Lineman Pliers at Last Best Tool
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ม.ค. 2021
- Lineman pliers are magical machines filled with strength, power, and features. But not all are created equal, and there are a few look-a-likes. Here are my thoughts on the Lineman. Featured are Snap On, Klein, Craftsman, Greenlee, Ideal, Channellock and Milwaukee.
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Someone needs to do a “which lineman’s makes the best hammer” for the commercial electricians watching
Nothing pounds staples like a good pair of lineman’s
They say IRWIN is a good option too.
You 'nailed it' with that comment! (seriously)
Two things about pliers. I use linemans a lot. On almost any jobs, small or big, I get to access my lineman (bang, cut, twist, some bolting and stripping)...
Currently building myself a compact EDC kit and fell on this video. I have two reflections:
The advent of the "influencer" thing seems to twist some realities in regards genuine popular favorite products: "hand tools" and the electric tools reality.
First thought regarding pliers:
Handles: I and many coworkers are not into big stubby plasticky handles. They were rare and used to be (and still mostly are) associated with cheap products for the naive DIYers. We still see it that way. What still wins the quality "grip" handles are the dipped rubberized handles... Enough of a cushion with genuine real grp not the 'false comfy" rarely needed aspect. And the number of coworkers (mostly newbies) commenting on my pliers positively for the grip is my testement of this.
Last: I would suggest when it comes to lineman pliers, especially when dealing with electrical centric work, make sure Klein is in the line-up. They are still the benchmark.
I’ve come to love my pair of Goldblatt multi purpose linesman. The brand is mostly known for their masonry tools, but these are fantastic. They’ve worn in nicely, I love the functionality and size too.
My Klein's are the same model as "your favorite" and the super-stiff pair. I wanna say they're the Journeyman JC2000. Mine were obnoxiously tight for the first couple months of use. I think the key was to lube the pin joint w/ PB Blaster, WD40, or something of the like, and also to use them on solid copper wire, gripping, twisting, and ultimately stressing the joint a bit. I think I would also just grab a twist of 3-5 #12AWG and then two-handed squeeze as hard as I could. Now a couple years later, they are super smooth and super straight...
...But I still wanna get that small Snap-On set you got there
The serrated area below the hinge is an insulation crusher. You squeeze the insulation there to crush and break it down and then use the cutting blade to strip it off. That was more popular in the days of rubber insulated wire but it still works today.It takes some skill to strip wire with the cutters without nicking the copper.
Great video
Are you reading my mind? I was trying to find those seal removal tools on the website after you showed them off. Simultaneously, I was on a 9” linesman shopping spree this weekend (grabbed an ideal two days ago and a Klein today). I love my 7” Snap-On’s as a general purpose combination plier alternative (even thought the cutters are weird on mine too) but the aggressive teeth chew up the wires and the straighter handles didn’t seem like they’d be too comfortable at that size. About the stiff Kleins, they’re notorious for that (although all of my Snap-Ons were exponentially stiffer brand new than any Kleins I’ve owned). Today I ended up just grabbing the $100 Klein apprentice set so that I can put that in a separate kit with the other electrical tools ready to go for outlets , fixtures and similar. To my surprise, all of the pliers were ready to go without any break in necessary. I was relieved. Knipex are the only pliers I know of that consistently arrive ready to go. One word of warning for those that don’t know, being quite electrician focused, Klein’s aren’t hardened for steel wire, nails and things of that nature unless you buy the ones that are specifically hardened for heavier cutting.
Love the video
Klein makes the best lineman that I have ever owned. I have no experience with the Knipex, it looks good to me.
Klein has it down for the electrician. The smooth nose jaw don't cut your back jeans pocket. The nose is just the right shape for one handed KO removal and fit easily into a J box for manipulating wire and devices. They are just the right ruggedness for most electrician hammer needs. They come with enough feature versions that you can mix and match the features that you desire. I like the fish tape puller (flat steel tape). They have enough hardness and leverage to do real cutting. The price point is excellent. Cheaper copies are just enough frustrating to use that the Klein cost is worth it. I haven't tried a more costly tool that has any advantage over Klein keeping me Klein loyal. I keep half a dozen for ready use and I have given away nearly 50 to folk that think that they can't afford Klein. No one receiving one has ever complained. I don't know anyone that doesn't simply call linesman Kleins.
