TL;DR
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A Family Handyman report describes secondary features found on some common household tools: pliers can include wire cutters, wire strippers can shorten machine screws, manual can openers may include bottle openers, and nail clippers often have files. These features vary by model, so users should check their tools before relying on them.
Family Handyman has highlighted four secondary functions that may be built into familiar household tools, including wire cutters on some pliers and a file on many nail clippers. The report says these extras can save a search for a separate tool, but their availability and design vary by model.
Some pliers have cutting edges near the hinge, behind the gripping jaws. Those edges can trim soft wire, according to the report. The feature is not present on every pair, and users should distinguish wire cutters from wire strippers: cutters trim wire, while strippers remove insulation without cutting through the conductor.
Some wire strippers include threaded holes near the handles for shortening machine screws. A screw is placed in the appropriately sized hole, then the handles are squeezed to cut it. The report says this can help when fitting electrical fixtures or other hardware that needs shorter screws. Users should confirm their model has the feature and use the correct hole size.
Some manual can openers also work as bottle openers, with a notch or hook built into the handle or metal assembly. Other designs have a magnet that can lift a cut can lid, reducing the need to touch its sharp edge. Many nail clippers, meanwhile, have a small fold-out or body-mounted file for smoothing nail edges; some also include a pointed tip for cleaning beneath nails.
Useful Extras Already in the Toolbox
The report’s practical point is that a tool already at hand may cover a small, routine task without requiring another item. A built-in wire cutter can handle soft wire, a screw-cutting wire stripper can adjust certain machine screws, and a nail-clipper file can smooth a rough edge after trimming. These functions may save time during minor repairs or everyday grooming.
Knowing about the extras can also reduce unnecessary handling of sharp materials. The can-opener magnet described in the report, for example, can lift a cut lid without direct contact. That does not remove the hazard: users still need to handle sharp lids carefully and follow the tool’s intended use.
multi-function pliers with wire cutter
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Features Depend on the Model
The report is a practical roundup, not a claim that every tool in a category has the same capabilities. It cites product information from Channellock, Klein Tools, Milwaukee Tool, OXO and Zwilling as sources for examples. Its central qualification is that built-in features differ among models, and some may be easy to miss because they sit near a hinge, beneath a lever or along a handle.
In particular, wire tools can serve different purposes that should not be confused. A cutter is meant to trim wire, while a stripper removes insulation. The screw-cutting holes described in some strippers are a separate feature. Checking the tool’s markings or instructions can help identify what it is designed to do before use.
wire stripper with screw shortening feature
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Which Tools Have Each Feature
The supplied report does not establish how common each feature is across all brands or models, and it does not provide a survey of tool owners. Its examples are qualified: some pliers have cutters, some wire strippers have screw-cutting holes, and can-opener designs differ. The article also gives no comparative data on how often owners use these extras.
It is also not possible from the supplied material to identify the correct procedure or capacity for every specific tool. Users should check manufacturer instructions and tool markings, especially before cutting wire or screws. A feature’s presence does not mean it is suitable for every material or task.
manual can opener with bottle opener
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Check the Tool Before Use
No further product announcement or follow-up is included in the source material. For readers, the immediate next step is to inspect the tools they own: look near plier hinges for cutting edges, check wire strippers for labeled threaded holes, examine a can opener for a bottle-opening notch or lid magnet, and look for a fold-out file on nail clippers.
Before using any extra feature, confirm the tool is designed for the job and follow its instructions. If a tool lacks the feature, is damaged, or does not clearly indicate its intended use, use the proper separate tool instead.
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Key Questions
Do all pliers have built-in wire cutters?
No. The report says some pliers have cutting edges near the hinge, but the feature is not universal. Check the specific tool before using it to trim wire.
How do wire strippers cut machine screws?
Some models have threaded holes near the handles. The screw is placed in the correctly sized hole and the handles are squeezed. Check the tool’s markings and instructions first.
Can a manual can opener open bottles?
Some can openers have a bottle-opening notch or hook, while others do not. Designs vary, so inspect the opener rather than assuming it has this function.
What extra features can nail clippers have?
Many nail clippers include a small file for smoothing nail edges. Some designs also have a pointed tip, but placement and features differ by model.
Source: rss
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