New Snap On locking pliers

[Brownsfan]

Has anyone seen or tried the new snap on locking pliers? I saw them very briefly on the truck this week. My dealer said they were designed and made by snap on in the USA. He said this is a entirely new product. I was in a hurry so I didn't get pricing. What jumped out to me was how shiny they were. Almost as shiny as most chrome tools. They looked conventional in design. Here's a YouTube video i found.

 

[darkzero]

Not made by Snap-on. Search Malco Eagle Grips. Here's a recent thread about them.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=473747&page=3

 

[metaleltr]

The speculation is that they are made by Malco in the old Vise Grip plant in Nebraska. This is the first I have heard anyone say Snap On made them themselves.

 

[vssjim]

Relabeled Malco Eagle Grip Pliers made in DeWitt, Ne.

 

[Brownsfan]

The video said it was a exclusive snap on design. But I'm not surprised they are relabled. Dealer said they were made by Snap On. But them being made by Malco doesn't surprise me. Anyone selling the Malco version yet?

 

[dsaabm]

One of the Malco threads had a pic of the snap-on version production roadmap or something like that, so it is confirmed they are made by Malco. Perhaps the exclusivity is the high polish finish? LOL It would be interesting the presentation or whatever new product release info snap-on corporate gave their guys. I believe Malco sent out samples to some people but I don't think the Malco is for sale yet.

 

[Skin]

The video said it was a exclusive snap on design. But I'm not surprised they are relabled. Dealer said they were made by Snap On. But them being made by Malco doesn't surprise me. Anyone selling the Malco version yet?

The fact that they're calling it an exclusive design makes me think they got Malco to agree to an exclusivity contract which means Snap-on will be the only source for the next 6-12 months (guessing). The truck brands do this regularly.

Not real happy about this considering the seemingly dragging production process from Malco but from a monetary standpoint I cant fault them for chasing the dollars.

 

[Kscardsfan]

The fact that they're calling it an exclusive design makes me think they got Malco to agree to an exclusivity contract which means Snap-on will be the only source for the next 6-12 months (guessing). The truck brands do this regularly.

Not real happy about this considering the seemingly dragging production process from Malco but from a monetary standpoint I cant fault them for chasing the dollars.

I imagine a surge of working capital right now was welcomed with open arms.

 

[Rosso]

I saw a snap on dealer on Facebook also say they are a snap on exclusive.

 

[Wamsutta]

The new Snap-on pliers are the Vise-Grip design. I prefer the other design where you pull upwards on the extended lever to unlock the pliers. So much easier to operate.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

My driver was getting fuel next door, stopped to show me the new arrivals. $65+ tax for the 10" model, which I gladly paid.

Screw adjuster moves smoothly through the entire range, roll pin (spring pin?) securing the release lever, jaws well machined and fit correctly. The satin finish is very nice, smooth and crisp, might be a tad slippery with filthy gloves on though. Time will tell. Overall they are quite nice, lifetime warranty replacement. If the Malco hold this level of quality as a standard, I think they will sell very well.

I used them pretty lightly today, holding some brake pins, fixing the edge of an e-brake shoe, etc. It'll be a few months before I have a real opinion on them.

 

[d.mcfarland]

How do they compare (feel wise) to the Peterson / Irwin Vise Grips?

 

[Mr_B]

The new Snap-on pliers are the Vise-Grip design. I prefer the other design where you pull upwards on the extended lever to unlock the pliers. So much easier to operate.

I guess we all differ, I much prefer push down vise-grip style lever .

 

[wafrederick]

I know youtube subscriber CP The Tool Addict bought them and has a video on it.The previous ones before this made by Grip On were garbage,Snap On dealer I deal with warrantied them out with the Irwin locking pliers

 

[Mr_B]

The new Snap-on pliers are the Vise-Grip design. I prefer the other design where you pull upwards on the extended lever to unlock the pliers. So much easier to operate.

I guess we all differ, I much prefer push down vise-grip style lever .

 

[2ndGearRubber]

How do they compare (feel wise) to the Peterson / Irwin Vise Grips?

The screw actually moves freely and smoothly. Adjusting them is a breeze. This is a huge complaint of mine with various brands. It's like everyone else leaves the machining trash and gunk in the threads. Knipex and bollman move pretty smoothly, better than engineer and irwin. None are as nice, even when new, as these.

Thumb screw is big and thick, with proper beefy knurling, unlike grip-on which have that little baby knob. Weight is similar, the amount of slop in the pliers when in the unlocked position is better than irwin, pretty much like knipex and bollman. Just minimal slop in all the joints which make it feel less rattle-y.


We shall see how they do. I beat the hell out of locking pliers.

 

[seanb02]

The Snap-on truck stopped by to visit me today. He had a pair of the new locking pliers with him, also had a pair of the Irwins for comparison. Definitely a great quality piece. May find myself owning a few once they have been out long enough to start offering some promotional deals.

He told me that Snap-on actually purchased Malco which is why the pliers are exclusive to Snap-on currently.

 

[sk farmer]

He told me that Snap-on actually purchased Malco which is why the pliers are exclusive to Snap-on currently.

that's funny **** right there.

and you didn't call him on it?

