Tool Review: SK Hand Tool Wide Capacity Tongue and Groove Pliers

Dec. 9, 2013

Medium duty truck technician appreciates large opening capacity and grooved teeth of pliers

The SK Hand Tool Wide Capacity Tongue and Groove Pliers, No. 7412, can be used on round objects like pipes, rods and hoses providing three points of contact for a more positive grip on the object than a traditional tongue and groove pliers. The wide capacity, ranging from 1/2"-4", eliminates the need to carry multiple tools to cover the full range of work surface sizes. The tool's angled narrow head design allows access into tighter spaces than other pliers. Other features of the pliers include a flush rivet design for access in tight work spaces and a textured cushion grip for positive hold.

The review

James Jackson, a technician at DeMary Truck in Columbus, OH, said the SK Wide Capacity Tongue and Groove Pliers served him well at the medium duty shop he works in.

As easy as any other set of pliers Jackson has used or owned, he appreciates the large opening capacity of these pliers, as well as the grooved teeth on the jaws.

"I used this tool for several functions. I was able to use the pliers for oil filter removal, holding and adjusting exhaust pipes for proper alignment while tightening, compressing caliper pistons on the brake system, and for holding the drive gear on a pump which is being disassembled."

Jackson did suggest some improvements for the tool.

"I feel that the handles could be just slightly longer for more leverage and gripping capacity," says Jackson. He cites a specific example where it would have come in handy: "On one particularly stubborn oil filter, it seemed that I couldn’t get enough leverage, and had to reposition the tool several times once I got the filter to break loose incrementally. Longer handles may have given me the additional leverage to break the filter loose in one turn."

Overall, Jackson rates the tool 9.5. Being a straight-forward hand tool, he suggests future updates that would include a curved jaw teeth option (in addition to the straight jaw on this model). He also thinks a larger jaw opening might help out in some repair situations.

About the Author

Erica Schueller | Editorial Director | Commercial Vehicle Group

Erica Schueller is the Editorial Director of the Endeavor Commercial Vehicle Group. The commercial vehicle group includes the following brands: American Trucker, Bulk Transporter, Fleet Maintenance, FleetOwner, Refrigerated Transporter, and Trailer/Body Builders brands.

An award-winning journalist, Schueller has reported and written about the vehicle maintenance and repair industry her entire career. She has received accolades for her reporting and editing in the commercial and automotive vehicle fields by the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA), the International Automotive Media Competition (IAMC), the Folio: Eddie & Ozzie Awards and the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) Azbee Awards.

Schueller has received recognition among her publishing industry peers as a recipient of the 2014 Folio Top Women in Media Rising Stars award, acknowledging her accomplishments of digital content management and assistance with improving the print and digital products in the Vehicle Repair Group. She was also named one Women in Trucking’s 2018 Top Women in Transportation to Watch.

She is an active member of a number of industry groups, including the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), the Auto Care Association's Young Auto Care Networking Group, GenNext, and Women in Trucking.

In December 2018, Schueller graduated at the top of her class from the Waukesha County Technical College's 10-week professional truck driving program, earning her Class A commercial driver's license (CDL).

She has worked in the vehicle repair and maintenance industry since 2008.