I think you’re missing a key advantage of the plier wrench, and that unlike an adjustable wrench, you don’t have to take it off the nut at the end of each rotation. You just relax your grip, rotate back, and then go again
IMHO the most innovative tool of the new millennium. I can’t believe how many different uses I find for them: bending metal, improvised vice, etc. the 250 comfort grips are the ones I mostly reach for. HUGE advantage over a crescent is the bigger size will still work on tiny nuts and bolts, meaning one tool is almost like a tool set.
Been using the 150 for 5 years now as a mechanic at a dairy factory! I just love it!! Fits in my pocket and doesn't fuck up a bolt. Also the width is great for such a small tool. But dont use the handle as a prybar they dont like that LOL
Doc I think you’re missing the most important features of the pliers wrench. Try bending or straightening metal with it. It is marketed as a hand vise. Based on the angle of the jaws to the handles, it delivers a 10:1 ratio, 1000lb of squeezing force for every 100lb you apply. For my work we are using it on plastic nuts (John guest fittings) and braided lines and other soft metals. It basically leaves no trace.
I have used my pliers wrenches as a hand vice almost as much as I have a wrench. Sure adjustable wrenches still have their place but I rarely use them now and being able to bend metal quickly is a huge benefit to me.
You only need to grip one handle once its on the nut so using the next size down for the 2 inch is fine because you only need to push on one handle. Also the pliers wrench is easy to use one handed once you get motion down. You can hold the button and close the jaws onto the nut with one hand.
I don't use tools every day, but once I used the pliers wrench, I went and bought all of them. Same thing with the Cobras (including the 560). Will buy the 560 PWs when/if available.
The pliers wrench is a great invention, I have all the sizes. The XL version is 400 mm. No 560mm, maybe in the future. The most used size for me is the 180 mm version. Used almost every day, together with the cobra pliers. 👍👍👍
@@dennisfabian2570 Knipex makes more pliers and cutters in 200mm, but not the cobra and the pliers wrench. But the 150 and 180mm are my favorite ones used on a daily basis.
I’m an electrician by trade and currently working with MI (Minerally Insulated) cable. It’s like working with copper pipe but with a solid core! The MI cable uses these soft bronze glands/Ferrels/connectors that thread into this harder bronze faceplate to land inside a box. Our foreman got us 15” adjustable wrenches from HF to use on turning the connectors - everyone just asks to borrow my pliers wrench’s. One guy went and bought his own pair of 250mm. Adj wrenches have their place, but they are slowly loosing it all together (esp when other companies now make a version of the “pliers wrench” like Lennox, Klein, etc) 😂
I use the plier wrench more as a lever than actually turning fasteners, l use two of them to bend or straighten eye hooks and brackets as you show, the other part is the smooth jaw doesn’t leave “bite” marks in the work piece
The Würth adjustable spanner (wrench) is really worth looking into. Standard adjustable spanner but another planet in terms of quality compared with any other adjustable spanner I've ever used short of Knipex
@2:09 -- I keep a pair of the CHROMED versions of the 300mm Cobras AND the Pliers Wrenches in my Veto OT-XXL that stays in the van. They're the wrenches I grab when things get serious. I'll only grab the 250mm ones from my other bag if space is an issue. They also make for a great place to hang my TP4B from when it's riding in the van.
If you like adjustable wrenches so much try the Japanese lobster brand. I think those are cut better than most adjustable wrenches. But I do love the Knipex Pliers wrench. The only ones I don't own are the 100, 400, VDE or the ergo grips. I plan to get them down the road.
The only size I am missing is the 400 and it will be added soon. I have multiples of a couple of the smaller sizes so that I am never out someplace without them. The incredible clamping force combined with not maring surfaces makes them one of my favorite tools.
Doc, I’ve seen you check out so many tools it’s baffling and I do (we all do) appreciate it honest question; How many tools do you have sir? And; What does your garage look like?
I recently did a motor rebuild over many weekends but never reached for these, always socket first ratchet spanner second. However when you have some kind of small assembly with a nut and bolt that is where these truly shine. These allow you to hold the bolt and stop the assembly from moving around while doing up the nut with a socket. Something that would be awkward even with a bench is now very easy even without a bench.
I agree on the universality of the 300mm sizes. Pair them up with the 180mm and you're covered for almost anything. AFAIK the only insulated size for the PW and Cobra is 250mm...I'd prefer 300mm instead or in addition. If they started selling 300mm VDE Cobras and PWs I'd probably buy a pair and find a new home in some bag for the pair of 250mm versions that are currently in my insulated tools bag.
