How to choose the right seaming pliers?

5th March 2020

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	How to choose the right seaming pliers?
			Shop for Seaming Pliers
			Straight seaming pliers
			Advantages Straight seaming pliers can be used to pre-bend sheet metal before taking it up on to the roof. A straight blade is recommended for accurate bending of larger sheets of lead.

			Disadvantages Straight seaming pliers are tiring to use for extended periods as the wrist has to be turned at a greater angle to achieve the leverage needed to bend and fold the metal.

			Bent seaming pliers
			Advantages Bent seaming pliers give greater leverage than straight pliers. The bigger the angle of the blade, the greater the bend or fold that can be achieved. The easy-to-manoeuvre offset design of bent seaming pliers is ideal for overhead applications. The bent handles mean that the hand of the user is aligned with the arm, rather than at an angle, so muscle fatigue from exerting pressure on the pliers is reduced.

			Disadvantages Straight seaming pliers are easier to use on the ground for pre-bending metal before taking it onto a roof.

			Jaw width of seaming pliers
			Wider jaws on seaming pliers minimise possible buckling and bowing of the metal. Wider jaws also mean that fewer grasping and bending movements are required to bend or straighten the metal. Wider jaws are more suitable for use with larger sheets of metal.

			Jaw depth or capacity of seaming pliers
			Jaw depth or insertion depth is also known as the capacity, which describes the maximum length of a piece of sheet metal that seaming pliers can grip and bend in one movement. Seaming pliers that have a deeper jaw depth will allow the user to reach further onto a piece of sheet metal to bend and form the seam or edge.



			Piccolo or mini seaming pliers
			Advantages Piccolo bent seaming pliers can be used for accurate seaming work.

			Disadvantages Piccolo seaming pliers are too small for general seaming use.

			Corner seaming pliers
			Advantages Corner seaming pliers are designed for folding the corners of sheet metal or for working in the corner of a piece of sheet metal where their slightly rounded jaws will fit more easily.

			Disadvantages Corner seaming pliers are a specialised tool for one specific application and are not suitable for other work, so you would need a second pair of seaming pliers for general use.