Klein Tools Are they worth the extra money

[Dustydazzler]

Klein tools are massively popular in Canada & America

Less so over here but I have seen a few sparks using them in recent years

I usually use ck , Stanley , knipex

But am interested to try some Klein items but are they worth the extra few quid

Thoughts ?

 

[Pete999]

Out of curiosity is there any reason why Klein side cutters and pliers are so ruddy massive ?

Cus they are aimed at the Lineman community

 

[Dustydazzler]

Cus they are aimed at the Lineman community

That would explain it ...

For residential I have seen them use little Klein strippers for cutting Romex and stripping etc

These are for more residential electricians ?

Quite nice actually

 

[Squid]

Out of curiosity is there any reason why Klein side cutters and pliers are so ruddy massive ?

For the men that have to regularly chomp through something larger then a 4mm cable.........

 

[Squid]

Cus they are aimed at the Lineman community

They also sell replacement handles so take a look for you tool refurb project, maybe try to blag a freebie ;o))))

 

[Pete999]

Out of curiosity is there any reason why Klein side cutters and pliers are so ruddy massive ?

Cus they are aimed at the Lineman community

They also sell replacement handles so take a look for you tool refurb project, maybe try to blag a freebie ;o))))

Thanks for the heads up Mate will look into it.

 

[Squid]

Here you go,
Plier Handles | Klein Tools - For Professionals since 1857 - https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/pliers/plier-handles

 

[Phil Thompson]

Tbh I don't rate wera screwdrivers at all, 2 sets and both sets pz1 & 2 wore the tips, in around 12-18 months.

The cheaper set that's regularly on offer kept their tips far longer than the more expensive set with the lasered tips.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

The Klein VDE screwdrivers are amongst the worst I've used for over hardened snapping tips. I use Bahco slim tips, The Best a Man Can Get....(and Sparkychick).
My CEF was recently knocking out the big clumsy cutters for a tenner, presumably they cant sell them. I bought a pair and found them pretty much unuseable, big and clumsy, I'll keep them for chopping live cables ……...

 

[w0z]

that's because they are designed for obese americans who can't be surgically removed from their catcher's gloves.

Or it could be because the CSA is higher due to higher current so the cables are thicker? Are they? I guessed that..never seen any USA cable..

 

[Pete999]

I believe you may find that Klein Tools were originally set up for the Distribution/Linemen community, their Pliers are called Linemen pliers, to which the Linemen refer to them as " were are my Klein's" meaning pliers.
They have in recent years started making insulated Tools to fit in with their incursion into the UK market, given time you may find they will introduce smaller pliers etc to fit our small hands.
I bought and still have some "Kleins" when I was last in the US, still in vey good condition, which shows how good they are made, so please don't knock them, something good to come out of the States in my opinion. Maybe you should subscribe to "Tradesman TV "for an insight inti the manufacturing methods.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I have SnapOn Lineman’s pliers.
Don’t use them for electrical work, as they’re not insulated.

For electrical work, I have some CK insulated pliers, which were given to me at a factory I worked in.
Part of a set which included side cutters, needle nose pliers and 6 screwdrivers.
I very rarely use them, which probably explains why I still have them, as all the other tools have been replaced (lost or broken)

 

[SparkySy]

To be fair I have a pair of the milwaukee linesman pliers they are big old beasts but for first fix they are ace as they can be used to nock in clips cut ect, saves having a toolbelt with loads of kit in it up steps.

 

[telectrix]

it's the basis of US tools... if you can't use it as a hammer, don't buy it.

 

[EbolaSideRoom]

My local CEF showed me the full range of Klein hand tools and to be fair it was massive. They chose to introduce to the UK market the huge pliers first, which was probably a mistake as every CEF I’ve been in since has loads of them gathering dust. I found some small needle nose pliers and some small side cutters that I like so I got them, and a screwdriver set with a PH2 and a medium slot head that are pretty good too. I like the idea of having all the same brand, but the reality for me is that I just can’t find anything if I do that. So I have a mixture of Knipex VDE, Knipex S range VDE, Knipex uninsulated and Klein hand tools and Wera Lasertip & SS screw & terminal drivers, with the odd Klein (see above) thrown in.
Bahco make nice screw & terminal drivers. I’ve never rated CK kit at all, although they do make the odd useful thing.

 

[LightGEN]

The klein Tools Europe webpage is currently showing 6" VDE side cutters as a 'New Product'.