Robo Grip Pliers

[dink]

I remember having these in high school and I loved them (not really knowing much about tools at the time or other brands out there).

Do you think if they were rebranded Channellock or other brands then people would of swarmed on them?

http://www.sears.com/robo-grip-2-pc-pliers-set-7-in/p-00930013000P

 

[4x4gearhead]

I dont think they were made by channel lock, but maybe danaher? I never had good luck with them and I think you might be the only person Ive seen say they "love" them lol. They look like some crescent pliers Ive seen, so maybe Apex.

 

[mrvm]

My pair are labeled Craftsman Professional RoboGrip USA. They are old, tucked away deep in the plier drawer in new-like condition since I can't remember ever needing them.

 

[Hootbro]

Do you think if they were rebranded Channellock or other brands then people would of swarmed on them?

When they were Craftsman branded and Bob Villa hocked them 15 plus years ago, they sold a bazillion of them with the vast majority being that stupid gift bought for Dad or Grandpa at Christmas time.

They are no longer sold under the Craftsman name because they had to many returns. Put into hard daily use, they break.

 

[BRIANBB]

I got a pair for fathers day a long time ago. Probably right after they came out. Went to use them in the garage that day and for some reason they flew out into the street and were never heard from again. The BIGGEST piece of shiet i have ever layed hands on.

 

[sonvolt]

I bought my Dad those pliers, rarely used now I have them and rarely use them !

 

[jjjrmx5]

"Love" them? LOLZ

I hate mine.

Can't part with them due to the fact I paid full retail new back in high school when I didn't have **** for money, but "real" pliers they are NOT.

 

[getahammer]

I think there is a picture of them in the dictionary. Under the word useless, or frustrating. Can't recall, maybe both.

 

[finn]

Mom got me a set years ago as a birthday or Christmas gift.

I always hated them, as they never worked well. I think they are in the back of a toolbox somewhere now.

She died late last year & in cleaning out the house I found a set new in the box that she must have bought for my dad. I used them to hold a nut to remove a small Wilton vice I found in the house from a bench. They worked fine for that, much to my surprise.

Guess I'll keep them in the beater truck for roadside repairs.

 

[allinon72]

I have a set that I keep in my backup box just for old time sake.

 

[RonnieC]

I got suckered into buying them back when they were advertised heavily 15 or 20 years ago. I found them to be awkward to use and no improvement over other, better tools so I never use them.
Just another gimmicky tool that gets marketed for Father's Day.

 

[Karl_B]

I had a pair of the Craftsman branded ones I picked up as a back up when a bunch of my tools had been stolen. They kept hanging up and not opening all the way so I took them back to Sears where they exchanged them for a small pair of Craftsman branded Knipex pliers. That exchange was by far the best use for those pliers.

 

[dodge610]

I have both style the straight jaw and the curved jaw. They were christmas gifts from Mom and Dad. Still in the original box in like new condition tucked away in my box. The few times that I did use them they did the job. Mine came with vinyl covers for the jaws so they would not marr soft metals like copper and brass.

 

[Kevin54]

I had a set my dad bought me and hated them. Not only did they not work correctly, but on the right size fastener, they'd slip and pinch the palm of my hand. After a couple of blood blisters they were tossed in the bottom drawer of my toolbox. Believe it or not, I got $5 out of them at a garage sale.

 

[daddy2coull]

these we're sold on Mac trucks in the UK in the mid 1990's

 

[methomas70]

Yuck.

 

[87FoRunner]

They are good for quick backside bolt holding.

 

[Cameronl]

If you brought them back to Sears as an unsatisfied user, what would they give you in return? Maybe you can get a pair of decent pliers.

 

[dink]

I know sometimes some people are blind or really bad vision even looking an inch from the screen.....but if you looked closely I typed "LOVED"

 

[chris_1001]

I've had a set of C'mans for 15 years or so. Might have used them 3-4 times. No issues, but not the first tool I reach for. However, I think I have used them mostly to un-stick garden hose fittings.

 

[djb2]

I have both the small and large pair.

Their primary value is that I also have the vinyl jaw covers for the large size, which I've occasionally used when gripping something polished.

I have them for the same reason as several other gimmick tools: I'm really difficult to buy for at Christmas, my mother knows I like tools and remembers that Craftsman is a top brand name.

They are constructed of laminated steel: a stack of punched steel parts riveted together. According to the claims, this allows better control of the hardening as no part is too far from the surface to be properly hardened. In reality it seemed to be a way to allow a factory with only metal punches to make tools.