Ideal could be good, but they are subtly inferior. Greenlee makes terrific electrician tools. I don't understand why They even market their laughable linesman. I use their fish tapes, bending, punching tools and most of their large large wire cutting tools hands down over Klein, but they should be ashamed of their linesman!
As a heads up, Greenlee rebadges a lot of their tools. You'll see country of origin as Germany or Japan. I know two of their ratcheting wire cutters are made by Knipex and the other Fujiya.
I agree with the Klein assessment. I have knipex, NWS, Klein, Fujiya, Marvel, and Wiha. My favorites are the marvel because they're crosscuts and cut so smooth and it doesn't matter which side you cut from. BUT they blades are only made for copper and it's not as durable as the Klein. So you have to carry around a second cutter. I think Klein is better than any other as far as price and total function.
Do you have any thoughts / opinions on the teeth patterns and gripping capacity of the different pliers. Specifically, I'd be curious to learn what you think of pliers with crosshatch pattern instead of the standard horizontal teeth.
I have some Kleins I like a lot, and smaller Knipex I find quite handy. For a long time I just had a pair of Doyle's, which are a bit stiff, but usable, and they cut okay (though I never tried to cut tape with them).
That gap is intended to be a steel fish tape puller
I bought the wiha lineman because it has a crosshatch on one side to hammer with. Before I found myself abusing them as a hammer beforehand so these were perfect.
Klein pliers and southwire linesman pliers and Milwaukee tools linesman pliers are what I have and can afford and have the crescent (new ones/ the latest version) and they work great for what they are.
The handle flares you’re discussing at 17:15 are to keep your hands from sliding up and making contact with the metal when you’re working on live wires. Yes, you usually grip lower down, but depending on the maneuver, something, even just a finger, could inch closer and make contact
Those handles aren't rated for live work, it might be better than nothing, but shouldn't be relied on.
Yeah but we all know they are used on live work all the time. And yes, they do much better than nothing.
I have longed for this video. One suggestion for a future video to consider adjustable wrenches, or water pump aka tongue and groove pliers or pipe wrenches. Last one promise jig saw blades. If these exist sorry I haven't seen any of them. Thank you for the great and interesting content
I also have those Greenlee pliers as well
A link with the orange one, your preferred one and the one with the bigger head would be great. I like tools with springs too
The file on the outside of the Milwaukeee is a cool idea
That Craftsman you have looks very similar to the one that I have. From two decades three decades ago. I've not had any problems with
Nice
So with the knurled edge on the Milwaukee's(I'm an electrician and had the milwaukee's for around 3ish years) the head is so big that you can only really ream 3/4" pipe or larger. Also if you're working in a smaller box, if you're splicing wire I've had two difference occasions on tight boxes where the knurled edge actually wore through other wire without me noticing and causing an arc on my pliers. I just bought today the Klein J215-8CR, one of the newer pliers they've come out with that has 10/12/14 solid and 8/10/12 stranded strippers and im hoping with the smaller head and essentially being a 3-1 plier that it'll be used more than when i have to keep switching between pliers and strippers.
Whenever I buy a stiff pair of Kleins, I get a little dirt and water and then work the mud into the rivet. After a few minutes of working the dirt in, I wipe it down and then work in some WD-40. It literally takes like 10 minutes for my pliers to break in. You can also use valve grinding compound, but I'm too cheap for that.
For your pliers that are stiff and need to be worked in you can take a smaller sawzall and put a modified blade into it. ( drill hole in the end of the blade ). Then use a zip tie around one handle of the pliers and in the hole of the sawzall blade to work it back and forth. This works very well to loosen up pliers. Saw this trick on the essential craftsmans TH-cam channel.
