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Took the pliers-wrench back to Napa and traded for the 12" Cobra. Now these are just what I was looking for!


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Best 11 in 1 is the Klein with the shrader valve core remover. It will wear out using it as a nut driver quickly as said before. Get one 5/16 and one 1/4 nut drivers instead. I have a little electricians pouch that I can clip to my side when doing service work.
It has just about every thing needed to diagnose when I first arrive on seen.
Here is what I have in the pouch:

11in1
5/16 nut runner
1/4 nut runner
Cobra pliers 6"
Ratcheting service tool with extension
Small flat head for tstat wiring
Gear wrench with 5/16, 3/8,1/2,and 9/16 ratcheting double ended wrench
Field Piece foldable thermometer
Wire strippers
Small led flash light

this will take care of 80 percent of what you need small tool wise



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Just picked up the 11 in 1 and the ratcheting adjustable as well. In using the 11 in 1 this week I can already see one slight flaw. The screw driver bits tend to stay in the screw or want to fall out of the tool. Other than that it's been really handy in pulling off unit enclosures with the nut driver then switching to screw driver inside. Just kinda gotta watch your bits as the tool loses starts to lose its purpose once the bits get lost. I also read from someone in another thread that the nut driver part of the tool starts to wear fairly quickly. Looking at picking up some magnetic nut drivers for that anyway. Ratcheting adjustable didn't come into play this week yet.

Went to Lowes and they did not carry them. Maybe check Sears next. I like the locking ability on the Cobras. I see Milwaukee has there own hand tools now.Went to the Depot and I picked up a spring loaded needle nose/stripper just because I felt the need to buy something and I could not find the Knipex. I also bought a new Kline 11-1 and a nifty Crescent adjustable that has a kind or ratcheting action. Milwaukee also has the pliers but I am not impressed. Irwin/Vise Grip has a similar pair of pliers but they do not lock. Being a tool junkie is kinda expensive. Can't wait to see what I buy myself for xmas.

Just bought knipex pliers wrench at Napa. I don't know if I like them, they ate very proud of them.


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Originally Posted by jnsrose

Who sells Knipex, besides online. I mean do supply houses carry them?

Sears and lowes. That's where I go anyway

lowes has a few of their tools

Who sells Knipex, besides online. I mean do supply houses carry them?

ANother for the cobra's

To the OP. I bought the 10" pliers wrench and took it back a couple days later. I did not like them at all. It was a pain having to squeeze the pliers as hard as I did. Im going to stick with the Klein Adjustables..

Originally Posted by OnlyOneKeano

Do you guys use the cobras to install/remove black iron pipe for gas? Are they tough enough?

I use my 10 and 12" Cobras to install 1/2" or 3/4" gas piping. 1" and up I prefer my pipe wrenchs.... But have used em on 1" plenty of times.

Do you guys use the cobras to install/remove black iron pipe for gas? Are they tough enough?

I like my cobras, I even have the 22" ones, but I really like the pliers-wrench. They completely replaced my crescent wrenches.

I've used the alligators for over 15 years and love em! I think either one will serve you better than regular old channel locks.

I prefer the Cobras as well.

Cobras, push button helps for better adjustment. with the alligators there is to much fiddling trying to adjust them to a certain size.

I use the Cobras and love them.

KNIPEX PLIERS - Cobra OR Alligator?

Hey guys

Just getting into the industry, been an Aircraft mechanic for the past 7 years and have had some heating and plumbing experience in my life.

Have used alotta pliers, and never found anything better than Knipex. Been using their 'pliers-wrench' (we called them 'german pliers' in the hangar) for ages. They replace and completely outperform any crescent/adjustable wrench ever made. Also use alot of their electrical stuff, wire strippers, crimpers etc.

However, one type that I never bought cuz never had a need for them was the waterpumps/pipe wrench replacement they make called the Cobra's and their relative, the Alligator's.

Now that i find myself using pipe wrenches when doing any heating/furnace jobs, i'd love to limit/eliminate the use of those heavy, bulky, prehistoric dinosaurs and move to a more innovative, easy and comfortable solution.

Been looking at both the cobra and the alligator online, reading some reviews etc. However, I would love to get some opinions from you guys if any of y'all have ever used them and which ones you guys think are better.

much appreciated and thanks in advance