Tool Review: Husky 1066 2-Piece Pistol Grip Pliers Set

Key Features:
 +   Allows access to tighter spaces
 +   Spring-loaded
 -    Not much grip on handles


I'd been wanting the Husky 2-piece pistol grip pliers set (model #1066) for a while, eyeing it at Home Depot every time I went.  My wife, without knowing this, went out and got me the pliers for Christmas.  I wasn't sure they would turn out to be as cool as they looked in the package, but they did.

If you've never used pistol grip pliers, they are pretty neat.  The pliers jaws work the same way, but the handle is turned about 90 degrees.  The angled handle allows you to use the pliers in hard-to-reach spaces that straight pliers wouldn't be able to fit into.

This set of Husky pistol-grip pliers works great.  The pliers are strong, and are spring-loaded.  There are two pairs of pliers included, a 6" pair and an 8" pair.  The spring on the 8" pair that I have is very weak, especially compared to the spring on the 6" pair, but this is probably an issue with my individual pliers, rather than a design flaw.

The pliers have both straight and curved regions of the jaws, allowing for many different applications, as well as toothed and non-toothed sections.  There are wire cutters at the base of the jaws on both pairs of pliers.  The jaws are strong and grab well.  These pliers work really well for clamping on e-clips, especially when you hold them upside-down.

These pliers are not lightweight.  Due to their design it would be hard to carry them in your pocket anyway, but their weight definitely makes them a toolbag tool (especially the larger pair).  The tips taper, but not for precision work like needle nose plier tips.

The biggest thing I can say is wrong with these pliers is that the handles don't provide a lot of grip.  They are a sort of soft plastic, and it's easy for fingers to slip off of them.  However, with the pistol grip design, the handles are curved, so the lack of grip isn't as much of an issue as it could be.

Home Depot currently sells this pliers set for $7.00 online.  For that price, these pistol grip pliers are a great deal.  Two pairs of large, functional pliers for $7.00 is an incredible value, especially for pliers that stand out from the pack like these do.

Tool Review: Thorsen 24-505 Multi-Pliers

Key Features:
 +   Tools are easy to extract
 +   Strong pliers with good tension
 -    Rubber grip pieces fall off easily
 -    Wire cutters do not touch

The Thorsen Multi-Pliers (model #24-505) is a decent multi tool.  It does what it does well, but it's too heavy to carry as a pocket tool.  For $5.90 on clearance at Pep Boys, it's a fairly good deal.  If you're looking for an everyday-carry multi tool in the same price range, you'd be better off with the Shop Basics 15-in-1 Multi Tool from Big Lots for $5.00.

This multi tool is mainly a large pair of pliers, with a few other tools that fold out from the handle.  The pliers include both a straight-jaw and curved-jaw area.  The jaws do not line up completely, but it's close enough that you wouldn't notice it during use unless you were looking for it.  The wire cutters at the base of the jaws overlap but don't touch.  I haven't used the wire cutters yet, but based on their construction I wouldn't have much faith in them.

The other tools include a knife blade, saw blade, bottle opener, and can opener.  A Phillips screwdriver swings out from the opposite side as the other tools, and the end of the saw blade functions as a slotted driver.  The two screwdrivers are what you'd probably expect from a multi tool -- usable but not great.  The knife is sharp with a sharp tip, and the saw blade is sharp as well.  On the back side of the saw blade is a file.

One of the best things about this multi tool is that all of the tools swing out easily.  Many multi tools have tension problems with at least some (if not all) of the tools they have, but on these Thorsen pliers, everything pivots out smoothly.  The tension on the pliers is strong.

The Thorsen multi pliers are very similar to Sheffield's hammer multi tool, with a couple of distinct advantages.  The tools on the Thorsen pliers are much easier to extract than those on the Sheffield multi tool.  Because the Thorsen tool features pliers instead of a hammer as the main tool, the pliers jaws open much wider, allowing for much more usability, as opposed to the pliers function on the Sheffield hammer tool, which don't open very wide.

Thorsen tool reviews

Multi Tools:
- Thorsen 24-505 Multi-Pliers

Wrenches:
- Thorsen 22-333 Puck Wrench

Tool review: Pittsburgh 40696 5-3/4" Needle Nose Pliers

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.

Pittsburgh tool reviews

Tape Measures:
- Pittsburgh 69031 25' x 1" QuikFind Tape Measure

Pliers:
- Pittsburgh 40696 5-3/4" Needle Nose Pliers

Ratchets:
- Pittsburgh Pro 94011 3-Piece Thumbwheel Ratchet Set

Screwdrivers:
- Pittsburgh 69470 4-in-1 Screwdriver

Tool Reviews: Regal 19605 4.5" Diagonal Pliers

If you walk into a Home Depot or other hardware store, you can often find bargain-bin diagonal pliers for about $3.  These pliers are nothing fancy, but are usually sufficient for most basic jobs.  At Ace recently, I bought a pair of Regal diagonal pliers, model 19605, for about the same price.  Unfortunately, the quality of these Regal pliers is far below that of whatever bargain brand pliers hardware stores typically stock.

