TL;DR
Get cleaning gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A Family Handyman report points out secondary features found on some common household tools: pliers may cut wire, wire strippers may shorten machine screws, can openers may open bottles, and nail clippers may include a file. The features are not universal, so users should check their specific tool before relying on it.
Family Handyman has highlighted four secondary functions built into some common household tools: pliers that cut wire, wire strippers that shorten machine screws, manual can openers that open bottles, and nail clippers with folding files. The features vary by model, but recognizing them can help people use tools they already own instead of searching for a separate item.
Some pliers have a cutting edge near the hinge, behind the gripping jaws, for trimming soft wire. The report says not all pliers include this feature. Some models may also have wire-stripping sections, which remove insulation while leaving the wire itself intact; those are different functions and users should identify the intended part before cutting.
Some wire strippers include threaded holes near the handles. A machine screw can be placed in a hole of the matching size and cut shorter by squeezing the handles. Family Handyman says this can help with fixtures and other hardware that needs a shorter screw. The tool must have the screw-cutting feature, and the screw needs to fit the correctly sized opening.
On some manual can openers, a notch or hook serves as a bottle opener, positioned on the handle or near the cutting mechanism. Other can openers have a magnet to lift a cut lid, reducing the need to touch its sharp edge. Many nail clippers also have a small file that folds out from under the lever or sits along the body; some have a pointed tip for cleaning beneath nails. These designs are not consistent across products.
Small Features, Fewer Tool Searches
Knowing about these features can save time during small household repairs and routine tasks, particularly when a separate cutter, file or bottle opener is not nearby. It can also help people make better use of equipment already in a toolbox or drawer rather than buying another tool for a one-off job.
The practical limit is that an apparent extra feature is useful only when the specific model is designed for that task. Checking the tool’s shape and instructions matters: a gripping jaw is not a wire cutter, and not every wire stripper can shorten screws. Using the intended feature can reduce awkward improvisation, but the report does not claim these functions replace dedicated tools in every situation.
multi-function pliers with wire cutting
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Four Tools, Several Designs
The report frames these features as model-dependent additions, rather than standard functions on every product in a category. Its cited examples include product references from Channellock and Klein Tools for pliers and wire strippers, along with examples from OXO and Zwilling for a can opener and nail clippers. The cited products illustrate the kinds of features discussed; they do not establish that every tool from those brands, or every similar tool, has them.
The basic distinction is between a tool’s main job and a secondary feature incorporated into its design. Pliers primarily grip, wire strippers remove insulation, can openers cut lids, and nail clippers trim nails. In some versions, a small cutter, screw-cutting opening, bottle-opening notch or file adds another use without changing the tool’s primary purpose.
“Features vary by model.”
— Family Handyman
wire stripper with screw shortening feature
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Which Models Include Each Feature
The report does not establish how common each feature is across products or provide a complete list of compatible models. Whether a particular tool has an extra function depends on its design, and details such as the position or shape of the feature can differ. The source also does not provide testing results, safety guidance for every use, or evidence that an auxiliary feature performs as well as a dedicated tool.
Readers should check the markings, instructions or manufacturer’s product information for the item they own. The source specifically distinguishes wire cutting from insulation stripping and notes that only some wire strippers have screw-cutting holes. It does not specify which screw materials or wire types are suitable for every model.
manual can opener with bottle opener
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Check Before Putting It to Work
No follow-up announcement or product update is described in the supplied material. For readers, the next step is practical: inspect the specific tool and consult its manufacturer’s instructions before using an unfamiliar feature. A feature should be used only for the task it was designed to perform, with appropriate care around cutting edges and sharp can lids.
For any work involving electrical wiring, a built-in cutter does not make a tool suitable for live circuits. Power should be shut off and verified before electrical work, and users should follow relevant safety requirements or consult a licensed professional when the job calls for it. The report’s examples explain extra tool functions; they do not provide a substitute for task-specific safety instructions.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Key Questions
Do all pliers have wire cutters?
No. Some pliers have cutting edges near the hinge, but Family Handyman says the feature is not present on every pair. Check the tool’s design and instructions before using it to cut wire.
How do wire strippers shorten machine screws?
Some models have threaded holes near the handles. The screw is placed in a correctly sized hole and shortened by squeezing the handles. Not all wire strippers include this feature.
Can a manual can opener also open bottles?
Some can openers have a bottle-opening notch or hook on the handle or near the cutting mechanism. The feature depends on the model.
What extra features may nail clippers have?
Many nail clippers include a small metal file for smoothing nail edges. Some designs also have a pointed tip, but placement and features vary.
How can I tell whether my tool has one of these functions?
Inspect the tool for the described feature and consult its manufacturer’s instructions or product information. Do not assume a tool can perform a secondary task just because a similar model can.
Source: rss
Halloween Picks
halloween
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
