Craftsman or Vise-grip

[Norton155]

After stripping the teeth off two Harbor Freight special locking pliers, I'm ready for a good set. I saw these two sets at Sears today.

Vise-grip: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00945633000P?vName=Tools&keyword=3+vise+grip

Craftsman: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00945713000P?keyword=locking+pliers

I've read that nothing beats Vise-grip quality when it comes to these, but the Craftsman garentee appeals to me. Any thoughts?

Thanks
Carl

P.S. Sears has 5 piece sets of Pro screwdrivers marked down to $25.

 

[Rusty32]

I have snapon,vise grip,blue point, mac , stanley and crafstman locking pliers in my box and the crafstman are always the first ones out. They are strong and i love they way they unlock none of those levers to push or pull.

 

[gotmud13613]

Vise Grips are the way to go IMO, last for years and when they start losing there grip I cut some sharper teeth with a dremel and dedicate them to the welding bench.

I also have a set of those C-mans and I am not happy at all with them, They just don't hold like the original. those are also at the bottom of the fab bench with the retired vise grips.

 

[Lyaec350]

I use the 3-pc C-man set you linked to above for a lot.... its nice to know that if you chew up the teeth you can go to sears and get a new pair. So far they haven't failed me. FYI, the set you linked to frequently goes on sale for $18, so don't buy it at $30 unless you really need them now.

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

Not knockin the ones your taking about i own the blue point set i feel they have a sharper grip but the lever to unlock it gets annoying but i have gotten use to them, the company that makes it for them is Gripon they are made in Spain

But between the two i would go for vise-grip

 

[eschoendorff]

I have teh Craftsman and teh Vise-grips. i reach for teh Vise-grips first, but that is usually because they are closer....

edit: those Grip On tools are sweet! You can buy them under teh Channellock label too....

 

[Norton155]

I use the 3-pc C-man set you linked to above for a lot.... its nice to know that if you chew up the teeth you can go to sears and get a new pair. So far they haven't failed me. FYI, the set you linked to frequently goes on sale for $18, so don't buy it at $30 unless you really need them now.

Thanks for the heads up on the frequent sale price Lyaec. I don't need these right away, just saw them at Sears today and had a $5 coupon and Sears gift card burning a hole in my pocket. I just thought I'd ask some advice here.

 

[the fab shack]

I have a pair of the craftsman, not the ones you linked to but the other 'style' and i hate them with a deep passion. I like my Vice Grips any day!

 

[eschoendorff]

I have a pair of the craftsman, not the ones you linked to but the other 'style' and i hate them with a deep passion. I like my Vice Grips any day!

You have the laminated Craftsmans, don't you? I don't know why they even bother making such ****!

 

[ba614]

When I started using locking pliers I don't think there was any but Vice Grip. I have wore out quite a few sets in my life but I've always been pleased with the use I got out of them. I've always replaced them with Vice Grip brand but it was because that was what I was used to using. Craftsman tools are normally great tools. I'd say play with both kinds and see witch one you like a buy that kind. You won't go wrong with either.

 

[Norton155]

Not knockin the ones your taking about i own the blue point set i feel they have a sharper grip but the lever to unlock it gets annoying but i have gotten use to them, the company that makes it for them is Gripon they are made in Spain

But between the two i would go for vise-grip

Thanks jimmy. I just spent some time checking out their website, those are real tool ****. Wish I could afford tools like that, heck I wish I knew where I could go and take a closer look at them. I'm just a young shadetree mechanic building up a tool set. If I had a huge budget I would definately look into those.

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

they are not expensive per tool but, hey i started with vise-grip and i still own them they just moved to my home tools and they still do what they are intended to do, since you don't wrench all the time i would go for which ever is cheaper.

The only site i found that carrys the Gripon's is chadstoolbox
http://chadstoolbox.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=511

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

edit: those Grip On tools are sweet! You can buy them under teh Channellock label too....

you got a link i tried to search their site came up with nathan

 

[eschoendorff]

you got a link i tried to search their site came up with nathan

Damn, wouldn't you know it... it looks like they no longer offer them. but I did find another retailer that has them still:

http://toolhardy.com/product.asp?prodID=124

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

I would get them at that price well worth it...

 

[grillmasterp]

I say stick with the Vise-grips -
many of the knock-offs ahve a tendency to pinch your hand-
(I think the non-rubber handle craftsman pliers used to do this all of the time)

 

[Norton155]

they are not expensive per tool but, hey i started with vise-grip and i still own them they just moved to my home tools and they still do what they are intended to do, since you don't wrench all the time i would go for which ever is cheaper.

