How useful is this Vice-Grip locking wrench?

[64merc]

I was looking at these today at Northern and since they are kinda pricey I thought I would ask before buying one? I already have almost every style of pliers in the book, so would this just be a waste of money?

http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/detail.jhtml?prodId=IrwinProd100328


Side note: They had just one more of the old USA model, and the fit of the jaw was better than the new version. The jaws of the imported model were not parallel at all.

 

[old salvage]

I used to keep the 7" version in my truck .
I freed frozen lugnuts with it (locked on and stepped on it) !!

 

[cruiser808]

I bought the 4" version when they first came out. I found out quickly that they were too bulky and wouldn't fit in the tight places I was trying to use them in. They might be okay in some applications, but mine just sits in my box taking up space.

 

[fourfeathers]

I've had both sizes for years, and they have never been used.

 

[JayL]

This KIT is low priced at amazon and includes 2 sizes of these Locking Wrench. It says that the kit is being discontinued so this might be the reason why price is low. It use to sell for $80 something before. I don't know if these are USA made but there is possibility if these are old stock.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008KISN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The locking wrenches were my target when I purchased this. I plan to use them for stubborn nuts and bolts where clearance is not a problem.

 

[rsanter]

I have one and have found it usefull for slightly rounded fasteners and for bolts that you want to clamp to in order to put them through a hole in an odd place where you will then want to thread a nut on them.
dont get used alot but can help at those certain times

bob

 

[eschoendorff]

These are badass when you have a messed-up fastener. Or when you need to grip a nut or bold that you don't want marred-up.

 

[64merc]

Hmm, it sounds like it works and could come in handy, but is one of those tools that sits in the box a while before it gets used. I'm going to have to think about this one.

Thanks guys

 

[eschoendorff]

Hmm, it sounds like it works and could come in handy, but is one of those tools that sits in the box a while before it gets used. I'm going to have to think about this one.

Thanks guys

Yeah, but when you need it, it will save your ****!

 

[sizzler90]

Yeah, but when you need it, it will save your ****!

I think we all have many tools that fit this description. I don't have visegrips like these, but I have the regular ones. I don't use them often, but when I need them, I'm glad I have them.

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

I have a pair.. I only use it when I see it when looking for a tool, and able to use it.

 

[xroad]

Got a 4" one AFTER I chewed up a flare nut with a regular vise grip plier. I started by rounding off the corners with a flare nut wrench. Then I move on to a adjustable jaw plier, then the vise grip. I think it suppose to be other way around, oh well. If I had it, I would not have to mess up the flare nut.

The Irwin I got was pretty poor quality. The jaws comes together parallel and tight without a gap. The closed jaw junction was not parallel to the jaw. If you look at the close "lips" of the jaws, the "line" is at an angle. All the edges are sharp.

Every one having a $hit Fit over Chinese made tools but I am not impress with this American made tool.

 

[64merc]

Ok everyone, I have bad news. When I started this thread there were a couple of real USA made locking wrenches left, and the rest of them were USA made using "global components". Well, today I was at Northern and they no longer say USA anywhere on the packaging or pliers. I looked closely and sure enough it said "Made in Taiwan" in fine print on the package. It's all over now....

 

[xroad]

I'll take "Made in Taiwan" over "Made in China". Wait till you start seeing "Made in Pakistan" or "Made in Vietnam" and you'll see heads explode around here.

 

[Bolster]

I'll take "Made in Taiwan" over "Made in China". Wait till you start seeing "Made in Pakistan" or "Made in Vietnam" and you'll see heads explode around here.

Yeah, then we'll be saying, "Remember the GOOD OLD DAYS when you could get those quality Chinese tools that were made in a factory, not this modern **** that was forged from melted soda cans and dirt, over somebody's campfire!"

 

[Frank Elson]

I've used mine perhaps twice in five years, but I'd have been lost without them those two times...

