VamPliers $20 at Rakuten.com
- Thread starter frugalscotty
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pauls_workshop
Well-known member
Ha ha, that old ad is great ! When people start talking about tools, my brain imagines the tool discussion in a format just like that ad and pages just like that show up in my head, old school but not all wrong either! - Paul
4xdog
Well-known member
Paul, you're a pretty funny guy yourself! Vice-Grips have their role -- as clamps. VamPliers are a completely different tool. They have a precision-ground small tip that finds a way to grip things in ways a Vise-Grip would never be able to do. They don't clamp with any sort of locking mechanism -- it's only your grip strength holding on. But that special tip is something else.
I have a dozen or more pairs of Vise Grips, including Petersen stuff from the WW2 era. They have their place in my toolbox, but the VamPliers have their place, too.
Why not get a pair and run the experiment you mention? You'll believe your own results better than anything we tell ya.
pauls_workshop
Well-known member
4x, well, the thing is, I've never had a nail or bolt to pull out that the old vice grips couldn't handle. So my question is are these really worth getting and that much better? What is better if the vice grips have never failed? It does sound like you are giving them a pretty strong endorsement. Perhaps they are worth a try.
But $17 or more for a pliers is not cheap to me or that much of a deal. I'd try them for $8 or so. I like to get most of my tools used and cheap when I find them, generally of excellent old US made quality when I find them too. $2 to $3 each is about what I'd pay for my average hand tool in good shape. If I really needed something, I might buy new for $10 or less, but don't do that very often. It's all about perspective and what is value to you. Tools in general are much more expensive today than 10 or 20 or 30 years back, and I usually like those older ones much better for much less cost used than most newer ones. - Paul
But $17 or more for a pliers is not cheap to me or that much of a deal. I'd try them for $8 or so. I like to get most of my tools used and cheap when I find them, generally of excellent old US made quality when I find them too. $2 to $3 each is about what I'd pay for my average hand tool in good shape. If I really needed something, I might buy new for $10 or less, but don't do that very often. It's all about perspective and what is value to you. Tools in general are much more expensive today than 10 or 20 or 30 years back, and I usually like those older ones much better for much less cost used than most newer ones. - Paul
4xdog
Well-known member
I had to get out toe-nailed tacks in the stained glass window frames I'm restoring. It was a tight fit, and I had to be careful applying force in order not to crack the glass. The combination of gripping relentlessly in a *very* tight spot yet allowing good control of force was a perfect application for the VamPliers. I wouldn't have been able to grab the nailhead with any of the Vise-Grips I have. Heck, I couldn't get a grip with Snap-on needle nose pliers. To have a tool do the job without breaking glass is well worth 17 bucks. It woulda cost a lot more if I started cracking glass.
YMMV, of course, but I'm sold.
Don
YMMV, of course, but I'm sold.
Don
NathanB
Well-known member
Ordered one, thanks guys.
elronin
Well-known member
Dam I gave in, ordered one 17.99 no tax not bad.
pauls_workshop
Well-known member
I had to get out toe-nailed tacks in the stained glass window frames I'm restoring. It was a tight fit, and I had to be careful applying force in order not to crack the glass. The combination of gripping relentlessly in a *very* tight spot yet allowing good control of force was a perfect application for the VamPliers. I wouldn't have been able to grab the nailhead with any of the Vise-Grips I have. Heck, I couldn't get a grip with Snap-on needle nose pliers. To have a tool do the job without breaking glass is well worth 17 bucks. It woulda cost a lot more if I started cracking glass.
YMMV, of course, but I'm sold.
Don
Hmmm, now you've got even me thinking about this one a bit. I think the above would be a pefect application of where something like this could really help. I do have to admit that the vice grip method can easily mar up the works a bit getting the nail/bolt out. These new pliers have a bit more finesse perhaps. Hmmm. I may file this away in memory for now, but may look into these when they have a *real* sale on them! - Paul
elronin
Well-known member
bas157
Well-known member
Does anyone think the slip-joint versions are worth it for a few more dollars? Thinking longer gets you more leverage and a better grip?
zeekh
Well-known member
Sounds like the obvious answer at another website I frequent
Mgnu
Well-known member
pauls_workshop
Well-known member
No HMMMM Paul just do it, do it....do it..... come on you know you want one.
Elronin, I am not hasty! (Said very very slowly and in a deep growl, just like Tolkien's Tree Ents in the Lord of the Rings movie.)
I think this concept has some merit however for some applications. One of my old pliers with the jaws worn out may need to experience the DREMEL CUTTING DISK on the end to look like one of these. 3 cuts each way should about do it. I will try it and see if I like it or not as requested but for free! - Paul
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elronin
Well-known member
yea that's not a bad idea, little Dremel or a mini file here and there sounds like it work.
pauls_workshop
Well-known member
When I have time, I'll give it a go and see how it turns out! - Paul
zeekh
Well-known member
Same thought I had. Two is one and one is none?
Lots of overlap in these two websites
Me thinks you're right
justme-
Well-known member
I've been curious about these but figured the steel was soft, much like you are reporting.
I've been using vise grips for years as well with much success. Don't forget there arem, and have been, different kinds of vise grip pliers - needle nose 4 or 6 inch model would have pulled those stained glass tacks no problem.
I find on many screws I need flats cut or ground in them to remove with vise grips, but that's the cost of removal to me. Now having pliers that will do that without needing to cut/grind and will last would be a good investment. How well to these kids of pliers last?
I've been using vise grips for years as well with much success. Don't forget there arem, and have been, different kinds of vise grip pliers - needle nose 4 or 6 inch model would have pulled those stained glass tacks no problem.
I find on many screws I need flats cut or ground in them to remove with vise grips, but that's the cost of removal to me. Now having pliers that will do that without needing to cut/grind and will last would be a good investment. How well to these kids of pliers last?
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I Received mine already yesterday in the mail, fast for free shipping and they came with the cover
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archirelic
Well-known member
Received my Engineer pliers from the ebay link on Friday. These things are awesome. Kinda sad they didn't come with the cover though like the Vampliers ones...but amazing deal.
Can't wait to put them to use.
Can't wait to put them to use.