Tool Review: VIM Tools 5-pc Flex Finger Plier Kit, No. FPK100
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Q: How did the tool function as far as saving you time?
A: This is a very unique tool set. It is a set of five different flexible finger pliers. This sounds like a weird tool, but it’s actually quite useful. Each one is shaped like a slingshot. The handle will pivot to get into tight spots. The arms are made of spring steel, and each tool has a different shape on the ends of the arms for different purposes: one for fuel, one for clips, one for wire harnesses, one for fuses, and one for relays. The concept is that you push the arms together with your fingers to act like pliers to release different connectors, fuses, and relays. They work so much better and quicker than using your fingers to release them.
Q: What kind of setup was involved before using the product?
A: There is no setup involved. You simply take the pliers out of the package that they came in and put them to work.
Q: How easy was it to use?
A: It’s actually very easy to use. You simply put the pliers in place on whatever you are trying to release or remove, squeeze the arms together with your fingers, and pull the connector apart or the fuse or relay out. You can use your other hand on the handle to pull on whatever you clamped down on.
Q: How was its packaging? Did it come with any accessories?
A: The packaging is very nice. The plier set came in a foam tray with individual places for each plier. The foam tray will easily fit in a toolbox drawer.
Q: What features did you like?
A: The pliers seem to be very well made. The arms are very strong. The center portion of the tool is lime green in color to keep you from leaving it on a vehicle. The handle swivels for easy access and has a rough surface for a better grip. Each tool is individually labeled as to what it is designed to be used on.
Q: What types of jobs/repairs did you use this tool for?
A: I used the pliers to release various wire harness connectors, fuses, relays, and vacuum harness connections. I haven’t had a chance to try them on fuel line connections yet.
Q: Have you used a previous version of this tool?
A: I have used various tools for releasing connectors, clips, and fuses, but never anything quite like these tools.
Q: Is there any way you could think to improve or add to this tool?
A: They could be made robotic so they would do all of the work for me, but that’s probably not going to happen, ha! Otherwise, they seem to be pretty well thought out and capable of doing the jobs that they were designed for. I’m assuming that as connectors and clips change in the future, the company will also come out with new tools to release them.
Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool overall? Why?
A: Probably a solid nine. They are very nice and definitely something different than anything I had ever used before. They are a time-saver in the right situation, and we all know how many different connectors and clips we have to deal with every day and how frustrating they can be.
