Does anyone make good Vise Grips anymore?

[trackwelder]

The metal in the new ones is a bit softer. The pliers teeth wear and deform easier. I don't consider that a huge problem, I use real pliers when I need them and only use Vise Grips for holding/clamping. The teeth in the old ones weren't real great either.

I'm no fan of moving production to China and in general have a low opinion of Irwin tools, but the whole deal with Chinese Vise Grips is way overstated on this .

Most of us that are having issues with the Chinese Vise grips are doing mechanic work and trying to lock on rusted seized bolts and not holding or clamping. The only ones that I have found to be any good are NOS Peterson's and some Toptul's from Dennis.

 

[dnschmidt]

TOPTUL makes very good Vice-Grips. Why are they very good. Because they are made of the same grade of steel that Peterson use to use prior to Rubbermaid-Newell buying them and cheapening up the steel specification. How do I know that this happened? Because the lady that was the head of the QC department at Peterson told me so to my face. I'd consider that to be a reliable source.

 

[brownbagg]

those at harbor freight are damn good for $5

 

[Brownsfan]

The Milwaukee locking pliers are fantastic for the price. In my opinion better than the China Irwin's. On another note has anyone used the Stanley fat Max locking pliers that look like grip ons. They are all black. I seen these at Lowe's . They look and feel pretty decent. I have all USA Peterson vice grips in the shop box but the van has all Milwaukee locking pliers. Dare I say they are nicer than the old USA Peterson? Time will tell.

 

[Tinner]

Most of us that are having issues with the Chinese Vise grips are doing mechanic work and trying to lock on rusted seized bolts and not holding or clamping. The only ones that I have found to be any good are NOS Peterson's and some Toptul's from Dennis.

There is always a better way to get a rusted bolt out than Vise Grips. It's one of those things that defines your mechanical aptitude.

 

[trackwelder]

Not here in the rust belt especially working near fuel lines. Clamp the vise grips on the stripped nut and hammer on the other end with the impact. You have your opinion and I know what works best for me. Still doesn't change the fact that Chinese Vise Grips ****.

 

[jeeper46]

I find that these days, I use Vice-Grips very seldom-mainly as clamps when I'm welding something. I'm doing a major remodel of a cottage I bought last year, and I have a wide array of tools there, but I was a bit baffled when a contractor needed a Vice-Grips to grab a deck screw with a boogered-up head, and I didn't have even one pair there-I guess that showed me how little I use them.
I did use a pair today for a purpose they are ideally suited for: I had to remove the mainspring on the lock of an 1861 Springfield Musket, and this tool was perfect for the job.

 

[65k10]

TOPTUL makes very good Vice-Grips. Why are they very good. Because they are made of the same grade of steel that Peterson use to use prior to Rubbermaid-Newell buying them and cheapening up the steel specification. How do I know that this happened? Because the lady that was the head of the QC department at Peterson told me so to my face. I'd consider that to be a reliable source.

I've been curious about Toptul vise grips, but the biggest I've seen were 7". Do they make a 10"?

 

[trackwelder]

I really like the Toptul claw grip locking pliers for metal work. They are great for tight spots

 

[cja245]

I'm in the market for a professional quality set if they exist. I've tried Grip-on, Milwaukee, and Knipex. Not super impressed with any of them. Marginally better than china vise grips, but not enough to justify the additional cost. I may try Toptul.

 

[drsung]

I have some 80's ish USA vice grips that are WAY better than anything I have seen recently including the last generation USA ones.

 

[MushCreek]

I use Vise-Grips as a 'last resort' type of tool, or as small clamps.

 

[Mictrik]

those at harbor freight are damn good for $5

It was not "damn good" for me when a brand new one started to slip. I went to tighten the HF "Vise-Grip" and it slipped again. I then looked closely at the jaw and noticed the teeth were crushed. At this point it was late and there was no way I wanted to go back to HF! I hate driving there, I hate driving anywhere if not on a track. So i went to my toolbox and retrieved a smaller vice-grip (1980's or 90's) and guess what? it worked great... AND the jaws showed no indication of malformation after use.
I also bought a tube of HF epoxy that failed within months when any other name brand would of lasted a lifetime. I bought a 25" 1/2" drive HF breaker bar (normal steel grip) that bent removing a Jeep Hub bolt the same day i purchased it. The chrome was flaking too (see attached). I brought that back and replaced it with the comfort grip version that seemed better constructed and is made in Taiwan; the bent breaker bar was made in China. Even their cheap air fittings (Milton type) are so low quality they often leak air as the air tool is moved placing normal pressure on the fitting. Never have that problem with Milton fittings and the Miltons have a better feel and superior airflow. HF offer no value for the price savings here.
I don't want many more things than I need but what I have I want to work and last over time, that provides value for me. So all in all my experience with HF has not been too good. I am so far happy with the comfort grip breaker bar, although it has not been heavily tested as yet. I am also satisfied with the HF rubber wheel chocks. Most everything else I returned to them due to poor quality and low value even at the low the price. As i stated before I want something that works, works well and lasts, i do not want to return, exchange or warranty, that involves more time and effort I rather spend doing anything else.

 

[nbpt100]

I don't think too highly of the HF.......I bought a few on impulse. I have ended up using them mostly as clamps.

 

[Mictrik]

Yeah i find them more problems then they are worth, others may justify by saying i do not use the tools often or I just return them when they break etc... I read good things about the performance (not durability) of their 1/2" XT air impact wrench but am very reluctant to try it. I would rather use the money towards an IR or other high quality proven product. I want to be as sure as possible that 10 years from now when I need that tool it is there and works. I do not want to be disappointed and have to run out for something last minute. A truly high quality product has greater value amortized and as such can save money in the long run.

 

[nbpt100]

Mictrik I totally agree!

 

[jeffmoss26]

This is timely...
http://www.harryepstein.com/blogs/bollmangrip-german-made-locking-pliers/

 

[Carquest]

Well, this answered the question in this post. Expensive, but unbelievably well built


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[stanleyrleonard]

If you were to clamp them down hard on a bolt with a seized nut and the bolt spun under torque, would the teeth flatten or fold over like the newer vice grips? How do they look after your use? I mostly use the needle nose and blunt nose vice grips, does this company make versions of these?

Catalog: http://www.angloamericantools.com/media/catalogs/Grip-On_Catalog.pdf

Stan

 

[nbpt100]

Catalog: http://www.angloamericantools.com/media/catalogs/Grip-On_Catalog.pdf

Stan

An impressive selection!

 

[lilcraigford]

Quoting myself from an older thread, with regard to the Facom pliers posted on the previous page:

Proto sells the Facom pliers under their name (as with Grip-On) as well. I happened to notice them while browsing the Proto PDF catalog last night. I don't know if this is a recent development, but I had never heard of them (from either Proto or Facom) before. The part numbers are even the same, apart from Proto adding a "J". Here is a link to where they can be found on their site: Proto Multi-Position Lock Grip Pliers