Mini Vise Grips

[jumbojak]

I'm looking for a decent pair of locking pliers that are less than five inches long. A pair of flat jaw, curved jaws might not be small enough, in the four to four and a half inch range would be ideal. I have a few pairs of the small needle nose style but the jaws on the tiny ones tend to be so misaligned that they are useless for grabbing small things, like screws I've drilled the head off after someone else stripped them out.

I usually hate vise grips but for a small job like pulling a screw they do work well. If nothing turns up in locking pliers I guess I'll seek out a small pair of linesman pliers for this job or go with the Engineer pliers from Japan.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Small engineer locking pliers are probably what you're looking for. I use them and the bigger version for pulling rotted studs. Be careful, the jaws and chip if you get stupid cranking them down and twisting them.

 

[jumbojak]

Small engineer locking pliers are probably what you're looking for. I use them and the bigger version for pulling rotted studs. Be careful, the jaws and chip if you get stupid cranking them down and twisting them.

Not quite what I was looking for, but I'll look into them. I didn't know Engineer made locking pliers with the toothy tips. Pricing seems reasonable too.

 

[tanukiboy]

Not quite what I was looking for, but I'll look into them. I didn't know Engineer made locking pliers with the toothy tips. Pricing seems reasonable too.

Another Japanese company called 3-Peaks makes something similar. Overall length of these is 5.5".

View media item 91689

 

[bwringer]

I've seen some that are only a few inches long; I think they were more a novelty or promotional item, but they seemed completely functional. They may not be made any more, but perhaps you could scare up something on fleaBay by adding words like "promotional" or "keychain" to your searches.

 

[NC Rick]

I’m with Secondgear on this. Unless you only option is grabbing the stud end-on, I’d go for something like the Knipex mini Cobras because of the self-tightening action. The parrot-jaw version could be awesome too. Vise grips tent to be poor in the function you describe and are only good for chewing away the material you need to hold on to.

 

[BD1]

You may consider a 6'' pipe wrench and the vise grips.

 

[jumbojak]

Another Japanese company called 3-Peaks makes something similar. Overall length of these is 5.5".

View media item 91689

That's perfect, but I already ordered the engineers... oh well, I can always get both.

 

[jumbojak]

I've seen some that are only a few inches long; I think they were more a novelty or promotional item, but they seemed completely functional. They may not be made any more, but perhaps you could scare up something on fleaBay by adding words like "promotional" or "keychain" to your searches.

If they were promotional the supply seems to have dried up. If I happen across any in my travels I'll pick them up to try them out though.

 

[jumbojak]

I’m with Secondgear on this. Unless you only option is grabbing the stud end-on, I’d go for something like the Knipex mini Cobras because of the self-tightening action. The parrot-jaw version could be awesome too. Vise grips tent to be poor in the function you describe and are only good for chewing away the material you need to hold on to.

I have the mini cobras and if the opening was just a bit smaller they would work very well. On small screws I wind up grabbing with just the tip though. It works but it's a pain. I'm getting these for grabbing wood screws that are stripped. Bit too small for the cobras, but I'll agree with you for the most part on vise grips. If the screw is really stuck they probably do more harm than good.

 

[jumbojak]

You may consider a 6'' pipe wrench and the vise grips.

Damn, that's a good idea. I keep a mini in the shop but don't carry it. If these vise grips don't work out that'll have to change.

 

[jumbojak]

The Engineer vise grips came in the mail today and I really like them at a glance. Good quality feel and sharp teeth in all the right places. We'll see how they hold up to use.

And I love the dinosaur on the package.

 

[Stuart in MN]

The original Petersen 4WR Vise Grips made in Nebraska were about 4" long. They show up now and then at swap meets, there are several of them on Ebay now.