More new USA Locking Pliers from Snap On

[BrandonV]

I posted about the new Snap-on USA adjustables back in May. There was no mention of it on GJ or any other platform that I could find until then. I was aware of the change during the transition before they were released, back in the early part of 2023.
Excerpt from my previous post: "The standard all metal version made in Spain ended in “B”. Those part numbers are now hidden (but still accessible) and they have been discontinued. The latest and current revision ending in “C” are USA made. I believe this to be a fairly recent change that flew under the GJ radar."

The new design is slightly different:


This is one of the last B series ever made, acquired during the transition. Its by far the nicest adustable I’ve ever had or have seen IRL, like jewelry honestly. Only about 1/32 play in the jaw. I actually like this design better.
View attachment 2008481

Getting back on track, I have Eagle Grips and I’m finding the smooth shiny chrome finish less desirable with oily hands. I prefer the rough satin finish of the Petersens. The Eagle Grips also have considerably larger jaws versus the original which is a blessing and a curse. And why is the adjusting screw so long?

Yup. The B series are beautiful. C wrenches look good but the polish job isn't as good.

 

[KnurledNut]

Yup. The B series are beautiful. C wrenches look good but the polish job isn't as good.

Can you post a pic of one of yours?

 

[BrandonV]

Can you post a pic of one of yours?

Not sure the lighting captures everything good but the chrome job & polish doesn't look as good at the Spanish ones.

https://imgur.com/eHld5g6

 

[KnurledNut]

Not sure the lighting captures everything good but the chrome job & polish doesn't look as good at the Spanish ones.

https://imgur.com/eHld5g6

Very nice! Thanks!

 

[Y00PER]

Ditto, i was glad that plant had opened back up and sad it didnt work out. I understand the usa made pliers are too expensive to work out in the retail world, hardware stores etc with all the cheaper competition, but snap on can make it work . Im excited that they are available !

Idk... I was waiting for them to show up in any hardware store near me to buy some, but I never saw them in stores. Hard to sell something that few people know exists

 

[F-22]

Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me whether they bought Malco’s tooling or not. Whatever tooling they are using to produce them, these are clearly Eagle Grip pliers made by SnapOn. The design is identical, they certainly appear to have identical materials, so as long as they perform the same, as I have no doubt they will, does it really matter if these are made on Malco’s old tooling, or SnapOn sourced tooling? I’m just glad to have a USA made option for the future, and I really like the way these look. Yes, I’m a bit of a tool polisher, and take excellent care of my tools, so I like the way my Malco’s look in my tool box, and am happy these will look great too.

I'd say the tooling does not really matter with Snap On. They have a lot of manufacturing facilities. To make those pliers they really just need some forging and press dies. We all know they already got access to great quality steel, great polishing and chroming capabilities, and can make precision parts...

Malco's factory and tooling isn't crucial to Snap Ons ability to produce locking pliers at all. They may got some cheap tooling they can reuse in the deal, but it's not like the Eagle Grips factory tools were something crazy sophisticated or unique. They made the same vise grips as all the other manufacturers, just with way more spent on the finishing and the material properties.

 

[Steve_P]

Idk... I was waiting for them to show up in any hardware store near me to buy some, but I never saw them in stores. Hard to sell something that few people know exists

99.99% of Americans aren't going to spend $40+ on a pair of locking pliers, so there's no reason for a place like Ace Hardware to waste shelf space stocking them. They'd gather dust and the only ones that went out the door would be stolen.

 

[Farmall450]

I posted about the new Snap-on USA adjustables back in May. There was no mention of it on GJ or any other platform that I could find until then. I was aware of the change during the transition before they were released, back in the early part of 2023.
Excerpt from my previous post: "The standard all metal version made in Spain ended in “B”. Those part numbers are now hidden (but still accessible) and they have been discontinued. The latest and current revision ending in “C” are USA made. I believe this to be a fairly recent change that flew under the GJ radar."

