WORKPRO 7-piece WORKPRO Pliers Set with Groove Joint, Long Nose, Slip Joint, Linesman, and Diagonal Pliers for DIY & Home Use

First impressions

On my bench, a pliers set either earns its keep quickly or it becomes drawer ballast. The WORKPRO set did the former. Out of the box, every piece was coated in a protective oil film, which I wiped off with a rag and a bit of mineral spirits. I added a drop of light oil to each pivot and cycled the joints a few dozen times. That small bit of prep made a noticeable difference—action smoothed out and the tools felt ready to go.

The lineup covers most household and hobby tasks: an 8-inch groove joint, 8- and 6-inch slip joints, a 7-inch linesman, 6- and 4.5-inch long nose, and a 6-inch diagonal cutter. That spread hits gripping, cutting, and precision work without redundancy, and the sizes skew compact enough to be maneuverable in cramped spaces.

Build and ergonomics

The construction is what I’d expect from budget-conscious, everyday-use pliers: drop-forged, heat-treated steel with polished faces and double-dipped grips. The grips are basic but comfortable and importantly not slick once the factory oil is cleaned off. They’re slightly firm rather than squishy, which I prefer for control. The color treatment (red/blue) makes them easy to spot in a drawer.

Fit and finish are decent for the price tier. On my set, jaw alignment was good across the board with one minor nit: the smaller long-nose pair had a hairline gap at the tips until I worked the joint in. Nothing that hindered use for grabbing wire ends or small fasteners, but it’s worth noting. Rivets were set properly; there was mild stiffness at first that disappeared after the initial break-in.

The handles fit medium hands best. If you have larger hands, the 7- and 8-inch pieces will feel natural; the 4.5- and 6-inch pliers are clearly designed for tight spaces and lighter touch, not high leverage.

Performance, tool by tool

• 8-inch groove joint: This is the set’s workhorse for plumbing fittings, locknuts, and anything that needs parallel-ish pressure without marring too badly. The jaw geometry is conventional, with adequate tooth bite and a range of adjustments suitable for common household tasks. It won’t replace a premium water pump plier for heavy torque, but for trap fittings, appliance connections, and odd jobs, it performed reliably.

• 8- and 6-inch slip joints: These are generalists. I used the larger one to hold a hex while tightening a nut with a wrench, and the smaller one for crimping light sheet metal tabs. The slip mechanism changes sizes quickly and held position under moderate load. If you regularly reef on fasteners, know that slip joints of any brand are not the most secure design for maximum torque—this set is no exception.

• 7-inch linesman: The jaws on mine met squarely and provided strong grip for twisting wire pairs. The cutting edges are hardened and handled copper wire in the 12–18 AWG range without complaint. They’ll snip small nails or screws in a pinch, but I’d keep that to a minimum to preserve the edge.

• 6- and 4.5-inch long nose: These are the finesse tools in the box. The 6-inch pair is a good go-to for pulling staples, fishing wires out of switch boxes, or reaching into tight housings. The 4.5-inch pair shines on bench work—small electronics hardware, RC hobby parts, and delicate bend adjustments. Spring action isn’t present; they’re standard pivot pliers, so plan on one-handed control without assist springs.

• 6-inch diagonal cutter: Edge hardness is the question with budget diagonals. These impressed me for light-duty cutting: zip ties, copper wire, coax center conductors, and small brads. The bevel is moderate; they’re not flush cutters, but they left clean cuts with minimal crushing on softer metals. I’d avoid hardened steel wire or fencing staples—use a heavier-duty cutter for that.

Cutting and gripping performance

After the initial break-in, cutting performance was consistently crisp on copper and mild steel wire appropriate to their size. The linesman and diagonal pliers both bit cleanly; the long-nose cutters are fine for light gauge only. The groove joint and slip joints offered reliable bite thanks to reasonably sharp teeth; they resisted cam-out better than I expected at this price. I did not notice tooth rolling after a weekend of mixed tasks.

I tested grip on smooth chrome fixtures and painted nuts using a strip of tape to reduce marring. The pattern didn’t skate under moderate torque, which is as much as I’d ask of non-premium jaws.

Durability and maintenance

Heat treatment feels appropriate for the class: no premature burring on cutting edges after normal use, and no visible deformation at the rivets. That said, these are not indestructible. If you put them into automotive-level abuse—rusted hardware, hardened wire, heavy prying—you’ll exceed their lane quickly.

Rust resistance is about care, not coatings. The factory “slushing” oil does its job in the box; once removed, keep a thin film of oil on pivots and wipe down after damp work. Store them dry. With that basic maintenance, I expect a long service life for household tasks.

Size and selection

The selection is smart. You get one of each essential pattern without duplicates you’ll never reach for. The fact that there are two slip joints and two long-nose pliers may look redundant on paper, but in practice the size differences matter. The 4.5-inch long nose reaches where the 6-inch won’t, and the 6-inch slip joint excels where the 8-inch is too clumsy.

If you routinely tackle larger plumbing or electrical service work, you’ll probably want to add a bigger pair of water pump pliers and a heavier linesman. For average home projects, this set covers the bases.

Quirks and limitations

• No organizer: The set ships in a box; there’s no tray or pouch. If you’re building out a drawer, budget for a foam insert or roll.
• Initial stiffness: Expect to cycle and lightly lube the pivots for best feel.
• Light-duty bias: The smaller sizes and general build quality point the set toward DIY and hobby tasks, not daily trade abuse.
• Quality variance: One of my long-nose tips had a slight misalignment out of the box that resolved with use. Inspect yours on arrival; exchange if you find a significant defect.

Value and who it’s for

Value is the headline here. For a relatively low price, you get a complete, usable spread of pliers that handle most homeowner chores and bench projects. I’d confidently keep these in a kitchen drawer, a household toolbox, or a hobby bench. For a professional who needs a loaner or backup set, this is perfectly serviceable, but I wouldn’t choose it as a primary in a trade where pliers are your daily bread.

Who benefits most:
- New homeowners building a core kit
- Hobbyists and tinkerers who need multiple patterns on hand
- Anyone who misplaces tools and wants a cost-effective replacement set
- DIYers who want a “grab-and-go” pliers lineup without chasing individual models

Practical tips for using this set

• Wipe off the factory oil before first use, then add a drop of light machine oil at each pivot.
• Cycle each joint 20–30 times to smooth the action.
• Reserve the diagonal and long-nose cutters for softer metals to keep edges sharp.
• Use tape or soft jaws on finished hardware to avoid marring.
• Store them dry; add a thin rust inhibitor if your shop is humid.

The bottom line

The WORKPRO set isn’t pretending to be high-end, and that’s its strength. It’s a straightforward, well-chosen assortment that works as advertised, feels comfortable in hand, and doesn’t punish your budget. The steel and heat treatment are up to the job for household tasks, the grips are secure, and the cutting edges hold up provided you stay within their intended use.

Recommendation: I recommend the WORKPRO set for DIYers, homeowners, and hobbyists who want a complete, ready-to-use pliers lineup at a fair price. It’s not the choice for heavy, daily trade work, and it doesn’t come with an organizer, but as a dependable, value-focused kit for everyday tasks, it earns a spot in the drawer.