Resharpen Vise Grips?

[sometoyotaguy]

Is there a good way to clean up the edges on a pair of vise grips so that they actually grip again? I have some old ones, but they tend to not bite very well.

Has anyone had any luck with a file?

 

[plinker]

If they arent too dinged up a file would probably work, A needle file or one shaped to the angle of the teeth would be best.

In my experiance though they rely on clamping force more then sharp teeth.

 

[OEXL16B]

A triangle shaped file in between the teeth is the way you do it.

 

[Hephaestus29]

I've used a file to do that but if they are cheap locking pliers that don't have hardened jaws you're just wasting your time because it will only last a short while.

 

[RedFordTruck]

id say Triangle file.

and x2^ If theyre genuine vise grips id do it, but if theyre cheap Chinese knock-offs dont waste your time. I saw a 7 or 8 piece Task force locking plier set on clearance at Lowes for 7 bucks. Cheap Chinese Garbage. Theres a reason I paid $14 for one pair of NOS 100% USA made vise grips from Epstein.

 

[camarotoolman]

Little wheel on a drimmel tool would be faster than a file.

 

[Big-Foot]

Little wheel on a drimmel tool would be faster than a file.

X2 and I've done it... The little abrasive cutoff wheels will allow you to deepen the remaining teeth and cut new ones..

 

[sometoyotaguy]

Little wheel on a drimmel tool would be faster than a file.

That's a good idea. They are US made vise grips, but the teeth are pretty well worn. They don't bite too well.

 

[KenS]

+3 on the Dremel. Also great for restoring the milled face on a framing hammer.

 

[sberry]

Use them as clamps, buy new.

 

[sometoyotaguy]

Use them as clamps, buy new.

I haven't seen any that aren't made in china

 

[OEXL16B]

If you get the correct size triangular file that most closely matches the original profile of the teeth, then restoring the teeth is a breeze.

 

[OEXL16B]

OK I've narrowed it down for you. I'm pretty sure the file I used is a Nicholson Extra Slim Taper file that is a triangular shape and it has the part number 14698N. There is no part number on the file itself, but it does say "Nicholson Extra Slim" on the file, so I went into the Nicholson catalog to match it up and get the part number. They're saying it's 7'' long, but it actually measures out to 7-5/8'' total length. It's a file used for sharpening saw teeth. The space between the saw teeth is called a "gullet." The file goes down in the gullet. If you use the file correctly by pushing it only, you should be able to put some nice teeth back into those pliers.

 

[HandyManny]

id say Triangle file.

and x2^ If theyre genuine vise grips id do it, but if theyre cheap Chinese knock-offs dont waste your time. I saw a 7 or 8 piece Task force locking plier set on clearance at Lowes for 7 bucks. Cheap Chinese Garbage. Theres a reason I paid $14 for one pair of NOS 100% USA made vise grips from Epstein.

I have some older Petersen Vise-grips and a couple pair of newer Chinese made vise-grips. The Chinese ones have gotten plenty of use on hard steel objects and the teeth seem to hold up just as well as the older USA made versions have. If you want to talk soft weak teeth in pliers just look no further than Kliens 200 series pliers. You'll be terribly disappointed. So much for COO and quality, some USA made stuff doesn't hold up all that well either.

 

[HandyManny]

That's a good idea. They are US made vise grips, but the teeth are pretty well worn. They don't bite too well.

But everyone here says the USA made ones don't wear out!

I guess I know better. I've owned a few USA made older vise grips and yes they do wear out if used long enough.