New Tekton locking pliers?

[mhejl]

Just got an email spam from Tekton titled "Just released! All New Locking Pliers":

https://www.tekton.com/pliers/locking-pliers?utm_source=email&utm_medium=shop_now_button&utm_campaign=locking-pliers

These look like Grip-On style locking levers vs their previous Vise Grip style. Has a "cheater" hole in the adjuster knob sort of like Milwaukee. No COO listed on the site.

Anyone held these yet?

 

[ericg]

Open the tab called “specifications”. It lists COO as Taiwan

 

[mhejl]

Open the tab called “specifications”. It lists COO as Taiwan

Thanks! I missed that.

 

[Hammer1963]

Five inch with a straight jaw looks very useful to me. I will have to order a few of these

 

[ptgarcia]

Here a recent thread on the locking pliers:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=390777

 

[jumbojak]

I'd like to see how tight the joint is on the long nose. Tekton should do videos for new product releases. I'm not too picky about most vise grips but the cockeyed joints on the long nose drives me up the wall.

 

[mhejl]

Thought I'd come back and answer my own question. Took a chance and ordered 7 and 10" "Indexing Round Jaw" to check out/compare. Also ordered a couple of German Bolmanns from HJE. My most used Peterson USA 7" needed retirement; my many others are still serviceable.



I've already requested a return/replacement for the 7". The adjusting knob isn't parallel to the handle, threaded maybe 5-10 deg askew, and seems relatively long compared to others.

Overall, these are much better than the China Irwins - I threw 2 away they were so bad and continued to use my old Petersons. The Tektons are close to the original USA Petersons, maybe better (time will tell).

I clamped grade 8 bolt heads as tight as I could and left marks on the bolt heads rather than denting the jaw teeth. The new Bollmann passed this test, too.

The locking lever is captive (like the Bollmans) so they won't "explode" on release. Release is smooth. Adjustment is somewhat gritty but will probably get better with use. The threaded handle area is not spot welded like the Bollmanns.

Overall, I'll buy more Bollmans from HJE (only a few $ more) but the selection is limited. I'll likely try some Grip-Ons in different styles before ordering more Tektons. Tekton does have a good variety and very reasonable prices with free shipping, though, so well worth consideration.

Edit - should have mentioned the following:

On the Tektons, there is some side-side and fore-aft play, maybe 5mm, in the jaw but they clamp straight and flush. This is where the China Irwins failed miserably - easily double and the fore-aft was terrible and wouldn't clamp straight consistently. The Bollmans have a little less side play and minimal/no fore-aft play, more like the old USA Petersons.

Looking more closely at the web pics, seems the askew and long adjuster on the small pliers may just be a trait of the smaller size. Sorry, but the ergonomics are a fail on these, IMHO.

Ordered a few Girp-Ons to compare. Lee Valley seems to have good prices but limited selection. I'll update later...

 

[Mr_B]

spot weld on the tekton threaded handle seam would of been good especially as got the hole for extra torquing of the screw .

 

[Fedwrench]

I never really think of those holes on the adjusting screws to be anything other than a hanging hole.

So we're left with trying to get Tekton to add a spot weld or Bollman to add an adjusting screw with a hang hole.

If there's an epstein's day this year maybe I'll grab a pair of Bollman's to experiment with even though that would go against the intent of epstein's day.

Perhaps Tekton will have a Father's Day sale.

 

[Mr_B]

^
Yeh, I not been one to do it but I see a lot using milwauke grips use the eyelet crank it tighter .
If do same on tekton the unwelded threaded form will allow the screw jump threads.
Quite surpised it not welded as some 3buck chinese ones I picked up for welding and bodge jobs even got spot welds and pretty decent finishing .
Tekton look pretty good, not tried any yet as own plenty of usa made ones from days of roll pin release lever that i really unlikely ever need another set in any size or type in my lifetime.

 

[Kasal]

Why do not you try the Channellock are manufactured by Grip-on.

 

[tarbellb]

Why do not you try the Channellock are manufactured by Grip-on.

They are hard to find here in the USA.

 

[Tonyuk]

They are hard to find here in the USA.

Strange that, they're easy to find here in the uk, both the Grip ons and the ones sold as Channellock.

Bahco locking pliers are also made by grip-on, as are snap-ons.

Personally i think the Milwaukee locking pliers are better, and cheaper.

 

[Strouty]

I have never seen channellock locking pliers in the wild, I did score some new in package ones from a pawn shop once, but that is the only time I ever saw them. Must be import taxes or something that makes them elusive in the US.

I think the biggest issue when choosing a locking plier is that not all of us are using them the same way. Some are using them to remove damaged fasteners while others use them to hold two or more pieces of material together. Then you have the I do all those things crowd. I have had a lot of different styles and I think the new milwaukee ones are decent, being able to tighten them after the fact is great too. That being said I think the original petersens are great, I also like the new Facom ones.

 

[tarbellb]

Strange that, they're easy to find here in the uk, both the Grip ons and the ones sold as Channellock.

Bahco locking pliers are also made by grip-on, as are snap-ons.

Personally i think the Milwaukee locking pliers are better, and cheaper.

Specifically the Channellocks are hard to find, the others just require cash. I found a pair on Ebay, instantly knew they were rebranded Grip-on, paid $2.75 shipped!

I also think the Milwaukee ones are great, specially for the price and availability. I prefer the pull vs push style of Grip-on/Tekton/etc.. vs the og Petersons/Milwaukess, but its not make or break for me.

 

[Loscaldazar]

I'm just happy more companies are starting to pick up on putting the release lever in the correct orientation. I spent a ton on my grip ons/grip on rebrands(haven't pinched my hands in years with locking pliers now!) when they were the only one using that design and it's nice to see more budget options now.

 

[mhejl]

UPDATE: Got a prompt reply from Tekton. Good news is the threaded joint is brazed which isn't plainly evident but welcome.

The slight cant on the smaller ones is by design and they're already planning to shorten the adjuster on a pending revision.

They're sending a replacement 7" anyway. Ok, I'll buy more now with customer service like that!

Thanks to Dave @ Tekton.

 

[Alaniho]

I'm just happy more companies are starting to pick up on putting the release lever in the correct orientation. I spent a ton on my grip ons/grip on rebrands(haven't pinched my hands in years with locking pliers now!) when they were the only one using that design and it's nice to see more budget options now.

Absolutely, my relationship with the Petersens is something like the wee video link below, the stanleys and channelocks have the other style release which i find more relaxing to use.

 

[Fedwrench]

Tekton's customer support is outstanding!!!