 

[seanb02]

that's funny **** right there.

and you didn't call him on it?

I don't know enough about Malco to know whether they would have sold out to Snap-on or not. Anything is possible. Doesn't really matter either way, they are finally making nice locking pliers again. I've been reasonably happy with my Milwaukee ones, but some better ones for certain applications would sometimes make the job go quicker.

 

[BarryWells]

I use Grip-on and Milwaukee

 

[d.mcfarland]

I don't know enough about Malco to know whether they would have sold out to Snap-on or not. Anything is possible. Doesn't really matter either way, they are finally making nice locking pliers again.

https://www.malcoproducts.com/news/...-former-vise-grip-factory-in-dewitt-nebraska/

 

[Wamsutta]

I guess we all differ, I much prefer push down vise-grip style lever .

At least you know the difference; most people don't.

 

[bwringer]

The new Snap-on pliers are the Vise-Grip design. I prefer the other design where you pull upwards on the extended lever to unlock the pliers. So much easier to operate.

I guess we all differ, I much prefer push down vise-grip style lever .

At least you know the difference; most people don't.

Ooh, do I sense a GJ civil war brewing?

No matter whether you're in the pull up or push down camp (personally I don't care, as long as there's a lever and it works), I bet we can all agree that the no lever designs are useless garbage.

And the ones with the giant clunky greebled plastirubber handles are even worse.

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm really happy that you guys that can't live without US made vise grips now have a US made option.

https://shop.snapon.com/product/LP-Series/10"-Locking-Pliers-with-Cutter/LP10WC

However, at my age, I'm not paying that much for a pair of locking pliers that I might beat on, get slag on, or otherwise use the **** out of. Call me cheap, call me unamerican, it's ok, I don't care.

 

[AA/FC]

He told me that Snap-on actually purchased Malco which is why the pliers are exclusive to Snap-on currently.

That is funny...

I noticed my last Snap-on dealer liked to stretch the truth, too. I hate people who don't just tell the truth, but I've never been a tool truck salesman either. That's gotta be a hard job. Every time I heard my last SO dealer tell a white lie I would just ignore it while knowing that I knew the truth. It was hard to keep a straight face sometimes.

.

 

[anndel]

My driver said the SO locking pliers are rebadged Malcos, the HVAC tool company. He said Malco opened a factory DeWitt Nebraska in the town where the original Peterson Vise-Grip were invented and produced, but not in the exact same building.

 

[AA/FC]

My driver said the SO locking pliers are rebadged Malcos, the HVAC tool company. He said Malco opened a factory DeWitt Nebraska in the town where the original Peterson Vise-Grip were invented and produced, but not in the exact same building.

Another example of a SO dealer just speaking nonsense. lol

Pretty sure it IS the exact same building. This fact has been repeated countless times around the internet over the last several years since Malco announced they would be making their own version of locking pliers, called Eagle Grips. I remember reading somewhere that the state of Nebraska awarded Malco with an $500K grant to open a tool business in their state, Then Malco turned around and purchased the old Vice Grip building.

 

[dscheidt]

I don't know enough about Malco to know whether they would have sold out to Snap-on or not. Anything is possible. Doesn't really matter either way, they are finally making nice locking pliers again. I've been reasonably happy with my Milwaukee ones, but some better ones for certain applications would sometimes make the job go quicker.

It's perfectly possible that Snap-On would buy Malco. They acquire lots of other companies. It's inconceivable that they wouldn't trumpet it, like they do every other time they acquire someone. They're also publicly traded, and there are legal requirements about announcing acquisitions. Malco is owned by an ESOP; there's doubtless notification requirements for them, too, but I don't know what they are.

 

[Mr_B]

What is amazing is snap-on couldn't of made some better locking pliers itself long ago rather than just putting a snap-on markup on gripon and then selling china irwin as well !

 

[AA/FC]

It's perfectly possible that Snap-On would buy Malco. They acquire lots of other companies. It's inconceivable that they wouldn't trumpet it, like they do every other time they acquire someone. They're also publicly traded, and there are legal requirements about announcing acquisitions. Malco is owned by an ESOP; there's doubtless notification requirements for them, too, but I don't know what they are.

You're correct, Snap-on does indeed buy a lot of companies..... But they also have a lot of other companies, who they do NOT own, make tools for them. This Malco deal is an example of that.

Next time I roll past Malco company headquarters, I'll see if it still says "Malco" on the front of the building..... I'm betting it does.

 

[Mr_B]

^
it would still say malco even if snapon had bought it .

 

[AA/FC]

^
it would still say malco even if snapon had bought it .

Probably. SO is known for keeping the names of the companies they buy. We have a family lake cabin a few miles from Malco company headquarters. I'll do some asking around next time I'm in the area. I'm still willing to bet Snap-on is just a customer of Malco, not the new owner.

 

[charbar]

So it looks like you cannot buy Malco branded ones yet??

Id like to try a set, all my Vice Grips are about shot. I do have a pair of Milwaukees that I haven't used much. I think they are lifetime warranty, but I doubt any of the local places around here are going to warranty them if I take in a pair with mangled jaws/teeth.

