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A Family Handyman report describes four everyday tools that may have secondary 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 universal, so users should check their tool’s design and use it only for tasks it is made to handle.
Family Handyman has highlighted four tools that may have a second function built into their familiar design: pliers, wire strippers, manual can openers and nail clippers. The report describes features that could save a trip to the toolbox, while stressing that not every model includes them.
Some pliers include cutting edges near the hinge, behind the gripping jaws. Those cutters can trim soft wire, according to the report. Pliers vary, however, and users should check for the feature rather than assume it is present. The report also distinguishes wire cutters from wire strippers: strippers remove insulation without cutting through the wire itself.
Some wire strippers have threaded holes near the handles for shortening machine screws. A screw is placed in the correctly sized hole, then the handles are squeezed to cut it. The report says this can be useful when fitting electrical fixtures or other hardware that requires a shorter screw. This is a specific feature of some models, not a capability shared by all wire strippers.
Some manual can openers include a bottle opener, often shaped as a small notch or hook in the metal. Other designs have a magnet intended to lift a cut can lid, helping the user avoid handling its sharp edge. Many nail clippers also include a fold-out metal file for smoothing nails after trimming; some have a pointed tip for cleaning beneath nails. Placement and design vary across products.
Built-In Features Can Save a Tool Search
The practical value is modest but immediate: an extra function can mean one fewer tool to find for a small job. A wire cutter on pliers may handle a simple soft-wire trim, while a screw-cutting hole on a compatible stripper may help with hardware fitting. A can opener’s bottle opener and a clipper’s file can likewise provide a handy secondary use.
The report is a reminder to inspect tools already in a drawer or toolbox before buying or fetching another item. That convenience has limits: the feature must be present and suitable for the task. Using an unintended edge or opening can damage the tool or the material, and electrical work requires appropriate precautions and tools.
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Four Tools, Model by Model
The report frames these functions as easily overlooked details rather than new product announcements. Its examples span home repair and personal care, with designs that can differ even among tools serving the same basic purpose. The supplied source lists product references from Channellock, Klein Tools, Milwaukee Tool, OXO and Zwilling, but does not provide a publication date or claim that every cited product has every feature described.
Its central qualification is that features vary by model. The relevant signs may be a cutting edge near plier jaws, threaded holes in a wire stripper, a hook or notch on a can opener, or a metal strip that folds out from a nail clipper. Checking the tool itself or its manufacturer’s instructions is more reliable than assuming from its category.
“Features vary by model.”
— Family Handyman report
Which Models Have These Extras
The source does not establish how common these features are across products or identify every compatible model. It also does not give a survey of how often owners use them. The headline’s suggestion that most people never use these functions is not supported by usage data in the supplied material; the report instead describes them as easy to overlook.
Details such as the safe wire types or sizes, screw dimensions, and exact operating instructions depend on the tool. The report provides examples but does not offer model-by-model specifications. Users should check product markings and manufacturer guidance before relying on a secondary feature.
Check the Tool Before Using It
No broader product change or follow-up announcement is described in the source. For readers, the next step is straightforward: inspect the tool’s design and consult its instructions to confirm whether it has the feature and how it should be used. Do not force a task with a tool that lacks the proper attachment or capacity.
For electrical work, a built-in cutter or screw-shortening hole does not replace safe work practices or appropriate expertise. Follow product instructions, use suitable protective equipment, and have a licensed professional handle work beyond your competence or local requirements.
Key Questions
Do all pliers have wire cutters?
No. The report says some pliers have cutters near the hinge. Check the specific tool before using it, and use the cutters only for material they are designed to handle.
How can wire strippers shorten a screw?
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 instructions and sizing before attempting it.
Can a manual can opener also open bottles?
Some can openers include a bottle-opening notch or hook, but the design is not universal. Look over the opener or consult its product information.
Where is the file on a nail clipper?
On many models, a small metal file folds out from beneath the lever or sits along the clipper’s body. Some designs also include a pointed tip, but placement varies.
Source: rss
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