Best locking pliers

[texchappy]

Was helping a friend work on his car and ran into a problem that I needed locking pliers (e.g. vise grip). Who makes the best grip? The Facom are sure pretty but don't know if they function the best.

(Please no China COO)

 

[Fedwrench]

Grip on are the best I've come across.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Old USA stock from garage sales/pawnshops.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Personally, I'll buy only Vise-grip brand...

 

[archirelic]

Grip-On.

 

[mattyrattypoo]

+1 for Grip-On.

Some manufacturers that use Grip-On include:

Snap-On
Case-IH
Channellock
Proto

 

[MJB24]

Knipex

 

[Monte]

Grip-On, Knipex, NWS.... they´re all nice. Grip-On might have the better design with their 2-tone color finish.

 

[lbgradwell]

Ayuh,.... Personally, I'll buy only Vise-grip brand...

He specifically said no Chinese.

However, as with almost all such questions here at the GJ, the question has been asked and answered countless times. I am certain the OP could have had his answer with a search.

 

[1982fxr]

aren't the industrial vise grips still made in the US, Tennessee N. Carolina or somewhere out that way?

 

[ChevyEFI]

Years back, it used to be a decent deal to pick up 10 sets of Vice Grip brand pliers for like $100 on the listings on Sears' website.

Now, they're not as screaming a deal and I guess the origin is in question. But I need to stock up, as mine have walked over the years.

Save $1.35 over individual and get a sleeve: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item..._ID=644851&group_ID=682188&store=snapon-store

 

[Monte]

aren't the industrial vise grips still made in the US, Tennessee N. Carolina or somewhere out that way?

the vise grip factory in the US closed in 2008

 

[neophyte]

+1 for Grip-On.

Some manufacturers that use Grip-On include:

Snap-On
Case-IH
Channellock
Proto

Does anybody have a picture of the Channellock relabeled Grip-On locking pliers. I've seen an old thread that mentions them, but other than the old self adjusting ones that turn up in Google image searches under "channellock locking pliers" I've never actually seen a pair and didn't know they sold them.

 

[lbgradwell]

...I've never actually seen a pair and didn't know they sold them.

They don't sell them anymore, but I still see NOS from time to time...

 

[sberry]

The world is full of new ideas here but I suspect for the most things the traditional vise grip and Channelock are hard to beat, some old engineer figured it out as right as it could get way back then. They are a standard in the trades.

As for the ones above, I can live with about one pair of round jaws but straight are a real staple.

 

[jeffk14]

FWIW, I've got about a drawer full of the good ole Petersen, USA vise grips from the 60's & 70's that belonged to my father & grandfather. I've also got a number of newer pairs of Irwin/Imported vice grips. Functionally, they're all THE SAME. Sorry, but i'ssa fac'.

 

[neophyte]

Was helping a friend work on his car and ran into a problem that I needed locking pliers (e.g. vise grip). Who makes the best grip? The Facom are sure pretty but don't know if they function the best.

(Please no China COO)

The Facom Locking pliers are very nice. If you're talking about the standard chromed 500 ( i.e., 500, 501, 511) series the main advantage is the ability to open the jaws incredibly wide. If you're talking about the aluminum handled T5 series, the main advantage is the ergonomics and release mechanism which are incredibly nice to use. Personally I prefer them to the regular vise grips I've used. The main disadvantage to the Facom locking pliers is cost, they're expensive. The other main disadvantage is the models with the wide jaw opening are only available with a few jaw shapes.

 

[Nitroinsane]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000T4TSU/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1366495031&sr=8-16&pi=SL75 I bought this set a couple months ago. It's been great

 

[1982fxr]

the vise grip factory in the US closed in 2008

yes, but i thought it was documented on here that some were still produced out East, but they are available only via industrial sources and not available at regular outlets like their chinese ones, which are available everywhere...

 

[texchappy]

He specifically said no Chinese.

However, as with almost all such questions here at the GJ, the question has been asked and answered countless times. I am certain the OP could have had his answer with a search.

My apologies, guess I used the wrong terms to get to the results you found. Thanks for your help.

 

[jmm]

I like the old Spanish-made Blue Points. Not sure who made them, but I liked my pair so much I bought 3 more.

 

[lbgradwell]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000T4TSU/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1366495031&sr=8-16&pi=SL75 I bought this set a couple months ago. It's been great

Oh. My. God.

 

[lbgradwell]

Thanks for your help.

No sweat.

A How-To on site-specific Google searches should be a required-reading Sticky here...

 

[Nitroinsane]

Oh. My. God.

Hahahahha sorry man I skimmed through

 

[lbgradwell]

yes, but i thought it was documented on here that some were still produced out East, but they are available only via industrial sources...

