Kscardsfan
Well-known member
Has anybody used these before? I’m looking for some more vise grip style pliers and the reviews of the Irwin stuff have left me cold. If I’m going to end up with Chinese imports I may as well go to HF and save my money.
Malco Eagle Grip pliers
- Thread starter Kscardsfan
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OP
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
That’s sort of the vibe I’m getting as well. But I thought I’d at least see if someone was on the leading edge.
RoundedNut
Well-known member
Plenty of good options that have solid track records. Grip-on's are nice, and is what Snappy and Gray (Canada) rebrands.
I still have original Petersen vise grips and the newer designs are better. If these Eagle Grips are the original design then I'd pass on them.
I still have original Petersen vise grips and the newer designs are better. If these Eagle Grips are the original design then I'd pass on them.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That could be you -
TO STAY UPDATED AND GET INFORMATION REGARDING MALCO'S
EAGLE GRIP LOCKING PLIERS, CLAMPS, AND SEAMERS,
PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM
https://www.eaglegripusa.com/
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
I think they are targeted to certain segments.
I had never heard of them before there were posts on here about them resurrecting the original vice grips
gripon is overpriced and not very good .
Some of best are Milwaukee Tekton Bremen or Toptul .
Bremen are silly cheap if make most of coupon and they good mechanism and jaw tooth hardness .
Hand pick a nice bremen pair in HF and use a coupon and see what you think of it in use .
Some of best are Milwaukee Tekton Bremen or Toptul .
Bremen are silly cheap if make most of coupon and they good mechanism and jaw tooth hardness .
Hand pick a nice bremen pair in HF and use a coupon and see what you think of it in use .
OP
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
That’s what I think as well. The only places I see them sold are speciality houses, plumbing shops etc. I have never seen Malco on the shelf on a hardware store or similar.
OP
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
That could be you -
TO STAY UPDATED AND GET INFORMATION REGARDING MALCO'S
EAGLE GRIP LOCKING PLIERS, CLAMPS, AND SEAMERS,
PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM
https://www.eaglegripusa.com/
I’ve never been on the leading edge of anything in my life. No need to start now.
stainlessyyc
Member
They’ve been in progress since May 2018 so I would guess they’re not going anywhere and they just didn’t want to spend the money to update their website with negative news.
chevy302dz
Well-known member
I believe it was posted here at some point that they were experiencing issues getting up and running and or the final product need some tweaks before production began. I think its also safe to assume that process has been delayed like most things because of Covid.
There was a sale a while back and I bought one of every pair Tekton makes. They've been great.
I also have some of the Bremans from HF and they're also super nice. Not like the Pittsburg at all, visibly higher quality. As stated above, the beauty of the Bremen models is you can hand pick a good casting/grind and tight tolerances in the store.
davethorik
Well-known member
They have Malco tools on the shelf at Home Depot, at least in my area.
Which do you prefer? What differences have you noticed? Thanks!
You don't have to go with Chinese imports.
I've got Spanish, German, Japanese and Taiwanese locking pliers.
Bollman
Made in Germany. Typical high quality. Also rebranded for Knipex.
Grip-On
For some reason my Proto rebranded Grip-On pliers aren't as nice as my actual Grip-Ons. Also sold as ChannelLock and Snap-On
3 Peaks
They are ok, but the adjustment isn't very smooth. Made in Japan. Finish is about like the Taiwanese onese.
Milwaukee, Tekton, Bremen
Pretty good, finish is a little textured but not a big deal. Adjustment screws are good.
I've been waiting for Malco for years and I'll check out their product if it comes to fruition.
I've got Spanish, German, Japanese and Taiwanese locking pliers.
Bollman
Made in Germany. Typical high quality. Also rebranded for Knipex.
Grip-On
For some reason my Proto rebranded Grip-On pliers aren't as nice as my actual Grip-Ons. Also sold as ChannelLock and Snap-On
3 Peaks
They are ok, but the adjustment isn't very smooth. Made in Japan. Finish is about like the Taiwanese onese.
Milwaukee, Tekton, Bremen
Pretty good, finish is a little textured but not a big deal. Adjustment screws are good.
I've been waiting for Malco for years and I'll check out their product if it comes to fruition.
I like the 1/4" drive square in the end of the thumb screw on bremen, features and quality to potential cost makes it one of a few gems from HF. Is a pretty decent effort taiwan tool.
Better effort than current visegrip branded mainland china garbage .
Better effort than current visegrip branded mainland china garbage .
I agree. A close inspection of the Bremen reveal them to be almost indistinguishable from other (presumably) Taiwan vise grips like my milwaukees. The lower jaw is hollowed out a little more where the spring attaches but they are very close otherwise.
I personally like the Tekton approach to the release handle (squeeze rather than push) and the hole in the knob vs a square or hex might be slightly more versatile if you don't have the right size tool handy.
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Rabid Badger
Well-known member
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- Apr 2, 2018
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I used my 9" long nose Bremens to install new suspension rods in my washing machine last weekend. They were clamped down on a piece of spring steel hard enough to lift around 75 pounds. There was no appreciable wear on the teeth after I was done.
If you can fine one of those "30% off 5 items under $10" coupons you can get a set of 5 for under $25.
If you can fine one of those "30% off 5 items under $10" coupons you can get a set of 5 for under $25.
I agree. A close inspection of the Bremen reveal them to be almost indistinguishable from other (presumably) Taiwan vise grips like my milwaukees. The lower jaw is hollowed out a little more where the spring attaches but they are very close otherwise.
I personally like the Tekton approach to the release handle (squeeze rather than push) and the hole in the knob vs a square or hex might be slightly more versatile if you don't have the right size tool handy.
