TL;DR
Get business pricing on tools and workshop supplies
- Business-only prices and quantity discounts
- Tax-exempt purchasing
- Multiple users, one account, clear invoices
A Family Handyman report describes four extra functions built into some common tools: pliers may cut wire, wire strippers may shorten screws, manual can openers may open bottles, and nail clippers may include a file. The features are not present on every model, so users should check the tool and follow its instructions before relying on them.
A Family Handyman report has identified extra functions on some everyday tools, including wire-cutting pliers, screw-shortening wire strippers, bottle-opening can openers and nail clippers with files. The features can save a trip to the toolbox, but the report notes that designs differ by model and not every tool includes the same attachments.
Some pliers have a cutting edge near the hinge, behind the gripping jaws, for trimming soft wire. Family Handyman says owners can check their pliers for the feature, while cautioning that not all pairs include it. Some tools may also have wire-stripping sections, which are designed to remove insulation without cutting through the wire itself. Those functions are different: a cutter trims wire, while a stripper removes its covering.
Some wire strippers have threaded holes near the handles for cutting machine screws to a shorter length. The screw is placed in the appropriately sized hole and the handles are squeezed. According to the report, this can help when fitting electrical fixtures or other hardware that needs shorter screws. Users should consult the tool’s instructions and use a hole suited to the screw rather than assuming every stripper can perform the job.
Some manual can openers include a bottle opener shaped as a notch or hook near the handle or cutting mechanism. Other can opener designs use magnets to lift a cut lid, helping users avoid touching its sharp edge. Many nail clippers have a small fold-out metal file for smoothing nail edges after trimming; some also include a pointed tip intended for cleaning beneath nails. The source lists product references from Channellock, Klein Tools, Milwaukee Tool, OXO and Zwilling, but does not say every product in those brands’ ranges has these features.
Small Features Can Save Tool Searches
Knowing what an existing tool can do may reduce unnecessary tool changes during minor repairs and grooming. A built-in wire cutter or screw-cutting feature, when present and suitable for the job, can make a task more convenient without requiring a separate item. A can opener’s magnet or a clipper’s file can also make routine use simpler.
The practical benefit depends on the specific model and task. A tool’s extra feature is not a substitute for the right equipment when a job calls for a particular size, cut or finish. In electrical work, cutting or stripping wire incorrectly can damage a conductor or create a safety risk; users should follow product directions and seek qualified help for work beyond their skill or the tool’s intended use.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Four Tools, Different Added Functions
The source presents these examples as model-dependent features, not universal properties of the tool categories. Pliers can have different jaw and cutter arrangements; wire strippers vary in the wire sizes and screw holes they support. Can openers likewise differ in whether they include a bottle opener or lid-lifting magnet, while clipper attachments vary in placement and shape.
Family Handyman’s source list names product pages for Channellock slip-joint pliers, Klein Tools wire strippers, a Milwaukee Tool folding utility knife, an OXO steel can opener and a Zwilling nail clipper set. The supplied material does not describe a second function for the listed utility knife, despite naming it among its sources. The report’s four specific examples instead concern pliers, wire strippers, manual can openers and nail clippers.
“Some everyday tools have other tools built in, but those extra features are easy to overlook.”
— Family Handyman report
wire strippers with screw cutting holes
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Features Depend on the Exact Model
The source does not provide a survey of how common these features are, how many tool models include them, or whether most owners overlook them. Its headline says the functions are ones “most people never use,” but the supplied material offers no usage data to establish that claim. It is also not clear which specific models support each feature beyond the examples and product references named in the report.
Users should check their tool’s markings, packaging or manufacturer instructions before using an attachment. The correct wire gauge, screw size and intended operation can vary, and the report does not provide detailed safety instructions or model-by-model specifications.
manual can opener with bottle opener and lid magnet
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Check Before Using an Extra Feature
No follow-up announcement or product change is described in the supplied source. For readers, the next step is to inspect the tools they already own and verify any suspected extra function against the manufacturer’s directions. If a feature is absent, damaged or unsuitable for the task, use the proper separate tool instead.
For electrical repairs, turn off power at the appropriate circuit before working, verify that it is off with suitable equipment, and use appropriate protective gear. Work involving electrical systems should be left to a licensed professional when the user is not qualified or the task requires it.
nail clippers with fold out nail file
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Key Questions
Can all pliers cut wire?
No. Some pliers have cutters near the hinge, but Family Handyman says the feature is not present on every pair. Check the tool’s design and instructions before cutting.
How can wire strippers shorten a screw?
Some models have threaded holes near the handles. A compatible machine screw is placed in the correctly sized hole, then the handles are squeezed. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific tool and screw.
Do manual can openers include bottle openers?
Some do. The bottle opener may appear as a small notch or hook near the handle or cutting mechanism, but it is not included on every model.
What extra feature may be built into nail clippers?
Many nail clippers include a small metal file to smooth nail edges. Some designs also have a pointed tip for cleaning beneath nails, with placement varying by model.
Source: rss
Fall yard work Picks
leaf blowers
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