My Snap On guy is pretty good about warranty, might be worth paying the S.O. price just for piece of mind....Buy a couple pair and be done instead of having to buy new ViceGrips every year.

 

[AA/FC]

So it looks like you cannot buy Malco branded ones yet??

Id like to try a set, all my Vice Grips are about shot. I do have a pair of Milwaukees that I haven't used much. I think they are lifetime warranty, but I doubt any of the local places around here are going to warranty them if I take in a pair with mangled jaws/teeth.

My Snap On guy is pretty good about warranty, might be worth paying the S.O. price just for piece of mind....Buy a couple pair and be done instead of having to buy new ViceGrips every year.

No, not available through Malco yet, only through SO. Malco has not announced an official release date of their Eagle Grips. The SO version is nice and operates very smoothly.

 

[Bubba Fett]

He told me that Snap-on actually purchased Malco which is why the pliers are exclusive to Snap-on currently.

Salesmen are salesman, and salesmen are often dishonest. Or he may have simply been misinformed.

I can't find anything indicating that Snap-On has bought the Malco company, but no doubt they have an agreement with Malco for Snap-On branded pliers, just as they do with many other companies.

 

[ZRX61]

My driver was getting fuel next door, stopped to show me the new arrivals. $65+ tax for the 10" model, which I gladly paid.

$65 for ******** locking pliers????

 

[2ndGearRubber]

So it looks like you cannot buy Malco branded ones yet??

Id like to try a set, all my Vice Grips are about shot. I do have a pair of Milwaukees that I haven't used much. I think they are lifetime warranty, but I doubt any of the local places around here are going to warranty them if I take in a pair with mangled jaws/teeth.

My Snap On guy is pretty good about warranty, might be worth paying the S.O. price just for piece of mind....Buy a couple pair and be done instead of having to buy new ViceGrips every year.

$65 for ******** locking pliers????

If the Malco are $25/each with tax, which seems about right, I'll be in the black after warranting them twice. I got a $120 snap-on hammer, that really cost me ~$25 per hammer.


IDK man, I destroy stuff. I use it every day and use it hard. If someone will sell me something with infinite warranty due to daily use, I will gladly take them up on that. Either these pliers will last the rest of my career, making them a great value, or snap-on will warranty them every 18months max for the rest of my career. Only downside is I don't get "free" welding leads when the teeth are shot. Got plenty of vise-grips for welding though.


Also, a small amount, perhaps $20, of my price acceptance was to be cutting edge and try out these new pliers. "Yay made in USA locking pliers" - and whatnot.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

FWIW my last locking pliers where tekton, $14, warrantied twice for the release lever falling off. So for my $14, they got tossed in the scrap bucket, not even usable as welding leads. I've spent at least $65 on 10" round jaw pliers over the years. As of a week ago, I'm done spending.

 

[seanb02]

Salesmen are salesman, and salesmen are often dishonest. Or he may have simply been misinformed.

I can't find anything indicating that Snap-On has bought the Malco company, but no doubt they have an agreement with Malco for Snap-On branded pliers, just as they do with many other companies.

Likely was simply misinformed. Hard to know where his information came from. Never has been the type to push for sales, simply informs of the current promotions and lets the tools sell themselves or takes the time to find that special tool for the job that streamlines the process. Never has been shy about discussing which tools are re-branded, and that the same can be had for much cheaper. But since he carries replacements on the truck for warranty purposes, many times it just makes sense to pay more for the same tool since he will go out of his way after his regular route to make stops for his customers who need a tool warrantied same day rather than make them wait for his regularly scheduled visit. His honest approach is probably why he has two trucks and a huge customer base in this area, whereas the Matco and Cornwell guys are struggling along and a Mac truck is nowhere to be seen.

Everybody makes mistakes and passes on incorrect information occasionally, or somebody only catches half a conversation and misses the point. Only mentioned it in this thread because I didn't know if a Malco buyout was a real possibility or not, and wanted my information to be correct on the subject. The fact is, a buyout would certainly explain the exclusive relabeling by Snap-on rather than there being other purchase options through Eagle Grip. But it sounds as though its a just a deal between Snap-on and Malco for the time being until Eagle Grip gets enough product moving to sell themselves and relabel for others besides just Snap-on.

 

[AA/FC]

Likely was simply misinformed. Hard to know where his information came from.

Reminds me of a story.....

I was standing at the "city desk" at a commercial/industrial tool distributor several years ago when I overheard the owner of the tool business discussing a product with one of his salesman... The product was ORBIS pliers and side cutters that are actually made by Knipex in Germany. The salesman asked, "what is ORBIS" and the owner told the salesman: "ORBIS German for Knipex". lolol. I had all I could do to keep from injecting myself into their conversation. I REALLY wanted to say "No, Knipex is German for Knipex" but I kept my mouth shut. Now imagine, that salesman went around to all of his customers and told everyone that ORBIS is German for Knipex, and it couldn't be further from the truth. A perfect example of how salesmen get the wrong info.... such as Snap-on bought Malco. lol

.