A tip by Robert on Facebook (thank you!) sent me on a journey around the web, whereupon I learned that Milwaukee Tool has come out with new VDE insulated pliers.
Now, before you get too excited, you should know – these were introduced by Milwaukee Tool in Europe.
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With that in mind, it’s okay to get a little excited if you have a good source for European hand tools. With high certainty, based on the appearance of the new Milwaukee VDE pliers, and that some of them have made in Germany markings, it looks like the new pliers are made by NWS.
As long-time readers might know, I am quite fond of NWS pliers and cutters. All of the NWS pliers I’ve bought have been well-made and comfortable to use.
Shown here is the 3-tool set, featuring diagonal cutters, long nose pliers, and combination pliers.
The pliers have VDE (DIN EN/IEC 60900) certification, with the tools tested to 10,000 volts and guaranteed to 1,000 volts. They’re also tested against cold temperatures, to -40°. (As an aside, did you know that -40°F and -40°C are the same?)
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All of the tools feature a grey titanium surface feature that is non-reflective and corrosion resistant. Cutting surfaces are induction-hardened to cut even the hardest of materials.
Following are all the different VDE pliers and cutters that Milwaukee Tool has added to their European website:
- Long nose pliers: 8″/205mm (4932464564)
- 45° angled long nose pliers: 8″/205mm (4932464565)
- Diagonal cutters: 145mm, 160mm, 180mm (4932464566, 4932464567, 4932464568)
- Heavy duty diagonal cutters: 7″/180mm, and 8″ 200mm (4932464569, 4932464570)
- Combination pliers: 6.5″/165mm and 7″/180mm (4932464571, 4932464572)
- Wire stripping pliers (4932464573)
- Water pump pliers: 9.5″/240mm (4932464574)
- Cable cutters: 160mm, 210mm (4932464562, 4932464563)
- 3pc set (4932464575)
Pricing varies, starting at about £27 excluding VAT, about $35 USD. (That’s around the same price as NWS-branded VDE pliers from USA suppliers.)
Frankly, I cannot find any details about when these new pliers were launched, nor can I find any posts or discussions about them online, other than an ebay tool store’s Facebook post that kicked off my search for more details. I don’t think they could have been on the market for very long, partially because they’re not in Milwaukee Europe’s 2017-2018 electrician tool flyer, and because I’m sure other ToolGuyd readers would have noticed if they were released much earlier.
First Thoughts
These look to be NWS-made Milwaukee VDE insulated pliers at competitive prices. What’s not to like, aside from the fact that they’re not [yet?] available here? Unless for some reason they’re not made by NWS, they’re almost guaranteed to be good.
Would you love to see these come to USA stores?
JoeCool
Finally, UK tool news!
I have a CK set of these and the market is pretty saturated for these I would say, especially with NWS selling pliers here as well.
Welcome addition though, competition is healthy.
Hilton
I wonder how these will compete with the NWS made Irwins?
Cr8on
Well there are a lot more SKU’s but aside from that, assuming they are indeed NWS then they essentially the same.
Mike (the other one)
I think the NWS Irwins are going to be discontinued not that Irwin is owned by SBD.
Stuart
They’re still available online at Amazon, but Lowes cleared them out a while ago.
Here are some relevant posts for anyone who needs some background info:
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/irwin-nws-pliers/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/irwin-linemans-pliers-nws-exclusive/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Back in 2016, Lowes replaced the made-in-Germany pliers with similarly styled pliers made in Taiwan.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/irwin-vise-grip-pliers-nws-style-made-in-taiwan/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Rob
I sure hope they come to the USA, I need a set of VDE pliers and these look awesome!
Stuart
Although not exactly the same, NWS insulated pliers are available from KC Tool, if you have immediate needs.
Corey
This is odd for me lol I generally dislike all the Milwaukee hand tools I’ve ever bought, but NWS’ Fantastico I on my short list should my Klein’s or bluepoints ever break. Or be gifted to an apprentice (I’m generous like that when I really want an alternative to what I currently own haha). If these could be sourced in conus for cheaper than NWS, Milwaukee may have some of my business again. Very interesting.
aerodawg
sure look like my NWS. Be nice to have some off the shelf options for those
Joe framer
Why would you buy milwaukee / nws made ( maybe) tools instead of genuine NWS tools? They are available …. unless your a milwaukee fan that bad..
…. certainly NWS would not make a tool Better then there own …so these would not be as good as NWS…just to save a couple dollars? Doesn’take sense..
…also I don’t know but is milwaukee big in Europe?
NewtonsApple
Because it is very possible the Milwaukee sell at a lower price point than the NWS ones. Not always true, but often the case. You could get Craftsman branded Knipex Cobra’s for a significant discount from originally labeled ones.
Stuart
That’s certainly possible. I remember buying a pair of Knipex-made Craftsman Pro adjustable pliers for less than one Knipex Cobra pliers in either size.
