MIG welding pliers are one of the essential accessories for MIG welding. It serves some of the basic needs like scarping spatter of MIG gun nozzle. Apart from welding, it can be used for some other purposes too like electrical works. During MIG welding it is constantly required to trim and cut wires and this tool serves that purpose.
Why Are Mig Welding Pliers Used?
MIG welding pliers are a multi-purpose tool but widely as welding tools and for several reasons.
Removing and Installing Nozzle & Tip of MIG Gun
After welding for a while the tip and nozzle of the MIG gun get excessively hot that holding it with your welding glove might damage your gloves too. So, doing it with MIG pliers is the most intelligent choice.
Cutting and Trimming Wires
It has a portion specifically for cutting wires. It is used to cut excessive wires of MIG and also to trim wires.
Scraping Interior of MIG Gun
MIG gun has a lot of spatter and to scrape that off the anterior portion of the MIG plier can be used.
Gripping Things in Tight Spot
MIG pliers have a very pointy and thin anterior portion which can be used to grip thing in tight places
Choosing the Best MIG Plier
While buying a MIG plier you will have to keep in mind about the various aspects of a MIG plier and what might cause distress during using one so that you can get the best MIG welding plier for yourself.
The Grip on the Handle
It is better to have a rubber grip than plastic ones. If you get one with the plastic grip it will be difficult to get a good hold while you are wearing your welding glove.
Cutter
You have to check if there is any nicks or notches on the cutter or if there is any gap near the pivot. Also, check the sharpness of the cutter.
Spring
Check the quality of the spring of the MIG welding plier. Your plier might function even without the spring but it helps out a lot.
Length
Having a MIG welding plier of 8 to 9 inches is good enough having one that is excessively longer or smaller will cause a problem.
Electroplating
If the pliers are not properly electroplated or not electroplated at all you plier will attract a lot of rust and get damaged in a while.
Best MIG Welding Pliers
1. Hobart 770150 MIG Welding Pliers
This MIG welding plier is a multi-functioning plier. It can be used not only for welding but also for mechanical, electrical and some other purposes too.
Features and Benefits
These welding pliers have a very comfortable grip. The handles are spring loaded to reduce the fatigue of the user. It helps to trim wires for MIG welding.
The jaws of the pliers are narrow and it also has built-in grip for gripping contact tip. And to grip the welding nozzle there is a larger grip.
The narrow jaws help with gripping small parts in tight spaces and also to clean up the slat in the nozzle. It also helps to change gun tips.
The cutters of this plier are aligned perfectly so it is easy to cut the wires for MIG welding.
Shortcomings
The tips are not sufficiently narrow to fit in the nozzle of every welding tip. Most of the time it is required to grind it down the welding tip.
The handle grips are a bit too small and are made out of hard plastic. The nose is a bit uneven too.
2. Lincoln Electric K4014-1 MIG Welding Pliers
This is a multi-purpose welding plier for MIG welding. It can be used for up to six different functions.
Features and Benefits
The six different functions that it serves are – Nozzle Installation, Tip Installation, Wire Cutting, Nozzle Cleaning, Slag Hammer, Spatter Removal
These are constructed from high-quality steel and has a very good fitting handle. Has increased durability due to heat treatment.
Has been loaded with spring make opening and closing easy and reducing the stress on the user. These are easy to use even with welding gloves on.
3. Channellock 360 Welder’s Pliers
This welding plier in made in the US. It has some sort system which makes it easier to cut or grind i.e. requires less leverage than usual. It is about 9 inches in length.
Features and Benefits
It has a grove nose type thingy which makes it a lot easier to remove spatter. It has these slots which can be used to install bushings and nozzle. Can also be used to hammer stuff.
It has two extra set of jaws to remove MIG nozzle and MIG gun tip which is very hot just after welding for a while. The one for the gripping tip is in a v shape, unlike other pliers which are u shaped. The v shape helps to grip the tip better and tighter.
The anterior hatch has square corners which help to clean the inside of the MIG nozzle. There is a concave scraping edge which does not trap the slag, unlike the ones that have cross-hatching.
The cutters are very sharp and are properly lined. They don’t easily get dull over time.
The grip is very firm and doesn’t slip off and the plier itself is very tough and does not easily flex. The thickness of the grip is perfect, does not take too much space in your pocket neither are they too thin to wear off easily.
Shortcomings
Not all but some pliers have a bit of a gap near the pivot which creates a gap in the cutter and makes it harder to cut wires.
The spring isn’t very durable. It doesn’t function properly after a month or two and can’t fully open the pliers and at times it fully gives up.
4. IRWIN VISE-GRIP MIG Welding Pliers
It has a unique nose which helps to remove spatter easily from the MIG nozzle. The cuttings edges are hardened which makes the cutter last longer and durable than usual.
The price is very much reasonable.
Features and Benefits
It can be used as a hammer for the maintenance of light welding gun. Loaded with spring to make it easy to use for welders. There is dipped grips for increased comfort.
You can even get a good grip while wearing your welding gloves. It has extra jaws for removing the wire, MIG nozzle, MIG gun tip and anything that fits the diameter.
The tip grippers are shallow which helps to get a grip of the tip even more easily.
Shortcomings
At times the cutters are a bit defected and have a nick which makes it difficult to cut wires unless the wire is placed at the dead center.
The rubber grip of the handle falls off after a while.
5. ALLY Tools Professional MIG Welding Pliers
Has a very firm Non-Slip grip handle. It is also Nickel-Iron plated and has a very reasonable price.
Features and Benefits
It is about 8 inches in length. Can be used for cutting wires, removing and installing nozzles, removing and installing MIG gun tip, hammering and cleaning spatter.
The body is made of high carbon steel. It does not fall prey to rust due to electroplating with Nickel-Iron. It is a Multi-Purpose plier, can be used for Welding, Electrical and Mechanical purposes.
The alignment of the cutter is very good.
Shortcomings
The quality of the cutter is not good enough to cut wires easily. You will have to rotate your wrists around to cut the wire.
The grips on the handle are made out of plastic and it is difficult to get a proper hold while wearing gloves.
Frequently Asked Question
Q. Can I use MIG Welding Pliers for electrical works?
Ans: Yes, you can but it will be wise to ensure a proper insulation which in this case is the rubber or plastic grip.
Q. Can I use it hold a hot sheet of metal?
Ans: Yes, you can.
Conclusion
MIG welding pliers are a part and parcel of MIG welding. You will have to clear the spatters in the MIG nozzle during welding and you might need to take off the tip at some moments too. To do these you will feel a dire need for MIG welding pliers. Besides, it is also needed to trim the wire during welding too and it can be done using MIG welding pliers.