Slip Joint Pliers

Slip Joint Pliers and Water Pump Pliers for Australian Trade Work

Slip joint pliers and water pump pliers (also called multigrips, tongue-and-groove pliers, or "Channellocks" after the leading brand) have an adjustable pivot that allows the jaws to open across a wide range of opening sizes — making them the go-to tool for gripping pipes, fittings, and fasteners across multiple sizes without changing tools. For Australian plumbers, mechanics, and tradespeople handling varied gripping work, these adjustable pliers earn their place in every toolbox. AIMS Industrial supplies slip joint and water pump pliers from Channellock, Bahco, and Wiha.

Slip joint pliers versus water pump pliers

• Slip joint pliers — typical opening adjustment between 2-3 positions, smaller and more compact, suited to general light-duty work
• Water pump pliers (multigrips) — multi-position tongue-and-groove adjustment with much wider opening range, larger and stronger, suited to plumbing and heavy gripping work

Both styles work on the same principle but the multigrips' wider adjustment range and stronger construction make them the dominant choice for serious work.

The water pump plier types we stock

• Standard water pump pliers — 7-12 inch length, the everyday workshop and service choice
• Heavy-duty water pump pliers — extended length and reinforced construction for industrial pipe work
• Quick-adjust water pump pliers — push-button adjustment for fast jaw position changes
• Smooth-jaw water pump pliers — for finished surfaces where serrations would mark the work
• Plastic-jaw water pump pliers — for chrome plumbing and fittings where any marking is unacceptable

Where they earn their place

• Plumbing work — gripping pipes, fittings, traps, and waste connections
• General mechanical — gripping bolt heads, pipes, and components across varied sizes
• Service vans and toolboxes — multi-purpose tool that replaces several specialist gripping tools
• Maintenance work — quick gripping of components without searching for the right wrench
• Automotive service — grip and twist work in engine bays where socket access is restricted

Sizing — by overall length

Water pump pliers are sized by overall length:

• 175mm (7 inch) — compact for service van and detail work
• 250mm (10 inch) — the everyday workshop choice
• 300mm (12 inch) — for heavier gripping work
• 400mm (16 inch) — for industrial pipe and heavy work

Most workshops carry a 10-inch as everyday and a 12-inch or larger for heavier work. For plumbing and mechanical service vans, both sizes are typically carried.

Brands stocked at AIMS

Channellock is the brand the tool is sometimes named after — the long-established US manufacturer of tongue-and-groove pliers. Bahco covers the broader trade range with sensible pricing on tools that hold up to daily use. Wiha provides the precision end with German engineering and finely-finished jaws. All three brands deliver the joint smoothness, jaw alignment, and edge accuracy that makes water pump pliers a long-life investment.

VDE-insulated for electrical work

For work near live electrical conductors, water pump pliers must be VDE-certified to 1000V. The certification covers two-layer insulation, drop testing, and dielectric strength. Don't substitute non-VDE pliers in electrical applications.

Companion ranges at AIMS

Slip joint pliers sit alongside our broader plier range — see needle nose pliers, side cutting pliers, mixed plier sets, and plumbing tools for the related products.

Need help speccing pliers for a trade or specific application? contact our team — we'll match by size, jaw style, and certification requirements.