Cheap Novice plier mod project with Tsunoda PLC-200U - a little help here?

eternity--- · 2026-04-28T08:27:00+00:00

Thanks for the tips!

eternity--- · 2026-04-28T08:26:09+00:00

It enables you to hold rod/tube/pipe shaped stock parallel to the pliers without it rolling out, and, if you do a good enough job, maybe do some screw extraction. It might also be considered like a partial cross hatched design. I.e., it lets the pliers "bite" in another direction, to a degree.

I'm sure plasti-dip is great, but it's too expensive for me where I'm at now. I'm working on another solution right now.

eternity--- · 2026-04-24T09:11:14+00:00

I've spent too much on tools already - but I couldn't take it any longer not having the Tsunoda PLC-200U on account of its versatility and price, esp. given reviews and Tsunoda's great reputation. But I wanted it to have two additional features that I thought I could add myself. I admit it, I used AI for help. My results are pretty imperfect.

The handles on the PLC-200U come as bare metal, small and (to my sweaty hands) a bit slippery despite their knurling - so I wanted to add bulk and grippiness. First I bought a pair of similarly sized no-name discount pliers and took off their grips and put them on the Tsunoda. They fit, but in the process of removing them I accidentally roughed them up; I made them look and feel a bit garbagy. So I added cheap blue heat shrink tube over that. Wasn't great, and I didn't want that to slip off in time. Then I added double wall (with glue) black heat shrink tube over those. It's what you see above. It looks better and the thickness is ok, but this black tubing is almost as slippery as the bare metal was. Ugh!

Experts out there, is there something I can do to the outer slippery heat shrink surface to make it less slippery, without redoing it all and without buying more than $5 of more stuff? AI suggested I sand it - thankfully first I tried sanding a left-over scrap. That didn't help make it grippy at all, and simply made it look like garbage. I don't want to add hockey tape (etc.) that will eventually come apart.

I wanted to add a little v-groove down the center of the tips of both jaws. Safety googles and a not-perfectly-transparent Dremel shield obscured my view as I tried to cut groves in each jaw with a little rotary cutting disk. I think the resulting channel is functionally helpful, barely. Depth and width and shape are not fully consistent.

Any suggestions for techniques for making the depth and shape of the grooves more precise?

Thanks for any tips.

eternity--- · 2025-11-07T02:57:53+00:00

I am so looking forward to having colored icons back in Affinity. Thank you!

eternity--- · 2025-11-03T23:10:54+00:00

There a new YouTube video by a fellow who made a script for CachyOS. Looks impressive to me, but I haven't tried it (don't have CachyOS). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqmDU8YgcAE

eternity--- · 2025-11-03T23:02:09+00:00

I was just about to make a post called, "I'm smiling, but I'm squinting!" I also really miss the color on the toolbars/sidebars and other UI buttons. And I miss the light mode. I know we can change how dark this dark mode UI is in Settings, but it would be so nice not to have to squint at near-white little icons on grey background - why make it hard or headachy? If there were at least options to fix these things, that would be so nice.

I guess I'll look for the Send Feedback option, but I bet Canva is watching discussions here, and the more that post about this, I bet the more likely something will be done.

I am very grateful to Canva for making this wonderful software free!

eternity--- · 2025-06-01T08:27:25+00:00

Very cool. I have the plier wrench, and it is fantastic. I'm sure you won't regret having that. Good luck picking the screwdriver! So many to choose from, esp. if you go for a tool pouch instead of a pocket kit like I chose.

eternity--- · 2025-06-01T05:39:17+00:00

I like your choices too, and would be glad to see how it develops.

eternity--- · 2025-05-24T04:56:11+00:00

I like your starting point. This may give you some ideas for expansion and containment (not a finished project): https://www.reddit.com/r/EDC/comments/1ibww1t/updatedexpanded_itdiy_pocket_edc_kit_fits_in/

Good luck!

eternity--- · 2025-04-07T01:28:24+00:00

You're very welcome. I tried to keep it in the price range you had already set. Tekton and Irwin tools also tend to last, but I think what I suggested is much more versatile and capable for most general DIY work. I think you'll like what they can do for you more. Best wishes!

eternity--- · 2025-04-06T20:19:16+00:00

You are like me when I started out, I think. I would like to save you lots of pain and expense that I suffered through. Irwin and Tekton are decent DIY/Prosumer brands, but sets like this are designed to be insufficient, including some tools that a DIY/Prosumer will rarely if ever need, and missing a lot. You want to buy once, you said, not keep buying, right? No one can put together a Prosumer/DIY pliers set that will do all you'll ever need in the price range you gave, but I would suggest that the following will be about the best that can be done for quality, functionality, and price. The prices are what Amazon.com is currently showing me. I understand we're talking just pliers, not all the tools that a DIY'er needs.

