How do pliers and tongs hold materials during work?

Pliers and tongs are hand tools designed to hold, grip, or manipulate objects, though they utilize different mechanical principles to achieve this.

Pliers

Pliers are typically used for gripping small articles, bending wire, or cutting materials. They often feature grooved jaws to improve traction. Some designs, such as slip-joint pliers, include an elongated pivot hole that allows the jaws to adjust to different object sizes, ensuring the most effective grasp.1

Tongs

Tongs function by providing a secure hold on objects, which is particularly essential when handling items like hot metal or heavy crucibles.23
* Tweezerlike Tongs: These early designs rely on spring-back tension to hold objects.3
* Hinged Tongs: These offer a significant mechanical advantage over simpler models. By using short jaws and long handles, a user can exert a powerful gripping force—sometimes hundreds of pounds—with relatively little hand pressure. Some hinged tongs include an oval ring that slides over the handles to lock the grip in place.3