To perform the job efficiently, it is important to have the necessary tools that will not only make the work of the master easier, but will also allow him to perform it at the proper level. Having a tool such as pliers (see photo) would seem to be not so necessary. You can try to do without them and use pliers or pliers, but the quality of the desired result will not be at the desired level.
When choosing any tool, you should not take the cheapest or, conversely, the most expensive. You need to rely on the material, the quality of the product as a whole, the pricing policy and, together with these indicators, select a suitable model, then this thing will bring both benefits and long-term service.
What are pliers used for?
Classic round nose pliers are used for mechanics to perform a number of tasks.
This range expands significantly if the tool has insulated handles, which means that many of its types are actively used by electricians.
It is convenient to use round nose pliers to:
- Capture small parts and their elements for subsequent manipulation.
- Crimping electrical wiring connections.
- Bending wire, rods, metal cores and thin strips, smoothly bending them at different angles.
Round nose pliers with conical jaws are great for bending wire into single rings of various diameters.
This possibility is ensured by uniformly increasing the diameter of the jaws towards the base.
The cylindrical cross-section allows you to wind identical turns of wire, the size of which depends directly on the size of the pliers.
The areas of human activity where pliers are used are practically unlimited.
Device and characteristics
Round nose pliers are essentially pliers with round ends.
Structurally, they consist of two, often symmetrical handles, with working surfaces located at the ends on one side.
The parts are connected crosswise by a hinge in such a way that the handles act as a lever when bringing the jaws together.
The design is similar to wire cutters or pliers.
The handles of the pliers can have different shapes, both straight and curved, for ease of use with one hand.
In addition, most models of this tool have rubberized handles and have dielectric properties, at the same time preventing them from slipping out of your hands.
Material
Round-nose pliers are made of high-carbon tool steel with various protective and decorative coatings.
For example, nickel-plated material can have both a glossy and matte surface, thereby protecting it from corrosion.
As for the handles, they can be poured or two-component.
The last option is a PVC base with anti-slip rubber inserts, as well as sides that prevent your hand from slipping towards the jaws.
Such handles are also called covers because they can be removed if necessary.
Form
The ends of the pliers can be either straight or curved at different angles,
and by cross-section they are divided into:
- Conical, with a decreasing diameter towards the end.
- Cylindrical, with a constant diameter along the entire length.
Each option has its own advantages when performing specific tasks.
Dimensions and weight
Classic round nose pliers have the following sizes:
- Length (mm): 125, 140, 160 and 180
- Width (mm): about 50
- Thickness (mm): 8 – 10
- Weight (g): 50 – 180
Scope of application of round nose pliers
Round-nose pliers are hand tools, the main scope of which is considered to be plumbing or electrical installation work; they are also used in jewelry or in the manufacture of costume jewelry. The need for these pliers is to hold or twist something. The design of this instrument has round “lips”, hence the name.
For fine electrical work, electricians use special electrical installation pliers, in which the handle is made of a dielectric material that can withstand voltages of up to 1000 V, or is covered with insulation, but this is when performing low-voltage work.
It is considered mandatory for jewelers or sappers to have round nose pliers, because in these professions the emphasis on accuracy is very significant. Therefore, the scope of application of this tool is quite wide.
GOST
Standard round nose pliers are manufactured in accordance with GOST 7283-93, which details the technical conditions that the tool must meet.
This includes all sizes, material of the base of the product and its coating.
Moreover, this GOST complies with international standards ISO 5743-88, ISO 5744-88 and ISO 5745-88.
Types of round nose pliers and their price
For most tasks, regular pliers of standard sizes with conical jaws are suitable, however, there are other types of this tool for solving specific problems:
Grippers
These include virtually all standard pliers, as they are suitable for holding parts and their elements.
The cost starts at 240 rubles.
High-quality models will cost from 1 thousand rubles.
With cutting edges
This is a mixture of round nose pliers and side cutters.
This option is designed for gripping and cutting.
Round-nose pliers have cutting edges located at the base of the jaws.
Flat round nose pliers, or round nose pliers
Essentially, they are pliers with a rounded outer part of the jaws.
Semi-round pliers
One sponge has a conical shape and a round cross-section, while the second has only the outer part rounded and the inner part flat.
Stepped
With ends whose radius changes in steps.
As a rule, it is performed with 3 steps, while the inner part is flat and the entire surface is adjacent to the response jaw.
The tool can be single-sided or double-sided.
In the first case, the response jaw is conical and has a flat inner part, and in the second embodiment, both jaws are stepped.
Mini round nose pliers
Up to 125 mm long, usually 120 mm, and fine tips.
Jewelry
A miniature precision instrument with thin precision-machined jaws, the thickness of which at the end is no more than 1 mm.
Electronic
Of course, there is no electronics in the instrument, and the name is due to the fact that it is used to work with electronics.
Like the previous option, these pliers are precision, in other words, they allow you to perform precise work due to perfectly adjusted dimensions and the complete absence of play.
In addition, they can be antistatic.
The price for quality starts at 1 thousand rubles.
Antistatic
For work with components that are sensitive to electrostatic discharge.
Suitable for working with electronics.
Equipped with conductive handles to safely discharge static charges.
