In an interview with New Equipment Digest, Apex Tool brand manager Jim Stewart explains how new Double-X pliers deliver "innovation that lives up to the GearWrench brand promise of delivering speed, strength and access."
NED: What motivated Apex Tool to develop this product?
JS: The Double-X pliers were part of a line expansion for the GearWrench brand. GearWrench is perhaps best known for developing the patented 5° ratcheting wrench, but we wanted to offer customers more options, and pliers were among the new categories we introduced.
The Double-X pliers, in particular, offered an innovation that lives up to the GearWrench brand promise of delivering speed, strength and access.
If you look closely at Double-X pliers, however, you’ll see the pivot points are offset, allowing the jaws to open further in relation to the handles. This gives much greater access in narrow spaces than any other long-reach pliers.
NED: What problems needed to be addressed during the development process?
NED: How long did it take from conception to ultimate production?
JS: This is proprietary information.
JS: Professional automotive technicians and industrial users who need greater access in tight situations. The GearWrench Double-X pliers give longer reach and also keep hands away from hot machinery. They are also excellent for removing cotter pins.
NED: Do you have any other interesting information that you would like to add?
JS: The GearWrench pliers line includes straight and 45-deg Double-X pliers as well as hose grip pliers, internal/external snap ring pliers, and Hemostat straight and 45-deg pliers.