Best Pliers or Vice Grips (or similar tool?)

[samadams_2006]

Hello,

I'm trying to remove my garden hose from the faucet on the side of my house, but it won't budge. It's rusted on I think, and I'm having a hard time getting a "grip" on it to twist it off. This brings me to my question. What is the best "Multi-Use" tool for jobs like this? Adjustable wrenches just don't have the "grip". Adjustable Pliers will work, but Vice Grips permit you to "clamp" the hose. I've seen other such multi-purpose "tools" offered on TV from time to time, but I'm interested in getting a tool that is the most flexible, and durable, and versatile for these types of jobs. How about it? Does anyone have a brand, or make, of a tool like this that they just love and couldn't live without?

Thanks.

[professorpaul]

For starters, flood with penetrating oil (any good hardware store). This should help loosen it.

Vise grips, etc. will damage things. Use them as a last resort.

Vise grips are handy. Also, a conventional pipe wrench helps (it tightens the more you lean into it). Also, I find what are known as "pump pliers" -- adjustable, helpful for the lighter jobs. The handles are pretty long, and you can get some leverage.

To avoid the problem in the future, get a small tube of plumber's grease (hardware store again), and lightly lube the threads on the hose bib. Makes getting things both on and off MUCH easier. Also, a dab on the rubber "O" seal on the hose makes for a better seal. You can tighten and seal with nothing more than hand force.

If you end up destroying the fitting, there are replacement/repair fittings available.

[Tekkie®]

posted for all of us...

Channelocks or Knipex pliers.

[<aemeijers]

Slipjoint pump pliers. Sorta L-shaped. Channelock is a decent-but-affordable brand. This is why they call them pump pliers- they are designed for stuff like this. The leverage they provide gives plenty ot torque, but the &#39;crush power&#39; is limited by hard you can squeeze. That way, unlike vise-grips, you are unlikey to crush or shatter the hose end or the hose bib itself. Of course, soaking the thing in penetrating oil for an hour before you reap on it, will also help a lot.

aem sends...

[tnom]

If you want one tool then get a pair of standard channel locks. A better tool for your particular example would be a nutbuster type channel lock that is featured on this page.

[Dan Espen]

2 words:

pipe wrench

[buffalobill]

[lp13-30]

Glad someone mentioned holding the faucet securely while trying to get the hose off. If you do not, the stuck hose connection will likely be the least of your problems. Larry

[George E. Cawthon]

Channel locks for fairly easy stuff, pipe wrench when it is really stuck. Pretty much the same as all the other responses. Vice grips (carefully adjusted so they don&#39;t grip too tightly also work.

However, if you can&#39;t easily get the hose off, you need to revise what you are doing. Hoses should be taken off at least 2 times a season in most areas. We usually just use our fingers to put the hose on and off the faucet. Hoses should be tightened only hand tight. If the leak with hand tightening, the hose end is bent or more likely just needs a new washer.

Hint: One tool is never good for everything!

[mm]

And don&#39;t miss the instructions on the Liquid Wrench can, which say to hit the connection a few times to get the fluid to go as far in as possible.

You need to have a good touch. I&#39;m not sure if this is the place to learn or not.

Definitely. And Vise-Grip brand are the best vise grips. Very well made and strong.

I call them "water pump pliers", even though they were not useful for water pumps afaik for any car made during my lifetime.

[mm]

It&#39;s not because they look like a water pump handle?

Or even a day, I think.

[me]

Soak with WD40 or other solvent. Let it soak for a day and apply it several times. Grab with plyers that has curved blades. A vice grip might crush the fitting. The plyers should do the job. If your hose end is plastic, it may break. If its metal, it should come off.

In all honesty, a handyperson should have ALL of these tools. Dont buy those cheap foreign made no-named ones. They are weak and useless. Buy a name brand such as "Vice Grip" or "Craftsman". Ace hardware&#39;s own brands are well made too.

There is one tool I can not live without, and I sort of love it, but my wife loves it more. It hangs between my legs, You asked for it, you got it. :)

[me]

Damn, there is way too much nut and c*ck grabbing in this reply. If you are not a female, you must be having a very gay moment, and you are scaring the crap out of me !!!!!

[Jeff Wisnia]

Don&#39;t get insulted, but just in case...

Are you sure you are rotating it in the proper direction?

Sometimes it&#39;s easy to get crossed up on the rotation if you&#39;re looking at what you&#39;re trying to loosen from "above" it.

Jeff

[mm]

I guess this would be a good reason to buy those garden hoses whose ends are hex shaped. I presume I have a wrench that would fit them. But I&#39;ve actually never bought a hose. The house came with 2 or 3 of them, and I&#39;ve found about 3 more, usually on a hose reel. So now I have about 6. I guess I&#39;ll never get to try the hex end.

[Phisherman]

ChannelLocks (with the blue handles). After using this tool you&#39;ll wonder why you havn&#39;t got one a long time ago.

[N8N]

The big Channellock pliers? they are actually useful on very old - as in 1930s - design water pumps, they have a grease cap that needs to be tightened periodically to keep the bearings lubricated - if this is not done the grease will lose its pressure and water can seep into the bearings. Oddly enough, "water pump pliers" are darn near perfect for this job :)

nate

[dpb]

Yep, that&#39;s where the name (and design) originated...the original purpose has pretty much gone away but the tool still has value.

For OP, my choices--

"Ordinary" slip-joint pliers -- CEE-TEE brand 8" are best, bar-none.

Vise-grips -- Need selection from small to large; needle-nosed handy on occasion -- Vise-Grip also still the best

Waterpump pliers -- Channel-lock ok, have a favorite pair about 50 years old or so whose manufacturer can&#39;t tell you offhand...

Then there are all the specialty types such as fencing pliers/tool, snap-ring, electrical of all types/specific purposes, etc., etc., etc., ...

[Steve B]

I have a short pair of Channel locks, too. About seven inches or so long. I use them a lot.

Steve

[mm]

Yeah, the ones that look like a long neck with a birds head on top at a greater than right angle.

My parents had the best slip-joint pliers. I have lost track of them since my mother died. I think there is a whole container of tools among her stuff, including my Handy Andy level, and maybe my Handy Andy full size screwdriver, but the only thing I want a lot are the pliers which were probably my father&#39;s.

Unfortunately, I mixed the tools in with the paperwork, and I don&#39;t want to look at the paperwork. So I&#39;ll have to do without.

Maybe they are CEE-TEE but I don&#39;t remmeber seeing a brand.