Tips for Using Pliers: Personal Experience
If you are anything like me, you tend to spend a lot of time using various tools on home improvement and craft projects. Over the years, I have picked up a few tips for using pliers that I’d like to share with you. Here they are:
Adding a Locking Mechanism
I like to keep a few large rubber bands handy, preferably the kind used to wrap up newspapers or secure garbage can liners. I have found that if you wrap the rubber bands securely around a pair of slip-joint pliers’ handles you can temporarily convert it into a pair of locking pliers. It is helpful to do so when you need to free up your hands or need to garner extra turning power.
Covering Tips
When I am working with a piece of pine or other soft wood, I’ll sometimes wrap the pliers’ jaws with a piece of electrical tape. I have found that by doing so, it reduces the likelihood that the pliers’ jaws will leave indentations into the wood. This technique really works well when you want to use your pliers to drive brads into a picture frame or a decorative box lid. A roll of electrical tape will generally lighten your wallet by about $6.
Making Grips
Did you buy an inexpensive pair of pliers without a grip? The electrical tape will come in handy for that too. Simply wrap the electrical tape around the pliers’ handles in order to make your own impromptu grip.
Repairing Teeth
After extended use, the teeth on your pliers’ jaws may lose their bite. In my experience, you can get a bit more life out of the pliers by filing the teeth back into shape with a metal file. The easiest way to do it is to place the pliers inside a table top vise and secure them into position. After the pliers are secure, take either a three square or knife file and get to work on reshaping the pliers’ teeth. Just be sure to use the safe edge of the file in the corners. A file will typically cost you $5 to $9 depending on its size and the retailer.
Pivot Bolt Care
Periodically coating the pliers’ pivot bolt with machine oil is also a good idea to help reduce friction. You may also find that over time the pivot bolt has loosened up too much and needs to be tightened. In my experience, you might be able to tighten up a loose pivot bolt by using a metal punch and hammer set. You can usually pick up a metal punch and hammer set online for $20.
Killeen Gonzalez has a history of completing home improvement projects with her family.
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