Are HF Bremen Locking Pliers Really That Good?

[joey1320]

HF is currently having a 30% off on all items under $10 - maximum of 5 items. I'm in need of locking pliers for minimal use around the house. I currently have some awful Kobalt ones that came in a set I was gifted but they annoy the living hell out of me every time I use them.

The reviews for the Bremen pliers make it seem as if they are the best bang for the buck, just wondering if that's the case so I can make my way to the store later today.

The 5 pliers I'm looking at puts me at $26 after discount. That's a phenomenal deal if the tools work as people say.

 

[Mr_B]

They above average and at deal price and fact got usable warranty an incredible value buy.
I've got some used professionally and as good as most other better taiwan efforts including milwaukee .
I prefer them to snapon gripon pliers and they 10x the price lol .
Go hand pick some extra perfect fit and finished ones and enjoy them, they should do real well for light home use.
you could also add 1 or 2 malco usa to the set once they get retail released .

 

[joey1320]

They above average and at deal price and fact got usable warranty an incredible value buy.
I've got some used professionally and as good as most other better taiwan efforts including milwaukee .
I prefer them to snapon gripon pliers and they 10x the price lol .
Go hand pick some extra perfect fit and finished ones and enjoy them, they should do real well for light home use.
you could also add 1 or 2 malco usa to the set once they get retail released .

I use the Milwaukee at work and like them. If these are in the same ballpark, I'm all in. Thanks. Luckily HF is literally a 5 min drive for me, so I'll stop in later to feel them in person.

 

[justintendo]

they are ok.. but definitely not like usa vise grips..long as thats the expectation, then i guess they are worth getting. i got some of the pittsburg drill press locking pliers and they arent real great, but work. the rivets are very loose.
i wouldnt say 5 bucks a piece is a phenomenal deal.

 

[Bogie1632]

They work as well as my Vise Grips. Smooth operation, tight and aligned jaws. I ended up getting a few different styles for one of my sons who is in a welding course. Low cost and I don't give a hoot if they get covered in weld splatter or have to meet a grinder. That keeps mine safe and sound in my toolbox.

V/R
Bogie

 

[bwringer]

Yes, they're miles and miles ahead of the Chinese "Vise-Grip" branded stuff.

Yes, they're made in Taiwan, not PRC.

As mentioned, the Milwaukee branded pliers are also made in Taiwan and quite good. As long as you avoid the rubber wrapped handle style which is garbage no matter who made them.

The "Bremen" brand at HF are fantastic bang for the buck, although they don't have that cool red tightenator widget that the Milwaukees have.

For welding and grinding clamps, HF also sells Chinese cheapies in a bin closer to the floor...

 

[Prospecter]

As good as my USA Vice Grips, a little better than Irwins and old USA Craftsman.

 

[zendriver]

I got a pair as a replacement for a pair of the PP brand, they no longer sold.

No better or worse, than any other pair of VGs I have ever owned. IMO, no matter who made them.

"best bang for the buck"

They're 8 bucks a pair.

 

[Mr_B]

^^^
No but they have 1/4" square broach in end of the thumb screw which good touch.
long nose diamond pattern tip teeth also quite nice feature at the price.
For price of these with coupon they totally disposable but with currently usable warranty you can mess up a pair getting a job done and next time you in HF Pick another pair off the shelf and get them exchanged .
Are they the absolute best no, but they punch way above the price tag and are good design and manufacture effort, fairly good range too .
The highlight how visegrip sold out for cheapest sh1t they could source for profit .

5bucks is complete chump change for pretty usable tool and fact you likely be able warranty couple those or maybe more if product and warranty remains same makes it hard be negative .

 

[joey1320]

No better or worse, than any other pair of VGs I have ever owned.
"best bang for the buck"
They're 8 bucks a pair.

This 5 piece Milwaukee set sells for $64.99
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-Torque-Lock-Locking-Pliers-Kit-5-Piece-48-22-3695/303010226

Matching the pliers, one to one, to the Bremen, price comes in at $45.62. Even without the 30% discount you're saving $20, and, as you said, they perform exactly the same, seems like good deal. With the 30% discount coming it at $31.50, that seems like phenomenal "Bang For The Buck".