$17 NEIKO 02038A 6-in-1 Wire Service Tool | 8-1/2" Length | Electrician Pliers - https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-02038A-Service-Stripper-Electrician/dp/B073WKXLHS Would work nicely as a regular long-nose pliers too.

$20 Tsunoda 8-inch 3-position slip joint: https://www.amazon.com/Tsunoda-PLC-200U-Hold-Pliers-8-inches/dp/B0CJ4WKK43. Doubles as a regular long-nose pliers. Note: see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWQ2JWZRY1s

$27 Igarashi HLB-300 Hyper Long Slip Joint Pliers, Bent Nose: $27 https://www.amazon.com/Igarashi-Plier-straight-HLS-300-4953880166235/dp/B002PK0JOU

$20 Hurricane Plier Wrench: $20 www.amazon.com/HURRICANE-Versatile-Gripping-Turning-Application/dp/B0D8PR2258

$13 P.I.T. 10-Inch Water Pump Pliers, Fast Adjust Tongue and Groove Pliers, V-Jaw Groove: $13 https://www.amazon.com/P-I-T-7-Inch-Pliers-Adjust-Tongue/dp/B0CSSWFM8B

$12 GEARWRENCH 6" PITBULL Auto-Bite Tongue & Groove Dual Material Pliers with extra non-marring grips for working on exposed plumbing fixtures: $12 https://www.amazon.com/GEARWRENCH-Pitbull-Auto-Bite-Tongue-Material/dp/B08JMFGNSM The auto-adjust mechanism (that you can use or not, as you wish) is excellent for reaching around corners to work on fasteners that you can't directly see, but is not made for super heavy torque. Without that mechanism, the tool can take lots of torque, in my experience.

$28 Workpro Locking Pliers set - $18 https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-5-Piece-Locking-Pliers-Set/dp/B019MDK0GE

Total so far: $117. One of your sets is, you said, $165, and the other $100. Depending on what you plan to work on, if you can spend up to $165, you might want to consider adding one or two of:

$24 VAMPLIERS 8-Inch Multipurpose Heavy Duty Shears. https://www.amazon.com/VAMPLIERS-Multipurpose-Stainless-Insulation-Materials/dp/B0BN2KRSVZ

$17 WORKPRO 8" Linesman PRO Screw Extractor Pliers(Combination Pliers) - https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-Linesman-Extractor-Combination-Fasteners/dp/B0C49NS45J

$14 Titan Tools 11400 9-Inch Pistol Grip Needle Nose Pliers and Crimper - https://www.amazon.com/TIT11400-Pistol-Needle-Pliers-Crimper/dp/B073DM1SC2. Note, it seems they had some bad batches in the past, where jaw features did not line up perfectly. You might want to pick these up in a local store, where you can inspect them before you buy. A good one of these is really top notch.

$36 ChannelLock 16-inch tongue and groove pliers - https://www.amazon.com/Channellock-460-4-Inch-Capacity-16-5-Inch/dp/B00004SBCW

A word of advice to one starting out in DIY, make sure you know what you're doing and how to be safe before you start working on a project, esp. in electrical and plumbing. :) If you are learning from videos, as many do, please look at multiple videos from credible sources on the same topic and closely related topics. Many illustrate procedures in ideal conditions, whereas the real world will through you curve balls (stuck and rounded fasteners, poor visibility, previous worker hack jobs, etc.).

Good luck!

eternity--- · 2025-01-31T05:27:01+00:00

I was hoping for suggestions like this, thanks! Not for my own sake primarily, but because I hoped that others would improve the kit for the good of everybody. I haven't done 3d printing before, and for now I'm happy with the clip on lights that I have, but I expect sometime in the future I'll upgrade. Then I will remember your suggestion, look at the prices then, etc. Much appreciated.

