Plier, Slip Joint

Quick Answer: A slip joint plier is a gripping plier with a pivot pin that can slide between two holes, giving two jaw ranges from one tool. The slip joint plier holds small parts in the normal position and larger nuts, rods and tubes when the pivot is moved to the wider position.

Two Jaw Ranges From One Pivot

The pivot hole in one handle is shaped like a figure of eight. Opening the handles fully lets the pin slide from one lobe to the other, moving the jaws apart by a fixed step. In the first position the jaw tips meet and grip small parts; in the second the jaws stand further apart and close around a larger object such as a nut, a rod or a length of tube.

The jaws usually carry fine serrations at the tip and coarser, curved teeth further back for round items, and some patterns add a small cutter near the pivot. With only two positions the range is limited: for large pipes and fittings a water pump plier, with several positions, opens much wider.

In labs and maintenance kits this plier holds nuts while a bolt is turned, grips stand rods and small fittings, and loosens stiff caps and hose clips. The length of this model, and whether it has a cutter, can be confirmed with LabEquip.

Applications

• Holding nuts while bolts are tightened on stands, frames and apparatus
• Gripping rods, tube and round stock during assembly and dismantling
• Loosening stiff caps, hose clips and small fittings in labs and workshops
• General-purpose gripping in student and maintenance toolkits

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Check which pivot position is set before gripping so the jaws close properly on the work.
• Wrap chrome or soft parts in cloth; the teeth leave marks.
• Use a spanner rather than the plier on nuts that need real torque, to avoid rounding them.
• Clean grit from the pivot and teeth and oil the joint lightly.

Why Choose LabEquip

Maintenance staff, lab technicians and teachers who want one plier for many gripping jobs often choose the slip joint pattern. It is available from LabEquip’s general lab products; send toolkit quantities through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change the jaw position?

Open the handles as far as they go, slide the pivot across to the other hole and close the handles again. The jaws are now set for the other size range.

What is the difference between a slip joint plier and a combination plier?

A slip joint plier has two jaw positions for gripping different sizes. A combination plier has a fixed pivot and stronger side cutters, so it suits electrical wire work better.

How does it compare with a water pump plier?

A water pump plier has many pivot positions and angled jaws for gripping large pipes and fittings. The slip joint type has just two positions and is more compact.

Can I use it to tighten nuts?

For light holding or turning, yes. For firm tightening, a correctly sized spanner is better, since plier teeth grip only the corners and can round the nut.

Why does the pivot slip between positions while gripping?

The handles may have been opened too far, letting the pin move, or the pivot hole may be worn. Keep a firm grip and replace a plier whose pivot shifts under load.

How do I avoid scratching fittings?

Wrap the fitting in a cloth or put a piece of thin card between the jaws and the surface, and grip only as firmly as needed.

Last Updated: September 2026