Good locking pliers and from where?

[madalin999]

Hey there, 24 old newbie here on tools. In the past recent 3 years I've been doing cladding in UK and I quite enjoy it, but mostly I enjoy high quality tools, as I like to buy stuff that lasts and lasts, not like my mate who buys an silverline or magnuson screwdriver and breaks at the second turn of a screw. "no offense for these 2 brands, they are ok, but not on the top"
My recent purchases have been 1 c clamp Sykes pickavant and an facom autolocking pliers 10". My question is, I phoned up the place I bought the pliers, the facom ones, from a trustworthy uk retailer and he told me that they are made In China :/, a shocker as far as i'm concerned they should be made in China, Or Arbois, France. Now the thing is, should I return them or the quality should still be as far as I read online...

Oh, and another thing, what tools brand should I focus more towards cladding? I'm always working at height and I need tools that can hold on for some time, and to grip on heavy sheets of metal or angles.

Thank you in advance, and sorry, English is not my main language.

Best regards, Madalin

 

[xyster101]

Going to be a tough question to answer since a lot of people here are from the states and we don't know what name brand tools are sold in the UK. Here in the states people like Snap-On (expensive), craftsmen, Huskey, Ridgid, Crescent, and a slew of other tools.
If you want locking pliers, these are fantastic. Also made in Germany.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X4J2H0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bwringer]

If you want locking pliers, these are fantastic. Also made in Germany.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X4J2H0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Uh, those aren't locking pliers...



To the OP, some nice locking pliers made in Taiwan are sold under several different names (Milwaukee, Harbor Freight/Bremen, etc.) here in the states. They're a great value for the money.

You're definitely right to avoid the Chinese stuff, even if it's a major brand, but if you look for pliers made in Taiwan or Europe you should be OK.

 

[Justind97]

Are we talking vise-grips?

 

[Catch_22]

https://www.grip-on.com/

Nothing else will do, IMHO

 

[Jackfre]

For high quality hand tools? My Knipex Cam-locks are go to tools and the quality is excellent.

 

[bcan1ne]

As an independent tool dealer I've heard from a number of customers their go-to are the original Vise-Grip brand stuff for locking pliers. Nothing but complaints on the Snap On branded locking pliers, excessive and premature teeth wearing out.

 

[Stuart in MN]

This was discussed here a few months back - Malco Products has taken over the original Vise-Grip factory in DeWitt, Nebraska and will be producing their own line of locking pliers called Eagle Grip: https://www.malcoproducts.com/news/...-former-vise-grip-factory-in-dewitt-nebraska/ I'm not sure if they're in the stores yet, though.

 

[ehsan]

I just bought set of Knipex locking pliers and they are amazing. Definitely can't go wrong.

 

[madalin999]

Sorry for my late update/reply been working.
Update, received the sykes pickavant C clamp and its toooo huge, 280mm I didn't read the description when I bought it ahhaa, no doubt the quality feels top class, I'm yet to receive my facon automatic locking pliers as they have run out of stock so I'ts gonna be 2-3 more days until I get my hands on it, If i'm not satisfied I will be looking into grip on, as they seem quality stuff.

C clamps is my main aim, a smaller one under 120mm, any suggestions? Grip on? Hit me with your options, thanks

 

[Killer95Stang]

Just like above... bought my first few pairs of Knipex pliers and they probably the best I've used.

 

[madalin999]

Just like above... bought my first few pairs of Knipex pliers and they probably the best I've used.

Does knipex do locking gripping plice like vise grip? As far as i'm aware they dont

 

[bwringer]

I just bought set of Knipex locking pliers and they are amazing. Definitely can't go wrong.

Just like above... bought my first few pairs of Knipex pliers and they probably the best I've used.

Does knipex do locking gripping plice like vise grip? As far as i'm aware they dont

Same. I am confuse.

But it does look like Knipex makes actual locking pliers. However, the reviews are very, very mixed...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UHUCAS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UHUCAS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[gregpack]

IMO, both knipex and proto (grip on) have teeth that are too soft. I like Milwaukee's torque lock better.

 

[matt_i]

So far I've been happy with the Knipex that I got. Will be interested to try the Milwaukee and the Malco when they come out. All my other Malco tools are top-shelf.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I use Vise Grips and I haven’t noticed any performance difference between old US production and the newer Asian production since Irwin acquired the brand from Peterson. I had a pair of the Snap On ones and they did not seem to be really that great

I am glad to hear that Malco is restarting US production of Vise Grips. Personally I think Channellock missed a golden opportunity to acquire that since they produce reasonably priced US made pliers too

 

[NC Rick]

I will buy the first set of Eagle Grip pliers I see. I hope they do well. I can’t find the. For sale anywhere yet.

 

[Wamsutta]

The best locking pliers ever made were Crescent locking pliers back when Crescent was owned by Cooper Tools. I still have two pair and they are the gold standard that I compare all other locking pliers to.

 

[Mr_B]

For UK I would be looking at german Bollmann or Toptul, toptul is high end taiwan and pretty much a copy and quality equal to the old usa vise grips .
Facom do some good ones made in france but others out sourced not great.
I don't rate grip-on that highly .

toptul>
https://www.ewsupplies.co.uk/product-category/tools/pliers-grips-clamps-straps/

bollmann>
https://www.bollmann-selzer.de/en/products/locking-pliers/

 

[jimmyin3D]

Get the Facom 500 series locking pliers. They can be adjusted to a very large size and the fit and feel of the tool is amazing. Proto rebrands them but it’s the same tool Made in France. Currently Ultimate Garage carries them and there have been no regrets, as is every quality tool you can see and feel it.