Irwin has launched new Vise-Grip PowerSlot pliers, which feature a high-leverage effort-reducing design.
There are two new PowerSlot pliers – 8-inch diagonal cutting pliers (IWHT84001) and 9.5″ lineman pliers (IWHT84000).
IRWIN, a channel sponsor, provided a sampling of the new tools for us to test out.
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The curved PowerSlot provides a mechanical advantage, which reduces cutting effort.
For the lineman pliers, the PowerSlot design can provide 50% reduced cutting effort on average when cutting 12/2 non-metallic sheathed cable, compared to Irwin’s standard lineman’s pliers (2078209).
As an aside, I purchased the Irwin Vise-Grip 2078209 lineman’s pliers for testing a few years ago, and found them to be capable and an exceptionally good value.
I have medium sized hands (I wear a medium 8/9 size gloves) and had no difficulty cutting different wire sizes with the new Irwin Vise-Grip PowerSlot lineman’s pliers.
In addition to the side cutting blades, the lineman’s pliers have broad gripping jaws, and also a tape pulling zone to the left of the PowerSlot.
The diagonal cutters provide a 30% reduction in cutting force when cutting 12/2 non-metallic sheathed cable, compared to Irwin’s standard Vise-Grip diagonal cutting pliers, model 2078308.
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Both pliers feature 60CrV steel construction for high strength, laser-hardened cutting edges, and an electrophoretic deposition coating for high corrosion resistance.
They also feature 3-shot bi-material handle grips for user comfort.
I have been testing both pliers, and they do indeed cut through 12/2 NM cables with less effort than all of the traditional pliers and cutters I own.
Irwin provided lengths of 12/2 and 10/2 cables for me to cut through. The Lineman’s pliers handled both with relative ease. I was able to cut through the 10/2 with the diagonal cutters, which is something I typically wouldn’t try at all with an 8″ tool.
For the diagonal cutter, the PowerSlot feature reduces the effort enough where I was able to make the cut instead of having to retrieve a different tool.
There is a tradeoff, in how the mechanical leverage requires greater handle spread for the same jaw opening width compared to traditional pliers of similar lengths. The same is true for all of the other compound-action pliers I have ever used.
However, the pliers seem well-matched for the sizes of wires and cables one can expect to cut with tools of such lengths.
The Irwin Vise-Grip PowerSlot diagonal cutting pliers increases the range of wire and cable sizes I can cut without difficulty, due to the reduction in effort. The Lineman’s pliers extends the range further, and I also like the idea of the tape pulling slot. I believe this is the first time I have seen such a feature incorporated into compound action pliers.
Both tools are available now.
Price: $25 for the diagonal pliers, $30 for the Lineman’s pliers
Jared
You’ve been killing it lately with tons of new tool announcements, deal posts and reviews!
The grip pattern reminds me of the Irwin/NWS collaboration pliers. They had a powerslot/max leverage version too, so maybe that’s not accidental. Those were awesome, but probably a bit pricey to sell well in Irwin branding.
I hope these new versions can bring similar performance benefits at the much lower price point these sell for.
Ken
I have the Irwin-branded version with the powerslot feature made by NWS in Germany. Great pliers! The German-made models (8″ and 9.5″) are still available from 3rd party sellers on Amazon and eBay.
I’m guessing these new ones are made in Taiwan or China?
JR Ramos
The mystery “60CRV” steel says China…at least for the core component. I can’t figure out what that is exactly except probably some type of impact resistant mold/tool steel which is likely decent. Online suppliers who actually list some flavor of that designation suggest there is no vanadium in it, more of a cr-mo alloy, which if true is somewhat confusing with the V in the name.
Jeremiah McKenna
As a former lineman as well as low voltage/alarm/home automation/cable/satellite installer, I don’t understand how the fish tape notch works, nor why you would need one, when you can simply bite the tape with the plier jaws and pull.
Danny Beard jr
Doing it with the teeth scars up the tape. If you push it in a conduit that already has wires it can cut insulation on the other wires.
Stuart
As I understand it, the fish tape puller clamps the tape without marring it.
With pliers jaws, you can mar the tape, especially if it slips.
I see it as a “there if you need it, ignore it if you don’t” kind of feature.
BigTimeTommy
Always liked Irwin tools, decent tools a good price, but not into these. Also “I was able to cut through the 10/2 with the diagonal cutters, which is something I typically wouldn’t try at all with an 8″ tool” comes off as extremely corny advertising wank. No one is struggling to cut 10/2 NM with 8″ cutters 🤷♂️
Stuart
I avoid cutting 10/2 NM w/ most 8″ diagonal cutters. Maybe I should invest in some grip trainers, but it’s easier for me to use 9″ lineman’s cutters or similar, or high leverage cutters.
Can I cut 10/2 with shorter pliers? Yes. Do I enjoy it? No.
Jerry
I have a pair of the older NWS ones and they definitely provide greater leverage than standard side cutters. I noticed these new ones have a curved slot which appears to me to allow the jaws to open faster as the handles are opened wide while still having the same leverage as the jaws close. In theory at least it should give the same cutting or gripping power while still allowing for a decent jaw opening without having the handles so far apart as to be impossible to grip.