Vice Grip Cee-Clamps Made in China?

[mcbassin]

Seriously? Do I have to buy vintage used Vice grips to get the American made ones I'm used to?
I went to a local Lowes store to buy some swivel head HERE.

I noticed the chrome plating looked "weird". Turns out they are made in China now?
I hope Irwin tools realizes some of us will pay more for American made tools.
I know they probably don't give two $hit$ about my opinion. But, man what a disappointment! I've got some of these clamps from the 80s that still work great.

Sorry for the rant but if it's already been discussed this was new to me.....

 

[sberry]

If it says made in China it probably is, no one counterfeits their stuff.

 

[Super Sport]

Old news, but yeah you pretty much have to go used for good quality. There are a couple of German brands that many here recommend.

 

[sberry]

They are still good clamps. Only difference I have noticed but havnt compared them all was in a 7R straight jaw, they changed the tooth spacing and jaw geometry, I happened to pick one up and it didn't feel the same. I think it may have been done before the country change though, its not exactly the same as older ones.

 

[gdocktor3]

One flea market and you'll have all the USA made you could want for less than 1/2 of new Chinese ones. In my area anyways.

 

[CrashmanS]

Got all mine a long time ago. That's not half of them! When gluing panels on trucks you need a boat load. From 7r to 24r and even 6 18 deep clamps.

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[d.mcfarland]

Wait, they are made in China now?!?!?

 

[tarbellb]

You might soil yourself then if you go into a Sears Craftmans isle then...

 

[shockwave]

Either nos from ebay or pawn shop is best bet outside of that look at grip on from Spain
For a few years now all vise grips are from china

 

[mcbassin]

They are still good clamps. Only difference I have noticed but havnt compared them all was in a 7R straight jaw, they changed the tooth spacing and jaw geometry, I happened to pick one up and it didn't feel the same. I think it may have been done before the country change though, its not exactly the same as older ones.

Unfortunately, I had no choice but to buy the Chinese clamps from lowes because I needed them for a job that day.
They worked for the job. I would gladly trade them for used American made pieces.
I will be hitting the swap meets and flea markets to find new old stock and nice used ones.
I honestly don't buy Craftsman tools any more because I had a ratchet strip out on me, I took it to sears to get a new one or have it rebuilt. Unfortunately for me they didn't have it in stock. The guy at the counter "no problem" we will send you a new one in the mail". I thought, no biggy it's an extra ratchet anyway.
I got it in the mail, it was made in china? What the hell? I trade a USA ratchet for this? I was pissed and am still pissed!
I'm so disappointed in what manufacturing has come to in America.
I don't consider my self an old timer but this really *****....

 

[brveagle]

You might soil yourself then if you go into a Sears Craftmans isle then...

This made me laugh.

 

[sberry]

No surprise with the Cman ratchet6, I don't even bother anymore. But I have used new 11r and they work fine. Just the same.

 

[crewchief888]

a have a couple pairs of offshore vice grips, as well as quite a few old USA made ones.

i keep an eye out for used USA at flea mkts and pawn shops. they dont have to be NOS, used is fine with me, as long as they are working condition.

depending on price, i buy or walk away.
for me, a starting point of 1/2 off retail price for good used USA is fine with me, if i can get them cheaper, thats even better.

i cant make myself buy new ones, (USA or import) for them to get covered in weld splatter.

 

[fatfillup]

Old vise grips sell very well for me. Often the real deep ones go for good money at auctions. I feel lucky when I can buy them because competition is always stout

 

[Cope]

....

i cant make myself buy new ones, (USA or import) for them to get covered in weld splatter.

I used my welding Vise Grips as loaners, but none of them came back.

 

[Precivilization]

I got these the other day for around $5 at a hardware strore. I live overseas.

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[mcbassin]

I got these the other day for around $5 at a hardware strore. I live overseas.

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Nice score!

 

[anndel]

Seriously? Do I have to buy vintage used Vice grips to get the American made ones I'm used to?
I went to a local Lowes store to buy some swivel head HERE.

I noticed the chrome plating looked "weird". Turns out they are made in China now?
I hope Irwin tools realizes some of us will pay more for American made tools.
I know they probably don't give two $hit$ about my opinion. But, man what a disappointment! I've got some of these clamps from the 80s that still work great.

Sorry for the rant but if it's already been discussed this was new to me.....

I was in the same boat as you and bought Made in USA Petersen Originals from Ebay. Stanley Black & Decker now owns Irwin (bought from Newell Rubbermaid last year) but I doubt they will move Vise Grip manufacturing back to the USA.

Try Ebay, flea markets Craigslist or garage sales if you want the originals.