I'll move them to front of the drawer to see if I can find a good use for them.

 

[Fordman7795]

I dunno what everyones beef is with them. I actually like them. I like to use them on spring clamps

 

[The Ratchet Man]

Every time the word Robogrip is spoken, a kitten is killed...just thought y'all should know.

Not only did they not work correctly, but on the right size fastener, they'd slip and pinch the palm of my hand. After a couple of blood blisters they were tossed in the bottom drawer of my toolbox.

This was my experience the few times I used them years ago. All pain, no gain.

The only saving grace was the protective covers which reside on a couple pairs of my Knipex. I like the covers.

 

[daddy2coull]

I never bought a set because Mac tools dealer was really C**P , but these are the ones I remember. glad I didn't bother now

 

[azhatchback]

I have used the heck out of some original robo-grips from sears. The older ones I have are more like the ones daddy2 pictured above but all black. Back when i got mine they only came in 2 sizes and i have two of the smaller version. I have had mine for 14 years and they work great. I love the fact that you can use them on different size plumbing with out having to slip the jaw. I use them alot on round pipe. These really shine when working in tight areas where you need to work a pump plier with one hand. I am very surprised so manny of you dislike these.

I have not used these newer ones but I go to these more than my smaller pump pliers. Sorry to say but these just flat out work for me and am baffled by all the hate for them. If anything keep them with the lawn tools and use them when tightening your garden hose. Becareful when you get them wet, they will rust just like most pump pliers do.

 

[monomach]

I remember having these in high school and I loved them (not really knowing much about tools at the time or other brands out there).

I swear you're the first person I've ever seen admit to liking them.

Do you think if they were rebranded Channellock or other brands then people would of swarmed on them?

No way. They're garbage. I got some as a gift and gave them to goodwill not long after. They have a reputation as one of the worst Craftsman tools ever made.

 

[unclerandy]

For occasional non heavy duty use they are convenient and work well. I agree with others that with daily use or for really heavy duty gripping they are not the best. I have had my pair for many years and have used them a lot and they continue to serve their purpose. I used them tonight to remove some staples from the box my new compressor came in.

 

[azhatchback]

For occasional non heavy duty use they are convenient and work well. I agree with others that with daily use or for really heavy duty gripping they are not the best. I have had my pair for many years and have used them a lot and they continue to serve their purpose. I used them tonight to remove some staples from the box my new compressor came in.

LOL! Almost forgot about the staple removing from cardboard. They are my go to tool for this aswell.

 

[mickeyone]

Good for holding pipe when sweating joints,the robo action works for me, otherwise aill use cobras.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I remember my uncle gave me a small pair of robogrips when I was a kid.
Who knows where they ended up! lol

 

[oldjamesy]

I am going to file My minority report .

I bought a two piece set back when they first came out. Loved them immediately.

Used them as a "go to" for 20 years until they wore out in every possible way that they could wear out .

That is all .

 

[frugalscotty]

I have one of the smaller sized Robogrip pliers I got way back. I keep them in my carry around tool kit for light duty needs. They're not the greatest but they fill a certain niche in that they are relatively light weight and can be used one handed. I wouldn't consider them suitable for anything else.

 

[JimDon]

I had two, small and large sized, both with the curved jaws. I think they made straight jaw models also, but I won't swear to that. Anyway, they were great for grabbing onto a hole saw body and using an adjustable wrench on the arbor (great use for adjustables too for all you crescent haters) taking said hole saw apart without drawing blood. If you haven't drawn blood disassembling a hole saw, you ain't used one!. Cheers,
Jim Don

 

[davethorik]

I like them, they have their use. I don't have a set any more, when I was a kid I bought a set at Sears Hardware for myself and they magically disappeared over the years. Been on the lookout for more but since everyone hates them I should be getting paid to take in wayward examples lol.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I'll be sticking with Visegrips but I'd like to get my hands on some of the Knipex Cobra pliers.

 

[zcbauer89]

I use them to dunk pieces I've welded into a bucket of water to cool it off. They're good for that.

 

[Vvmvbb]

I leave the soft jaws on mine and end up grabbing them a lot. Grab and squeeze and they just plain work.

 

[DieselSaves]

I was just looking today at a MAC pair I have from a wonder box. The few times I've tried them, they did the job, I'd even say they worked well. I'd give them a pass.

 

[Nader]

I, too, like mine. You just have to know what they are good for. They are great when you just need a bit more grip and leverage than what you can do with your bare hands, and also great for quickly holding hot materials as someone else already mentioned. I like mine so much, I plan to get a better version from Knipex.