COMBINATION PLIERS

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COMBINATION PLIERS

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Typical use of a combination pliers’ is to grip materials or hold components. Some are ideal for electrical work because they often have insulated handles. They are used to cut wires and cables to length. Swapping between cutting and gripping is quick due to the design and versatility of the pliers. This type of pliers can be used to ‘compress’ materials such as tube.

A typical pair of combination pliers is manufactured from steel alloy, heat treated at the jaws and cutters, ensuring lasting hardness and durability. Some pliers have a small percentage of vanadium or chromium to increase strength and corrosion resistance. The appearance is occasionally improved by chrome plating.

THE GENERAL USE OF COMBINATION PLIERS
(Lineman’s pliers)

The combination pliers can be used to hold round section material. Care must be taken to protect the surface of the material from being marked by the ‘teeth’.

The flat jaws are ideal fo holding flat strips or sheet metal. Never hold sheet metal in the hands, due to the danger from sharp edges.

The wire cutters are ideal for cutting lengths of thin round section or wire.

Thin flat strips can be cut using the side cutters.

The flat grip of the upper and lower jaws are used to ‘compress’ copper tube.

Combination pliers are an excellent example of a class one lever, in fact two levers working together. See the diagram below.

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