Extended
Actually, they have ends whose length exceeds the standards.
Suitable for working in hard-to-reach places.
You can purchase it at a price of 1 – 2 thousand rubles.
Curved
There are a lot of options here, ranging from standard jaws, bent at different angles in one direction approximately in the center, to elongated options, where only the tips are curved.
In addition, corner models are a separate subspecies here, the bending angle of the jaws is 90 degrees.
For a quality instrument you will have to pay around 2 thousand rubles.
Telephone operator's round nose pliers
They have a cross-shaped notch on the inside of the elongated jaws, which increases the reliability of gripping parts.
They allow you to work in hard-to-reach places and are suitable for use as pliers due to the presence of cutting edges.
Dielectric
With insulating handles for working in electrical installations with AC voltage up to 1000V, or DC voltage up to 1500V.
Price: 280 – 4000 rubles.
With safety mount
A metal ring located on the inside of one of the handles, which allows you to actually tie the tool to a belt or piece of equipment, preventing it from accidentally falling when working at height.
To remove retaining rings
With elongated and classic, straight and curved tips, the thickness of which at the end is about 1 mm.
There are options for external and internal retaining rings.
The cost of good quality round nose pliers of almost any configuration starts at 1 thousand rubles.
The best manufacturers of round pliers
- FINCH INDUSTRIAL TOOLS CANADA INC – Canada. The manufacturer has long established itself in the market and has a minimum of complaints. Produces all types of tools.
- NARBRO - Germany. Considered one of the best manufacturers of repair tools in the world. It is distinguished by the high quality of steel and other additional materials involved in the manufacture of the product.
- TECHNIDIS SA – France. It has a special quality. Buyers note that the products have proven themselves well in the market. You definitely won’t regret purchasing products from this manufacturer.
- KNIPEX-WERK C GUSTAV PUTSCH KG – Germany. The company has a long history, initially tools were forged there and, over time, production expanded to the manufacture of repair tools from various materials.
- HOFFMANN - Germany. It is the largest company in the world. Dealing with hard alloys. So, by purchasing pliers from this company, you can be sure that they will serve you for a long time.
- KNIPEX - Germany. The company has a long history, initially tools were forged there and, over time, production expanded to the manufacture of repair tools from various materials.
- OJSC U-UAZ – Russia. Since ancient times, there has always been more trust in domestic manufacturers than in foreign ones. The company is engaged not only in foundry, but also in components for aviation. Therefore, in this case, you can again be sure that if you buy a tool from this company, you will not regret it.
- KIROV PLANT RED TOOL MACHINE – Russia. It is worth noting that this manufacturer is the best in Russia in the production of tools.
How to choose round nose pliers?
The cost of round nose pliers is commensurate with their quality.
For this reason, the first thing to do when choosing a tool is to skip the cheapest options, because... there is a high probability that such models will not withstand even a small force applied to the handles, not to mention heavy metalwork.
To work with miniature parts, it is better to opt for models with pourable handles.
They are simply more convenient.
Although convenience is a purely subjective concept, before buying the round nose pliers you like, you must definitely hold them in your hands.
Two-component handles with protrusions - guards - will prevent your hand from slipping when performing heavy work, where considerable force is applied to the tool, thereby eliminating possible injury.
Important!
Guards must also be on dielectric pliers, where such slipping from the dielectric can lead to electric shock.
Another important point that allows you to distinguish a good tool from a bad one is the quality of manufacture of individual elements and the assembly itself.
The ends, first of all, must be the same size; of course, unless the manufacturer provides otherwise, they must fit tightly to each other.
The hinge part should not have any play, otherwise the clamps will eventually converge unevenly.
In addition to the absence of play, ease of compression and release is added.
The coating of the handles should not have any nicks, except for those provided for ease of grip, cracks, or other defects, including sagging material.
Thus, the choice of good round nose pliers should be made taking into account the characteristics described above.
Choosing the best option
The price of an instrument depends on a certain level of quality. Therefore, it is better not to buy cheap ones, since they will not be able to withstand even average loads. They are definitely not suitable for performing highly complex plumbing work. If the procedure being performed involves miniature-sized parts, then it is better to choose a tool that has poured handles and the work will become more convenient. To prevent the mounting device from slipping from your hands, opt for two-component handles with protrusions (guards).
Protrusions should also be located on dielectric tools. Because slipping can be dangerous due to the possibility of electric shock.
It is worth considering that the tips should be the same size and fit tightly to each other. But the manufacturer may provide other options. There should be no play in the hinge part so that the clamps meet smoothly. In addition, compression/release will be easy. There should be no nicks on the surface. For convenient grip, there may be notches provided by the manufacturer.
What you need to know about round nose pliers?
The ends of almost all budget pliers have to be pulled apart on your own, which is difficult and extremely inconvenient to do without the proper dexterity with one hand.
More expensive models are usually equipped with a special adjustable mechanism.
This could be an ordinary spring located at the base of the handles closer to the hinge.
There are round-nose pliers, where at the base of each handle there is a strip of elastic metal that rests on the same opposite one.
Another design option is that the handles at the edge are connected to each other by an elastic arched crossbar.
Such an adjustable mechanism is extremely convenient when working with miniature parts where precision is required.
