Key Features:+ Good tension
+ Good reach
- No teeth
Walking into a Harbor Freight store, you can find a lot of good deals on tools. They have a lot of decent tools for cheap prices. One tool that's currently on sale is a pair of Pittsburgh 5-3/4" Needle Nose Pliers (model# 40696). These pliers regularly sell for $2.99 but right now they are $1.99.
$1.99 for a pair of needle nose pliers is a pretty good deal. These pliers aren't the best, but they're a nice extra pair to have. The handles are smaller and thinner than the handles on a standard pair of needle nose pliers, but the jaws are longer (and also thinner). They are good for reaching into tight spaces.
These pliers are spring-loaded, though not with a coiled spring. There are two small metal plates that provide the tension, and they do a good job. Because of the way the plates are positioned, they stretch out the plastic collars on the pliers' handles after very little use. The stretched collars don't affect how the pliers work, they just imply a sloppy design.
One feature to note about these pliers is that the jaws don't have any teeth. The inner sides of the jaws are flat, all the way up. The lack of teeth -- along with the lack of strength at the jaw tips -- allows the pliers to slip sometimes during use. There are also no wire cutters on these pliers, like on some other needle nose pliers. The handles are foam, and provide a good grip. They start out orange, but quickly start to look dirty with use.
Price comparison:
- HarborFreight.com: $1.99
- Amazon.com: $5.88
- Newegg.com: $5.88
For their price, the Pittsburgh 40696 needle nose pliers aren't a bad deal. As long as you know what you're getting, they make a decent second pair of pliers. For something a little more robust and useful, check out Stanley's 84-096 5" needle nose pliers.