The only site i found that carrys the Gripon's is chadstoolbox
http://chadstoolbox.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=511

Thanks for the link Jimmy. You are right, they are much more affordable then I thought they would be. I think I'm going to keep an eye on the C-man ones and watch for them to go on sale. I like the warrenty, and if I am not happy with them I'll only be out $20-$30 for the set. If I'm not satisfied with them for heavy car repair use, I can always pick up a set of original Vise-grips. Never heard anyone on here say there is such as thing as too many tools! Either one will definately be better then the $1.99 Harbor Freights I've been using. Thanks for all your advice.
Carl.

 

[arkracing]

I say stick with the original Vise Grips too. I just picked up some @ sears with the $5 coupon - I was looking @ a set of 2 when I realized it would be cheaper to buy the seperate with the coupons

The GripOn looks pretty nice - I'm not sure if the tooth longevity would outweigh the release lever issue. Every pair of Locking Pliers I have used with that style release lever has bitten me. A least with Vise Grip you can just stick a screwdriver in there and pry it down. With the Grip-On style you have to pry up on the lever.

 

[rsanter]

I used to buy my vise-grip brand stuff from HF because they always seemed to have the best price on them. I take it that they do not carry them anymore?
I have always been pleased with the vise grip brand stuff, but I will say that its nice having a few off brands around to use for modifying or strange abusive situations

bob

 

[Uncle Buck]

Vise-Grips are the only way to fly in my opinion.

 

[chad s]

I have many Vice Grip brands, and then I have this set:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=20219&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

The Snap On and Blue Point ones are made by Grip-On, as they are made in spain, and look the same. Much nicer than Vice Grips. The release lever moved toward the center of the pliers, opposite of the vice grip way, and they are much easier to release. Also, they are harder steel, the teeth grip better, and they feel much snoother than Vice Grip. Definately the best locking pliers I have ever used.

 

[fourfeathers]

For my first-to-reach for pair, I say craftsman Pro, but I love me some Vice-Grips too! lol
I have WAY more than I would ever need.

Sears will warranty your Vice-grip brand stuff, so just take them back there.

 

[JB740i]

I have a pair of the C-man pro locking wrenches and don't really like em that much.
I was trying to grab the end of a bolt that I sheared off the head. The pliers ends just twisted apart.
The largest of the set doesn't stay closed now when it's not clamped on something.

I'm not impressed. Got em for 50% off though.

So I got that going for me...which is nice.

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

The release lever moved toward the center of the pliers, opposite of the vice grip way, and they are much easier to release.

A little too ease to release, kinda a pain but i got use to them...

 

[Stuey]

I'd normally say go for Vise-Grips without a doubt, but I keep on getting disappointed. A few times, I've been getting defective ones, and it seems that more and more of the specialty ones are being made overseas. So if the quality control is dropping, and some of the plier styles are getting outsourced, what exactly are we still paying the premium for!

 

[eschoendorff]

I'd normally say go for Vise-Grips without a doubt, but I keep on getting disappointed. A few times, I've been getting defective ones, and it seems that more and more of the specialty ones are being made overseas. So if the quality control is dropping, and some of the plier styles are getting outsourced, what exactly are we still paying the premium for!

Ever since Irwin got involved with China, I've been fearing that the Vise-Grips line would be moved over there and the quality would dive. I cannot say that I've seen taht happen yet. All of mine are still USA... and all the ones that I've seen n the stores are USA too. But just about every other Irwin tool is made in China...

 

[chevy302dz]

Ever since Irwin got involved with China, I've been fearing that the Vise-Grips line would be moved over there and the quality would dive. I cannot say that I've seen taht happen yet. All of mine are still USA... and all the ones that I've seen n the stores are USA too. But just about every other Irwin tool is made in China...

I really hope we don't see this happen In response to the question go with ViseGrip brand ViseGrips.

 

[Fedwrench]

Vise Grips are my choice. They always take a beating and keep on griping. The Craftsman warranty is the only thing going for their locking pliers. Vise grips are strong, well made, and will give you years of hard service.

 

[v8killar]

I have a pair of the vice grips that my grandfather passed down to me, and while i had no real need for new ones my pops saw these on tv and bought them for me for x-mas. Hold tight and are great for when you only have one hand free.

http://www.lockjawpliers.com/

 

[eschoendorff]

I have a pair of the vice grips that my grandfather passed down to me, and while i had no real need for new ones my pops saw these on tv and bought them for me for x-mas. Hold tight and are great for when you only have one hand free.

http://www.lockjawpliers.com/

I have a set of those and for some reason I still keep going back to the traditional Vise-grips. For me, the grip isn't quite as positive.

