Loss of grip strength

[mercifiknow]

I really want a set of vise grips. Never had pair due to grip strength issues and small hands? Any way around this? Do they make a set pliers or vise grips that help in this area?


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[619DioFan]

knipex cobra pliers should work well for you. the quality is excellent.

 

[seanb02]

The Milwaukee branded version of locking pliers has a hole in the adjustment screw so you can use a screwdriver or whatever you have handy to use for extra tightening or loosening purposes if you can't squeeze hard enough to get a good grip on things. Link below to a set of the type I am talking about, they also offer a different style with molded handles. Shop around if these type would work for you, they come up on sales from time to time.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-Torque-Lock-Locking-Pliers-Kit-10-Piece-48-22-3690/303010219

 

[Mr_B]

also take a look at the carlyle ones with USA patent with no release leaver .
I not tried any myself but I told they easier operate ...
As mentioned above the milwaukee maybe usable and besides using a screwdriver in the screw hole for tightening you can loosen them with it or by using the screwdriver directly on the release lever to your advantage

 

[jonesg]

I really want a set of vise grips. Never had pair due to grip strength issues and small hands? Any way around this? Do they make a set pliers or vise grips that help in this area?


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

I had that problem due to accessibility in an awkward position under the car, solution was to loop a steel hose clamp around the handle and use an electric ratchet to cinch the hose clamp down which closed the vice grip, way more force than anyone could do by hand.
If I had to do it all the time I'd tack weld the hose clamp to the vice grip handle.

 

[LeeG]

Take a look at the Bremen vice grips at harbor freight. They have a square recess that accepts a 1/4” ratchet. Works great for tightening and loosening. I like this better than the gap mechanism on the Milwaukee ones. The HF ones appear to be made in the same factory as the Milwaukee.

 

[Mr_B]

^
yes the bremen are pretty good and drive square more convenient than the hole, good value with a coupon and good size/style selection ...

 

[Mr_B]

I had that problem due to accessibility in an awkward position under the car, solution was to loop a steel hose clamp around the handle and use an electric ratchet to cinch the hose clamp down which closed the vice grip, way more force than anyone could do by hand.
If I had to do it all the time I'd tack weld the hose clamp to the vice grip handle.

that a useful tip I will be remembering ...
have used slip joint pliers to squeeze the handles shut before .

 

[englishsam]

Short story. I was a British Soldier who was blown up in Afghanistan. I had my ribs broken, all the skin burnt off my left arm up to the point of my body armor. My jaw broken. The skin from my face burns off on the left side and half my hair burnt off. I also lost a singular testicle meaning I can still have kids, fortunately.

I was incredibly lucky. But I did have serious damage to my writing/dominant hand. I lost nearly all use of my thump and my grip strength is not what it should be. But it's never held me back. That is the short story as it would bore everyone if I went on about my ligament damage etc.

Use length to create torque. A small amount of grip strength with long pliers means a lot at the working end. If you don't have room then work around the problem. A clamp on the end of pliers can also work.

I refuse to my limited by my 'disability' and you should as well.

 

[mercifiknow]

Short story. I was a British Soldier who was blown up in Afghanistan. I had my ribs broken, all the skin burnt off my left arm up to the point of my body armor. My jaw broken. The skin from my face burns off on the left side and half my hair burnt off. I also lost a singular testicle meaning I can still have kids, fortunately.

I was incredibly lucky. But I did have serious damage to my writing/dominant hand. I lost nearly all use of my thump and my grip strength is not what it should be. But it's never held me back. That is the short story as it would bore everyone if I went on about my ligament damage etc.

Use length to create torque. A small amount of grip strength with long pliers means a lot at the working end. If you don't have room then work around the problem. A clamp on the end of pliers can also work.

I refuse to my limited by my 'disability' and you should as well.

My motto as well. Arthritis started when I was 1 1/2 years old. Joints were toast by 2. Didn’t walk until 14. Wasn’t supposed to live til 10. Darn near died couple of times. Now I’m 52. I do all sorts of stuff. Gotten to be a decent handyman around house, restoring an old Mercedes, build things when I need to when doing things I can’t. Etc.

I thank God for the ability to able to do this stuff. Glad you do the same. God Bless You!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[mercifiknow]

Short story. I was a British Soldier who was blown up in Afghanistan. I had my ribs broken, all the skin burnt off my left arm up to the point of my body armor. My jaw broken. The skin from my face burns off on the left side and half my hair burnt off. I also lost a singular testicle meaning I can still have kids, fortunately.

I was incredibly lucky. But I did have serious damage to my writing/dominant hand. I lost nearly all use of my thump and my grip strength is not what it should be. But it's never held me back. That is the short story as it would bore everyone if I went on about my ligament damage etc.

Use length to create torque. A small amount of grip strength with long pliers means a lot at the working end. If you don't have room then work around the problem. A clamp on the end of pliers can also work.

I refuse to my limited by my 'disability' and you should as well.

Yes i rely on my engineering skills when I do things. It’s the tight places that give me problems. Everyone has that issue though****


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[mercifiknow]

I had that problem due to accessibility in an awkward position under the car, solution was to loop a steel hose clamp around the handle and use an electric ratchet to cinch the hose clamp down which closed the vice grip, way more force than anyone could do by hand.

If I had to do it all the time I'd tack weld the hose clamp to the vice grip handle.

Hadn’t thought about that! Ingenious!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[mercifiknow]

Will look at the Bremen and Milwaukee and Carlyle. Had seen them before but will run over there tomorrow.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Grip-on is a Spanish company that apparently only makes locking pliers.
They have a pistol-grip style of needle-nose locking pliers. Very impressive looking IMO.
They also have an angled (35*) narrow jaw pliers.
Grip-on is Distributed in USA by AngloAmerican Distributors.

 

[WVBrady]

Take a look at the Bremen vice grips at harbor freight. They have a square recess that accepts a 1/4” ratchet. Works great for tightening and loosening. I like this better than the gap mechanism on the Milwaukee ones. The HF ones appear to be made in the same factory as the Milwaukee.

I looked this up on the HF site, but didn't see any mention of this feature. Is it in the end of the adjusting screw?

 

[LS6 Tommy]

knipex cobra pliers should work well for you. the quality is excellent.

Best arc joint pliers I've ever used.

Tommy

 

[LeeG]

I looked this up on the HF site, but didn't see any mention of this feature. Is it in the end of the adjusting screw?

Yes. All but the small sizes have it.

View media item 108146
I keep a small ratchet just for the them.

View media item 108145

 

[WVBrady]

Yes. All but the small sizes have it...

Thanks for the reply. I may have to get some of them.

 

[SuperCat]

Yet another tool with a feature I didn't know about, but now must buy. Thanks, LeeG.

 

[1982fxr]

If you want to take the long route, if possible, this may sound ridiculous but practice hanging with your shoulders in the sockets.

It's almost freakish what it does for grip strength.

 

[Super Mech]

Take a look at the Bremen vice grips at harbor freight. They have a square recess that accepts a 1/4” ratchet. Works great for tightening and loosening. I like this better than the gap mechanism on the Milwaukee ones. The HF ones appear to be made in the same factory as the Milwaukee.

The Bremen locking pliers are really nice. Much better than the Irwin ones.
Are they as good as the original Peterson’s? Maybe not but for the price and quality they can’t be beat.