In theory, the Regal pliers seem like an average pair of 4.5" diagonal pliers.  The handle has grip, the plier jaws look sharp, and the pliers have spring tension.  But after using them just once, you can tell that very little care was put into manufacturing these pliers.

Even out of the packaging, the pliers already look used.  The handles look dirty, the jaws are scratched, and there are chips in the metal in three different places.  It's not just a bad pair that I got -- I checked out the other pliers that were in the same bargain bin, and they all looked similarly scuffed up.  It may have just been a shipment of cast-offs, but they definitely don't give me a good first impression for the Regal brand, and they sure weren't worth paying full price for.

The plier jaws don’t line up evenly with each other.  You can see space in between them when they are all the way closed, which means for very small things (like wires) it won’t cut them well.  Even just using the tip of the pliers, where the jaws do line up, the pliers are not sharp enough to cut a lot of things.

The closing action on the pliers is not smooth.  The pivot point looks like it wasn't forged smoothly, so when you use the pliers they stick for a moment as you squeeze the handles.  Lubrication on the pivot point didn't help at all.

I give these pliers half a star (out of 5 stars).  They barely function well enough to justify not throwing them in the trash, and they are certainly not a pair of pliers that you will be excited to keep in your tool box.  This is the pair that you toss in your trunk and forget about, just in case you ever need them.  But even for that purpose, you could easily find better pliers for the same price (or cheaper).  Amazon.com currently lists these pliers for $8.66 -- the picture shows the 6” pliers instead of the 4.5” pliers -- which is far too much to pay for this low-grade tool.

Regal tool reviews

Pliers:
- Regal 19605 4.5" Diagonal Pliers

Tool Review: Jeep H07 Multi Tool

You've probably heard of Leatherman and Gerber multi tools, and possibly some other brands as well -- SOG, Sheffield, etc.  But, if you're like me, one company that you definitely would not associate with multi tools is Jeep.  Until you meet the Jeep H07 multi tool, that is.

Apparently there are a lot of branded Jeep products, including multi tools and knives.  (I never knew this.)  I came across the H07 multi tool on eBay one day, and thought it looked neat so I bid on it.  I ended up winning the auction but didn't think much about it.

Several days later, the multi tool arrived, and the first thing I noticed was that it was a lot smaller than I thought it would be.  The H07 can actually fit in your pocket somewhat comfortably, and it's not significantly heavier than other multi tools.  It's very compact for everything that it offers.

The obvious draw to this multi tool (at least for me) is that it has both an adjustable wrench and pliers in the same tool.  That by itself is unique.  Both tools are very functional.  The wrench opens to half an inch -- pretty good for a small pocket tool -- and the wheel spins freely.  The pliers handle is held in place by a flip lock, so it doesn't get in the way when not in use (though on occasion it will pop open in your pocket).  The pliers have good spring action and are easily gripped, and the plier jaws open to a good inch and a quarter.

In addition to the wrench and pliers, the H07 has a swing-out knife with a 2.5" blade and a very sharp tip.  The knife can be opened and closed one-handed (right hand only) and does not lock in place.  The only improvement I would like to see on the knife is a partially serrated blade.

The H07 also has three small screwdriver bits stored in its handle.  These bits can be inserted into hex holes at the pliers head or on the side of the jaws, to make either a straight screwdriver or an offset screwdriver -- another cool function.  There are two slotted bits and one Phillips bit, all unmarked.  The black plating on the bits chips off quickly, but the bits themselves seem durable.  They fit snugly into the hex holes, so you don't have to worry about them falling out during use.

When not in use, the bits are stored in holes in the side of the handle, which is another example of how the H07 makes use of all possible room to provide an optimal amount of usefulness while requiring a minimal amount of space.  The bits are held in by a slight spring tension that keeps them from falling out, but still allows for removal.  Removing the bits can be a hassle sometimes, especially if you have big fingers and no fingernails.  (On a side note, if you ever remove the plastic handle where the bits are stored, be very careful because the springs will pop out.  Without the springs, the bits will slide right out of their slots.)

There is a belt clip on one side, which can be removed if you don't want it.  The H07 also comes with a Jeep-branded black storage pouch, and the pouch has loops so you can fit it onto your belt either horizontally or vertically.

I would have liked if the designers could have worked a saw blade into this tool somehow, but that wouldn't be possible without making the tool thicker, or reducing some other functionality.  As it is right now, this tool is very versatile, and offers a lot in the way of performance.  A bottle opener somewhere would have also been nice, but certainly not necessary.