The new design is slightly different:


This is one of the last B series ever made, acquired during the transition. Its by far the nicest adjustable I’ve ever had or have seen IRL, like jewelry honestly. Only about 1/32 play in the jaw. I actually like this design better.
View attachment 2008481

Getting back on track, I have Eagle Grips and I’m finding the smooth shiny chrome finish less desirable with oily hands. I prefer the rough satin finish of the Petersens. The Eagle Grips also have considerably larger jaws versus the original which is a blessing and a curse. And why is the adjusting screw so long?

I almost like the pictured B version more too. With the chamfered jaw, deeper ridges, etc.

 

[four.cycle]

@KnurledNut - I don't believe I was around in May. I miss a great deal during my absences here.
My understanding had been that Western Forge was the last U.S. based manufacturer of an "adjustable" ("Crescent" type) wrench other than the Snap-on company of Kenosha, Wisconsin.
I have purchased several pairs of the "Malco Eagle Grip" pliers and given them as gifts, and I wondered about that slick finish on the tool.
I have no personal experience with them yet, but I can't imagine maintaining a grip on that unit with oily hands.

 

[Y00PER]

99.99% of Americans aren't going to spend $40+ on a pair of locking pliers, so there's no reason for a place like Ace Hardware to waste shelf space stocking them. They'd gather dust and the only ones that went out the door would be stolen.

But $40+ Milwaukee needlenose pliers are at Ace, when they have far cheaper alternatives to buy... In fact, I just bought one

 

[AJHD]

You don't believe your own eyeballs? Snap-On is selling a tool Malco never produced, clearly manufactured using Malco's tooling and patents.

They literally refer to the patent pending “Power Ring” design in the first line of the product page

I guess that I have to clarify my reasoning behind my original question...

I asked because I find it interesting that just a few months Malco was shutting down their operation and if I remember correctly their tooling was up for auction. Snap On also ceased to stock their branded version of Malco's pliers around the same time.

As I said before, I don't currently own and rarely use locking pliers. But with USA made vice grips becoming a thing of the past, being resurrected by Malco only to fail, and now Snap On is taking on the market directly as one of the few hand tools that Snap On has never made in house (as far I know).

Maybe it's a west cost thing, but my dealer always seems to get new products or even know about new products later than many of you. I wonder how long it will take until we see these on the truck again.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I guess that I have to clarify my reasoning behind my original question...

I asked because I find it interesting that just a few months Malco was shutting down their operation and if I remember correctly their tooling was up for auction. Snap On also ceased to stock their branded version of Malco's pliers around the same time.

As I said before, I don't currently own and rarely use locking pliers. But with USA made vice grips becoming a thing of the past, being resurrected by Malco only to fail, and now Snap On is taking on the market directly as one of the few hand tools that Snap On has never made in house (as far I know).

Maybe it's a west cost thing, but my dealer always seems to get new products or even know about new products later than many of you. I wonder how long it will take until we see these on the truck again.

Snap in relases product regionally, IMO because they don't have the capacity to do it country wide.
I've been stuck waiting too even see a product 3+ months after guys here post pictures of their new tools.


It ***** Malco couldn't make it work. The product was fantastic. Hopefully snap on can carry the torch.

 

[dutchgray]

I asked because I find it interesting that just a few months Malco was shutting down their operation and if I remember correctly their tooling was up for auction. Snap On also ceased to stock their branded version of Malco's pliers around the same time.

If I recall there wasn't much of anything in their auction that you would have considered to be the production tooling, jigs, fixtures, press tooling etc, it was the machinery and sundry equipment.

Snap On could very easily have got in first and bought that ( and the design rights and other necessary information) to produce them in house on their own equipment.
Or just built their own tooling.

Snap On is also plenty big enough that they can afford to batch run the things and stock them in a warehouse and doesn't have the problem that they need to run the plant 5 days a week like Malco did to keep the employees busy, ending up with a vast unsold overstock, they can just switch employees to another product, plus they can charge the premium price that these need to be and actually sell them.

