Christmas Present for Dad

[Vortaku]

I stumbled into my dads garage this past month and realized he had no locking pliers or vise-grips. This MUST be changed! I was crusing arouind on amazon and came across this set
and thought they look pretty decent.

I also saw this set on amazon and thought it might be nice to have aswell.

Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions to other brands? I am sorry but I dont see me spending the money on a set of snapon when i can get him something solid for the time being at a much more reasonable price. He tinkers in his garage on his days off and does handy man stuff around the house.

Anyways I look forward to the feedback on this. I am not only looking at these tools, but they seem to be the front runners. Cool points if Greenlee makes good tools because that is our last name and I think it is awesome to have tools with your last name!

Thanks,
Vor

ps/tldr: around 150 worth of tools for christmas, looking at vise-grips sets and racheting wrenches. need more ideas and to see if the stuff i was looking at is worth it

 

[Ponchoguy]

Years ago, this was easy. You'd go to Sears during a Christmas sale and pick up some USA made Craftsmans and you were all set. Sadly, this is a bygone era....

 

[Vortaku]

Years ago, this was easy. You'd go to Sears during a Christmas sale and pick up some USA made Craftsmans and you were all set. Sadly, this is a bygone era....

I know, part of me wishes I would have been into tools at a younger age, I might have me a nice set of old us made craftsman.

 

[McSpike]

Both those sets are nice, affordable tools. Some folks on here are going to talk about COO, but if that isn't important to you, I think dad would like those tools very much. I know I would. Although I'm set in ratcheting wrenches.
You can never have too many vise-grips!

 

[woody 73]

They tell me the jaws are made out of soft metal coming out of China, see if the following link will give you some good ideas for American made tools for your Dad.

http://www.harryepstein.com/

PS: You are a good son!

 

[BK13]

I dunno if it's just my ancient iPad, but your link comes up Gearwrenches.

I know I'm a little goofy, but I would rather have Proto rebrands of Grip On locking pliers than Chinese made Irwin originals. For a more budget option, the Milwaukee locking pliers are made in Tiawan. And they are sweet units. My son usually convinces me to buy some every time I take him to HD. (And I'm really a tough sell. Not.)

 

[Travisnd]

Find him these!! Look on ebay

 

[theoldwizard1]

I stumbled into my dads garage this past month and realized he had no locking pliers or vise-grips. This MUST be changed! I was crusing arouind on amazon and came across this set
and thought they look pretty decent.

I bought the same set for my son about 5-8 years ago ! Personally, I am partial to the "old school" non-cushioned grip ones. Start watching sales or shop eBay. I know you can get that set for less.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Years ago, this was easy. You'd go to Sears during a Christmas sale and pick up some USA made Craftsmans and you were all set. Sadly, this is a bygone era....

I built much of my personal collections that way !

 

[Youngguns]

I stumbled into my dads garage this past month and realized he had no locking pliers or vise-grips. This MUST be changed!

This says to me that you were analyzing your father's garage as you were in it. You obviously had your eyes open, looking at what he had. So, knowing this, I'll presume you're somewhat of a tool snob. Why don't you get him a nice set of locking pliers (Grip On, or one of their rebrands)? They'll last forever, so when you're dad is done with them, you'll inherit some nice tools with some invaluable character.

 

[firworks]

Is it possible that your father has a well stocked garage based on what he uses/needs and maybe he doesn't need locking pliers or vise-grips? Just a counterpoint to think about.

 

[Youngguns]

Is it possible that your father has a well stocked garage based on what he uses/needs and maybe he doesn't need locking pliers or vise-grips? Just a counterpoint to think about.

I would like to add onto this. I actually considered this but forgot to mention it. I actually don't use locking pliers that often and I could probably get by with out them. They're nice to have, but from my stand point, I could post "locking pliers" in the "Tools You Don't Use Often" thread.

 

[notlob]

Don't buy him the Irwin Vise Grip set - I bought some a few years back and they are among the worst tools I ever purchased. Soft jaws and overall shoddy feel.

 

[Tellingthem]

I would wait and try and find some NOS Petersen ones. They might make a more interesting Christmas gift. They are still around if you keep your eyes open. I just bought an old 2-pc set for around $20. They were from the 70's I believe still new in the box even. If you can't find anything like that in the next couple of months you still have plenty of time to get the other options.

 

[dgjaxun]

i would recommend against the Fast Release style i have some and hate them get ones with the traditional lever release. the grip on sets are the best ones i have used

 

[valentine]

I have lots of old Peterson made Vice agrips but just to "check 'em out," I recently picked up a pair of Milwaukee brand locking pliers. I only have the one pair but I have to say that I have been favorably impressed with them. I plan on purchasing more.

-Valentine

 

[smokey0810]

I had some HF brand lockers, until I really needed to hold some shock cylinders tight. Then I went and got the Vise Grip brand you have in your link. Not that set, but a large one, small one and needle nose. They have been a truly valuable tool, recently being used to hold up my garage door the other night as I put rollers back in track after my wife backed into it. I enjoy them, especially with the rubberized handle which helps get a better grip. I've also got a set of gear wrench like that, and end up going for my non-ratcheting snap on set long before I really need them.