handles. See figure 2-8. These pliers are very
powerful gripping tools. The inner surfaces of the
jaws consist of a series of coarse teeth formed by
deep grooves. This construction makes a surface
usable for grasping cylindrical objects. Channel-
lock pliers have grooves on one jaw and lands on
the other. The adjustment is effected by changing
the position of the grooves and lands. Channel-
lock pliers are less likely to slip from the adjust-
ment setting when gripping an object. Use the
channel-lock pliers where it is impossible to use
a more adapted wrench or holding device. Many
nuts and bolts and surrounding parts have been
damaged by improper use of channel-lock pliers.
Figure 2-9.-Pliers (A) duckblll; (B) needle-nose.
DUCKBILL PLIERS.-- Duckbill pliers have
long wide jaws and slender handles. Duckbills are
DIAGONAL PLIERS.-- Diagonal cutting
pliers are an important tool for you to use. They
used in confined areas where the fingers cannot
be used. The jaw faces of the pliers are scored to
are used for cutting small wire and cotter pins,
aid in holding an item securely. See figure 2-9,
and so forth. Since they are small, they should
view A.
not be used to cut large wire or heavy material.
The pliers will be damaged by such use and will
not be effective to cut what they were designed
NEEDLE-NOSE PLIERS.-- Needle-nose
pliers are used in the same manner as duckbill
to cut. They can also be used to remove small
pliers. See figure 2-9, view B, There is a difference
cotter pins where a new pin is to be used when
in the design of the jaws, Needle-nose jaws are
the work is finished. This is done by gripping the
tapered to a point, which makes them adapted to
pin near the hinge of the pliers and lifting up on
the handles, releasing the pin, getting a new grip,
installing and removing small cotter pins. The
pliers have serrations at the nose end and a side
and repeating until the pin is removed.
The inner jaw surface is a diagonal straight
cutter near the throat. Use needle-nose pliers to
hold small items steady, to cut and bend wire, or
cutting edge offset approximately 15 degrees. This
to do numerous other jobs that are too intricate
design permits cutting objects flush with the
surface. The diagonal cutting pliers are not
or too difficult to be done by hand alone.
designed to hold objects. To use enough force to
NOTE: Duckbill and needle-nose pliers
hold an object, the pliers will cut or deform the
are especially delicate. Care should be
object. The sizes of the diagonal pliers are
exercised when using these pliers, to
indicated by the overall length of the pliers.
prevent springing, breaking, or chipping
the jaws. Once these pliers are damaged,
SAFETY-WIRE PLIERS.-- When installing
they are practically useless.
equipment, you may need to lockwire (usually
referred to as safety wire) designated parts of the
installation. The process of lockwiring can be
accomplished faster and neater with the use of
special pliers. See figure 2-10.
Safety-wire pliers are three-way pliers--they
hold, twist, and cut. They are designed to make
a uniform twist and to reduce the time required
in twisting the safety wire.
To operate, grasp the wire between the two
diagonal jaws of the pliers. As the handles are
squeezed together, the thumb and forefinger
brings the outer (locking) sleeve into the locked
position. A pull on the knob of the pliers can
make a uniform twist. The spiral rod may be
pushed back into the pliers without unlocking
Figure 2-8.-Channel-lock pliers.
2-8