 

[toolenthusiast]

one of the few hand tools that Snap On has never made in house

Wtflol

 

[Bubba Fett]

I guess that I have to clarify my reasoning behind my original question...

I asked because I find it interesting that just a few months Malco was shutting down their operation and if I remember correctly their tooling was up for auction. Snap On also ceased to stock their branded version of Malco's pliers around the same time.

As I said before, I don't currently own and rarely use locking pliers. But with USA made vice grips becoming a thing of the past, being resurrected by Malco only to fail, and now Snap On is taking on the market directly as one of the few hand tools that Snap On has never made in house (as far I know).

Maybe it's a west cost thing, but my dealer always seems to get new products or even know about new products later than many of you. I wonder how long it will take until we see these on the truck again.

Seems to me that Snap-on bought the tooling a license to manufacture these tools from Malco. I have doubts that Snap-on bought the entire Malco company. At least I hope that didn't happen, but big companies love to wipe out all of the independent tool manufacturers.

$80 for locking pliers is ridiculous, just like everything else Snap-on sells, but then again, they are really a credit company that sells tools.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Will add it the SO locking pliers to my 2024 purchase they look well made

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Seems to me that Snap-on bought the tooling a license to manufacture these tools from Malco. I have doubts that Snap-on bought the entire Malco company. At least I hope that didn't happen, but big companies love to wipe out all of the independent tool manufacturers.

$80 for locking pliers is ridiculous, just like everything else Snap-on sells, but then again, they are really a credit company that sells tools.

Malcos were 40/pair. I bought snap on for 70, and have a warranty against wearing them out.

So long as they want to sell me consumable tools with a forever warranty, for 50% over their 1st world competition, I'll be a buyer.

 

[Steve_P]

Malcos were 40/pair. I bought snap on for 70, and have a warranty against wearing them out.

So long as they want to sell me consumable tools with a forever warranty, for 50% over their 1st world competition, I'll be a buyer.

Depending on the model, the Malcos sold for $40ish to mid $50s before they were discontinued and discounted. So yeah, the SO price is very fair for something that absolutely will be warrantied yearly by a rust belt mechanic. So, this is a solid buy if you are going to actually use these as intended, and you have a SO dealer. I almost never use locking pliers as intended, they're more of a "clamp this while I weld it", but I still bought a few pairs of them on closeout.

 

[908Jim]

Seems to me that Snap-on bought the tooling a license to manufacture these tools from Malco. I have doubts that Snap-on bought the entire Malco company. At least I hope that didn't happen, but big companies love to wipe out all of the independent tool manufacturers.

$80 for locking pliers is ridiculous, just like everything else Snap-on sells, but then again, they are really a credit company that sells tools.

FWIW, only 6% of Snap-On's revenue for FY2022 was derived from Financial Services. Financial services profit was roughly $266M on $350M, which is quite impressive from a margins standpoint, but they still generated roughly 1.3B in profit overall.

 

[AJHD]

Wtflol

I fail to see what's funny or causing your confusion...

Snap On manufactures in-house sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, wrenches, pry bars, pliers, so fourth and so on... and in many different shapes, sizes, styles and colors.

But I don't recall ever seeing an actual made by Snap On locking vise grip style plier. Their previous offerings were rebranded from a company called GripOn.

If there is some error in those statements, by all means please enlighten me with your expertise. I never claim to be the oracle of all knowledge.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I fail to see what's funny or causing your confusion...

Snap On manufactures in-house sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, wrenches, pry bars, pliers, so fourth and so on... and in many different shapes, sizes, styles and colors.

But I don't recall ever seeing an actual made by Snap On locking vise grip style plier. Their previous offerings were rebranded from a company called GripOn.

If there is some error in those statements, by all means please enlighten me with your expertise. I never claim to be the oracle of all knowledge.

Lots of dealers sold Irwin Vise Grips as well on the trucks. The grip on pliers do decent, but teeth wear is an issue. They really don't like gripping onto spinning objects against an impact.