Chris
I hope to see these stateside…having said that, I hope they aren’t marked up like the IRWIN tool that were rebranded NWS. Every Lowes that had them in stock cost ~$10 more just to get a blue tool with IRWINs name on it.
I’ll rep NWS any day before I pay more for IRWIN (same goes for Milwaukee, and I actually like milwaukee).
David burke
Anyone else try to click the links on a cell phone…?
Stuart
Which links?
David burke
All the product codes are recognized as phone numbers by my phone so it’s trying to call the product #
Stuart
Ah. Sorry, that was how Milwaukee EU formatted them. Those aren’t links, or at least there aren’t supposed to be links; I included the model numbers for reference purposes, and to facilitate searching for anyone looking to buy any of the products from an EU supplier. My device doesn’t mark them up as links, and unfortunately I’m not sure if I can do anything format-wise to dissuade other mobile devices or browsers from doing that.
The What?
If I felt the need to own insulated electrical pliers I’d rather have a set that’s ASTM certified, which is the standard for insulated electrical tools made in the USA. ASTM standards seems to have a requirement for more attention to detail in order to receive their certification stamp due to their inspecting of each individual insulated tool being made as where VDE certifies the insulation process as a whole under the assumption that all tools will be made the same. I’m not saying one is better than the other and personally don’t trust either one to save my life, but if I had to choose one I’d prefer an ASTM certified tool. However neither are certified for current protection and as you know its the current that is fatal being that it takes about a quarter of an amp to stop the human heart. So the voltage number rating certification doesn’t instill much confidence. Current is what will grab you and not let go in order to complete the circuit, not voltage. I don’t have enough experience with having to cut high or low voltage wires that are live with enough amps to kill me other than the occasional exploding arc when unknowingly doing so and I don’t make a habit of cutting wires when doing residential electrical without making sure the circuit is off before I start the work which is the best way to ensure that I don’t get zapped.
Stuart
You will find that other European brands have the same VDE and IEC certifications.
Please don’t say things like “the voltage number rating certification doesn’t instill much confidence” if you’re not experienced in the matter.
I should also mention that these tools are designed to protect against accidental contact with live conductors, and as such, they are not meant for working on energized circuits.
You’re not wrong about “current being more dangerous than voltage,” but sufficient insulation can impede electrical flow; block voltage and there’s no current flow. Years ago, as a lab TA, I was going through physics labs demos with a junior instructor that had missed that week’s meeting. While pointing to the wood-encased box that housed the voltage source for an electron beam apparatus, it arc’ed and gave me a *jump in the air* jolt. The voltage was maybe on the order of 10,000 volts, but the current was extremely low.
Let’s say you are standing in front of two garden hoses and holding up a piece of plastic film. One hose has water flow of 1 gallon per minute at low pressure. It hits the plastic film and flows downwards, keeping you dry. The other hose has water flow of 0.1 gallon per minute, but at high pressure. It punches a hole through the plastic film and gets your clothes wet.
Here’s another way to think about it. Voltage is a measure of electromotive force (EMF), or the potential difference in the absence of current. Current is the flow of electrons in a completed circuit. If a tool or other item has sufficient insulation so as to prevent a circuit (or short circuit) from being completed, there won’t be any current flow. So, for tools designed to protect against accidental contact, you want insulation to be designed, tested, and rated to withstand high voltage. If it can do that, then there’s no current flow.
Your practice of de-energizing a circuit before working on it is exactly what should be done. But, there are times when other workers might re-energize a circuit by mistake, or adjacent wires are still energized. Insulated tools provide protection against accidental contact. There are other tools, standards, PPE, and guidelines for working on energized circuits in situations or environments where it cannot be avoided.
John
Insulated tools do not have a “current rating”, and it would not make sense for them to do so. They’re rated for a certain voltage and at or below that voltage 0 current will flow, assuming the tool is maintained and used correctly. If you are working on exposed high voltage power your employer should be providing better training on the risks and how to keep yourself safe
Marton
” VDE certifies the insulation process as a whole under the assumption that all tools will be made the same”
Each and every tool with EN 60900 certificate (double triangle, 1000V) should go through a 10.000V test.
No random samples, all of them.
928'er
Just an aside, but in Deutsch, the letter “w” is pronounced like the English “v”.
So, the brand name is pronounced N Vee S
Wayne R.
The serrated edge on those cable shears is a great feature for grabbing a conductor with no wiggling. Just one cut is convincing.
Steve
Man, that looks like a sweet kit. I’d buy them as general use pliers with the added benefit of shock resistance.
Jeremy Neill
I love all the Irwin NWS pliers I purchased from Lowe’s when they were clearing them out at $10 per. I really am wexcoted to see Milwaukee also this because there is such a difference honestly in the tools made in Germany compared to China or Taiwan the second you hold them in your hand.
Kamran K. Kureshi
Nothing outstanding, I am bored… This 60 year old wants a thrillingly useful hand tool.