Locking Plier options?

[monomach]

Over a year ago, the jaws on my last two pair of US-made Vise Grips went out. I've been working with garbage Chinese Kobalt locking pliers as a "temporary" replacement, and they are truly a disaster.

Every pawn shop I've checked has been picked clean. Everything I find is a) Chinese, b) has stripped teeth, or c) has welding dripped on the teeth. I've been checking every mom and pop hardware store I drive past, hoping to find NOS.

Ebay is an option, but the prices end up pretty high and you never know if you're going to get stuck with the "Made in America with Global Components" stuff.

I could go with one of the Spanish or German manufacturers, but the prices are prohibitive. I'm sure Knipex and Grip-On are dreamy, but I'd like to avoid paying out the nose for locking pliers. I just don't use them often. Maybe I can just use my Cobras on some stuff I would normally do with Vise Grips. I dunno. Haven't tried yet, but they're definitely not going to work fr a lot of things.

Irwin is Chinese. Same with Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, Harbor Freight, and Crescent.

As far as I can tell, there are currently ZERO US manufacturers. So...anyone got a line on reasonably-priced Taiwan stuff that's decent quality? Or should I just bite the bullet and buy Irwin's new Chinese stuff and say "yeah, well, that's all I can really do, man"? Or maybe Craftsman? Has anyone used their red/black comfort grip type? Are they worth a damn? For that matter, just how bad are the new Irwins, really?

 

[SMKS]

http://toolguyd.com/blackhawk-locking-pliers-review/

 

[monomach]

http://toolguyd.com/blackhawk-locking-pliers-review/

Ok, that seems like it's pretty much exactly what I asked for. Thanks!

Ordered a set for $39.99 shipped on ebay. I appear to have gotten the last one. He's sold only 6 since August.

 

[DamnYankee]

I'm holding out for the Dewalt.... They're supposed to be released this month.

toolguyd.com/dewalt-locking-pliers/

 

[Fast LT1]

I have Grip-on the snap on versions. While they are nice, i don't think they grip as well as the vice grips. Even the Chinese ones grip better imho.

 

[1982fxr]

HJE still has 2 styles of the US made in stock for regular prices, but only 2 styles left

 

[Exceller8]

Funny, I find tons of nice US made Vise-Grips here at the local swap meet. HJE sells replacement springs which is nice for some of the older tools with more wear.

 

[machine_punk]

I used to stop in hardware stores in small towns to find NOS US vice grips.

BUT, now, I wouldn't use ANY locking plier, except the CH Hanson AUTOMATIC locking pliers. You set the 'tension' you want and the pliers automatically adjust for the thickness of the material. I get these at the LWS, but you can find them online.

No more: set it to the tension you think is correct, find out it is too light, adjust it to still a little too light, adjust it to too heavy, back to close enough...five clamps just to use the pliers for one clamping operation...then you move to a thicker workpiece and start all over.

It is an absolute pleasure to use the CH Hansons. Set your pressure once and just clamp the material, no matter how thick it is, always right on the first clamp. Make sure you buy the automatic version...I think they make the manual version too. The automatic version is an absolute pleasure to use.

Kev

 

[Danglerb]

Funny, I find tons of nice US made Vise-Grips here at the local swap meet. HJE sells replacement springs which is nice for some of the older tools with more wear.

Same here in SoCal its not at all unusual to go to a yard sale or swap meet and some guy that did a "little" welding will have two dozen old Vise Grips for a couple bucks each. No good reason to fear a little surface rust either, good teeth in the jaws and not much wobble and good to go.

 

[SJShaw672]

How about Knipex ones? Made in Germany, solid stuff.

 

[Fordman7795]

A sears nearby has some NOS craftsman pro locking pliers. I think they were $25 for a 2 pack. If u are interested i can get them for you

 

[Exceller8]

Our local "Do-It-Best" still has some NOS USA 7" Vise-Grips for around $14. They have about 10 pair left in stock if anyone is interested. Sorry, but I'm not doing any shipping this time of year.

http://banning-beaumont.patch.com/listings/do-it-best-beaumont-home-center

 

[Frenchy]

I must live in the wrong part of the country, never have been able to find a swap meet or flea market with sellers that had loads of old vise grips, or any tools for that matter. I am struggling now to find some good quality ones that have the long needle nose style jaws.

Based on what I have read on this board there is a real need for good locking pliers (i.e. US made) but how much does it represent the population as a whole? Guess I can keep dreaming that someone like the reborn SK or Enderes Tool would decide to add this to their product line-up.

 

[Chuck122]

Strong hand makes some nice vise-grips.

 

[Farmall450]

Strong hand makes some nice vise-grips.

Probably a bit out of his price range!

Are they US?

 

[Chuck122]

Probably a bit out of his price range!

Are they US?

I'm pretty sure they are not. I have 1 welding clamp from them. It was not overly expensive from what I remember. It feels really rugged. The sheet metal parts are made of thicker gauge than Irwin's. I also like that the adjusting knob is large and well knurled

 

[crewchief888]

i picked up several pair of USA vise grip locking pliers from a single garage sale & flea mkts over the summer.
most i paid for any of them was $4 that was for a USA vice grip welding clamp in average used condition.

 

[monomach]

I got that Blackhawk locking plier set in the mail today. My initial reaction is that they're of a pretty satisfying quality. They have good gripping power and feel like they're a lot heavier than the stupid Kobalt and Pittsburgh stuff I've been making due with recently. Solid tools.