I've actually tried that. And it made little difference with the couple of pair of pliers I used. Also, instead of a zip tie, I made a wire cage that the plier handle fit in, and the wire connected to an adapter I had for the Sawzall. Here's my coverage of the adapter. th-cam.com/video/UU6KQWPim8s/w-d-xo.html
@@lastbesttool I had a particularly stiff set off Kleins (accidentally peened the rivet maybe?) I got so frustrated that I shot the joint full of solvent to dry the oil. I worked them out until unsavory noises were emitted, after some new three-in-one oil they were quite nice to use
you can loosen the pivot of the tight one by using .5 micron diamond paste (or larger, for more slop)
It gets I was a lineman and the only pliers they ever gave us was the old blue handle 9” Klein’s
like the sealremoover
The best small prybar, is the can opener on all the Victorinox SAK, ALOX and MTs. The second best small prybar, is the bottle opener on the same Victorinox knives and tools!!
owned kleins since i started in the plumbing trade and i swear by them
The Klein journeyman series are stiff because, when you finally journey-out, you're usually pretty stiff as well.
Been through a few Kliens, i have had dirt or sand get into the rivet and cause it to be more difficult to open. In my experience I find they loosen back up after applying cutting oil and opening and closing them upside down until it feels right. Sometimes its takes quite a bit longer than usual
I was just cleaning out my kleins and my klein side cutter and damn there's is so much dirt in the rivet, it been over 10 minutes of black coming out lmao but they feel better than new now
those j2000 kleins take longer to loosen from new, but they are fine once you get them there. they are probably the most worthwhile ones they make.
I have a pair of Craftsman professional from the early '90s or maybe late '80s. And the thing still works great. But some of the newer ones are a little bit better. Kinpex or Klein,
Rod Busters have an incredibly hard job.
I’m surprised you don’t have the knipex linesman’s. It’s a great tool
Knipex Lineman Pliers with Comfort Grip Handles: A very nice high-performance pair of Lineman.
th-cam.com/video/wZJ4eDqesDc/w-d-xo.html
That knurling is for pulling fish tape
The more you use your lineman the looser the opening becomes. A-lot of them you get them good and loose and stop using them for a week they’ll stiffen back up. Just the way it is. I’ve used new stiff Klein for a couple weeks and a substantially large sliver of metal worked it’s way out of the pivot and then they just fall open.
Pliers have to break in so if you don't use them they will stay stiff but if you use them daily they should be fine in a week or two
Exactly the "review" I was looking for, I have a set that has the gap and it drives me insane everytime.
What are the bends on one side of the handles for on the ones you said are for twisting wire? And are they also for steel workers? That's what someone told me, but not sure. Asking mostly because I was passed down a pair of Kleins with the bent handle, but I thought he had said they were just called "linesmans".
DOG LEG HANDLE design for increased leverage when twisting wire
10:43 The gap is for crimping I believe?
You've got a lot of American's lineman's pliers - that's impressive... Would You compare it's steel jaws endurance with German Knipex or Japanese any? I could understand Your patriot feelings and historical aspects, but really - world is cruel place and believe me - these pliers have just that kind of value - historical and sentimental (maybe a weight of them are also precious) ;)
Anyway - it was pleasure to hear Your story and to see Your's collection.
Regards
Jarek (Poland).
Thanks for watching. I don't think I have any Polish tools but my Wera collection is growing and they are made in the Czech Republic next door. I also prefer Swedish axes, German knives, Italian footwear, Swiss watches, French wine, Greek pastries, Spanish art, Finish electronics, Portuguese optics, Austrian skis, and Belgian chocolate.
@@lastbesttool That is what I mean - be open for other (maybe better). If You'll interesting of Polish goods - try Gerlach steel knifes, Weddel chocolate or Polish kiełbasa! :)
Cheers.
Grease that klein up and it will work good. Probably just needs broke in bubby
Knipex 🔥
Good vídeo. Greenlee Linesman what opinión ? Sorry my inglish
Saludos desde Argentina 🇦🇷
Greenlee are good. They don't cut as well as the Kliens, but the handles are solid, the jaws are huge, and the joint is silky smooth. They are about half the price of the Kleins too.
