Kobalt "pliers wrench" knock-off

[5ubtle]

Kobalt 2-Piece Self Adjusting Auto Locking Pliers

Yes, the "pliers wrench" has smooth jaws, and the Kobalt has serrated jaws. OK, so they are not exactly a "knock-off", but the mechanism is similar. They recently dropped the price to $15. I looked at them today and the "self adjust" feature reminds me of my craftsman "robogrip" pliers. I hate those robogrip pliers. I think that the thing about the robogrip that I hate the most is the weak gripping power. The "pliers wrench" style mechanism on these Kobalts seem like they would create more jaw (grip) force.

Who will admit to owning a set of these Kobalts and wants to tell us how you like them?

 

[flying eyeball]

meh











.

 

[dogdog]

Not sure if that is any knock off, that auto adjust feature is nothing new... Kobalt have a older version of that few years back (at least 4 or 5) and it was horrible... but usable ... also have a version of that for the locking pliers...

 

[M6erfan]

More like a RoboGrip knockoff...

 

[Alexander]

I agree about those being way more like robogrips than anything else.

It shares some similarities with the pliers wrench only if you have never used one, don't understand how they work, and you squint a little bit.

 

[Rabid Badger]

My aunt bought me a set years ago as a thank you for doing some work on her car. They're borderline useless.

 

[Wamsutta]

Gimmicky consumer grade tools is what they are.

 

[Neoumlaut]

I bought the set because they are so absurdly cheap compared to knipex pliers. They do work, but very poorly. If you just need to clamp down on something they work ok (and they do hold very tightly thanks to the cam action) but if you want to "ratchet" them tightening a fastener they jam up.

 

[General Geoff]

More like a RoboGrip knockoff...

Bingo

 

[ex-x-fire]

I only use them for picking up hot things off of the shop floor.

 

[Tallpilot]

If it has teeth it isn’t a pliers wrench.

 

[5ubtle]

I bought the set because they are so absurdly cheap compared to knipex pliers. They do work, but very poorly. If you just need to clamp down on something they work ok (and they do hold very tightly thanks to the cam action) but if you want to "ratchet" them tightening a fastener they jam up.

Thank you for giving us your 'first hand' experience with these pliers. This is exactly the information that I was looking for.

 

[tonyciambrone]

I only use them for picking up hot things off of the shop floor.

Brilliant. I need something other than my Knipex alligators for moving steel while welding...