Vice-grips?

[carguy07]

I need to get some "real" vice-grips. My cheap *** harbor freight ones are worthless. What do I need to look for to get some like my Dad owned back in the day? I think he had Peterson or Irwin made in USA versions. Are newer Irwin models any good? FN cheap tools are worthless when you really need them.

 

[Parrothead]

Which cheap HF locking pliers did you get? The Pittsburgh Pros are much better than the cheap regular version. I have all the Vise Grips too...mostly Peterson and a few Irwin, but all USA made. I think the China made Vise Grips are okay, but I'd rather use my old Vise Grips. Hunt pawn shops or eBay for the USA stuff. Have to know what to look for as not everybody lists the USA part. I've had no issues with the Pittsburgh Pros either.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Garage sales, pick up the originals for a couple bucks each.

 

[erty67]

They aren't spectacular but the $5 Performance Tools ones at Advance Auto are much better than the HF ones. Keep in mind they are $5 grips.

 

[G_P]

The original Petersen ones are the best. Garage sales are the best places to get them.
Pawn shops might have some as well.
I have a few of the newer Irwins and they are not too bad either.

 

[n8n]

+1 on original Peterson, if you don't have time to hit garage sales/pawn shops, I've heard Grip-On are good, but I haven't tried them.

 

[d.mcfarland]

My cheap *** harbor freight ones are worthless.

What makes that worthless to you? I'm thinking about picking up some to use as beaters, but the only bad thing I see initially is the jaws aren't exactly sharp.

 

[carguy07]

Sounds like I should just stick with old ones in good shape and not even mess around with new stuff. Looks like there a a bunch on ebay. Probably should check with my Dad first and see if he wants to pass a few down. Kind of cool when you wrench with Dad's and Grandpa's tools. Not only because they are vintage, but because the are the best ones out there.

 

[n8n]

Vice-grips are consumables, so look at the jaws of the old ones, make sure they still have sharp pointy teeth.

To d.mcfarland - teeth not sharp is an instant fail, they need to be both sharp and hard as if you didn't need to bite into whatever you'd be turning with them, you'd just use a wrench, wouldn't you?

 

[ChrisLS8]

I actually really like my new Millwaukee's. Just as good as my old BlackHawks. I really want a set of the new Irwins made by NWS.

 

[carguy07]

What makes that worthless to you? I'm thinking about picking up some to use as beaters, but the only bad thing I see initially is the jaws aren't exactly sharp.

The jaws are made of butter, the ridges will just rip right off of them, they lock like **** (keep popping open) and the needle nose ones can be twisted so easy they can't accomplish anything.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I actually really like my new Millwaukee's. Just as good as my old BlackHawks. I really want a set of the new Irwins made by NWS.

Those are pliers ... not locking vise grips.

The jaws are made of butter, the ridges will just rip right off of them, they lock like **** (keep popping open) and the needle nose ones can be twisted so easy they can't accomplish anything.

Yeah, the torsion strength seemed next to nothing.

 

[chris142]

I have some older craftsman ones that are great. Wonder who made those?

 

[dave89iroc]

keep in mind that the original Irwin vise grips have a lifetime warranty, I've been able to have the snap on guy replace them for me

 

[stonesfan68]

Try Grip-On.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[defektes]

I need to get some "real" vice-grips. My cheap *** harbor freight ones are worthless. What do I need to look for to get some like my Dad owned back in the day? I think he had Peterson or Irwin made in USA versions. Are newer Irwin models any good? FN cheap tools are worthless when you really need them.

The new Irwins are Chinese and junk.

I've been buying Grip-On ones off of Amazon, made in Spain about the best quality locking pliers out there atm.

 

[toddoky]

Original Petersen Vice-Grips and the Proto versions can be had on Evil-bay every day of the week.

