What are Water Pump Pliers, and What’s Their Use?
You may not be a plumber and never work with water pumps, but you should always have a pair of water pump pliers. Often abbreviated to ‘pumps’, this tool will get the job done. They’re also known as arc-joint pliers, tongue-and-groove pliers or by several proprietary names (such as Channellock pliers). They’re all essentially the same thing: a tool that gets you out of a bind whether you’re under a sink or a car. It’s their versatility that makes them essential. So what are water pump pliers, and what’s their use?
They’re a tool for gripping metal pipes or similar circular objects. They got their name when they were developed for clamping pump hubs, while the American firm Champion-DeArment Tool Company gave them the trademarked name of Channellock back in 1934. Today they’re used in all sorts of applications like heating engineering, air-conditioning, building, plumbing and automotive services. Anywhere you need to hold a round or angular items like pipes, couplings, screws, bolts or sheet metal.
Water pump pliers have an angled jaw (typically offset by 45-60 degrees) to help you get into recesses and awkward places. They have a long handle for extra leverage and come in various sizes depending on how big the pipe is or how small the space is. The jaws are curved for better purchase and are serrated to maximise that traction. Like slip-joint pliers, the variable pivot point allows you to grasp differently-sized objects while keeping the jaws parallel. That’s the beauty of this simple design: no fumbling for the right opening.
From a closed position, water pump pliers can open to several centimetres apart, which allows you to maximise leverage and compression force on a wide variety of objects. This means the handles remain in the same relative position, and you can maintain a vice-like grip with ease. You can adjust some models at the touch of a button – perfect when you’re in a difficult, hard-to-reach spot. Water pump pliers are typically brought out for plumbing or automotive work by professionals and home enthusiasts alike; however, they remain the go-to tool any time you need to hold something tight.
You’ll probably want more than one set of water pump pliers. As mentioned, they come in assorted sizes with handles proportionate to the jaw for maximum control. The standard range is 10 to 60cms. Those in the middle of that range are the most useful, though it depends entirely on the nature of the job you’re doing. Water pump pliers with a plastic or rubberised sheath on the handles will offer a better grip and are more comfortable to use. Things to consider are the adjustment quality, self-locking properties and the shape of the pliers you’re looking to buy. Keep this in mind if you’ll use them frequently or for long periods.