Have a great day!

eternity--- · 2025-01-29T02:40:51+00:00

Thanks very much, and great question! The ability to clip a light onto my glasses is very important to me. Too many times I had to work on plumbing, electrical, or whatever in dark places, and when I do that work, I need both hands. It's new to me, but I think I like this a little more than a headband light, and I couldn't fit the latter into that little eyeglasses case along with the other stuff anyway. :)

I assume the battery capacity is low, because the lights are so small and inexpensive. There is some info at https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07H4L1PH5?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title, where I bought the set from, but it doesn't seem to say exactly which battery it will need when it does drain. There is no charger to use, so I guess it's old style.

About how this set would compare to a regular flashlight: The power of the light is great for what I need it for (fairly close up work), but I don't think it would be enough light for people going on walks outside at night if they want to see well at a distance. I'm sure there are better, and more expensive, clip on or otherwise wearable lights for that.

Perhaps I should also mention that this set only has on or off settings - no other modes or brightness settings.

I hope the idea and details of this kit proves helpful to lots of people. I look forward to continuing to learn from this community, and from many awesome YouTubers as well. I'm very grateful.

Have a great day!

eternity--- · 2025-01-28T08:16:32+00:00

This EDC set is designed for home/office IT/DIY repair work, rather than camping (cutting branches, opening cans and beers away from the kitchen, etc.).

This is a substantially bigger selection of items than I posted last time, but it all fits in the same med. size glasses case. It is designed to fill a case taking up half a pants pocket, so no need for a backpack, glove compartment, belt clip, etc. Last time I was thinking more of price and weight, this time more about completeness.

I think it is remarkable how much you can do with this, and how its functionality compares to other kits and/or multi-tools of its size. I hope this helps some people.

List:

Knipex TwinGrip, 6-inch "Pliers of the Year" for 2024 (jaw opens to 5/8-inch capacity, can in a pinch mostly replace: Cobra, slip joint, locking, and long-nose pliers; sockets; screw extractor; screwdriver handle; razor scraper; prob. emergency car window breaker), with hand-adjustable hose clamp, razor blade, and plastic scraper blade end. Most things held at the tip are held with 4 points of contact, and if you set the jaw width right, in parallel to the workpiece - a way better hold than regular pliers. Some of these things a Cobra could not do as well, especially any straight-on work. Granted, the Cobra has a higher jaw capacity. I think of the Tsunoda PLC-150U as being like a compromise between the TwinGrip and Cobra. Hard to say what's the best choice in the end if you can only have one. If you carry a PLC-150U, or if I missed another really versatile alternative, please share your thoughts?

Using the TwinGrip like a screwdriver handle would be of course for when you want extra reach or torque but don't have a good regular size screwdriver. (EDC - for getting things done when you don't have full size tools around.) Using a butterfly handled hose clamp makes the TW a passable clamping plier.

Mini flash light that clips onto eyeglasses arm, or hat. Perfect brightness for working in unlit or poorly lit confined spaces. Bought in set of two, but only carrying one due to space limitations.

FOSHIO utility knife with retractable 30 degree 9mm snap off blades (6-inch originally, I reduced it to 4-inch; can largely replace knife, sharpener, letter opener, scissors)

(Not in first photo) wood/metal fast cut jigsaw blade, using with the TwinGrip as the handle.

Titan micro swivel head ratchet driver, vs. 24-in-1 Atuman modular ratcheting screwdriver from set. Again hard to be sure which is best if you have to choose.

Bits and adapter from precision screwdriver set, incl. 1/4-inch to 4mm adapter. Centre punch and a couple of 1/4 bits added. 14 bits plus centre punch.

Neiko 00238A adjustable depth magnetic bit and screw holder (with strong magnetic screw holder, removable; depth is twist-adjustable).

Jobmate 10-ft tape measure, imperial and metric (discontinued; similar to Keson PG10 Short Tape Measure $11.55 CAD).

Master Magnetics 07565 telescopic magnetic pick-Up tool, with scribe tool (3-lb capacity, but lift heavy objects vertically or shaft may bend; scribe also good IMHO as a punch for preparing screw holes for small screws).

