TL;DR
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A Family Handyman report describes four common tools that may include extra functions: pliers with wire cutters, wire strippers that shorten machine screws, can openers with bottle openers, and nail clippers with files. The features are not present on every model, so users should check the tool’s design and instructions before relying on them.
Family Handyman has highlighted four tools that can have useful secondary functions built into their familiar designs: pliers, wire strippers, manual can openers and nail clippers. The report says these features can help with small jobs, but availability and design vary by model, so the extra function should not be assumed.
Some pliers have cutting edges near the hinge, behind the gripping jaws, for trimming soft wire. The report cautions that not every pair includes cutters. It also distinguishes cutting from stripping: wire strippers remove insulation while leaving the wire itself intact, a different task from trimming wire.
Some wire strippers include threaded holes near the handles for shortening machine screws. A screw is placed in the hole that matches its size, then the handles are squeezed. The report says this can be useful when hardware or an electrical fixture needs a shorter screw; the feature should be used only when the tool is designed for it and the screw fits the marked size.
On some manual can openers, a notch or hook serves as a bottle opener. Certain models also use a magnet to lift a cut can lid, reducing the need to handle its sharp edge. Many nail clippers have a small fold-out file for smoothing nail edges after trimming; some also include a pointed implement for cleaning beneath nails. Placement and features differ across products.
Small Features, Fewer Tool Changes
Recognizing built-in functions may save time on modest household tasks by letting someone use a tool already at hand rather than search for a separate implement. That convenience depends on the specific tool: a pair of pliers without cutters cannot substitute for wire cutters, and a can opener without a bottle-opening feature will not perform that task.
The distinctions matter for safe and effective use. Cutting a wire is not the same as removing its insulation, and the report’s screw-shortening example applies to wire strippers with purpose-made threaded holes. Checking the tool’s markings and instructions helps prevent damage to the tool or workpiece and reduces the risk of using an unsuitable feature.
multi-function pliers with wire cutters
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Where the Extra Functions Appear
The report is a consumer-oriented list, not a notice that manufacturers have introduced a new tool standard or a newly released product. It draws on examples from product information by Channellock, Klein Tools, Milwaukee Tool, OXO and Zwilling, while describing features that may appear on other tools as well.
The examples cover different settings: wire work and hardware installation, opening cans and bottles, and basic nail care. The shared point is that secondary functions can be easy to overlook because they sit beside a tool’s main working parts or fold out from its body. The source does not claim that most models include every feature listed.
Model Differences Shape Use
The source does not provide a survey of how common these features are across the market or how many owners use them. It also does not establish that every product in a category includes the described function. The details depend on each tool’s design, and the report gives no universal compatibility guidance for screw sizes or wire types.
No specific safety testing, performance comparison or new product announcement is described. Readers should consult the manufacturer’s instructions for their particular tool, especially before using a cutting feature or trimming hardware. The report’s general tips do not replace appropriate tools for a job that requires precision or specialized equipment.
Check the Tool Before Use
For readers, the immediate next step is to inspect the tool they already own: look for cutter edges near plier hinges, marked screw-sizing holes on wire strippers, a bottle-opening notch on a manual can opener, or a fold-out file on nail clippers. Confirm the feature in the product instructions before using it, since similar-looking tools may have different capabilities.
The report does not identify a scheduled follow-up or broader industry action. Any further information about an individual tool’s functions would come from its manufacturer’s product specifications and guidance.
Key Questions
Do all pliers have built-in wire cutters?
No. The report says some pliers have cutters near the hinge, but the feature is not found on every pair. Check the tool before using it to trim wire.
How do wire strippers shorten machine screws?
Some models have threaded holes near the handles. The screw is placed in the correctly sized hole and the handles are squeezed. Use this only if the tool is designed for that function and the size is appropriate.
Can a manual can opener open bottles?
Some can openers include a bottle-opening notch or hook, but others do not. The feature’s location and shape depend on the model.
What is the extra metal piece on a nail clipper for?
It may be a fold-out nail file for smoothing rough edges. Some designs also include a pointed implement, but features and placement vary.
Source: rss
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