First I've heard, and I am doubtful in the extreme.

Gotta link?

 

[1982fxr]

read it on here like 6 months ago, that's the best I can tell ya. It's here somewhere if you search enough....could be true, could be bs, but I thought it was confirmed IIRC

 

[lbgradwell]

For that matter, what is an "industrial" vise-grip?

 

[lbgradwell]

New Cresent brand one are the best nowadays.

Wow. I mean, wow.

 

[SMKS]

The the OP-
Are you in the US? Your screen name leads to me believe you are, but that's just a guess.

I like avoiding Chinese products as mush (or more) than many members on this board, but I'll admit even I have a few Chinese Vise-Grips.

The Grip-ons are better. I owned a Snap-on branded one recently. But they're a little spendy, since I'm just a DIY'er. My plier drawer is filled with older locking pliers, a few newer Chinese Vise-grips and a couple weird USA made laminated ones that were made by Jorgensen.
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MiscInventory/45260.html

Long story short, depending on how much you can shell out, the Grip-ons are "better."

read it on here like 6 months ago, that's the best I can tell ya. It's here somewhere if you search enough....could be true, could be bs, but I thought it was confirmed IIRC

Thread in question? I've never read that claim here that I can remember.

I like the old Spanish-made Blue Points. Not sure who made them, but I liked my pair so much I bought 3 more.

Grip-on locking pliers are made in Spain, so Grip-on was likely the OEM.

But, it appears Blue Point are now just rebranded Vise-Grips, if the current pics on the SO website are accurate.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682419&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[sberry]

I am back to the straight jaw though, I used a curved the other day mostly because it was there. When working on boogered fasteners I like straight, can flatten the sides. A curve thends to rotate and strip off.

 

[sberry]

As someone aid, others also have a higher cost, the common original design is such a standard that for most cases I would have a hard time straying from it unless I knew exactly what the special application was, a special tool may be better but for last ditch efforts proven is good.

 

[shampoop]

I have the automatic locking needle nose ones

http://www.lockjawpliers.com/

Love them for constantly using on car hoods with worn out gas shocks. Just set the grip pressure and they will work on any size shock without adjustment. Like the Cadillac of locking pliers.

 

[Monte]

 

[texchappy]

Where's the best place to get Grip-on?

 

[1982fxr]

The the OP-
Are you in the US? Your screen name leads to me believe you are, but that's just a guess.

I like avoiding Chinese products as mush (or more) than many members on this board, but I'll admit even I have a few Chinese Vise-Grips.

The Grip-ons are better. I owned a Snap-on branded one recently. But they're a little spendy, since I'm just a DIY'er. My plier drawer is filled with older locking pliers, a few newer Chinese Vise-grips and a couple weird USA made laminated ones that were made by Jorgensen.
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MiscInventory/45260.html

Long story short, depending on how much you can shell out, the Grip-ons are "better."




Thread in question? I've never read that claim here that I can remember.



Grip-on locking pliers are made in Spain, so Grip-on was likely the OEM.

But, it appears Blue Point are now just rebranded Vise-Grips, if the current pics on the SO website are accurate.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682419&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

just got this off wiki, maybe when they made the claim on here they were referring to this, i don't know. Not finding the thread with search, but I don't know if it was even a thread about vise grips, might have been a tangent. Anyway the thread is here....somewhere.

In 2010, Irwin closed the customer service office in Wilmington, OH and moved the customer service department to Huntersville, NC.

 

[vssjim]

I have never heard of any Vice Grip branded tools still made in the US at all. Secondly can you but Facom locking pliers still made in France anywhere or have they shipped them off to taiwan also?

 

[RCStocker]

Used Vice grips are verywhere. You can find them for $3 or less all day long. I picked up 3 more today for $2 each. I must have over 60 of them now in all styles. I use them for welding, Installing cabinets and just about everthing but clamping my wife toung to her cheek. LOL

 

[Skin]

Where's the best place to get Grip-on?

Snap-On. You can get them from Amazon but they're basically the same price from either vender and the Snap-On branded ones have a warranty.

 

[Monte]

Where's the best place to get Grip-on?

i dunno but this store has the complete selection
http://shop.angloamericantools.com/c/tools-by-factory_grip-on

 

[neophyte]

I have never heard of any Vice Grip branded tools still made in the US at all. Secondly can you but Facom locking pliers still made in France anywhere or have they shipped them off to taiwan also?

Check UltimateGarage.com, http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/index.php?cPath=35_68_113 Some of the Facom locking pliers are listed as "made in France". Steve, the guy who runs the company, is a Garage Journal member under the name Ultgar. He's pretty good about checking COO on items he sells. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/member.php?u=1062