The Jeep H07 multi tool is pretty cool when you first use it, I think mainly because of the combination of pliers and wrench, and because of how functional the driver bits are.  It's almost as cool, in my opinion, as the DeWalt MT16, though slightly more awkward in your pocket.  It gets 4 out of 5 stars.  It is a neat little tool, and very handy to have around.  I would recommend picking one up if you can find it for about $15 or so.  (They often go on sale on eBay.)  Amazon currently lists the H07 at $21.97 -- a little high in my opinion, but not extremely over-priced for what you get.  For Jeep owners, it may be worth paying slightly more.  Before buying the H07 I was considering buying Columbia River Knife & Tool's Guppie multi tool, but the Jeep multi tool is such a good tool that I have no problem keeping the Guppie on my wish list.

Tool Review: Husky WS-24-10 Self-Adjusting Groove Joint Pliers

Adjustable pliers are a good thing to have in any tool box.  If you can find a good pair of self-adjusting pliers, even better.  For plumbing work or for turning large bolts or nuts, the Husky WS-24-10 10” Self-Adjusting Groove Joint Pliers are a nice tool to have.

Home Depot bills these pliers as “water pump pliers” or a “specialty plumbing wrench,” but they can be useful for other applications too, including working on your car.  The teeth are strong enough to use these pliers as a counterpoint to another pair of pliers for tightening or loosening stubborn nuts and bolts.  They come with a lifetime warranty, which unless you use them every day, you’ll probably never need.

The self-adjusting action is pretty nice if you’ve never used self-adjusting pliers before.  It uses a spring-loaded stopper, so you can easily use the pliers one-handed as they self-adjust.  The self-adjustment only works for tightening the jaws, however -- for loosening the jaws, you’ve gotta do that yourself.

The pliers themselves are well-made.  The jaws are curved and slightly offset, great for grabbing big bolts but not so great for grabbing little bolts or screws.  Even bolts on a lawn mower are a stretch for these pliers, as the jaws are far enough apart that the pliers can easily slip off the bolt.  On larger bolts, like hex bolts used in sink faucets, the pliers grab on and never slip.

Husky describes the handles as providing a “soft comfortable grip” -- very true.  The handles feel good in your hand, and they provide a solid grip during use.

I give these self-adjusting pliers 4 out of 5 stars.  Home Depot sells the WS-24-10 pliers in-store for about $10 (which may vary by region) and on HomeDepot.com for $10.97.  For that price, they are a great value, and I would definitely recommend picking up a pair.  Amazon.com doesn’t sell the pliers individually, but you can get a set of them -- one pair of 7” pliers and one pair of 10” pliers -- for $19.99 (eligible for free shipping).

Tool Review: Stanley 84-096 5" Needle Nose Pliers

I've always been impressed with Stanley hand tools. They look good, get the job done, and hold up well over time. The Stanley 84-096 Needle Nose Pliers are no exception.

They resemble many other pairs of needle nose pliers I've seen and used in appearance. However, their quality makes them stand above average needle nose pliers, and it's obvious once you use them. The jaws are long and the tips are tapered so you can use them in tight spaces, but the pliers are strong enough for more than just precision work. The spring tension is excellent. The handles are coated in a soft material that makes them easy to grip and prevents slipping. The teeth are strong and well-formed. Despite their strength and sturdiness, the pliers are very light -- much lighter than any other needle nose pliers I've ever held. These small, easy-to-use pliers get 4 out of 5 stars. They are above-average pliers that are typically sold for about the same price as average pliers. You can probably find these pliers most places that Stanley tools are sold. Amazon.com lists them for $3.89 right now (a good deal) and they are eligible for free shipping.

Husky tool reviews

Drivers:
- Husky 74460 2-Piece Micro Screwdriver Set
- Husky 74500 7-Piece Nut Driver Set
- Husky HD-74502 8-in-1 Torx Screwdriver Set

Pliers:
- Husky 1066 2-Piece Pistol Grip Pliers Set
- Husky WS-24-10 10" Self-Adjusting Groove Joint Pliers

Socket Sets:
- Husky 179 681 19-Piece 1/4" Mini Socket Set

Stanley tool reviews

Levels:
- Stanley 42-240 Pro I-Beam Level

Multi Tools:
- Stanley 84-519 12-in-1 Multi-Tool
- Stanley T16 FatMax Multi Tool

Pliers:
- Stanley 84-096 5" Needle Nose Pliers

Screwdrivers:
- Stanley 66-344 4-in-1 Pocket Screwdriver
- Stanley 66-358 Stubby Ratcheting Multibit Screwdriver
- Stanley 69-189 FatMax Ratcheting Screwdriver

Socket Sets:
- Stanley 85-721 3-Piece 3/8" Drive Professional Grade Spark Plug Socket Set

Utility Knives:
- Stanley 10-099 Classic 99 Retractable Utility Knife
- Stanley 10-788 InstantChange Retractable Knife