I think I have all, or at least, most of them:
Two of each, aside from the needle nose on the far left, only have one of those. They're incredibly nice. I can get you a better pic when I'm at my workshop this weekend if you'd like.
Show your new tool arrivals
- Thread starter sarel.wagner
- Start date
Nice! Zip ties definitely work. As most of us on here do, I went overboard on the accessoriesI learned this trick from Bob Heine: li'l zip tie.
If those springs ever give up, I'll be very old by that point, and these will still be pliers.
Nice! Zip ties definitely work. As most of us on here do, I went overboard on the accessories
Of course, to trim that zip tie now you need:
KNIPEX 77 22 115 Comfort Grip Electronics Diagonal Cutter
With the money you save using zip ties or something.
(Price is currently nutz. I paid $41ish in 2022, which was also nutz, but I do like them.)
Knipex got a good wire stripper ? I sold my icon clone of the snap on. I’m going to get the snap on one in few weeks when driver back and I don’t find another brand I like.
Some of the best. Link to one example below. Probably the most popular. There are some variations to it.
Agree.
But in terms of functionality with the quality of metal, temper, and tolerances and alignment I am not sure if there is a lot of difference. Vise grips often are used rough (ex: welding clamps) and were relativity cheap since you would use heavily and need a lot. So finish was not so important. The finish is more a cosmetic issue other than suppressing rust which can degrade the tool. A lot of the Asian offshore Vise Grip type locking pliers are finished well and look superficially good, but they do not work well and do not last under heavy use. My guess is that is an issue of metal/materials, tempering, and poor manufacturing tolerances on critical parts. Even though these are simple devices and they have many good examples from Petersen to copy, the designs sometimes seem poor also. You would think with modern CAD programs it would be almost trivial to copy and tweak/improve the classic designs. But for whatever reason, that does not happen. Maybe something goes wrong in the translation from design programs to the factory. That type of stuff is one reason I am very skeptical with the "Designed in the USA" label garbage. In the end, if you do not make it and are not involved in the implementation, I am skeptical the CAD design really gets done as intended and if you do not have local factory feedback probably a lot of the small, but important tweaks to the production line do not happen or go wrong.
Skyman
Well-known member
Thanks!
neophyte
Well-known member
The older prices from Petersen when Petersen actually manufactured the vise-grips, tended to rise following government issued inflation numbers.
Petersen and the Vise-Grip brand have been sold a couple times since then, and the US Government has screwed around with the way the inflation numbers are calculated, so most major expenses, including housing, no longer match inflation numbers worth a ****.
My parents mentioned what their apartment cost per month in the 1970s.
It was a multi room apartment, in an old “large house/mansion”, and the Shadowstats numbers for inflation, are much closer yo what that apartment would cost to rent nowadays, than the official government inflation numbers. (The Shadowstats numbers are were I got the $200 per pair of Vise-Grips number from)
As the modern cinematic classic starring Ben Affleck, The Accountant” mentions, the price of consumer hoods tends to decline over time. (Even compared to inflation, just look at TV prices, with technological upgrades).
The $200 price equivalent really seemed high though.
The current retail price of a pair of 10” Irwin vise grips seems to be about $20 - $23. But that is with cheaper overseas labor and manufacturing.
Import duties likely also increases that cost.
Facom locking pliers seem to retail for around $60 -$70 in the USA, and about $53 in France adjusted for exchange rates.
This is around what the Eagle Grip prices were, or a bit less, once the Eagle Grip pliers for to dealers, and before they were discontinued.
The Facom price range seems a good equivalent.
Handy tool to have!
I have the exact same model. It works well for the purpose. Since batteries only last about 5 years and Michigan (where I live) is cold, it is handy to monitor things on my two family cars to ensure we do not get stuck.
A recommendation from what I have found useful: Use a sharpie type marker to mark the year purchased or produced (if not already on the battery) and the Cold Crank Amps in following years. This can give you a good idea when it is time to replace. Also, my experience is that supply chains change so much some supposed quality Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) type batteries can age surprisingly poorly even when var had a good prior reputation. When that happens, it typically appears to correlate to production chain changes in materials and place of manufacture. Auto parts have little production stability these days.
Skyman
Well-known member
I learned this trick from Bob Heine: li'l zip tie.
If those springs ever give up, I'll be very old by that point, and these will still be pliers.
