When it comes to servicing water pumps, the right tool makes all the difference. But sometimes, finding the right size can be difficult, as you may need a smaller tool than what you currently have in your inventory. That's where the KNIPEX Water Pump Pliers Series comes into play -- particularly, the KNIPEX Cobra XS Water Pump Pliers, No. 87 00 100.
Tool reviewer Randy Kaiser, diagnostic technician at Rost Motor, Inc. in Manson, Iowa, appreciates the KNIPEX Cobra XS Water Pump Pliers' versatility and "perfect size."
"The pliers are so handy," says Kaiser. "They saved me numerous trips to the toolbox to get a wrench or a different pair of pliers."
Kaiser ensures he has the tool in his pocket at all times, which he found makes them even more convenient.
"Think of your typical water pump pliers (and KNIPEX makes a great one), and then shrink it down to pocket size with the same great quality and features," Kaiser says. "That makes for one very useful tool to have."
The technician states the pliers were well-packaged upon arrival, arranged in an "impressive" presentation box that would be "suitable for gift-giving." They came paired with a demonstration device to show "how adept [the pliers] were at gripping nuts and bolts as well as round objects."
Everything came safe and secure in foam padding, with a manual included for good measure. Kaiser found no need for the manual, but thought it was simple and easy to understand after checking it out.
"I looked through the pamphlet, but at this point, I don't really need an instruction manual for water pump pliers," Kaiser jokes.
In addition to the pliers' size, Kaiser appreciates their comfortable handle as well as the tool's metal components, noting that it didn't bend or deform when used. The pliers' jaws have the "typical KNIPEX design," he says, for better grip on round objects and nuts.
"The adjustable portion of the pliers seems to fit very well, and appears to be very strong," Kaiser reports. "Being very small and slim made it easy to use the pliers in tighter places than would have been possible with larger water pump pliers."
Kaiser put the pliers to use across a variety of different jobs, including removing nuts and bolts across different systems. He found that it worked great on the smallest of nuts up to the pliers' maximum opening size.
"I also used them on some bolts that the head was partially rusted off of, and it gripped those and removed them as well."
The technician did note that the pliers have a few limitations because of their size, but that's also the same reason they're so handy. It's a "tradeoff," he says, but a worthwhile one when weighing benefits, and "there's probably a larger pair of water pump pliers in your toolbox already."
Overall, Kaiser felt the KNIPEX Cobra XS Water Pump Pliers hit a home run when it comes to durability, sturdiness, and usefulness.
The KNIPEX Cobra XS Water Pump Pliers, No. 87 00 100, feature a compact design that is just under 4" in length. The Cobra XS features self-locking abilities on pipes and nuts for reduced hand-force and no slipping, jaw geometry, hardened teeth, a pinch guard, and a one-handed adjustment for fitting various workpiece sizes quickly and easily. Other features of the Cobra XS include a secure gripping capacity up to 1", a compact, slim-head design for reaching in tight areas, traditional texturized handles for improved grip, and 11 adjustment positions.
