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No. 27 JLS Key Arm & Foot Pliers

These will be your “go-to” pliers for key foot and arm alignment on all woodwinds.  These are a must-have!

The J.L. Smith #27 Pliers offer a “parallel closed” geometry that securely captures a woodwind key arm or foot with minimal pressure allowing you to easily move mechanism parts into alignment.

“I keep two on my bench; one set has a single jaw covered with thin leather to help securely hold an arm for some situations.”  Jeff

$49.50 Add to cart

No. 21-25 JLS Swedging Pliers

Of hardened stainless steel, our JLS Swedging Pliers are ideal for rounding and fitting hinge tubes to their rods, and to elongate a hinge tube to fit between its posts without end play.

These pliers come in an array of sizes to properly accommodate the complete range of hinge tube sizes available on woodwind instruments.

Working surfaces of the jaws are well polished so that the pliers are ready for use upon arrival.  (Please continue to polish the jaws occasionally to ensure the ultimate finish on the keys, and the best working condition for the pliers).

Sizing Guide:

  • 3.3mm – piccolo, oboe, and some flute keys (G# and B)
  • 3.6mm – most hinge tubes on flute and small hinges on clarinets
  • 4mm – most clarinet hinge tubes and small saxophone hinges (palms etc.)
  • 4.5mm – most saxophone keys
  • 5mm – extra-large hinge tubes on some saxophones

No. 20 JLS Whole Spring Pliers

Our hardened stainless steel Whole Spring Pliers are to securely grip a spring when removing or installing.  They are used also for holding springs when peening the flat, cutting to length, or grinding the peened end to fit flush with its post.

Also great for handling flute key pins when pulling or installing.

$43.50 Add to cart

No. 14 JLS Flute Back Arm Pliers

The JLS Back Arm Pliers allow you to grasp under the flute key cup arm to tilt the cup to favor the front or back. These clever pliers serve as both the fulcrum and the lever.

Use the pliers from the front of the cup to bring the back down using direct pressure from the plier arms (using a thin felt wedge under the front).

Operating the pliers from the back side of the hinge (securing under the arm) serves as a fulcrum to help bring the front of the cup down with gentle finger pressure.

$49.50 Add to cart

No. 15 JLS Flute Key Foot Pliers

Our No. 15 Pliers hold a flute key foot securely when adjusting up or down to facilitate proper venting, or to remove lost motion.

This action eliminates endless sanding or slicing of bumper material for the same result.  The No. 15’s will also help you create great uniformity of final bumper thicknesses throughout leading to a great-looking job!

$49.50 Add to cart

No. 13 JLS Open Hole Cup Pliers

The half dome on the lower jaw centers itself in the open-hole chimney bringing great security when tipping a French open-hole key from side to side.

The geometry of the leather-lined top jaw holds the cup broadly and securely with minimum pressure helping you to gently tip the cup into side-to-side alignment.

$49.50 Add to cart

No. 12 JLS Closed Hole Cup Pliers

For aligning closed hole “plateau” key cups to the tone hole.

The bottom half will touch the pad washer screw offering a solid tipping point when aligning the cup from side to side.

The leather-lined top jaw will nicely accommodate a French arm without harm, and it holds the cup securely when “tipping”.

$49.50 Add to cart

No. 29 JLS Spring Installing Parallel Pliers

The JLS parallel action Spring Installing Pliers ensure that the spring will be properly seated in the post with minimal effort.

The non-marring surfaces of the pliers facilitate a smooth, direct pressure on install while greatly reducing the chance of slipping.

$52.50 Add to cart

JLS Brass Jaw Parallel Pliers

These parallel pliers are ideal for when you need maximum surface contact for gripping and to avoid marring. The inserts in the jaws are made of brass, a soft metal that also helps avoid marring and scratching.

  • Spring loaded
  • Textured grips
  • 145mm (5.7″) long
  • 8mm (.315″) wide jaws
$24.50 Add to cart

JLS Nylon Jaw Parallel Pliers

These parallel pliers are ideal for when you need maximum surface contact for gripping and to avoid marring.

The nylon jaw tips can be replaced.

  • Spring loaded
  • Textured grips
  • 145mm (5.7″) long
  • 8mm (.315″) wide jaws
$24.50 Add to cart

Replacement Jaw Tip for Nylon Jaw Parallel Pliers

These are sold individually (not as a pair).

$2.35 Add to cart

JLS Small Chain Nose Pliers

These chain nose pliers are among 3 JLS small general use pliers that we offer.

  • Black rubber foam grips
  • Approximately 130mm (5″) long
  • Nose measure approximately 25mm (1″) long

Check out our JLS Small Flat Nose Pliers and JLS Small Round Nose Pliers as well.

$11.50 Add to cart

JLS Small Flat Nose Pliers

These flat nose pliers are among 3 JLS small general use pliers that we offer.

  • Black rubber foam grips
  • Approximately 130mm (5″) long
  • Tips measure approximately 25mm (1″) long

Check out our JLS Small Round Nose Pliers and JLS Small Chain Nose Pliers as well.

$11.50 Add to cart

JLS Small Round Nose Pliers

These round nose pliers are among 3 JLS small general use pliers that we offer.

  • Black rubber foam grips
  • Approximately 130mm (5″) long
  • Tips measure approximately 25mm (1″) long

Check out our JLS Small Flat Nose Pliers and JLS Small Chain Nose Pliers as well.

$11.50 Add to cart

Flat Nose Pliers – Small Narrow

For really hard to get to spots.

$6.90 Add to cart

Knipex Revolving Punch Plier

Use to punch out holes in sax pads or round discs of material for silencers.

$46.70 Add to cart

Knipex 7″ Heavy Duty Diagonal Cutter

For hard and soft wire. Great all-around bench tool.

$60.50 Add to cart

Knipex End Cutting Nippers

For hard or soft wire, including solder and springs. Also great for gently pulling out key pins, but be careful not to nip them!

$93.25 Add to cart

Knipex 6″ Plier Wrench

Great all-around tool to have in your shop.

$91.85 Add to cart

Knipex 7″ Plier Wrench

Great all-around tool to have in your shop.

$91.50 Add to cart

Knipex Long Flat Nose Pliers 6-1/4″

Perfect for getting into tight spots when straightening keys. Or very useful when holding hot things.

$46.45 Add to cart

Knipex Round Nose Pliers 6-1/4″

Good for straightening bent key cups and bent keys.

$46.75 Add to cart

JLS Pliers are the first pliers made specifically for our industry. Designed by us and built by us in our factory in Charlotte, NC U.S.A. We have gone beyond modifying pliers for our uses such as competitors do. These are purpose designed from the ground up.  They are machined from solid stainless steel stock which is then hardened. JLS Pliers are designed for ergonomics, proper torque, and best geometry for a variety of functions. Current styles include swedging and whole spring/pin removing.  Watch this site for the rollout of additional plier types.  

Knipex high precision tools from Germany combine function, performance and ergonomic features seldom found in other products. Attention to detail as well as durability have made these tools the favorite of serious craftsmen.

Kowalski Flute Key Pliers are very easy and safe to use, allowing minute adjustments of flute key cups in all dimensions: side to side laterally, side to side tilt, and front to back on any instrument, without making contact with pads, tone holes or the flute body. They reduce the need for partial shimming of pads, allowing pad setups to be made much more precisely and speedily. Pads ought to be brought up to the proper thickness with full shims, and only final precision leveling should be carried out with these tools.