Review/ introduction to: Snap-On 10" non conductive composite Lineman's pliers

[six-point socket]

Hi,

WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING

My statement is NOT TRUE the jaw is NOT NON CONDUCTIVE...

WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING

so here's another small review of a tool from my stable, Snap-On's C59AHLP non-conductive Lineman's pliers, 10".

Let me start by saying this is a very special tool that caught my interest because it combined the strength and cutting abilities of standard steel pliers with the non conductivity otherwise only found in plastic pliers. So this is not your common insulating pliers, but entirely non-conductive pliers made from Snap-On's so called "composite material".

[attachimg=1]

The first thing you probably notice is that these pliers are pretty large, feature a wide head and large cutting area. Which is pretty awesome when working with large diameter cables, especially those for outdoor use, with their thick rubber sheathing and/or large diameter solid wire cables. Additionally the front portion of the jaws are checkered in a very coarse manner to provide a very strong grip. Please not that the jaws will not close completely, this is not a fault but by design. In the rear you'll find another checkered area either for cable pulling or crushing.

What I like best about these pliers is their 2-position grip. It allows the user to either use them commonly or at an additional length far behind the head at the widest point of the handle - this is great when pulling something that requires a lot of force.

Most certainly this tool is not for everyone, but if you need to work on live wires/cables or machines and parts thereof where electric current might be or is present, especially if we're talking 230V and up, the non-conductiv composite Lineman's pliers are well worth the investment.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[semenza]

So it is not just the handle covering that is non-conductive but the entire plier?  [cool]

Seth

 

[six-point socket]

Exactly

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[six-point socket]

WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING

My above statement is NOT TRUE the jaw is NOT NON CONDUCTIVE...

WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING

Well, it's official Seth, I owe you a big one... Thank you for probably saving my life!

When you asked and I replied, I thought it would additionally be nice to back my words with some pictures, so I took my multimeter, set it to continuity testing and attached the clips to the jaw... big surprise, they are not non conductive.

Well, I'm pissed - I attached the description from Snap-On's website that I never doubted, I used these pliers already on live wires....

It clearly states: "feature all composite jaw and handle"
https://store.snapon.com/Product-De...9-s-Non-Conductive-Composite-10--P640844.aspx

[attachimg=1]

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[ewils91]

I see where it says non conductive needlenose pliers have composite jaws.

 

[Birdhunter]

I looked at the Snap-on website and searched on non-conductive pliers. There is a needle nose plier that looks to be both totally composite and fits the wording of the linesman pliers. The picture of the linesman plier shows a metal working end and insulated handles. I am guessing Snap-on has a problem on their website.

As an engineer, I could understand a linesman plier with all composite parts except for the jaws and the cutter elements. Logic says those have to be metal tough enough to handle heavy gauge wire. Tough metals are usually conductive.