I use these all of the time as an industrial electrician. They are great for cable glands. Knipex do make a 400mm version which isn’t shown in this vid.
I would also like to see the bigger sizes of Knipex. I have a question about dead blow hammers? Would you do a review on these. I am interested in Snap On ball pen dead blow hammer around a 40 Oz. I hear that these are made different and could explain how different they’re made? Maybe you have already done a video on this and if so point me in to the wright direction. Thanks again for all your videos and the work that you put into them.
Hi Doc, love the channel 👍 For about 20 years now I have been wrapping elastic bands around the handles of pliers to give me an extra hand to hold things and I find it works very well. I believe the Knipex pliers wrench has a kind of compound action that increases your grip so I would imagine wrapping an elastic band around the handles of a pair would give you a very strong third hand. Have you ever tried this?
My guess as to why they don't make larger plier wrenches is that they're mainly used on nuts and bolts and really large nuts and bolts usually require a socket and a long breaker bar to turn. There certainly are other uses, but it may be that there isn't enough market interest to justify making them. You could use a larger pair to bend thick sheet metal.
After seeing so many reviews on the pliers wrench, I bought one a few years back and have been trying to use them but I still go back to the reliable adjustable wrench. I keep giving them another chance but can never get the handle of them. They are nearly impossible to adjust with one hand. I'm usually working with fittings so I'm holding the other fitting with one hand and the pliers wrench with the other and it's 1 notch too big or too small. Then I have to drop the other tool, adjust the pliers wrench, put both tools and each half of the fitting to tighten them the last turn. Like you said Doc, adjustables are like an extension of my hand. I can use them behind corners, adjust them one handed, upside down, etc. Even in this video, I see you were struggling clamping on to that bracket. It was always 1 notch off.
I wish someone would make a video about the difference between the chrome version and the black ones, seems like everyone buys the chrome version but what are the advantages and disadvantages of each one or why would you buy one version over the other
I have the 10” knipex and let me tell you why. If you go and buy a 15” Milwaukee adjustable wrench it opens to 1 3/4 whereas the 10” knipex opens up to 2”.
I have knipex pliers wrenches. They have their place but I find they are not as useable as a original crescent wrench. The older ones are top quality. The mistake a lot people make is comparing the tool in a certain field. A crescent wrench in my opinion doesn't do well in the automotive industry. You will round off bolts because they are difficult to get to. Where the crescent wrench does best is in plumbing.
i never had any of the knipexes but i think going back in time to old french adjustable T shape wrenches might be a better idea. those opened up wide and were sturdy enough to hammer on, although much much slower than any of the new stuff. i'd never dare to hammer the knipex
Pliers wrench: getting the right opening you need is often a two handed operation and a pain in the rear end as a result, but once you have the dialed in, it beats the crap out of the adjustable wrench Adjustable wrench: Wonderfully easy to find your spot for a given fastener with one hand to boot, but the rest of the operation could be an inferior experience relative to the pliers wrench. So pick your tool based on the job conditions. There is no one universally great tool for all jobs and conditions.
You have to have a big so buy the 300. And you have to have a small so buy the 180 or the 150 for your pocket. 250 is in between maybe if you could have only one. 125 is marginal. 100 is a fidget toy. Because they are expensive I choose 300 and 180.
I see no benefit of the crescent wrench compared to the pliers wrench or the Cobra. The vast majority of nuts and bolts I need to fasten or remove are less than 20mm in diameter. Knipex pliers wrenches greater than 180mm in length, which has a jaw width of 40mm, would rarely be used. Also, the smaller Knipex pliers wrenches allow me to get into confined spaces.
I doubt that will be any time soon, for they don't make the 300 pliers wrench in comfort at this time. I checked earlier in the day cause I wanted to upgrade my 300
I just discovered something new about plier wrenches, and thought it might interest a few people... I was using my 250mm pliers wrench today when working on a sink waste, and found it didn't quite open wide enough to accommodate the 50mm flanged nut. Wondering what model *did* open to 50mm, I checked the online catalogue, and found that the opening for my wrench was given as 52mm! After a bit of research, it turned out that when Knipex revised their plier wrenches to incorporate jaw width markings and the new black atramentized versions around 2019, they also changed the capacity of some of the models. Specifically: The 180mm models (86 03 180, 86 05 180 etc) increased from 1 3/8" (35mm) capacity to 1 1/2" (40mm). The 250mm models (86 03 250, 86 05 250 etc) increased from 1 3/4" (46mm) capacity to 2" (52mm). Unfortunately the wrench I own is an old model 86 05 250, so I lost out on the new 52mm capacity!