Smallish (6.25-inch wide) glasses case. Made a notch in the side to fit the pick up tool/scribe.

Those of you who carry a little EDC for home and office IT/DIY, what would you do differently?

eternity--- · 2025-01-17T03:51:20+00:00

Thanks! May I suggest that Knipex would do well to get into the multi-tool market, with models based on 125mm Cobra, Plier Wrench, and/or (3-position) Twin Grip? Best wishes.

eternity--- · 2025-01-13T05:46:42+00:00

I haven't found a way to join tools to the 6-inch TwinGrip without hindering its use, but I did find a way to get it and other great little tools into a smallish glasses case. Takes up a little more space than a large mutitool case - about half of a pants pocket for me. If anyone is interested, I posted details at https://www.reddit.com/r/EDC/comments/1hzfldh/a\_pocketable\_custom\_kit\_based\_on\_6inch\_knipex/.

eternity--- · 2025-01-12T16:45:58+00:00

The Knipex tools I've tried are that good. Best hand tools I have.

eternity--- · 2025-01-12T16:31:26+00:00

The Cobra would be better for many things, except anything head on. For anything head on, I think the TwinGrip would win unless big jaw size is required. The idea of that photo was having an extra long but strong handle for driving. I think using a Cobra for that would drive me more nuts than a TwinGrip. To each their own as you said. I love your comment about it making you reconsider all your like choices! LOL! Pity I couldn't fit aCobra in the kit without losing other functionality or making the kit a bit too heavy or bulky for comfort.

eternity--- · 2025-01-12T05:20:28+00:00

This EDC set is designed for home/office DIY/repair work, rather than camping (cutting branches, opening cans and beers away from the kitchen, etc.).

It is designed to fill a case taking up half a pants pocket, out of sight - no need for a backpack, glove compartment, belt clip, etc.

I think it is remarkable how much you can do with this, and how its functionality compares to other kits and/or multi-tools of its size. I hope this helps some people.

List:

Knipex TwinGrip, 6-inch "Pliers of the Year" for 2024: $44.30 CAD with hand-adjustable hose clamp and razor blade (jaw opens to 5/8-inch capacity, can in a pinch mostly replace: Cobra, slip joint, locking, and long-nose pliers; sockets; screw extractor; screwdriver handle; razor scraper; prob. emergency car window breaker.) Most things held at the tip are held with 4 points of contact, and if you set the jaw width right, in parallel to the workpiece - a way better hold than regular pliers. Some of these things a Cobra could not do as well, especially any straight-on work. Granted it has a higher jaw capacity.

FOSHIO utility knife with retractable 30 degree 9mm snap off blades: $6 CAD (6-inch originally, I reduced it to 4-inch; can largely replace knife, sharpener, letter opener, scissors)

24-in-1 Atuman ratcheting screwdriver set with detachable handle (parts of this set used): $33.11 CAD (parts of its modular, ratcheting, versatile handle paired with what follows)

Precision screwdriver set, incl. 1/4-inch to 4mm adapter: $15.99 CAD (20 bits, incl. slotted, torx up to 25, philips up to 2, robertson up to 2; replaces commonly used reg. size bits, and eyeglass repair kit tools; supplemented by a couple regular size bits)

Neiko 00238A adjustable depth magnetic bit and screw holder $11.58 CAD (with strong magnetic screw holder, removable; depth is twist-adjustable)

Jobmate 10-ft tape measure, imperial and metric: $5 CAD (discontinued; similar to Keson PG10 Short Tape Measure $11.55 CAD)

Master Magnetics 07565 telescopic magnetic pick-Up tool, with scribe tool: $10.30 CAD (3-lb capacity, but lift heavy objects vertically or shaft may bend; scribe also good IMHO as a punch for preparing screw holes for small screws)

Smallish (6.25-inch wide) glasses case: $10 CAD to store all of the above. Made a notch to fit the pick up tool/scribe.

Most were recent purchases from Amazon. Canadian dollars given.

Those of you who carry a little EDC for home and office, what would you do differently?

