Pincers

Pincers are chiefly designed as gripping tools much in the same vein as pliers, however there are some key differences. They usually feature strong metal jaws that can be used in part to offer leverage when extracting nails and some types of pincers feature bladed jaws to cut through materials such as wire.

Cromwell stock both cutting and clamping pincers from brands such as Kennedy so you'll be sure to find the right pincers for your needs.

How do pincers work?

Pincers can be used in a couple of ways, but their main purpose is to grip. Their strong metal jaws are shaped in such a way that they can get close to surfaces to grip items like fasteners from the base.
When extracting the curvature of the jaws allows for greater leverage than similar tools like pliers. In some cases the jaws are sharpened to allow them to cut through softer materials like wire allowing for a clean and accurate cut.

Types of pincers

There are two distinct types of pincers, carpenter's pincers and cutting pincers. Both have some overlap in their usage but there are a few differences that Cromwell has outlined below.

• Carpenter's pincers - Also referred to as nippers, Carpenter's pincers are a type of pliers which are designed to grip and extract nails and staples from wood. Their jaws are bulky and strong and feature a bevelled edge allowing them to grip nails without cutting through them. The rounded head allows leverage to be applied either side without damaging the wooden surface.

• End cutting pincers - End cutting pincers go by several names including end cutters, nippers or end cutting pliers, they feature sharpened jaws that are used to cut through materials such as wire, springs, nails, rivets, and bolts. Their head shape is usually flatter than carpenter's pincers allowing the user to cut closer to the surface.

Considerations when choosing pincers

There are a few factors to consider when choosing a pair of pincers, the main choice really comes down to the application you intend to use them for.
For instance, if you're working with bulky nails and need a heavy-duty tool to remove them from wooden surfaces then carpenter's pincers are the more ideal selection. However, if you need a tool for crimping and cutting through wire then cutting pincers would be the ideal choice.

The size of the pincers in relation to the materials being used should be another consideration, for example working with tacks requires a smaller lighter tool than a carpenter's nail. Thankfully both types of pincers come in a range of different sizes from small, for light duty working, to large bulky sets designed to grip large and stubborn fasteners.

FAQ

What are carpenter's pincers used for?
The main function of carpenter's pincers is for gripping and extracting fasteners such as nails from materials. They also make good hand-held clamping tools as well as disassembly tools.

What are pincers made from?
Most pincers are made using steel or a steel alloy, steel, stainless steel, chrome vanadium steel and carbon steel are popular choices due to their durability. Some pincers come with tungsten carbide blades for greater cutting power as the carbide compound allows them to stay sharper for longer.