June 15, 2021
MEADVILLE, PA (JUNE 15, 2021) – Millions of American homeowners are doing more home projects than ever before this year—either by themselves or with a professional contractor. Channellock, Inc., is launching four new products to make their jobs easier: a line of three new SpeedGrip™ Pliers and the CHANNELLOCK® 968 Forged Wire Stripper. Created with pros and DIYers in mind, these pliers are designed for superior quality, greater ease of use and are 100% Made in the USA with pride by CHANNELLOCK® associates in Meadville, Pa.
CHANNELLOCK® is adding SpeedGrip™ pliers in 8-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch sizes to its family of more than 75 different sizes and types of pliers and hand tools. This line of Tongue & Groove Pliers is made from 100% forged high carbon U.S. steel for ultimate strength and is specially coated for rust prevention. In addition, SpeedGrip™ has:
- A fast and easy push-button adjustment that locks securely into undercut channels
- Strong, laser heat-treated crosshatch teeth, which grip 2.5 times better than classic CHANNELLOCK® 90-degree teeth
- A solid alloy steel fastener that is strong and dependable
- A SAFE-T-STOP® feature that prevents finger pinch
- A reaming feature for easily deburring pipe
- CHANNELLOCK BLUE® molded non-slip comfort grips, designed for ultimate comfort and control to ease hand fatigue
“We designed our new line of SpeedGrip™ Pliers to give both pros and DIYers several quality options in their toolbox that add to their ability to get the job done right,” said Ryan DeArment, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Channellock, Inc.
CHANNELLOCK® is also proud to introduce its new 968 Forged Wire Stripper, a tool that customers have been asking for. The 968 Forged Wire Stripper combines the precision of needle nose pliers and the strength and durability of forged pliers with the functionality of a wire stripper. This specialty tool:
- Strips 10–20 AWG solid and stranded wire
- Has screw shears that are precision-machined to prevent damage to threads when cutting 6–32 and 8–32 machine screws
- Has a curved shear that is uniquely shaped to contain material during handling
- Features CHANNELLOCK® XLT™ Xtreme Leverage Technology, requiring considerably less force to cut than traditional high leverage designs and reducing hand fatigue
- A reaming head to deburr, clean and flare up to 1-inch conduit with the versatility and strength of a forged reaming head with precision-machined grooves
- A spring-loaded handle for easy, one-handed operation
- A lock for safe storage
- CHANNELLOCK BLUE® Comfort Grips
"The 968 stands out from other wire cutters as the ultimate multi-tasking tool,” DeArment added. “When you combine the tool’s XLT™ joint technology with its refined wire shear and channeled reaming nose, you’ve got a tool that not only cuts like butter but is incredibly durable.”