As a heavy diesel mechanic I find those plier wrenches are not as strong compared to cobras. They’re good for turning a fastener quicker but breaking off a stuck nut/fitting is not as good. I work on mostly metal nuts/pipes/fittings so the cobras are my go to
I think you’re missing a key advantage of the plier wrench, and that unlike an adjustable wrench, you don’t have to take it off the nut at the end of each rotation. You just relax your grip, rotate back, and then go again
IMHO the most innovative tool of the new millennium. I can’t believe how many different uses I find for them: bending metal, improvised vice, etc. the 250 comfort grips are the ones I mostly reach for. HUGE advantage over a crescent is the bigger size will still work on tiny nuts and bolts, meaning one tool is almost like a tool set.
The pliers wrench was invented by Knipex in 1994. Not the new millennium lol
Been using the 150 for 5 years now as a mechanic at a dairy factory! I just love it!! Fits in my pocket and doesn't fuck up a bolt. Also the width is great for such a small tool. But dont use the handle as a prybar they dont like that LOL
Doc I think you’re missing the most important features of the pliers wrench. Try bending or straightening metal with it. It is marketed as a hand vise. Based on the angle of the jaws to the handles, it delivers a 10:1 ratio, 1000lb of squeezing force for every 100lb you apply. For my work we are using it on plastic nuts (John guest fittings) and braided lines and other soft metals. It basically leaves no trace.
Dude, I didn’t know it was an actual feature bc I use it to straighten sheeting, strapping or thin metal, all the time!
I have used my pliers wrenches as a hand vice almost as much as I have a wrench. Sure adjustable wrenches still have their place but I rarely use them now and being able to bend metal quickly is a huge benefit to me.
Great for straightening pins and whatnot.
Rounding copper pipe ect.
Not every size is 1 to 10 ratio. They all have different ones, obviously the larger pairs have higher ratios
One thing I like about the Knipex plier wrench is the width of the jaws. Knipex jaws are narrower than most of your common adjustable wrenches.
You only need to grip one handle once its on the nut so using the next size down for the 2 inch is fine because you only need to push on one handle. Also the pliers wrench is easy to use one handed once you get motion down. You can hold the button and close the jaws onto the nut with one hand.
You have the most amazing tool collection
5:44 - Incorrect, they make (and I own) the 400 Pliers Wrench. They don't make a 560.
I don't use tools every day, but once I used the pliers wrench, I went and bought all of them. Same thing with the Cobras (including the 560). Will buy the 560 PWs when/if available.
I bought the cobras and really like them. And just got the plier wrenche. I don't use tools like this everyday but when I do they sure work well.
The pliers wrench is a great invention, I have all the sizes. The XL version is 400 mm. No 560mm, maybe in the future. The most used size for me is the 180 mm version. Used almost every day, together with the cobra pliers. 👍👍👍
Me too, but would love a size between 190 and 250.. that’d be the Bees Knees 😆
@@dennisfabian2570 Knipex makes more pliers and cutters in 200mm, but not the cobra and the pliers wrench. But the 150 and 180mm are my favorite ones used on a daily basis.
I’m an electrician by trade and currently working with MI (Minerally Insulated) cable. It’s like working with copper pipe but with a solid core! The MI cable uses these soft bronze glands/Ferrels/connectors that thread into this harder bronze faceplate to land inside a box. Our foreman got us 15” adjustable wrenches from HF to use on turning the connectors - everyone just asks to borrow my pliers wrench’s. One guy went and bought his own pair of 250mm. Adj wrenches have their place, but they are slowly loosing it all together (esp when other companies now make a version of the “pliers wrench” like Lennox, Klein, etc) 😂
I use the plier wrench more as a lever than actually turning fasteners, l use two of them to bend or straighten eye hooks and brackets as you show, the other part is the smooth jaw doesn’t leave “bite” marks in the work piece
I have the pliers wrench XL 400mm and I love it for quick hydraulic hose work.
I just ordered the 400 pliers Wrench I can’t wait until you do a video for yours I do enjoy your videos on tools
The Würth adjustable spanner (wrench) is really worth looking into. Standard adjustable spanner but another planet in terms of quality compared with any other adjustable spanner I've ever used short of Knipex
they have made the 400(XL) now. 86 03 400 is the number on it. i am loocking forward for them to make the 560(XXL) version
@2:09 -- I keep a pair of the CHROMED versions of the 300mm Cobras AND the Pliers Wrenches in my Veto OT-XXL that stays in the van.
They're the wrenches I grab when things get serious.
I'll only grab the 250mm ones from my other bag if space is an issue.
