FAQ

La différence de type de poignée pour les pinces-étaux

Comment entretenir votre pince-étau ?

Pour conserver l’aspect neuf de vos outils, la lubrification après utilisation est très importante. La vidéo montre comment réparer une pince-étau lorsqu'elle est coincée et comment la lubrifier.

Here are some questions people often ask about locking pliers, also widely known as vise grips:

1. What are locking pliers and what are they mostly used for?
   • Often called vise-grips, these are a type of plier that can clamp onto something and lock in place. This means you don't have to keep squeezing them to hold on! They're mainly used to grip, hold, twist, or remove all sorts of things.
2. What are the different kinds of locking pliers, and when should I use each?
   • Common types include straight jaw (for flat or square items), curved jaw (for round or odd-shaped items), long nose (for small items or tight spots), and C-clamp style (for strong gripping, like in woodworking or welding).
3. How do locking pliers actually "lock" onto something?
   • They use a clever lever system. You twist a screw at the end of the handle to set how wide the jaws open and how tightly they'll squeeze. Once clamped, the lever "snaps" over a point, keeping the strong grip until you press the release lever.
4. How do I make the pliers grip tighter or looser?
   • You adjust the grip strength by turning the screw (adjustment knob) at the very end of the handle. Turn it clockwise to make the grip tighter, and counter-clockwise to loosen it.
5. What's the main difference between locking pliers and regular pliers?
   • The big difference is the locking feature. Locking pliers stay clamped on their own, freeing up your hands. Regular pliers need you to keep squeezing them to maintain a grip.
6. Can I use locking pliers instead of a wrench?
   • While they might work in a pinch, it's generally not a good idea to use them instead of a wrench. Locking pliers can easily chew up the edges of nuts and bolts, while wrenches are designed to fit perfectly and prevent damage.
7. What safety tips should I remember when using locking pliers?
   • Keep your fingers clear of the moving parts to avoid pinching. Wear safety glasses and gloves. Don't use them as a hammer or a pry bar—you'll break them. Always pick the right size and type of pliers for the job.
8. Can I use locking pliers to cut wires?
   • Not really recommended. Some might have a tiny wire-cutting part, but they aren't designed for it. Using them to cut wires can damage the tool and might not even cut the wire properly.
9. How do I unlock locking pliers when they're clamped on?
   • Most locking pliers have a release lever on the handle or inside it. Just push or squeeze this lever, and the jaws will spring open.
10. Besides just holding things, what else can I use locking pliers for?
    • They're great for gripping stripped or rusted bolts/nuts, acting as a temporary handle, holding items together for welding or gluing, or even as a temporary clamp on a leaky hose to stop a drip.
11. Will locking pliers damage the surface of what I'm gripping?
    • Yes, their strong grip means they can leave marks or damage the surface, especially on softer materials. If you need to protect the surface, put a piece of cloth or rubber between the pliers' jaws and your item.
12. Who invented locking pliers?
    • The original locking pliers (Vise-Grips) were invented by William Petersen, a Danish-American blacksmith, back in 1924 in DeWitt, Nebraska, USA.