I recently ordered these Facom FA-506 slip-joint pliers. While I have plenty of Irwin Vise Grip and Grip-On locking pliers, these Facom ones look quite a bit different. I had not seen this design before, and figured it was worth checking out.
These 10″ pliers have a maximum capacity of 100 mm, or four inches, which is only possible with their unique slip-joint mechanism.
Advertisement
It took me a few minutes to figure out how the slip joint mechanism works, and while not quite effortless, adjustment is relatively easy to do. Basically, what you do is open the handle, grab the lower jaw, push down, and then slide it to the desired placement setting.
My only quality complaint about these pliers is how the jaws are a little misaligned. Other than that, they work well, and I really like how the hinged jaw pad can pivot out of the way to provide easier access to the curved inner jaws.
As for the design, more than once I accidentally touched the handle-mounted jaw width adjustment wheel while the handles were spread open. A little fine tuning reset the jaw width back to where I wanted it, and it seems this is something I will get used to with time.
Unlocking and locking the pliers is far easier and more comfortable than I anticipated. In fact, they rival even Grip-On pliers in regard to ease of use and user comfort, which is not something I say lightly. They are also almost as quick to disengage as Irwin’s newest Fast Release Vise Grip locking pliers.
You can use these pliers one-handed, but it is not very comfortable to do so. The handles are more comfortably disengaged if you use your free hand to pull back on the lower handle via a thumb-sized groove on the inside.
These pliers are a little pricey at close to $30, but coupon codes and discounts help with that.
Advertisement
I purchased these pliers to familiarize myself with their exotic design, but they are thus far proving to be quite practical.
Buy Now(via Zoro Tools)
Update (6/6/2014): It appears Zoro has either sold out or isn’t selling these anymore, as the product page seems to be missing.
Facom FA-506 locking pliers (and possibly all 500-series pliers) are made in France.
The pliers discussed in this review were purchased from Zoro Tools.
Daniel Gronert
The Facom slip joint pliers look awesome and look like they would do an incredible job in my line of work. I sure would like to own a pair. What coupon codes and discounts were you referring to? I’m an avid fan of Facom tools, I own a lot of S&K products.
Stuart
Over at Zoro Tools there are always random coupons or discounts. For my order, I used a $40 off $150 coupon. The week before, I placed an order with a $15 off $75 code. You can find these codes on their Facebook page, via their email newsletters, or on enthusiast forums such as Garage Journal.
George Scarlett
These pliers are what the Stewmac “JAWS” are based on, the difference being, you can probably pick up a pair of these, on ebay for around $50.00, (#506 ONLY), throw in a chunk of brass, (4 1/2″ x 3/8″ x 3/4″), mill out an elongated hole, drill 2 holes, pick up a chunk of Delrin, black is nice, (2 3/4″ x 1 1/4″ square), search Aliexpress for the necessary Brass Fret-Pressing Cauls, with Holder, and with a little ‘finagling’, you could end up with the same “JAWS”, (without the Waverly/Stewmac Sticker, of course), for around “$70.00”, as opposed to Stew’s $328.00 with only 5 pressing inserts. This would give you only one Neck Caul, but over the many years I’ve owned mine, I never found any use for the other 2 they offer!! Gb bg
fred
Nice find!
I’ve used Vise Grips and more recently Grip-On pliers. I’m also a fan of the Bessey Supergrip clamps like their SG2-MGR (which may no longer be available) – but also use this one:
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2081173/30659/Bessey-Supergrip-Pliers-Model-SG-4WP.aspx
Yadda
The moveable “geared” jaw reminds me of my favorite tool the Plierench.
walt g
If zoro gives the 40% off on black friday I’ll grab one of these
Humberto
Can you do a video review of these so we can see them in action?
KenZ
I second that request!
Stan
I would third that request as well, if only to see if these are similar to product I used once but wasn’t really thrilled with.
I figured these were made elsewhere, but France is much better than the alternative.
