nut size should require, so anything shorter will likely be hard going. Thus you might want to decide on plier wrench size based on handle length rather than grip width.








 

[Brock O Lee]

I find the 150mm version to be very useful around the house for general purpose use. Not too small or too large. If I need more leverage I probably need a dedicated wrench.

[Syncop8r]

 

[Smashie]

These are the two that I've found myself using the most, general household and gunsmithing. With a swisschamp for scale.

[hiraethus]

Smashie, can you bring them along to the meet please?  I've been thinking about getting one of these for a while, and would like to take a look if I can.

[Smashie]

Smashie, can you bring them along to the meet please?  I've been thinking about getting one of these for a while, and would like to take a look if I can.

Sure, no problem, I'm bringing my small toolbox anyway, you get used to that driving a landrover 

[Vidar]

These are the two that I've found myself using the most, general household and gunsmithing. With a swisschamp for scale.

(Image removed from quote.)

Those are not plier wrenches... The jaws on those don't move parallel to each other so they can be used as wrenches. (They are great too though, especially the larger Cobra ones!) This is a plier wrench:

[Syncop8r]

Well I'll be..... http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&L=1&page=groups&parentID=1298&groupID=1368

[Smashie]

These are the two that I've found myself using the most, general household and gunsmithing. With a swisschamp for scale.

(Image removed from quote.)

Those are not plier wrenches... The jaws on those don't move parallel to each other so they can be used as wrenches. (They are great too though, especially the larger Cobra ones!) This is a plier wrench:

Well it's what Knippex call them, I'm not going to argue 

[Vidar]

Well I'll be..... http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&L=1&page=groups&parentID=1298&groupID=1368

Nice link If all someone wants is to wrestle nuts and the like (oh no, this will derail into the gutter... ) then I can also recommend the Knipex multiple slip joint spanner "RAPTOR" on that page.

[Syncop8r]

If you grease them they will be hard to wrestle...

[Vidar]

Well it's what Knippex call them, I'm not going to argue 

Not much to argue over really Knipex calls the ones pictured for Cobra Pipe/ Water pump pliers. The bigger ones of those have a slightly different jaw geometry from most, and get a wicked good grip on big nuts and the like.

On the positive side I guess that might mean you still have a valid excuse to get some of those I call plier wrenches? They do work great.

[Vidar]

If you grease them they will be hard to wrestle...

Harder to grip and twist and squeeze too.

Easier to get people to pay up with a proper grip!  (Or so I've heard...  )

[ToolJoe]

I bought the 5 inch plier wrench and didn't realize they were going to be so small so I'm probably return them. Are the 7 inch version better suited for general use?

[Vidar]

The 5 inch is indeed cute. While great for pocket use the short length doesn't provide the normal handle length and torque for what it can actually grip over.

It seems plier wrenches most common length is 10". That is based on Knipex having several models at that length, and that all the competitors imitating those pliers currently only make that length.

Personally I don't have the 7", but I do have all the other lengths. They will all provide plenty of holding power, so the question is really how much torque/ how long handles to you need? Try looking at the length of a normal spanner for the largest bolt size you will use it for. Spanner lengths are standardized to match bolt size torque requirements so that should give a good indication.

[ToolJoe]

Do you find the 6 inch version to work well?

[Vidar]

Depends on the need. I do use the 10" the most - that is in general mechanics and household size.

For me the 6" mostly comes out in tight spaces. I do have the 10" as well so if there is room I just use that instead - more torque and easier to turn, and yet not so heavy as the bigger ones.  Many things could be done with the 6" instead if necessary I suppose. If you need to approach nuts of say size 19mm/ 3/4" then a 6" will be on the short side. You might be stronger man than me though

The 6" is a lot lighter and easier to carry than the 10" if that is a factor? 8" might be a nice compromise, but since I have both smaller and larger my need is kind of covered. The 6" is a fair bit larger than the 5". If I find a camera around here I'd take one of those photographic pictures for you.

[Vidar]

So here is a picture of most of the plier wrenches together with some similar sized metric spanners. The 36mm spanners are longer than standard spanners, so normal 36 spanners should be approx the length of the 16" one.

A 8" one should be about the length of a 19mm or 3/4" spanner. That is actually a quite useful size.

Anyway, got to run - hope it helped.

[ToolJoe]

Thanks for the comparo pictures. 

I'm probably going to go with the 7 inch version.