Yes I can see some would prefer the Tekton squeeze release over original visegrip and the hole in thumb screw is simple and also could be used in hanging them for storage .
I like Bremen mainly as used peterson visegrips for 30+ years and got no issue using the push release .
I used 2 5 item under 10 bucks coupons on them for 6pc set give my shop lad and 4 small c-clamp pliers, got some of the over 10 buck ones too using 20% coupon .
Very cheap and very decent.
Tekton good price too, I got 2 of the Tekton deep round jaw and also toptul parrot jaw, all 3 brands seem pretty equal product finish/quality.
Bremen nice being pick exactly which ones you purchase and easy store warranty a bonus along with silly cheap prices .
surprised Tekton don't have bigger range and cover c-clamp style locking pliers
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Bubba Fett
Well-known member
Lowe's now has Malco tools over in the HVAC/ductwork section. No Eagle Grips yet, but I imagine they will eventually be sold there.
Good eye. I liked the locking pliers so much I bought the c clamps without even noticing they are different until you mentioned it.
I have a drawer full of vise grips- Peterson thru Irwin when they stopped USA mfg. I didn't need any more of them but Tekton had a good sale a few months back, so I caved and bought some. They're impressive. Every bit as good as Peterson. I did a spring loaded centerpunch hardness test on the side of the jaw of a Peterson and a Tekton and no visible difference. I know it's blasphemy here, but Petersons are not invincible; I have old ones with destroyed jaw teeth. What is nice about Tekton is they tell you the alloy of the jaw steel and the hardness . Anyone else do that?
^
Is a bit of sales technique with Tekton and a good thing .
All the other better taiwan effort ones are cr-mo jaws besides the c-clamp/welding pliers .
exact hardness process is the big difference between good and bad .
Bremen Toptul Tekton all holding up well for me, seem pretty much equal to my usa peterson/visgrip . Bremen is like 6 to 9 bucks with coupons that been around which incredible value, I pair more than that at times for proper good used usa ones .
Is a bit of sales technique with Tekton and a good thing .
All the other better taiwan effort ones are cr-mo jaws besides the c-clamp/welding pliers .
exact hardness process is the big difference between good and bad .
Bremen Toptul Tekton all holding up well for me, seem pretty much equal to my usa peterson/visgrip . Bremen is like 6 to 9 bucks with coupons that been around which incredible value, I pair more than that at times for proper good used usa ones .
I don't doubt that Bremen are good after reading reviews here. But at GJ there is a fascination with "USA used" for 5-10 items. You can't buy a new vise... Same with vise grips: go to yard sales for Peterson... Ok, but if you just want to buy something today, without leaving your house, then Tekton or any of the other quality Taiwan choices seem to be as good.
The part number even works and the page says in stock. Hopefully that's true and they are almost available.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/supplemental/10IN-CURVE-JW-LOCKPLIER-W-CUTR/LP10WC
Exclusive? Not sure why Malco would make that deal. They've never marketed their tools towards auto and truck mechanics. (which is obviously Snap-on's target market)
Sure, it's possible that Snap-on is going to re-brand the Malco Eagle Grip Pliers for themselves, but I HIGHLY doubt that Snap-on will be the ONLY place to buy them from. Malco got their start with HVAC tools, and they're still the tool brand of choice in the HVAC industry. (around here anyway) Every heating wholesale house that I've ever been into has a large Malco display..... and I'm SURE we'll see the Eagle Grips appear on those displays whenever Malco decides to finally sell these to the public. Just my opinion.
dutchgray
Well-known member
$$$$$$ lots of is why they would make that deal, most likely the Snap-On line if exclusive would have extra features or be a different range of sizes or such and some Malco branded ones would appear later, Its either that or they have worked out they are too expensive to make to be viable sold in their existing market but Snap-On can charge enough for them.
That looks like a road map for the private label Snap-On version, it would be wild for them to sign exclusive with snap-on at this point. They would not be doing marketing of their own version if that was the case.
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I couldn't see how Snap On could sell enough of the Malco vise grips for them to go exclusively with SO. But maybe I'm underestimating the amount of vise grips people buy off the SO truck. Or maybe that's going to be one tiny Malco factory with 15 employees like SK has LOL
measuredtwice
Well-known member
Do you want to be in the commercial for the Eagle Grip pliers?? 
Casting call --> https://www.backstage.com/casting/dentist-office-390108/
Casting call --> https://www.backstage.com/casting/dentist-office-390108/
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
Do you want to be in the commercial for the Eagle Grip pliers??
Casting call --> https://www.backstage.com/casting/dentist-office-390108/
I’m not sure about comedic I’ve known quite a few dentists who would not hesitate to reach for a set of Visegrips lol
The Snap On thing is weird considering SO is involved with Grip On pliers under their label...maybe they aren’t selling well?
Correct. A family member works for Malco and has even toured the old vice-grip factory. They have had issues with production. They did indeed sign a contract with Snap-on for REBRANDING/RELABELING and did not meet the deadline for said deal AFAIK (Covid to blame?). Also AFAIK Malco won't be exclusively sold by Snap-On. Said family member owns an Eagle Grip pliers, pulled out of the dumpster/discard pile. I will buy one or more as soon as they are available from Snap-On for warranty purposes.
Quite simply not viable or logical business move to only produce under snapon but for sure being a supplier for them would be good.
snapon must also realise that gripon are far from great pliers and a total face slap with a snapon price tag .
hopefully Malco make it through current economic mess with some success.
snapon must also realise that gripon are far from great pliers and a total face slap with a snapon price tag .
hopefully Malco make it through current economic mess with some success.