Immitation Tools / Cheapo Copies

[Dustydazzler]

So, I actually brought a set of knock off install pliers like the ones in this video...

and just like the guy in the video, I found the cheap knock offs which I paid a only 9 quid for worked pretty much the same except when cutting large csa cables like tails. The knockoffs were not as sharp and take more effort to cut.
Apart from this for cutting small cable and flex and stripping they are excatly the same functionality

 

[timhoward]

My assistant got a pair of the cheap ones and has been very pleased with them.

 

[Dustydazzler]

My assistant got a pair of the cheap ones and has been very pleased with them.

I honestly can't fault them for 9 quid inc free postage. as i say the only let down is the cutting blades aren't super sharp but will cut up to 10mm singles no problem. 25mm tails you really have to sqeeze hard.

 

[littlespark]

Anything bigger than 10mm singles, I’ve got big croppers to save my pliers… (and my fingers)

They can even chop through the smallest swa cables at a push.

All my hand tools are Wira… even got the matching bottle opener!

 

[LukeD]

Not all that is shiny is better ..

 

[nicebutdim]

I have a pair of the Knipex verson, bought on an Amazon warehouse deal, but not sure I'd even pay £9 for another pair as they never leave the box. Great tool, but there's always something in my pocket to cover every job they do. If I was 2nd fixing a lot of houses these multi things would probably never leave my hand, but they don't really lend themselves to the work I do. They're on the list of great tools that rarely get used, alongside automatic wire strippers.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Im in the same boat. as a house masher my pouch literally has side cutters, long nose normal pliers and a couple screwdrivers.

my knock off install pliers live in the box with all the other stuff I brought just to see if they were any good. but for 9 quid they are okay if you just need a plier

 

[nicebutdim]

Im in the same boat. as a house masher my pouch literally has side cutters, long nose normal pliers and a couple screwdrivers.

my knock off install pliers live in the box with all the other stuff I brought just to see if they were any good. but for 9 quid they are okay if you just need a plier

Generally a couple of drivers (sometimes with a couple of extra blades) grips, knife & shears. Writing implement, meter, tape & tape measure round off the lot and covers about 90% of my work.

 

[Calson]

There are high quality tools being made in Taiwan and very poor quality tools made in China. I have tools that my father used on aircraft during World War II and many that I bought more than 50 years ago. I avoid garbage tools.