They also make for a great place to hang my TP4B from when it's riding in the van.
If you like adjustable wrenches so much try the Japanese lobster brand. I think those are cut better than most adjustable wrenches. But I do love the Knipex Pliers wrench. The only ones I don't own are the 100, 400, VDE or the ergo grips. I plan to get them down the road.
I have a few adjustable wrenches and I can never get used to the screw for some reason. I ordered a similar one of these and I can’t wait to use it.
Yeah Doc they make a 400mm. It’s awesome!!
They do look very handy!
The only size I am missing is the 400 and it will be added soon. I have multiples of a couple of the smaller sizes so that I am never out someplace without them. The incredible clamping force combined with not maring surfaces makes them one of my favorite tools.
Doc, I’ve seen you check out so many tools it’s baffling and I do (we all do) appreciate it
honest question;
How many tools do you have sir?
And;
What does your garage look like?
I recently did a motor rebuild over many weekends but never reached for these, always socket first ratchet spanner second.
However when you have some kind of small assembly with a nut and bolt that is where these truly shine. These allow you to hold the bolt and stop the assembly from moving around while doing up the nut with a socket.
Something that would be awkward even with a bench is now very easy even without a bench.
I agree on the universality of the 300mm sizes. Pair them up with the 180mm and you're covered for almost anything. AFAIK the only insulated size for the PW and Cobra is 250mm...I'd prefer 300mm instead or in addition. If they started selling 300mm VDE Cobras and PWs I'd probably buy a pair and find a new home in some bag for the pair of 250mm versions that are currently in my insulated tools bag.
I use these all of the time as an industrial electrician. They are great for cable glands.
Knipex do make a 400mm version which isn’t shown in this vid.
I would also like to see the bigger sizes of Knipex.
I have a question about dead blow hammers? Would you do a review on these. I am interested in Snap On ball pen dead blow hammer around a 40 Oz. I hear that these are made different and could explain how different they’re made?
Maybe you have already done a video on this and if so point me in to the wright direction.
Thanks again for all your videos and the work that you put into them.
Hi Doc, love the channel 👍 For about 20 years now I have been wrapping elastic bands around the handles of pliers to give me an extra hand to hold things and I find it works very well.
I believe the Knipex pliers wrench has a kind of compound action that increases your grip so I would imagine wrapping an elastic band around the handles of a pair would give you a very strong third hand. Have you ever tried this?
They actually make a 400 version, if you type knipex pliers wrench XL that is the biggest version I believe and it was leased about 10 years ago
My guess as to why they don't make larger plier wrenches is that they're mainly used on nuts and bolts and really large nuts and bolts usually require a socket and a long breaker bar to turn. There certainly are other uses, but it may be that there isn't enough market interest to justify making them. You could use a larger pair to bend thick sheet metal.
After seeing so many reviews on the pliers wrench, I bought one a few years back and have been trying to use them but I still go back to the reliable adjustable wrench. I keep giving them another chance but can never get the handle of them. They are nearly impossible to adjust with one hand. I'm usually working with fittings so I'm holding the other fitting with one hand and the pliers wrench with the other and it's 1 notch too big or too small. Then I have to drop the other tool, adjust the pliers wrench, put both tools and each half of the fitting to tighten them the last turn. Like you said Doc, adjustables are like an extension of my hand. I can use them behind corners, adjust them one handed, upside down, etc. Even in this video, I see you were struggling clamping on to that bracket. It was always 1 notch off.
There's a learning curve with the pliers wrench and many people folks who say they find the adjustable wrench easier to use are not wrong.
Just press the button, and jiggle/vibrate the wrench while letting gravity pull it where you want it. It takes practice but becomes second nature.
I wish someone would make a video about the difference between the chrome version and the black ones, seems like everyone buys the chrome version but what are the advantages and disadvantages of each one or why would you buy one version over the other
I have the 10” knipex and let me tell you why. If you go and buy a 15” Milwaukee adjustable wrench it opens to 1 3/4 whereas the 10” knipex opens up to 2”.
I find myself using the cobra for nuts and rod work. But any pipe over 1/2”, 6” ridgid pipe wrench can’t be beat
I have knipex pliers wrenches. They have their place but I find they are not as useable as a original crescent wrench. The older ones are top quality. The mistake a lot people make is comparing the tool in a certain field. A crescent wrench in my opinion doesn't do well in the automotive industry. You will round off bolts because they are difficult to get to. Where the crescent wrench does best is in plumbing.
they do make a 400 pliers wrench. waiting on the 560 though
i never had any of the knipexes but i think going back in time to old french adjustable T shape wrenches might be a better idea. those opened up wide and were sturdy enough to hammer on, although much much slower than any of the new stuff. i'd never dare to hammer the knipex
You could hammer on the Knipex...they'll stand up to it.....
