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11.0 PLIERS - DO-IT-YOURSELF - DIY TIPS

== You must have a good set of pliers to make simple repairs. However, the basic pliers that most people own are almost useless in my opinion. They do not grip nuts, bolts, or pipes tightly and tend to chew them up.

I prefer quality locking pliers that have a number of settings. For example, "Channel Lock" pliers is a good brand name that many people use. Locking pliers allow the teeth to be set at a fixed distance so the teeth remain parallel. The teeth can then grip a nut or pipe and really put some force at that point instead of slipping and grinding. You can find these pliers in a variety of sizes; some are quite large.

== Another kind of pliers, needle nose pliers, is also essential. If you are working with wires or small nuts and bolts, a needle nose plier can get into a small space and grab.

Since I only have two hands, I have found that needle nose pliers which can be locked tightly into position are extremely useful. These are sold under the brand name "Vice-Grip." For example. these vice locking pliers allow you to lock the pliers onto a nut and leave them there in position while you locate the head of the bolt on the other side of a machine.

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