Pliers are one of the most essential and useful tools in a toolbox. It is such a vital arsenal in all handyman’s toolboxes that even a basic toolset will always include pliers. Pliers are available in various designs and functionalities, thanks to the continuous evolution from the early times. Numerous pliers are available on the market leading to confusion regarding the differences between various pliers, especially the most used ones, such as needle nose pliers or long nose pliers.
Plier parts
Both needle nose and long nose pliers have similar parts with a specific function assigned to them. The cutters on both are located near the hinge and are used for cutting wires and cables. Fulcrum is where the handles and the joint are fastened. It also delivers sufficient force for the jaws to perform their job. Handles are used for gripping the plier – curved or straight and metal or plastic coated. The jaws or nose of the pliers functions as a grip. Pliers also have pipe grips to grip circular objects.
Needle nose pliers vs. long nose pliers
Most people use the terms needle nose and long nose interchangeably to refer to pliers with elongated thin tapered jaws. However, indicator nose pliers are slightly different from long nose pliers. Here are the major differences between the two:
Long nose pliers are pliers with long narrowing jaws that are not pointed. Usually, their jaws are sturdy, serrated, and longer than persons of linesman pliers. They are better suited when working in tight spaces as they have strong jaws and hardened cutters. Long nose pliers offer better and firm grip while working in deep areas not easily accessible with other regular pliers. While there is no predefined length for the jaws to qualify it as a long nose plier, they should be longer than the linesman or combination pliers. Furthermore, the jaws must be narrow and tapered.
Certain long nose pliers have integrated cutters for unkind soft wires and cable ties. All these factors make them a favourite tool of electricians who use them to manipulate, loop, and grip wires within the electrical sockets. Some electricians use integrated cutters to cut electrical wires or strip off the wire’s insulation.
Needle nose pliers – with more pointed and slimmer jaws, these pliers fit to the same family as long proboscis pliers. They are so similar to long nose pliers that only the pointedness and the slenderness of the jaws differentiate them from long nose pliers. As the needle nose plier has slimmer jaws, they are not as robust as long nose pliers. They tend to bend or break easily when exposed to a lot of twisting or bending force. Hence, needle nose pliers are best suited for precision works such as clutching tiny electronic screws or undertaking jewellery and artwork.
Needle nose pliers, unlike extensive nose pliers, don’t have serrated jaws or inline cutters. They tend to have smooth jaws, which are suitable for grabbing delicate objects without scarring or breaking them. As they aren’t powerful, they are mainly used to handle fragile items and not for cutting wires.
In short, all pliers with long tapered jaws can be called long nose pliers. However, they are needle nose pliers if they have smooth, narrow, and pointed jaws. Both serve different purposes too. Still, most people use the names synonymously. Check out these options if you are looking for high-quality pliers at affordable rates.