Or am I missing something?

 

[joey1320]

$28.72 out the door.

The pliers felt great when I tried them at the store. I had enough play with the packaging to be able to put pressure on the locking mechanism and they seem to be a better alternative to the ones I currently own.

Great tool.

View media item 110813

 

[Renegade1LI]

I bought some for work, with 30% off if the guys wreck em or loose em it doesn't hurt too much at 5.50$ ea.

 

[theluke]

I have a few pairs. The 6" long nose have only been used a few times, and the teeth are mangled. The curved jaws have held up only slightly better. My Chinese made Irwin ones have been fine. Wouldn't buy the Bremen ones again.

 

[Mr_B]

$28.72 out the door.

The pliers felt great when I tried them at the store. I had enough play with the packaging to be able to put pressure on the locking mechanism and they seem to be a better alternative to the ones I currently own.

Great tool.

View media item 110813

They perfect item buy with the 5 item 30% off deal .
If you get issue with a pair simply make most of the warranty .

 

[Mr_B]

I have a few pairs. The 6" long nose have only been used a few times, and the teeth are mangled. The curved jaws have held up only slightly better. My Chinese made Irwin ones have been fine. Wouldn't buy the Bremen ones again.

I've been using some daily inmy auto shop and can't fault them for the price .
Hold up pretty well, better than chinese irwin, close/equal to Milwaukee and at deal price they disposable but you don't have to as got warranty .
If mangled badly go back and get a new pair using the warranty or get your money back if don't think they up to snuff .
Hopefully the upcoming Malco will be top effort on jaw alloy and heat treatment for those occasions when really need better .

 

[GeoBruin]

This thread is pretty rediculous. Some claim they're the best locking pliers currently made, some claim they're junk.

This isn't helpful for the OP or anyone who finds this thread in the future.

We need some way to objectively evaluate them. Short of that, feedback should be based on specific observations that provide value, otherwise what are we doing here?

 

[Strouty]

No one uses locking pliers the same, for some people they may be the best, for others, not so much. It is kind of like when you have someone living in a rust belt area asking about good flare wrenches and a fight starts about how HF flare wrenches are perfectly fine and they uses them every day. Except the person that loves the tools lives in Arizona and couldn’t even comprehend what rust is.

 

[zendriver]

This 5 piece Milwaukee set sells for $64.99
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-Torque-Lock-Locking-Pliers-Kit-5-Piece-48-22-3695/303010226

Matching the pliers, one to one, to the Bremen, price comes in at $45.62. Even without the 30% discount you're saving $20, and, as you said, they perform exactly the same, seems like good deal. With the 30% discount coming it at $31.50, that seems like phenomenal "Bang For The Buck".

Or am I missing something?

IMO, not really.

Maybe the "Milwaukee" brand are super-duper (absolutely no experience using them), but personally I've never owned any locking pliers, that the teeth could not be distorted from hard use, which is often how locking pliers are used.

My point was the HF brand is probably still a bargain even at full price.

Discount coupon = more better.

 

[joey1320]

IMO, not really.

Maybe the "Milwaukee" brand are super-duper, but personally I've never owned any locking pliers, that the teeth could not be distorted from hard use, which is often how locking pliers are used.

My point was the HF brand is probably still a bargain even at full price.

Discount coupon = more better.

My sincerest apologies.

Reading over your original comment, it read as if the $8 price tag was not "bang for buck" but rather more expensive to be considered that.

Thank you for correcting me.

 

[captain14]

joey1320

Post some feedback after you have used them awhile. Tell us what you think of each one.

 

[joey1320]

joey1320

Post some feedback after you have used them awhile. Tell us what you think of each one.

I think I'm going to take them to work (BMW Dealer) and really put them to work to see how they do. Will gladly report back.

 

[anndel]

I think I'm going to take them to work (BMW Dealer) and really put them to work to see how they do. Will gladly report back.

Looking forward to your results. Still waiting for Malco Eagle Grips to come online.