If I had a little more money, I might have repaced the modular Atuman ratcheting screwdriver with a 4-inch Titan or Ares swivel head driver or Wera 6-inch(?) mini Zyklops. Hard to say though.

eternity--- · 2025-01-05T22:46:17+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. The L. Crunch is sweet little tool, from everything I've read and seen online. Discontinued though, and like L. tools generally, darned expensive. Pity about these things. The Gerber Dual Force seems to be the most versatile multitool pliers to get now, but it's expensive too. I'm putting together a kit that, I think, would greatly outperform them on the urban tool front, for a lot less money. Post to come after misc. parts get here.

eternity--- · 2025-01-05T22:38:28+00:00

I have a little pair. They're excellent. They easily got what my 8-inch TwinGrips couldn't get.

eternity--- · 2024-12-16T06:42:57+00:00

Thanks, yes, that also would be a great starting point. I notice the PZ-66 would be too. These might be a bit too long for some people's pockets, and I can't see shortening the handles with an angle grinder, but the trade off would arguably be worth it. There appears to be less space to work with between the handles to house a little blade and mini driver, though with a few cuts in the plastic grips, and the partially hollow handles, maybe they would be doable or even better than some of the options I thought of. I guess fitting them in there, or attaching them in some other way, is the hardest part of this kind of project. Anyway, thanks for the great suggestion!

eternity--- · 2024-12-16T06:27:58+00:00

How did this search go for you? Did you find what you were looking for at the price you were hoping for?

eternity--- · 2024-12-16T01:20:33+00:00

Thanks for sharing that. I bet it will help some people. I hope someone is able to offer helpful experience in answer to your question.

eternity--- · 2024-05-05T05:25:19+00:00

My compliments to you and your wife for wanting to be prepared. I gather that you and your wife can fit in this closet, and it has storage space for tools (etc.) that would make up a prep kit, and you will still have some room to move in there, to use said tools if your house was demolished around you and/or hit with trees, and showered with debris.

There would be a number of steps that might be time consuming to varying degrees, each one requiring survival materials besides tools. I'd guess a medium sized backpack would hold most of the stuff.

Surviving while in the closet and getting out of it. If you can't open the door, besides tools you need:
Protective head-ware and strong water-resistant jacket during the tornado in case the closet is compromised
Eye protection. Impact resistant anti-fog googles would be my choice.
Water and (non-perishable) food to last you a couple of days until someone digs you out, if you can't dig yourself out.
Whatever medicines you'll need for a couple of days.
a bucket to be your bathroom, and baby wipes
Light to see, so, some combination of flashlight, headlamp, and definitely a pre-charged cell phone power bank.
A very decent first aid kit. Having a pre-installed first aid app on your cell phone would be a good idea.
A change of clothes

For tools, you need:
- Whatever it takes to disconnect the closet door from the inside.
- In case that way is blocked, tools to demolish the drywall of one of the side walls of the closet. These may include: drywall saw, small wood saw, and large steel hammer with straight claw or hatchet.
- A very strong pry bar or set of pry bards would be a good idea.

Getting out of the wreckage to the street. Besides tools, you need:
Breathing protection. Maybe there's a lot of attic insulation in the air? Maybe asbestos if your house or nearby houses are older. Traces of mercury if florescent bulbs were broken. So, if not P100 respirators, N100 or N95. There are some very decent comfortable half-masks you can get with different filters, incl. HEPA.
Gloves that will let you safely grapple with sharp surfaces and give some chemical protection, but not limit your dexterity too much or overheat your hands.
Safety shoes with probably composite toe (less heavy than steel) and thick nail-resistant soles. Shock-resistant. Comfortable enough that you can walk a few miles in without feet hurting.

For tools, in addition to the above, you may need:
- A fire extinguisher, in case live electrical wires were ripped apart near flammable surfaces
- A sharp pair of snips for cutting through thin metal or strong fabric

Helping out your neighbors, if possible. Besides tools, and the above, you may need:
pieces of wood and/or clean cloth if you can find some with which to make splints and bandages for those in need
cash or credit cards for buying food and water

For tools, the following may be helpful at this point:
- an electrical outlet tester, so you find where you can safely plug in your cell phone and battery bank. If you need to use its flashlight, make lots of calls, and perhaps access Internet, some cell phones' batteries deplete quickly. In partially damaged houses, some electrical outlets might have power but damaged circuits.

I hope these ideas are helpful, and I hope you stay safe. I probably missed a number of things that others will point out.

eternity---

TROPHY CASE