 

[arkracing]

I'd normally say go for Vise-Grips without a doubt, but I keep on getting disappointed. A few times, I've been getting defective ones, and it seems that more and more of the specialty ones are being made overseas. So if the quality control is dropping, and some of the plier styles are getting outsourced, what exactly are we still paying the premium for!

Ever since Irwin got involved with China, I've been fearing that the Vise-Grips line would be moved over there and the quality would dive. I cannot say that I've seen taht happen yet. All of mine are still USA... and all the ones that I've seen n the stores are USA too. But just about every other Irwin tool is made in China...

I really hope we don't see this happen In response to the question go with ViseGrip brand ViseGrips.

I just bought a few pairs of Vise Grips from Sears. Package says "Made in USA, with global components". Doesn't actually say "USA" on the tool either though

They still seem to be close to the same quality as some of my older worn out ones, and still claim to have a Lifetime Guarantee.

Anybody know if that includes worn out teeth - or is that considered "normal wear and tear"?

 

[chevy302dz]

I just bought a few pairs of Vise Grips from Sears. Package says "Made in USA, with global components". Doesn't actually say "USA" on the tool either though

They still seem to be close to the same quality as some of my older worn out ones, and still claim to have a Lifetime Guarantee.

Anybody know if that includes worn out teeth - or is that considered "normal wear and tear"?

It means they are assembled here with who knows what parts As far as getting them changed out for the teeth wearing, it would depend on who you returned them to but most likely no.

 

[Norton155]

It means they are assembled here with who knows what parts As far as getting them changed out for the teeth wearing, it would depend on who you returned them to but most likely no.

Thats what I'm most worried about. I know with C-man stuff all I have to do is hand it to the high school kid behind the counter and he gets me a brand new one.
Tomorrow I'll be at Sears again. I think I'll pick up a ten inch set of Vice-grip brand straight jaws for around $8 with the coupon. It will be nice to have a pair of the originals while I'm waiting for the C-man pros to go on sale.
Anyone know for sure if Sears honors the Vise-grip warrentee just like their own?

 

[Kevin54]

I have a set of these and what I like about them is the cushion grip. I've used them on hardened pins and locked them down using both hands and them some, and have not hurt the teeth yet.

And Vise-Grip is made by Irwin Tools and they do carry a lifetime warranty http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/index.jhtml

HAND TOOLS GUARANTEE FULL LIFETIME GUARANTEE: Each IRWIN hand tool is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for the life of the tool under normal wear and tear, except for damage caused by misuse or alteration. Return the tool to place of purchase for replacement if warranty applies. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, which vary from state to state.

 

[NOMAD]

I'll probably go with ViceGrip brand as it is tried and true (until it is all China made). Whenever someone comes out with a modification to a tool (like the c-man version) there's a chance it just won't perform as well. I'll get some from my Father when he brings out his tools so I'll be able to get rid of the HF ones that are a terrible waste of pot-metal.

 

[Yotaforce]

"Hey, I could **** in a box and stamp it with a guarantee, or you could buy a quality part from me." -Chris Farley in that funny movie about saving his dad's parts business. (can never remember a movie title)

I often call Craftsman "Crapsman" especially when I am taking that broken tool back to the store for the fifth time to get it replaced.

 

[rsanter]

not sure if you noticed, but they changed the style a little on the coushion grip. my local store put the old style on clearance for $3 each. bought all 4 they had left

bob

 

[Norton155]

I went out to today and picked up a classic, 10" curved jaw set of Vise Grips (10WR?). Haven't used them for anything yet other then grabbing a bolt sticking out of the garage wall. They do feel much better then my old HF specials. Unfortunately I probably won't get to try them out till this spring break, when it's a little warmer and I wont have class four days a week.
Again thank you all for the advice, this really is a great site. If I am ever able to pick up the C-mans on sale, I'll definately post a camparison.

 

[Vicegrip]

Name says it all... Vice Grip. All others are copies IMO. I like the all metal ones. I have been abusing them for many years. I can't say I ever broke a Vice Grip brand set but I have ground, welded, beaten on and with and just about any other mean thing you can do to a $7 hand tool while repairing something. Had a Craftsman set for all of two weeks before one jaw set cracked off. Could have been the bad one in the bunch. Not worth the time to go and replace. Have at least 4 of the full size 2 of the smalls and 2 of the long nose. between the house and work tool kits. I use them as fast repeat setup welding clamps too.

 

[Abodyracer]

"Hey, I could **** in a box and stamp it with a guarantee, or you could buy a quality part from me." -Chris Farley in that funny movie about saving his dad's parts business. (can never remember a movie title)

Tommy Boy