Description
Offset Head Tongue and Groove Pliers in 9.5 and 12-Inch Sizes
Product Overview
Traditional tongue and groove pliers require constant squeezing to maintain grip. Reed positive grip pliers lock onto the workpiece with downward pressure alone, freeing one hand for the task. The offset head reaches behind pipes and into tight spaces where standard groove joint pliers cannot fit. Both the PGP10 and PGP12 are forged from high carbon steel and fully heat-treated for long service life.
Specifications
| Specification | PGP10 | PGP12 |
|---|---|---|
| Catalog No. | PGP10 | PGP12 |
| Item Code | 02655 | 02656 |
| Pipe Capacity (in-nom.) | 1 | 2 |
| Pipe Capacity (actual O.D.) | 35 mm | 63 mm |
| Overall Length | 9.5 in (245 mm) | 12.0 in (300 mm) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (0.3 kg) | 1.5 lbs (0.7 kg) |
| Jaw Type | V-jaw (top and bottom) | |
| Head Design | Offset | |
| Groove Positions | 7 | |
| Construction | Forged high-carbon steel, fully heat-treated | |
| Fastener | Superior (non-nut-and-bolt) | |
| Anti-Pinch | Patented rib | |
Key Features
- These offset head pliers reach behind pipes and into spaces where straight-jaw pliers cannot fit. The offset angle gives better leverage on fittings and nuts close to walls, floors, and other obstructions.
- The V-jaw on both top and bottom grips round pipe, hex nuts, square stock, and irregular shapes. V-jaw pliers distribute contact across two edges instead of one, reducing the chance of slipping.
- Seven groove positions let you adjust the jaw opening from small fittings up to 2-inch pipe on the PGP12. Each position locks into the tongue and groove channel with a firm click, holding the jaw width steady under load.
- A patented rib between the handles prevents finger pinching during use. Reed positive grip pliers stay comfortable through a full shift without gloves getting caught in the joint.
- Both models are high-carbon steel pliers, forged and fully heat-treated. The PGP10 weighs 0.7 lbs, and the PGP12 weighs 1.5 lbs, both light enough for overhead work and belt carry.
How Positive Grip Pliers Work
Understanding how positive grip pliers work starts with the tongue and groove joint. The lower jaw slides along a grooved channel in the upper jaw to set the opening width. Once you position the jaws around the workpiece and push the handle down, the jaw geometry wedges tighter with pressure. This is what separates Reed positive grip pliers from standard groove joint pliers: there is no need to squeeze both handles. Downward force alone drives the grip.
The superior fastener holds the joint together without a traditional nut and bolt. Standard tongue and groove pliers use a bolt through a slot, which can loosen over time. The Reed fastener stays tight across all seven positions.
For plumbers and pipe fitters, this means gripping a fitting with one hand while using a second tool in the other. Reed also makes one hand wrenches for pipe work that requires no adjustment at all. The offset head on the positive grip pliers gives clearance so the handle does not contact the wall or floor behind the workpiece.
Applications
Reed positive grip pliers handle pipe fitting, mechanical, electrical, and general maintenance work.
- Tightening and loosening pipe fittings during residential and commercial plumbing rough-in, where one hand holds the pipe and the other works the pliers.
- Gripping hex nuts, union fittings, and compression sleeves on gas lines and hydronic systems with V-jaw pliers that grip securely on irregular shapes.
- Reaching behind close-to-wall pipes with offset head pliers to tighten or remove fittings that a straight wrench cannot access.
- General maintenance and repair work on mechanical systems, using groove joint pliers as a one-tool replacement for multiple fixed wrenches.
- Field use as pliers for plumbing on municipal waterworks and wastewater crews, where the one-hand grip lets the operator control valves and fittings in confined vaults.
Buy Reed Positive Grip Pliers Online from Cleanflow
Cleanflow Utility Supply Company is an authorized Reed dealer serving customers across Canada and the United States. Free shipping on orders over $199, with a 30-day return policy. Email info@cleanflow.ca for returns or exchanges. Reed positive grip pliers are high-carbon steel pliers forged for long-term use on plumbing, HVAC, and general pipework.
Browse the full pipe wrenches collection at Cleanflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are positive grip pliers?
Positive grip pliers are tongue and groove pliers that lock onto the workpiece with downward pressure instead of squeezing. Reed makes them with a V-jaw, offset head, and seven groove positions in two sizes: the 9.5-inch PGP10 and 12-inch PGP12.
What is the best tongue and groove pliers for plumbing?
The best tongue and groove pliers for plumbing have an offset head, V-jaw, and multiple groove positions. Reed positive grip pliers combine all three with a downward-pressure grip that frees one hand for soldering, fitting, or holding pipe.
What is the difference between Reed PGP10 vs PGP12?
The Reed PGP10 vs PGP12 difference is size and capacity. The PGP10 is 9.5 inches long with a 1-inch pipe capacity (35 mm O.D.), while the PGP12 is 12 inches long with a 2-inch capacity (63 mm O.D.). Both share the same V-jaw, offset head, and seven groove positions.
When should I use tongue and groove pliers vs pipe wrench?
Use tongue and groove pliers vs pipe wrench when you need to grip multiple shapes, not just pipe. These pliers adjust quickly across hex nuts, fittings, and irregular stock. A pipe wrench grips round pipe with more torque but only fits one shape.
What size tongue and groove pliers do I need?
Match pliers size to pipe diameter. The PGP10 handles up to 1-inch nominal pipe (35 mm O.D.) and fits most residential plumbing. The PGP12 reaches 2-inch nominal pipe (63 mm O.D.) for commercial and industrial work. Carry both as pliers for plumbing to cover the full range.
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