@@lastbesttool If they are cheaper, here in Argentina I only get greenlee, I particularly love it, the installation kit that brings that pliers, a pliers with terminal press, the wire stripper, a six-in-one screwdriver and a leather tool holder 100 Dollars
If I have to bring a klein, I actually bought one, but for a long time here I also get the import costs 100 dollars
@@mhctools For many of these tools, you really have to use them side by side to notice the big differences. Greenlee makes good tools. So we are really talking about good to great, not bad to good.
@@lastbesttool
I am very satisfied with the brand or at least those models, it belongs to the same group as ridgid.
thanks for answering a greeting
You probably want ever see this comment but I'm an electrician by trade and have used klien exclusively. Anyway every single pair I've had has always been tight when new but after a month or so of good use they break in like a good pair of leather boots. Just give them time and they will be great
Good comment, and I hear similar things. But as a DIY guy, I might not live long enough to have smooth pliers if I have to work them in, especially at my age.
@@lastbesttool Haha I hear ya brother
Germans use the Knipex 99 01 250 to bind metal rods
all pliers need to be knipex. Hopefully the Home Depot sales doesn't hurt the brand (cheaper build to meet supply) i could be wrong but thats the trend of almost everything
I agree nothing beat Knipex. I just purchased a pair and nothing like them. Can’t feel a thing in their comfort grip handles. I’m getting comfort grip on everything I buy in the future.
With all respect Klein tools all day made in the USA 🇺🇸 they are reasonably priced and affordable to me knipex are nice but they are too expensive for me.
@@MrRubenrivera9649the price difference is like $10, if you’re working in a trade that shouldn’t be a deal breaker
That being said Klein is a good company, although I’ve heard the quality on a few of their products has slipped over the years
I don't like the lineman pliers that have that Gap at the very bottom. Of the cutting blade I think it's for stripping a certain gauge wire. But all the time when I want to snip something I want to put it all the way in and snip it and with those gaps at the bottom it's impossible
Umm WD-40 on those kliens.. move back and forth and get the shit out of the spline
I take mine and just beat the shit out of them on something. Loosens them up just fine. I’m a lineman so I’ve always been partial to Klein anyways but working with half of these on this table the Klein brand is hands down the best
What is fish tape?
Fish tape is just a long metal strip of material used to feed through conduit and other channels to pull wires through. In long or bendy pathways, the fish tape can have a lot of resistance so pulling it with a pliers is needed. Fish tape has a special bend in the leading end that matches fish tape pullers like these pliers.
@@lastbesttool ok thank you. I Appreciate the message as really enjoy your videos.
85$ snap on linesman pliers can't cut plumbers tape🤦♂️I thought to buy snap on for electrician work but after this video no way. Never!!! Thanks for video
You are better off buying some Kleins much cheaper and better
why not try german branded linemans?
I don't have any German Lineman Pliers, but do have a drawer full of Knipex along with a handful of other German cutters. Is there a particular brand I should check out? I do have my eye on some smaller Japanese Linemans however.
@@lastbesttool i have wiha lineman pliers and i find them great. Not better than my klein imo but still better than most brands
@@lastbesttool Japanese - Marvel for linesman pliers. Best in the business
One morning about quarter after seven thirty plus years ago I thought need to cut a long drywall screw to make a shorter screw. All I had was a cheap pair of Chinese linemen's pliers that I picked up at a flea market. Unfortunately at 19 years old and in a hurry, I didn't think about the screw being hardened and how week my pliers were. When I squeezed for all I was worth with both hands the jaw of the pliers snapped off hitting me in the face and removing a chunk of skin from my nose, but the worst part was the inch and a half long pinch in the palm of my right hand that grew into a big blood blister in the next few seconds.
Good video, thanks!
But just use german pliers.. ;)
Do you ever run into "Blue Point" tools? Blue Point is the brand that Snap-on manufactures in China. They seem to be ok.
Brand new helpers will show up with weird off brand pliers in their pouch sometimes but by the time they are second year apprentices they pretty much all have upgraded to Klein. I can’t believe what Chinese garbage those Milwaukee hand tools are. Ruining a good brand name.