George Scarlett
If you’re still there after 4 years, check out the Stewmac Video on these. Gb bg
Robert Rada
Huge fan of their T5 pliers up in this here cubicle.
Everything the original vice grips should have been in the first place.
To answer Stan’s half-question (well, he said, figured..it’s an invite of knowledge, of sorts); most of Facom’s pliers are still made in France. I’m under the impression that Bost, a company/manufacturer that Facom owns (and now Stanley) makes the combination pliers, needle nose and the rest of the similar fair (they certainly do make the screwdrivers). Not sure where the locking-grip style pliers are made, aside from France. However, they are unique to Facom, whereas most European tool companies all buy their locking-grip style from the same German manufacturer (of course, Facom buys those too and adds them to the mix!).
Robert Rada
Oh, word of warning!
Some of the locking-grip pliers of Facom are now made afar to the east.
They are total garbage compared to their like model number french counterparts. Beware.
Daniel Gronert
I ordered the Facom slip joint pliers from Zoro tools and I can honestly say that they must have a poorly supervised or poorly kept shipping department or someone can’t read English in the inventory department. I received the package from Zoro tools today. The packing list states “Slip Joint Pliers”, instead I received a half inch socket extension. Seems to me that there quite a bit of difference between a half inch socket extension and the slip joint pliers. Now I have to go through all the garbage of getting an RMA number from Zoro tools and spend more money to sent the wrong part back and then wait a few more weeks longer for the part I was looking forward to getting. I’m not impressed with Zoro Tools. Buyer beware!!
Stuart
Ouch, that would frustrate me as well. Send them an email and they’ll look into it pretty quickly. One of my recent orders had a small problem (4 parts shipped without fasteners), and they made things right lickity split. Turns out that they still had older inventory that were packaged without fasteners.
Daniel Gronert
Stuart, thanks for your immediate response. It’s good to know that someone out there is feeling my frustrations. I was sooo looking forward to trying that tool out!
Stuart
You’re quite welcome. No dealer or distributor is immune from making mistakes.
For one of my last orders, my order was cancelled without explanation. I had them on the phone within 90 seconds and discovered my credit card was declined; I had entered the wrong expiration date. Another 90 seconds later and everything was fixed.
With the order where I received parts without fasteners, I sent an evening email to [email protected] and received a phone call the next morning. The next day the correct parts were on the way to me. I have not yet received a shipping label to send the incomplete ones back, and will email them later about it.
Hopefully the problem with your order will be resolved swiftly.
Daniel Gronert
I finally got my Facom slip joint pliers in from Zoro. While I would never purchase anything from Zoro again I truly appreciate these new pliers. They are very comfortable in my hand. They have a multitude of adjustments to set on. They feel strong and very well built. You just have to have one of these tools in your hand to know what I’m talking about. Way to go Facom, another winner!
Mike B
The service at Zoro is very good from my experience
John D
Link to Zoro tools is dead.
Stuart
Thanks. Looks like the product listing was taken down. Maybe temporarily?
Shawn
Does anyone know where I can get a set of FA-506 pliers. I’ve been scouring the web for somewhere to purchase these in the $30 suggested price range but everyplace I’ve found reports the item is out of stock. I’d love to get my hands on a set of these if someone knows where I can find them.
Pete
Did you ever find any of the old model FA 506 pliers? I am looking for 3 pair of the older version.
Dan
On ebay.co.uk there is some but for £73, which is no help to you but tells me that they are not available here because they should be in the £40 to £50 range.
Doug Durein
I have a Facom 500 lock grip pliers. Must be old, no name, no 500, just that they look like pictures of the model 500. Where does the spring that is attached to the bottom jaw attach to at the other end? It is a square end, as opposed to a hook end, which makes me think it fits over something possibly 1/4″ wide. There is no hole, no bar, nothing I can figure where it attaches.
ALI
i have same problem …did u find any solution yet??
ali
i have rondy lock-grip pliers similar to facom fa-506 i want to assemble it. i would appreciate if someone could help me to do so. thanks