Standard pliers remain closed and are easy to store in the toolbox. On the other hand, spring loaded pliers stay open (unless there’s a lock) and can take up much space, making it difficult to organize all the tools. So, how do you keep spring-enabled pliers closed in the toolbox for better tool organization?
In this article, I share 5 ways to keep spring loaded pliers without a lock closed to save on storage space so that more tools can fit in the tool storage box. This will also enable better tool organization in tool box.
5 Ways to keep spring loaded pliers closed
Although spring-assisted pliers are easy to use they can be difficult to store in a storage box. The open handles and jaws can take up more space in the toolbox and make it difficult to organize your tools.
Read also: Spring loaded pliers vs standard pliers
Good thing is that you can use any of these easy DIY hacks to keep the open pliers handles closed in the tool box.
1. Thick rubber band
Rubber bands are not just for ponytails and wrapping money, you can use them to organize tools. Specifically, you can use a thick rubber band to keep the handles of spring-loaded pliers closed. This can make the storage of pliers with open handles much easier in the tool case.
A thick elastic band can provide sufficient tension to keep the handles closed. Rubber bands are also easy to install and remove from pliers handles.
FYI, a bunch of rubber bands is cheap. You can get it from the store or online retail shops. Alternatively, you can make some thick rubber bands from old bicycle tire tubes. These DIY rubber bands are strong and can last forever.
Hair ties are another option. They can work as heavy-duty rubber bands.
2. Zip ties
Zip ties or cable ties are extremely handy plastic straps for fastening things together and managing cables. It is good to have a pack of them at hand.
Besides securing cables on cable trays and tethering things together, you can also use zip ties to lock spring-assisted handles in the closed position.
What you need to do is to fasten the tie wrap around the open pliers handle and adjust it until the jaws close fully. Then cut off the cable tie tail so that everything looks neat.
To avoid leaving a sharp zip tie end, twist off the excess zip tie with regular pliers or cut it off with a cable tie cutter. Sharp zip tie ends are dangerous and can cause injuries to your hands when rummaging the toolbox.
The disadvantage of using zip ties to close pliers handles for storage is that they are not elastic. So, unlike rubber bands, you cannot use a single zip tie on multiple pliers sizes. You need several zip tie hoops for various types of springed pliers in your toolkit.
That being said, zip ties are just as inexpensive as rubber bands but they have the advantage of being more versatile. You can use them for a dozen other applications.
3. Velcro straps
Velco straps are not just for wrapping extension cords or keeping network patch cables rolled. You can use them for other purposes such as keeping spring-assisted pliers closed. They are my favorite!
Velcro straps are adjustable. This means you can use them on pliers of different sizes. They are also safe and look neat. They will make your pliers look professional and very well organized.
Like cable ties, velcro ties have many other uses. You can use them to catch things together or manage cables.
The only disadvantage of velcro straps is that the velcro mechanism collects lint and debris over time and becomes less effective. However, you a bristle toothbrush to remove unwanted fluff from velcro to restore its stickiness.
4. Reusable rubber twist ties
Rubber gear ties are also for managing cable ties but you can use them to keep the handles of pliers closed. They are used mostly to organize small cords such as USB cables, earbuds, and laptop charger cables.
Twist ties have a bendable wire inside and thick rubber on the outside. You can bend them to any shape and they will retain the shape until you stretch them deliberately.
Gear ties are available in various sizes and colors. You can use them to make hooked ends for holding pliers handles together. Twist ties can be remolded for use with different pliers sizes.
The only disadvantage of using rubber twist ties to manage spring loaded pliers is that they are quite thick and could eat up some of the space you want to save in the toolbox. But still and all, rubber twist ties look professional.
5. Regular wire
The fifth option for keeping the handles of spring loaded pliers together is a single core wire. It can be copper or aluminum. The wire needs to be strong enough to withstand the pressure from the handles and malleable for easy molding.
You can mold the wire in a C-shape so that the hooks on the ends will pull the pliers handles together. Alternatively, you can wrap the wire around the handles to make a circular shape that you can slip over the pliers handles to keep them closed.
You will need to make multiple sizes of wire loops for different types of pliers.
Easy Hacks To Keep Spring Loaded Pliers Closed
In this video, you will learn easy hacks to keep spring loaded with open jaws closed for easy organization in the toolbox or tool bagConclusion
Well, those are the five best ways to keep the handles of your spring-loaded pliers closed so that they occupy less space in the toolbox or tool bag. To recap, you can use velcro straps, rubber bands, cable twist ties, zip ties, or ordinary wire to pull the handles together.
My favorite hacks are thick rubber bands or thin velcro straps.
But if you have any other ideas on how to manage spring-assisted pliers during storage, feel free to share them in the comment section.
