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Good quality vice grips?

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Diesel Mercedes

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Sep 12, 2017
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182
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Newport News, VA
I currently own some cheap box store Irwin vice grips. These things saved me last night on a stripped caliper bleeder screw. However, I felt as though I had reached their physical limits last night, barely managed to pull it off and felt as though they where going to break.

Anyways, I want a 2nd one, but I want something much stouter and stronger. I am biased to buying used, I can buy new but nothing crazy expensive.

Thanks
 
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LXCam

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Apr 23, 2013
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AZ
I hate to say it but look for old USA vise grips. I don't think anyone out there offered up anything near the quality of what once was. I'm sure glad I have a healthy collection of the original stuff. They'll last the rest of my lifetime, that's for sure.
 
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jumbojak

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Jun 21, 2016
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Surry, VA
What kind of bolt were you using them on that you thought they were going to break? I have several pairs by irwin and most of them seem to work just fine. I do have one pair of needle nose that are a bit sloppy.
 
OP
D

Diesel Mercedes

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Sep 12, 2017
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Location
Newport News, VA
LXCam said:
I hate to say it but look for old USA vise grips. I don't think anyone out there offered up anything near the quality of what once was. I'm sure glad I have a healthy collection of the original stuff. They'll last the rest of my lifetime, that's for sure.
Click to expand...

Have any brands you recommend? I don't mind buying old/used. All of my air tools and compressor is used. So it's nothing scary to me.

jumbojak said:
What kind of bolt were you using them on that you thought they were going to break? I have several pairs by irwin and most of them seem to work just fine. I do have one pair of needle nose that are a bit sloppy.
Click to expand...

11mm caliper bleeder screw, I know puny but the vice grips have developed a bit of horizontal play from other jobs I've done
 
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D

Davefr

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Jan 7, 2010
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11,822
Location
OR
LXCam said:
I hate to say it but look for old USA vise grips. I don't think anyone out there offered up anything near the quality of what once was. I'm sure glad I have a healthy collection of the original stuff. They'll last the rest of my lifetime, that's for sure.
Click to expand...

^^What he said.

Genuine Peterson Vice Grips are unsurpassed and so easy to pick up cheap at garage sales/flea markets.
 
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LXCam

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Apr 23, 2013
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19,105
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AZ
Diesel Mercedes said:
Have any brands you recommend? I don't mind buying old/used. All of my air tools and compressor is used. So it's nothing scary to me.
Click to expand...


Absolutely Peterson Irwin vise grip before manufacturing went over sea's. If you get them second hand site unseen make sure they get pictures of the made in the USA stamps like this.

IMG_1569.jpg
 
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dnschmidt

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Oct 3, 2014
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Location
Phoenix, AZ
Regrettably I have very low stock on TOPTUL Vice-Grips right now. I don't order much of them as they don't sell well (unquestionably this is a brand recognition problem) but they are made the same way as the original Peterson were (prior to Rubbermaid/Newell's takeover) meaning from CrMo and CrV steel instead of the current Irwin pig iron. I'm putting together a TOPTUL order so tell me what style you're looking for (like 10WR).
 
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plinker

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Feb 28, 2007
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4,286
Location
Northern Wi
Best way I've found to ID the better vise grips is they have a roll pin instad of rivet on the release lever. The real good (older) ones have the Peterson tool/Dewitt logo on the other side.

The other way I've found is not whether or not they have a hex in the adjusting screw. That started with the "made in USA w/ global components" labeled pliers, though older ones may have the screw replaced (a couple of mine have been).

I never noted any quality issues with the "global component" made pliers while using them. I do have a couple of the newer ones with the rivets that are imports, they are not bad per say, but they dont feel quite as good using them (read cheap).
 
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Sgtboz

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Mar 6, 2017
Messages
115
Just got home from the flea. I picked up a 10"and a7" USA made vise grips. Alot of sad looking v.g.s but functionally operating. Make a friend of the tool dealers and often they cut you slack on the price
 
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colin39

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Mar 3, 2014
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Look for old petersons i got 9 assorted sizes they look like road kill and are amazing
 
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JohnDeere1

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Jun 21, 2017
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Location
Kentucky
I have a set of Macs that are USA made and they unlock like the grip ons and I love them I'm not sure who made them but I've seen them rebranded craftsman before but no longer made I either brand.
 
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wafrederick

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Jul 3, 2010
Messages
6,045
Location
Holton,Mi
There are talks production of vice grip pliers are coming back here.It was on a youtube livestream on Garnett Tools's youtube channel.I did not get on it at the time.The 10R pair is discontinued,no longer made.The Snap On vice grip pliers are garbage,don't buy these
 
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Mr_B

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Nov 21, 2016
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5,374
Location
Reading
As OP prefers used then US made vise grips be his best option .
Toptul grips seem nice and the german bollmangrip are above average too but bit expensive in US compared EU .
 
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Flinter987

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Oct 24, 2016
Messages
267
Location
Post Falls Idaho
Genuine Peterson Vice Grips are unsurpassed and so easy to pick up cheap at garage sales/flea markets.[/QUOTE]

I picked up two today at a garage sale for a buck!
 
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