I've removed the springs on most of the pliers and cutters I have that came equipped with them. Unless the tool will be used for a lot of repetitive tasks, I find the springs to be solving a problem that I didn't have, while creating a new one that I didn't need. Having been careful enough to still have my pinkie fingers, I've never had a problem getting them to open without the help of springs.
66HertzClone
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have done that, but I turn them inside out to avoid having the lock catch in the plier holders I am using in the drawers. I also use some of those velcro cable organizers.Nice! Zip ties definitely work. As most of us on here do, I went overboard on the accessories
SouthernIllinois
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2024
- Messages
- 1,675
I have been seriously considering one of those for awhile. I think you just sold me.Handy tool to have!
Where did you buy yours? I am leery of buying things like that from Amazon or eBay.
EDIT / UPDATE: Just ordered it from JB Tools.
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No need for the pic for me. I can believe they are Malco needle noses are very nice. Basically, they are a better finished version of the Petersen style that I have and which performed well over many years. The Malco's were probably worth the price ... but alas, they are no longer available with Malco going under unless you want to pay a Snap-On premium (they bought the tooling and are making them now). I wish I bought a few when they were around.I think I have all, or at least, most of them:
Two of each, aside from the needle nose on the far left, only have one of those. They're incredibly nice. I can get you a better pic when I'm at my workshop this weekend if you'd like.
Some advice: If you use the small ones twisting for extraction type applications, you can use an adjustable monkey wrench across the tips to twist. This can help reduce the prospect for damage. I started doing that too late with my old Petersen's and I already knocked the tips out of alignment when using too much torque on stuck broken bolt nubs and stuck nuts. They held up exceptionally well for less rough use though.
You have a very clean set. It will be a shame when the welding clamps are used for welding and get splattered! But alas, that is the proper life of a tool ... unless they are a collection to hang on the wall. I never understood the logic of tool collection. I like tools but they are TOOLS meant to do work. Ha!
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Thats an old pic when they were new, hadn't even gotten around to organizing them yet. I do keep all my tools clean.
The welding clamps are almost too nice for welding, so I use the junk Knipex locking pliers I bought before the Eagle Grips were announced for that. I use the Eagle Grips for holding things together that need to be drilled, cut, sanded, measured, etc. They've also held a vise to a railing in a pinch.
I'm all set for locking pliers, but I wouldnt mind picking up a bigger set of needle nose or bent needle nose Eagle Grips...but it doesn't look like Snappy sells either of those.
I did order from eBay. I buy and sell on eBay and as long as you buy from a seller that has good feedback and a lot of items sold, you shouldn’t have any issues. The seller I bought from has sold 12,000 items with 99.7 positive feedback.
Radio Flyer
Well-known member
When I bought mine, I used ZORO.
Kurt4440
Well-known member
Those are handy kits. I purchased 3 of them when they were on clearance at Sears, they were $17 each about 10-12 years ago. I also purchased a couple of short extensions to go with them, they are resting in between the bits.These are discontinued but Napa website was showing you could still buy them. I picked up this morning and got free hat too for spending more than $40.
I guess I should have posted this a decade ago.
Awesome ! I got 2 of them. Was $45 each after tax with free shipping.Those are handy kits. I purchased 3 of them when they were on clearance at Sears, they were $17 each about 10-12 years ago. I also purchased a couple of short extensions to go with them, they are resting in between the bits.
I guess I should have posted this a decade ago.
Stridercondor
Member
I have not a single grip-edge tool. I know they get rave reviews, but they always leave me shell-shocked on asking price. Plus I guess I just don't really have to deal with stripped or nearly stripped fasteners very often. Maybe someday....
Jeffrey D
Well-known member
UPS man just left me this Snap-On 1/4" T-handle wrench. I ordered this for a specific job that we will be doing often. If it works out like I hope it does, I'll get the other sizes to complete the set. Olivia seems to like it.
SouthernIllinois
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2024
- Messages
- 1,675
Snap-On Thursday
Seam ripper to open wiring harnesses on the Crusty Corvair
3/4”, 12 & 14 mm ratcheting wrenches
1/4” drive, flex-head, quick disconnect ratchet
7/8-15/16 box wrench
Seam ripper to open wiring harnesses on the Crusty Corvair
3/4”, 12 & 14 mm ratcheting wrenches
1/4” drive, flex-head, quick disconnect ratchet
7/8-15/16 box wrench
It could be that you're not dealing with salt.
