Cutting pliers amplify hand strength to cut tough materials using a lever and fulcrum system. There are four recognized styles of cutting pliers: lineman’s, diagonal, pincer, and needle nose. Each has unique features for specific cutting tasks.
Cutting pliers are a type of hand-held, human-powered tool that amplifies the strength of the user’s hand to enable them to cut tough materials. A pair of cutting pliers, like nearly all pliers, relies on a lever and fulcrum system to transfer amplified power to the working point of the tool. The handles act as a lever, amplifying the user’s grip. The point where the two parts of the pliers join is a fulcrum, which moves the amplified power towards the smaller cutting end.
Humans have used tongs for thousands of years. The process of smelting and forging metal is nearly impossible without some form of tool to hold the hot materials. This tool was usually a pair of pliers, which is a type of pliers. Since those days, the types and variations of pliers have continued to increase. Today, there are many recognized styles of pliers; four of them are varieties of cutting pliers.
Lineman’s pliers are cutting pliers used primarily for cutting wire. These pliers have a heavy construction that can withstand abuse, twisting and bending. They look like a normal pair of heavy-duty pliers, but have a flat end and a sharp section under the gripping area. Lineman’s pliers always have insulated handles to protect users from shocks. Some types of grippers have several layers of insulation to allow users to see when one layer breaks down or wears out.
The diagonal pliers are for cutting only. Where lineman pliers still have a grip area, diagonal pliers do not. These pliers have grips that are contoured to allow users to exert maximum force on them without injuring their hands. The working end of the pliers contains only one cutting edge which runs in the same line as the handles. Pliers get their name from the diagonal shape of their two cutting edges.
Pincer pliers work similar to diagonal pliers, except that the cutting edge is perpendicular to the grips. This makes pincer pliers better suited for cutting small amounts of material, such as the tail of a wire or rope. Diagonal pliers work best for cutting large items, such as cutting a wire in half so both ends can be worked on individually.
Needle nose pliers are probably the best known variety of cutting pliers. These pliers have shaped handles like the diagonal or pinching piers and both a cutting section and an insulated handle like the lineman. They also have an elongated nose that can slip into deep spaces where other pliers can’t reach. This allows them to pull the threads out where they can be cut by the needle nose or a more traditional set of cutting pliers.
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