Great tool I have the 150
I thought you were joking when I saw "560mm" in the title, or made some metric conversion error. That thing is comically large.
The 300 and 180 replace an entire set of wrenches in my tool bag
The 400 pliers wrench came out years ago.
@5:44 I'm assuming everyone has already commented about the 86-03-400mm existing....?
...don't get me wrong, I wish they made a 560mm or 600mm version of the Pliers Wrench - I'd buy one!
i have the 400 another great vid
Sir have you try crescent locking adjustable wrench?
I've never rounded a fastener with the Knipex plier wrench
I've rounded plenty with an adjustable
Plier wrench is far superior
I have a 10mm brass screw on a hot water mixing valve. My adjustable wrench, socket wrench all slip. Wondering if a knipex would work better?
If the screw has flats this should work. If not, the Knipex Raptor will work n
THNX DOC
but knipex makes a 400?
86 03 400 i use it almost everyday
Pliers wrench: getting the right opening you need is often a two handed operation and a pain in the rear end as a result, but once you have the dialed in, it beats the crap out of the adjustable wrench
Adjustable wrench: Wonderfully easy to find your spot for a given fastener with one hand to boot, but the rest of the operation could be an inferior experience relative to the pliers wrench.
So pick your tool based on the job conditions. There is no one universally great tool for all jobs and conditions.
You have to have a big so buy the 300. And you have to have a small so buy the 180 or the 150 for your pocket.
250 is in between maybe if you could have only one.
125 is marginal.
100 is a fidget toy.
Because they are expensive I choose 300 and 180.
Look up the 86 03 400
they have a 400
I see no benefit of the crescent wrench compared to the pliers wrench or the Cobra.
The vast majority of nuts and bolts I need to fasten or remove are less than 20mm in diameter. Knipex pliers wrenches greater than 180mm in length, which has a jaw width of 40mm, would rarely be used. Also, the smaller Knipex pliers wrenches allow me to get into confined spaces.
560? Are you planning to use it to turn oil filter cartridges? 🤣 Maybe rotate 55gallon screw-on drum lids?
The 560 is the best choice for removing toes and thumbs when "interrogating" foreign spies.
Cobra 250 is super duper thin and nimble compared to the 300
I agree cobra 300 is better than the 250 👍👍
They should make a 2000 plyer wrench lol
Just checking the German Website. There is a 400mm plier wrench. 😉
nice
Watching you hit the pliers with a hammer hurt my heart. LOL
Holding out till they make comfort grip 400's.
I doubt that will be any time soon, for they don't make the 300 pliers wrench in comfort at this time. I checked earlier in the day cause I wanted to upgrade my 300
@@brownbear846 Yep. Probably should abandon that position and buy the dipped handle ones like everyone else.
I just discovered something new about plier wrenches, and thought it might interest a few people...
I was using my 250mm pliers wrench today when working on a sink waste, and found it didn't quite open wide enough to accommodate the 50mm flanged nut. Wondering what model *did* open to 50mm, I checked the online catalogue, and found that the opening for my wrench was given as 52mm!
After a bit of research, it turned out that when Knipex revised their plier wrenches to incorporate jaw width markings and the new black atramentized versions around 2019, they also changed the capacity of some of the models. Specifically:
The 180mm models (86 03 180, 86 05 180 etc) increased from 1 3/8" (35mm) capacity to 1 1/2" (40mm).
The 250mm models (86 03 250, 86 05 250 etc) increased from 1 3/4" (46mm) capacity to 2" (52mm).
Unfortunately the wrench I own is an old model 86 05 250, so I lost out on the new 52mm capacity!
Bit of duplication here! 😂
My 250's only go to 1 3/4"....🤔
As a heavy diesel mechanic I find those plier wrenches are not as strong compared to cobras. They’re good for turning a fastener quicker but breaking off a stuck nut/fitting is not as good. I work on mostly metal nuts/pipes/fittings so the cobras are my go to
Ahh dude, I own a 400mm pliers wrench.
and I thought theres a 500 version of the wrench
560 of the cobras, not of the Pliers Wrench, though there is a 400 (which he said there wasn't - he was wrong)
Adjustable wrench is probably my most hated hand tool for over 40 years
I do not “wail” on any of my Knipex pliers. I have Craftsman, Channelock, and Pittsburgh for that. 😂
After watching German Tool Review video. I think the Gedore pliers wrench is a better design. Shame they only make it in one size though...