I have warranted my seam ripper many times for the red ball falling off, you can get a bag of them on Brazilian river for cheap.Snap-On Thursday
Seam ripper to open wiring harnesses on the Crusty Corvair
3/4”, 12 & 14 mm ratcheting wrenches
1/4” drive, flex-head, quick disconnect ratchet
7/8-15/16 box wrench
But I do like your choice of tools, kinda happy I have spent money when I was young, yes I know inflation and every thing but the prices these days.
Cheers.
Snapped-off
Well-known member
I decided to upgrade and replace my CDI micrometer wrenches, so I did some haggling last week.
I'm going to give the CDI's to my nephew.
I'm going to give the CDI's to my nephew.
MWEric
Well-known member
Discombobulated adjustable wrench set,
1-3/16” crowfoot and a free Matco ratchet. (Not really free, I’ve spent a few bucks with my dealer, I get it.)
1-3/16” crowfoot and a free Matco ratchet. (Not really free, I’ve spent a few bucks with my dealer, I get it.)
swsman
Well-known member
Arrived yesterday.
Still waiting for my Koken 1/4 and 3/8 drive spinner handles - looks like they shipped today.
Wen band file belt sander (test run before I commit to Milwaukee cordless option)
Tone 3/8 spinner with female handle end
Noco battery terminal protectant
Still waiting for my Koken 1/4 and 3/8 drive spinner handles - looks like they shipped today.
Wen band file belt sander (test run before I commit to Milwaukee cordless option)
Tone 3/8 spinner with female handle end
Noco battery terminal protectant
Attachments
I’ve got a super long set of GW I bought when I first joined here. I must say they’re been incredible. Hopefully you set is of the same quality.Gearwrench has me hooked.
Well Zoro fd up again, well half way. I got two sets of wera drivers today but they aren’t what ordered. I specifically order the gold tips ones, but at least these are laser tips. At this point I’ll be sourcing my wera stuff somewhere else.
And a pretty robust adjustable hole saw. If anyone else ever has that need, I highly recommend this unit. I bought one for the crew a few years ago and it’s hung strong through all kinds of ceiling material without fail.
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
And a pretty robust adjustable hole saw. If anyone else ever has that need, I highly recommend this unit. I bought one for the crew a few years ago and it’s hung strong through all kinds of ceiling material without fail.
That hole saw is badass. My electrician used one the other day to put some lights in my house and it cut a really nice hole and did a great job containing the drywall dust.
I use little rubber bands I cut off an old bike inner tube. reusable, cheap, don't turn to go like rubber bands.I learned this trick from Bob Heine: li'l zip tie.
If those springs ever give up, I'll be very old by that point, and these will still be pliers.
I'm not the guy to ask, but look around GJ, lots of people love Knipex's wire strippers.
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In the case of these cutters, they're such wee little things the pinky may not find room. But mostly the springs don't push them open very far, see pic below, and I can live with it, just not in the pliers drawer. But yeah, my usual reaction to such springs is "who asked for it?"
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Compliments of Menards deal thread.
Not a bad deal $1/wrench.
Not a bad deal $1/wrench.
More wrenches call for more Ernst wrench organizers... Jungle Truck just dropped off.
66HertzClone
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have one of those to, I removed the lid and have the bottom tray in one of the drawers in my HF 4 drawer roller cabinet that is in my house, hides away in a closet when not need. I did purchase a 1/4 drive ratchet, some extensions, a 1/4 drive conventional handle driver and a u-joint, and deep sockets so I have everything I might need at hand.Those are handy kits. I purchased 3 of them when they were on clearance at Sears, they were $17 each about 10-12 years ago. I also purchased a couple of short extensions to go with them, they are resting in between the bits.
I guess I should have posted this a decade ago.
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neophyte
Well-known member
Small cutters like this are routinely used for jewelry or electronics manufacture, were hundreds of cuts per day may be required.In the case of these cutters, they're such wee little things the pinky may not find room. But mostly the springs don't push them open very far, see pic below, and I can live with it, just not in the pliers drawer. But yeah, my usual reaction to such springs is "who asked for it?"
Having to use your pinky finger, or other fingers to open the cutters like one does with larger pliers, can get fatiguing very fast, and hand fatigue causes muscle strain which can lead to sloppy work.
Most high end small pliers and cutters nowadays have springs, and Bahco even added springs yo some of their larger cutters. (Bahco was heavily concerned with ergonomics).
The way the springs are likely mounted may make the springs removable on those grips.