I use a Dremel and a small sanding drum or a cut-off wheel a lot and holding a small cylindrical component - such as a set screw - in pliers while I work on it usually results in it slipping. I’ve discovered these, and they’re pretty nifty. I could appreciate their potential when I saw them, but they’ve just had their first job and worked brilliantly. Last night I fired up these two Tilley FL6 floodlights that I’d replaced seals on and though the one on the right was going strong well into the evening until I shut it down for the night the older model on the left stopped working after an hour or so. Problem was wear of the pricker-activation pad in the control valve that resulted in the pricker not being raised quite enough to prick the jet fully. As a result, the jet wasn’t adequately pricked from the outset and blocked at some point. Solution was to cut a packing disc from brass rod and the pliers held the small slice off the rod securely while I sanded a fraction off it to get it to the thickness I wanted. Inserted in the valve, pricker action was restored. The tool’s marketed as a device primarily for gripping mangled screw heads. John
Just the ticket, John. Wish I'd have had exactly that last week, would have saved me no end of grief. For USA members, available here: https://smile.amazon.com/Engineer-P...s=screw+gripping+pliers&qid=1586354551&sr=8-3 Edit: One less available, now!
These are also marketed under the name “Vamplier” I’m not 100% sure which is the original, or perhaps they are all made by the same company. This chap always seems to do good reviews. Although not lamp or stove related, so John’s review is best.
They look good, John. I have various pliers that I keep in my fettling tool box, but a set of the one you reviewed will find a home on the magnetic tool bar above my workbench. The Bay of Evil has them listed as “screw pliers”. Cheers Tony
By the close resemblance, even down to the packaging, I’m pretty sure they must be. Peculiar pricing on Amazon UK pitches the Vamplier versions at anything up to four times the price of the Engineer product.
@Twoberth I’ve used it more since that first job Duncan, still for holding small components while I work on them with a Dremel or to drill a small hole. Works a treat. Funny the manufacturer hasn’t hit upon that function in their sales pitch. I’ve not yet used them for the screw extraction that features exclusively in their marketing. I guess the fettling we do must count as a niche pursuit, known to but a few! John
I don't think I've ever seen bike spoke suppliers advertising their utility with NRV's either, missing an opportunity methinks.
Used my Neji-Saurus pliers a few times on screw heads and pop rivet heads. The gripping power of the ends is quite remarkable.
One’s great, but I didn’t stop at the one size. Clearly I’ve got ‘form’ as a pliers junkie. Last trip to Japan, I visited the Tokyu Hands store, Shinjuku, Tokyo. They’ve proved invaluable for forming loops in (thin) wire. ... as illustrated on the packaging
Then a visit to tokyu hands is prescribed on both counts when we get out of the current lockdowns/travel bans. You can find both there! But make sure you’ve got deep pockets! Some of their stores have an Aladdin’s cave on each of their multiple floors. Regards John Ps stay away from Laox stores if you ever get to Japan.
@presscall You know the wallet busting dangers of the technology stores in Tokyo... the rest of the membership here needed to be alerted! With the possibility of our Japanese fellow stovies like @HONDA. And there’s a reason he makes such excellent custom cases. Regards John
I can definately recommend this type of KNIPEX Pliers - instead of “squeezing/Crunching” like a normal pair of pliers - these jaws moves completely parallel —> you can use them as a regular wrench in tiny places - they give a good solid grib where you dont want your item blurred by scratches. they come in 4-5 sizes. These are the two smallest. Should I pick only one - I’d go for the smallest - Its brilliant for jets and such.