 

[Stuey]

Yep - I have a pair and used them once.

 

[Stephenw]

This is an old thread, but I'll answer anyway. This style of vice grip works great as a line wrench. It is my first choice for line fittings.

 

[lbgradwell]

Based on eschoendorff's endorsement (and my own curiosity) I bought one of the 12" locking wrenches a few months back while I was in Newfoundland for C$14.69. They were NOS Petersen's!

Mind you, at the time, eschoendorff recommended them for flare fittings...

 

[Big Bad Jon]

I have never posted here before, but have read the forum for a long time. I will jump in on this one and say that they have saved my a$$ a time or two. The best use I have found for them is to loosen tie rod jam nuts for alignment purposes. Especially on vehicles that have been screwed up by another tech who could not break it loose. Up here in the rust belt, northern IN, they come in handy just enough to warrant having in the tool box. The real redeeming feature is that they can be held on the nut while applying "torque" from the blue tip wrench.

 

[rhandwor]

The top one looks it would work on five point bolt heads.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

For five point heads, look at Penta sockets from either Harry Epsteins, or Acetoolonline.

 

[autoace]

If you have clearance they work aok, is there really a tool, that goes to waste. The more tools at your disposal, the more successful you'll be.

 

[Nuit Damnant]

+2 on flare nut fittings. I've used mine countless times on brake lines that just didn't want to budge without starting to strip. I definately will always have a pair.

 

[Tool Pants]

I have the 2 larger ones. When I heard Irwin was moving production out of the US I bought all the NOS at stores and the flea market I could find. Made in USA. Have not used them yet.

Saw the smaller 4" that has been on a store shelf for a while. Made in USA as well. Guess I better buy it while I can.

 

[eschoendorff]

Based on eschoendorff's endorsement (and my own curiosity) I bought one of the 12" locking wrenches a few months back while I was in Newfoundland for C$14.69. They were NOS Petersen's!

Mind you, at the time, eschoendorff recommended them for flare fittings...

I don't recall necessarily recommending these locking wrenches for flare fittings. I have used them on flare fittings, but you need to be careful. If the fittings are brass or some other soft metal, you could easily crush the whole fitting with a locking wrench of you are not careful.

My first choice for a flare fitting is a flare wrench. If that fails, then I get creative with these locking wrenches. And I have been creative... saved my *** a few times.

 

[pirana]

I'm a fitter in a structural steel fab shop & we use steel stamps (we call em stencils) to mark various pieces that we fab up. I've had a pair of the 7" ones for around 11 years & nothing works better to hold the stamps while you're pounding on them with a hammer. Great for holding a chisel too.

 

[lbgradwell]

I don't recall necessarily recommending these locking wrenches for flare fittings. I have used them on flare fittings, but you need to be careful. If the fittings are brass or some other soft metal, you could easily crush the whole fitting with a locking wrench of you are not careful.

My first choice for a flare fitting is a flare wrench. If that fails, then I get creative with these locking wrenches. And I have been creative... saved my *** a few times.

Yes, I'm sure a proper flare wrench is the best for the job, but...

I love those locking wrenches! Saved my *** a few times when working with flare fittings...

 

[64merc]

Man, now I wish I had picked up one of these when they were still USA. I don't think I had any money left at the time I saw them.

 

[Flash21]

Man, now I wish I had picked up one of these when they were still USA. I don't think I had any money left at the time I saw them.

There are some of these at my old Ace that were USA. What sizes were you interested in?

 

[64merc]

There are some of these at my old Ace that were USA. What sizes were you interested in?

Well, whenever I have had issues, it's usually with smaller stuff, so I would say the 4" model (4LW). I don't think I can afford to buy more than one right now because I'm saving for a vacation this summer.

I don't think it would be worth your trouble unless others are interested, but I sure appreciate it.

BTW, this is one thing that I just can't seem to find used in my area.

 

[alex71]

vise grips are tools of last resort