 

[j3rf]

Well, that's not ideal due to the Snap On price increase. But at least the high quality locking pliers are still being made. Gonna have to pick up a set of the needle nose from my dealer.

 

[tarbellb]

this thread is a mess

 

[toolenthusiast]

I fail to see what's funny or causing your confusion...

Snap On manufactures in-house sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, wrenches, pry bars, pliers, so fourth and so on... and in many different shapes, sizes, styles and colors.

But I don't recall ever seeing an actual made by Snap On locking vise grip style plier. Their previous offerings were rebranded from a company called GripOn.

If there is some error in those statements, by all means please enlighten me with your expertise. I never claim to be the oracle of all knowledge.

Look here, buddy…

I mis-read your comment

 

[M635_Guy]

I fail to see what's funny or causing your confusion...

Snap On manufactures in-house sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, wrenches, pry bars, pliers, so fourth and so on... and in many different shapes, sizes, styles and colors.

But I don't recall ever seeing an actual made by Snap On locking vise grip style plier. Their previous offerings were rebranded from a company called GripOn.

If there is some error in those statements, by all means please enlighten me with your expertise. I never claim to be the oracle of all knowledge.

I think he's calling attention to the fact there's not a few tools labeled 'Snap On' that are not made by them (e.g. Kastar made their thread-repair kit for a long time, Trust Cook made their hammers for a while, etc).

No shame in that (other than the prices).

 

[AJHD]

I think he's calling attention to the fact there's not a few tools labeled 'Snap On' that are not made by them (e.g. Kastar made their thread-repair kit for a long time, Trust Cook made their hammers for a while, etc).

No shame in that (other than the prices).

I was speaking specifically towards common general hand tools, not specialty tools or anything diagnostic, electronic, etc... Also not speaking about Bluepoint or tools from other brands they sell on the truck not branded Snap On.

But yeah, I know their rethread and tap/die tools were rebranded. Irwin made their taps & dies, although Snap On has started to make their own last time I looked. Not sure about OEM for their rethread tools, current or past.

That said, I had no idea about Trusty Cook made hammers for Snap On. If that's real, it was over 10 years ago and beyond my Snap On tools experience unless the exact same design was literally used for both because I haven't noticed any differences if there was a change in manufacturing going back at least 7 years.

 

[dutchgray]

$80 for locking pliers is ridiculous, just like everything else Snap-on sells, but then again, they are really a credit company that sells tools.

Yeah but it's $80 for as many as you can wear out.
End up cheaper than Chinese Irwins in the long run.

 

[drtyler]

FWIW, only 6% of Snap-On's revenue for FY2022 was derived from Financial Services. Financial services profit was roughly $266M on $350M, which is quite impressive from a margins standpoint, but they still generated roughly 1.3B in profit overall.

I wonder how many more tools ($$) get sold because of the finance division?

 

[dutchgray]

I wonder how many more tools ($$) get sold because of the finance division?

Far more because of dealer credit I'm sure.

 

[bcradio]

How are you wearing out locking pliers? What wears on them and what causes them to wear out?
I am a home gamer, so I have not and likely will not wear a set out myself, so just curious...

 

[2ndGearRubber]

How are you wearing out locking pliers? What wears on them and what causes them to wear out?
I am a home gamer, so I have not and likely will not wear a set out myself, so just curious...

For some brands like Tekton, I would snap the roll pins holding the release lever on. I warrantied a few times and pitched them. I would do this with my hands.

For the others, it's tooth wear. You have a 1/2 drive impact rattling on something, the pliers slip, then the work piece spins in the pliers at 200rpm. Do that 20 times and it adds up. You might spin the work piece 2-3 times per use.of the pliers, especially when worn. When new? These things just put in work and grab.

 

[Bubba Fett]

It's just strange that people thought $45 for Malcos were too expensive, but $80 for Snap-On is an amazing deal, because warranty.