 

[Monte]

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n...bbn=553314&ie=UTF8&qid=1429113802&rnid=553314

www.gripon.es

 

[Brownsfan]

The new Milwaukee locking pliers are actually quite nice. I have a couple and have had no issue. They are a really good value.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Grip-On are by far the best out there. Even better than the USA Peterson Vise grips.


*runs and hides from the incoming USA made fan boys*

 

[Farmall450]

The new Irwins are Chinese and junk.

I've been buying Grip-On ones off of Amazon, made in Spain about the best quality locking pliers out there atm.

Chinese Irwin are actually decent. The only bad thing about them is the COO.

 

[rlitman]

Chinese Irwin are actually decent. The only bad thing about them is the COO.

Agreed. They're no worse than the USA Irwin in quality. Yes, the steel in the original Peterson jaws was superior.

BTW, the current production Irwin are the same as the Craftsman. Just different branding.

As for needle nose twisting, that's what they do. I've got old Petersons, they twist just as much.

 

[Tucko]

Agreed. They're no worse than the USA Irwin in quality. Yes, the steel in the original Peterson jaws was superior.

BTW, the current production Irwin are the same as the Craftsman. Just different branding.

As for needle nose twisting, that's what they do. I've got old Petersons, they twist just as much.

I use Vise Grips at work EVERYDAY. The current Irwin's are garbage. The original Peterson ones are the only way to go for me.

 

[Jere]

Irwin needle nose are a step up from hf but twisting sideways isn't how they were designed to be used. if you can find some old proto pliers without the quick release lever those will handle some twisting. They are the strongest set i have run across as far as locking pliers go.

 

[great white tj]

The cheap vice-grips have a use.

 

[zkling]

for Grip On

 

[ChrisLS8]

Those are pliers ... not locking vise grips.



Yeah, the torsion strength seemed next to nothing.

Milwaukee makes locking vise grips.

And I thought I read somewhere that Irwin was going to have NWS produce a different version of their vise grips. I could be mistaken on that.

 

[michiganman18]

Grip-On are by far the best out there. Even better than the USA Peterson Vise grips.


*runs and hides from the incoming USA made fan boys*

Hi.

Im a fan of almost all USA made products because they are *almost always better. And usually better than a Asian made product.

The only time i do not buy USA made is when its not available, or the USA made is FAR inferior to an alternative product that is skilfully made someplace else. Alot of great tools and great engineering come out of Europe
and IMO gripons are no exception. They are great and definately an improvement from any 5 dollar grips.

 

[BK13]

The new Milwaukee locking pliers are actually quite nice. I have a couple and have had no issue. They are a really good value.

Agreed. Until I begin my pending GripOn addiction, my Milwaukees are my favorite locking pliers. Much better that my Chinese Irwins, and noticibly better than my (admittedly late production) USA Vise Grips.

 

[SantaAna12]

Grip-On are by far the best out there. Even better than the USA Peterson Vise grips.


*runs and hides from the incoming USA made fan boys*

Incoming!!!

Nice! Been waiting for these to go on sale somewheres.........???

 

[Parrothead]

As for needle nose twisting, that's what they do. I've got old Petersons, they twist just as much.

Yup, I've got the Petersons too, it's just a thing with locking needle nose pliers, that's what they do.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Incoming!!!

Nice! Been waiting for these to go on sale somewheres.........???

Snap-on and Proto both currently re brand them as their own.

The Proto version from zoro (during as 30% off sale) are about $12-$13 a piece, which makes them a great deal.

Otherwise chad's toolbox has the grip on version for okay prices. If you buy Grip-On off amazon, try to buy the newer orange version. The finish is better than the nickel (same finish that all other vice grips have) finish on the older version.

Napa, CAT (as in caterpillar machines), and a few other companies re branded them in the past. Sometimes brand new ones appear on eBay for good prices too. I've been working for about a year on getting a good collection and have several of every size now from 5in to 12in in all jaw styles.

 

[SantaAna12]

My Zoros list is getting bigger.

Thanks!

Edit: Chads has quite the inventory of these. Unbelievable.