Story and photography by Capt. Vince Daniello

Assorted pliers, including locking pliers, solve most problems a wrench won’t. Ratcheting teeth on these RoboGrip pliers from Ridgid Tools self-adjust from fully open to tight just by squeezing the handle.These Snap-on pliers can be used to either squeeze or spread split retaining rings, commonly found inside pumps.