Does a warranty cover abuse? By their nature, locking pliers are often abused, and used in unintended or even destructive ways. Even if the warranty does cover that, it certainly won't cover lost or stolen pliers.

I could by 7 or 8 Bremens for the same price, and not worry about losing them.

 

[drtyler]

Far more because of dealer credit I'm sure.

Oh yeah, no doubt.

Do the dealers use Snap-on Financial as a means to keep the truck stocked or pay the franchise fees?

 

[bcradio]

For some brands like Tekton, I would snap the roll pins holding the release lever on. I warrantied a few times and pitched them. I would do this with my hands.

For the others, it's tooth wear. You have a 1/2 drive impact rattling on something, the pliers slip, then the work piece spins in the pliers at 200rpm. Do that 20 times and it adds up. You might spin the work piece 2-3 times per use.of the pliers, especially when worn. When new? These things just put in work and grab.

Thank you for the info sir. Now I want to do a destructive test on mine

 

[bcradio]

I could by 7 or 8 Bremens for the same price, and not worry about losing them.

I believe these have a lifetime warranty as well. I have not tried using it though

 

[toolenthusiast]

It's just strange that people thought $45 for Malcos were too expensive, but $80 for Snap-On is an amazing deal, because warranty.

Kinda

Does a warranty cover abuse?

Not officially, but most Snap-on guys are going to warranty anything that they can. Tool trucks that don’t warranty tools out liberally will be quickly shunned by an entire shop worth of techs. Then the techs will even text their buddies at other shops and tell them not to deal with the guy. Tool guys can get left out in the cold really quick. The ones who screw around too much can even get told by the shop manager/owner to never come back.

I could by 7 or 8 Bremens for the same price, and not worry about losing them.

That’s true. But pros are going to go through a lot more than 7 or 8 pairs of decent locking pliers in their career. Hence, the popularity of expensive tools with lifetime warranties.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

It's just strange that people thought $45 for Malcos were too expensive, but $80 for Snap-On is an amazing deal, because warranty.

Does a warranty cover abuse? By their nature, locking pliers are often abused, and used in unintended or even destructive ways. Even if the warranty does cover that, it certainly won't cover lost or stolen pliers.

I could by 7 or 8 Bremens for the same price, and not worry about losing them.

Abuse? Of locking pliers? Can you even do that? That's like abusing a hammer. Maybe you could consider locking them onto something then wracking the pliers with a hammer abuse. I can't see how that's going to break them though.

Warranty will cover anything besides theft or acts of God. Like if the pliers are in a tool box which is hit by a meteorite or consumed by fire thats your problem. If they're discontinued, the truck will credit your account the last MSRP the tool was sold for.

FWIW I bought about 3 pair of snap on, and 2 pair of Eagle Grip. I did my part.

 

[Buckgnarly]

As someone who bought BOTH Malco and Snap On, I am not going to complain about EITHER price. As said above, clamp them down on some BJs, TREs, etc and spin away with the impact. The Snap Ons will last many more times before many others, and you get a free pair when the teeth get worn out. In my experience they also hold better than any others.

Some on here may just use them to hold a stripped ungraded nut every now and then, so a cheaper version may be in order.

Different strokes for different folks.

NOW PLEASE SNAP ON STARTING MAKING THE NARROW NOSED ONES!!!!!

 

[j3rf]

NOW PLEASE SNAP ON STARTING MAKING THE NARROW NOSED ONES!!!!!

Different design from the ones in the OP?

 

[American Locomotive]

As someone mentioned, one of the great things about Malcos is that they bite hard, real hard. Trying to take the hitch out of my friends Ford Ranger. Big 9/16” bolts just absolutely rusted in place, nut rounding over even with a good wrench on it.

Clamped on the Malcos and hit the other end with the big Milwaukee M18 high torque and it rattles on those big bolts hard enough to break them off.

The Malcos didn't slip at all with that kind of abuse. That one job justified their purchase alone.