NOS US Made Vise Grips

[Handyandy23]

I was in a local hardware store today that was a real throwback, with tons of stuff that looks like it's been there for a really long time.

I was browsing the tools out of curiosity, and saw a NOS 1997 dated set of US-made Vise Grips, 7LW "Locking Wrench". I think the price tag on them was $36 CDN.

I know these US Vise Grips have a very good reputation on GJ, but wondering if anyone can give any feedback on this particular model? At first glance they look a little gimmicky, with a V-shaped jaw for grabbing into a nut or bolt head. But just wondering if anyone finds them effective?

 

[plinker]

They work nice for punch/chisel holders and holding round stuff (wont keep it from spinning though). I've also used them to hold the hex on tie rods while loosening the jam nuts.

 

[eschoendorff]

I have several us made sizes of those locking wrenches. I bought them thinking they would save my bacon when encountering mildly rounded or rusted fasteners. They work ok but the do slip a lot more than I like. I just haven’t had the luck that I had hoped with them.

 

[seanb02]

Interesting, have never seen that model before. It does look as though it would work well for gripping bolts and whatnot though. Unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to own a good old USA set of Vise Grips. Bought a complete set of the Irwin branded ones, and after a couple years had enough of them. Purchased the big set of the Milwaukee ones and they are excellent.

 

[Strouty]

That particular model is a bit gimmicky.

 

[dr_clyde]

I have a complete set of those style, I find them extremely useful for holding round things.

3 points of contact, decent amount of grip, good range. I like them for holding small rings and discs to deburr or countersink in the drill press. They also work good for holding onto rods and pins.

Think of them like vee blocks in plier form.

 

[GTO]

Like post#2 said,great for holding punches and chisels as well as nuts.
I have both sizes.
Not gimmicky at all...

 

[DFB]

That's one of the Vise Grip styles I don't have. I never felt compelled to purchase it.
I do remember the design haven't seen it in while. Offers a 3 sided grip is the spiel

$11.77 USD at Tool Up is lowest price now I see


I don't use locking jaw wrenches all that often but they are handy to have to when you need them. I have curved jaw, long nose, and straight jaws in numerous sizes

 

[Stuart in MN]

I had to look up the 7LW - I have seen pictures of them before but haven't run across any in the wild. Irwin still sells them.

As for the value, looking online it appears retail on a new pair of 7LW's is around $15.00, give or take. Whether or not a 20 year old pair that was made in the US is worth twice that would be in the eye of the beholder. I don't think they're old enough to qualify as 'vintage' but are probably better quality than the current offering.

 

[Handyandy23]

I do not see how any pair of Vise-Grips are worth $36.

Yeah, this was my main reason for leaving them, and probably why they've been sitting there for 20 years. It was a tiny mom and pop store that probably paid some tool dealer way too much for them. The rest of the tools were really poor quality no name China stuff.

That said though it is Canada and the prices are 30% inflated here just by exchange rate. Even the new Chinese Irwin ones at Lowe's are $22 CDN. But I also just bought nice Grip Ons off Amazon for much less than that, so makes it hard to justify outside of the "cool" factor of their age.

 

[joey1320]

Just because it's US made doesn't mean it's quality.

 

[Jawn]

I find the "LW" style handy too. Just yesterday I used my 10LW as a means to hold short pieces of copper pipe while I soldered it.

 

[Handyandy23]

Just because it's US made doesn't mean it's quality.

I'd agree as a blanket statement, but I know many on here really like the quality of the US made original Vise Grips.

I'm more questioning this LW style and how useful it is. Which sounds like many like to use for gripping round material.

 

[American Locomotive]

Just because it's US made doesn't mean it's quality.

That is true. However for whatever reason, Irwin just can't get the jaws right on their chinese made vise grips. The jaws on the US ones were much better.

It's not just the vise grips either. I've got a pair of Irwin channel locks at work and they are hot garbage. I think Irwin's tooth geometry is bad, and the teeth are too soft.

 

[sk farmer]

Just because it's US made doesn't mean it's quality.

in this case it does.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I had a Craigslist seller throw in two Petersen vice grips to seal the deal on that Fluke meter I bought and one of them was that style. I was told they are great for holding thick cables together.

 

[ganymede]

Ive had the 7" model since they came out.
I use it for rounded fasteners or when fasteners are so rusty a socket may round them.

 

[ganymede]

in this case it does.

Agreed.
Mine have that old school feel to them. A little tighter than the ones that came out in the last few yrs before the factory closed.

 

[Farmall450]

Just because it's US made doesn't mean it's quality.

That argument doesn't really apply here.

 

[aczr2k]

USA made vise grips are coming... just be patient.. should only be a couple more months. Being made in the old vise grip factory.

 

[AA/FC]

USA made vise grips are coming... just be patient.. should only be a couple more months. Being made in the old vise grip factory.

You took the words right out of my mouth. lol.

"Eagle Grip will make its official debut at the National Hardware Show in May 2019"

https://www.malcoproducts.com/news/...-former-vise-grip-factory-in-dewitt-nebraska/

 

[Steve_P]

I'm sure you will very occasionally find a new vintage USA vise grip at a yard sale for $1 but this is not common today. Ebay NOS prices are ridiculous since listings are free and sellers are looking for suckers. If you can easily find them new for a buck list them here for $10. We'll wait to see them. But no one will hold their breath.

 

[aczr2k]

I don’t see any for sale in our area unless they are junk. No time for flea markets.

I was just letting people know that Malco Tool has new ones coming.


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[anndel]

I have this and it works very well for rusted nuts and bolts. I bought mine used from Ebay and hardly use them because I don't want to break 'em. Their my collector's items along with other Petersen Vise-Grips from DeWitt Nebraska. For rusted nuts/bolts I grab the Snap-on PWZ0,1 or 3.

Pass on it for $36 CDN as you can get good used ones for less elsewhere.

 

[NC Rick]

Some of the vice grips models are “imagination pliers” to me. I imagine what they could be used for and then they sit for a lifetime without getting used. I have a set of the spread twin clamp welders ones which I have never used and I do some welding... the big open “O” clamp type are good sometimes. Any of the vice grips get last use on a screwed up bolt head in favor of a “servo” self tightening design pliers. I use regular Vice Grips for clamps pretty often and they are great paired with a slide hammer for extracting impossibly stuck things as well as pulling stuff straight. If I get extras, I weld on a threaded coupler for a dowl puller. I want some Eagel Grips just because of the ideal I hold.