Red Green
Well-known member
I would check pawn shops and local(small) hardware stores and see if they have any new old stock. Those that you took a pic of look like the cheap ones I have from HF.
Vise Grips Sheet Metal Tool Q.
- Thread starter Stuey
- Start date
russlaferrera
Well-known member
+1 on that idea. Open them up and put one side at a time in a vice to strighten. It will work fine.
Merkava_4
Banned
I never liked the release lever design on them anyway.
The thing is, the curve goes away if I tighten the clamp with death-grip clenching power. I pop them open and the curve returns. I don't think my cheapo vise can straighten them without damaging something.
Then there's my belief that name brand tools with an extra premium should work flawlessly immediately.
These were made in Taiwan with a "to Irwin specifications" clause. I've started seeing the "global components" on other Irwin products though.
Their "easy level" design is pretty good though, but isn't sold locally and not really worth the extra premium. I did pinch my finger today though, but that was when opening the death grip tightened pliers that came in the mail.
OctaneMotorsports
Well-known member
I have three pairs of vise grips. I bought all three a year or so ago. My 6" needle nose were lost at work, and when I went to replace them I assumed they were made in USA as they always have been. Upon getting home and opening the package they had was "Made With Global Components" on it or something...sad, really sad... 
I returned them and sent them an email explaining why, I found a pair of USA made ones on a Snap-On truck a month later.
I returned them and sent them an email explaining why, I found a pair of USA made ones on a Snap-On truck a month later.
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Coach James
Well-known member
Stuey, is that a P Chem book in the picture with the Vise Grips?
Coach
Coach
Kind of. That was my themal physics text. I was brushing up on something when the second pair of vise grips were delivered, but immediately whipped out the camera in case I wanted to send the tools back later that day. Then I decided that the white pages provided good contrast to highlight the jaw gaps.
the intimidator
Well-known member
Well canadian tire has these on sale for 12.88 going to go look at them tomorrow hope they are old stock and not the new type will buy two set's if they are the good ones (made in USA) say's on the pack USA lol also say's home and hobby 
so I'll see. Would be well worth it to buy a couple of them to have around and pass down later on in life when all that is around is the new ****
http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/p...4441901179&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true
Perhaps y'all can tell from the pic? Thanks willing to pick up a couple pairs and ship to you guy's who want a good deal if they are real vise-grips
so I'll see. Would be well worth it to buy a couple of them to have around and pass down later on in life when all that is around is the new **** http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/p...4441901179&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true
Perhaps y'all can tell from the pic? Thanks willing to pick up a couple pairs and ship to you guy's who want a good deal if they are real vise-grips
I stopped by Lowes yesterday to pick up something and glanced by the vise-grips. Almost all of them were made overseas!! The C-clamp types were still US made, but probably only since the stock moves much slower.
The labeling is so ambiguous - maybe only some of the parts are made overseas. I'll be supremely pissed off if the tools are only assembled and packaged here.
The labeling is so ambiguous - maybe only some of the parts are made overseas. I'll be supremely pissed off if the tools are only assembled and packaged here.
russlaferrera
Well-known member
russlaferrera
Well-known member
They do! They see it done on TV. A tap is a tap. Then they learn how hard it is to get a $.50 tap out of a $$$$part! The people with the 1" thick skull will attempt this feat several times.
If they are lucky, among the new curse words they learn... EDM then ACE, Greenfield, Tilex etal.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Well, I already sent back all three curved pairs to the distributor. I really don't have the time to try to get the tool to work as was supposed to. I'll just pick up a pair of seamers next time, or a different brand of the locking style. Your advice does make sense though - I might try that next time I encounter a similar problem.
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
Care to point us in the right direction on this. I sitting here looking at the Klein catalog and cannot find anything that sounds like locking pliers or anything close to that. Here is what the index lists under pliers.
Pliers. 6-26
Pliers, 2000 Series®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12, 28-30
Pliers, Bell System. 13, 33-36
Pliers, Conduit Locknut and Reaming. 22, 134
Pliers, Connector Crimping. 9, 10, 29, 34
Pliers, Curved-Nose. 18, 22
Pliers, Diagonal-Cutting. 11-16, 29, 30, 33
Pliers, Diagonal-Cutting, Insulated. 57-58
Pliers, Duck-Bill. 19
Pliers, Electronics . 14-16, 19-21
Pliers, End-Cutting. 24
Pliers, Fish-Tape Pulling. 9, 28, 133
Pliers Handles. 26
Pliers Holders . 152-153
Pliers, Insulated. 56-59
Pliers, Ironworker’s. 10-11, 29
Pliers, Journeyman . 8-9, 12, 17, 25, 27-31
Pliers Kits. 24
Pliers, Lineman’s. 9
Pliers, Long-Nose . 16-22, 34-36
Pliers, Long-Nose, Insulated. 58-59
Pliers, Long-Reach Long-Nose . 18, 19
Pliers, Miniature. 15-16, 19-22
Pliers, Needle-Nose. 21-22
Pliers, Nickel Ribbon Wire. 16
Pliers, Pipe Wrench. 25
Pliers, Plastic-Cutting. 24
Pliers, Pump . 25, 31
Pliers, Retaining Ring . 23-24
Pliers, Scotchlok®. 34
Pliers, Side-Cutting . 7-11, 28-29
Pliers, Side-Cutting, Insulated. 57
Pliers, Slip-Joint. 25
Pliers, Snap Ring. 23-24
Pliers, Special Use. 22
Pliers, Telephone. 33-36
Pliers, Thread-Holding. 9
Pliers, 2000 Series. 8-12, 28-30
Pliers, Wire Twisting . 24
What am I missing here? I did look under special use and didn't see anything.
Charles
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
yes i was refering to the hand seamers, with the compound leverage i dont think the locking is necessary.
lbgradwell
Well-known member
Well canadian tire has these on sale for 12.88 going to go look at them tomorrow hope they are old stock and not the new type will buy two set's if they are the good ones (made in USA) say's on the pack USA lol also say's home and hobby
Perhaps y'all can tell from the pic? Thanks willing to pick up a couple pairs and ship to you guy's who want a good deal if they are real vise-grips
I grabbed this set yesterday in Oakville. All the ones they had were the newer type that have "The Original" stamped in script on the side where it used to have the Petersen stamp. I knew when I bought it that they were the new ones, but figured I'd lock in the price and hope to find NOS at another store where I could exchange them! To be honest, though, I compared the new 7WRs to an old pair I have, and they seem to be the same quality.
I think your best bet to find NOS might be an older store that may have had them kicking around in the stockroom for years... I actually found one pair of NOS 10WRs among piles of the new ones at a downtown Toronto store ~ a year ago.
Anyway, should you find some of the Petersens, please post here to let me know the models available. I'll do likewise!
Are you sure? They gouged my sheets, had varying degrees of curvature, and well, gouged my sheets!! I've seen some seamers with slightly curved jaws, but their jaws were much softer and didn't mar the alum sheets they were used with.
Oh well, here's to being disappointed nonetheless. =(
Just a little fun here. DON'T get all bent out of shape.
Sense our old friend 'FRANZ" is now history. Please allow Elroy to answer in the "FRANZ" mode:
Is Elroy sure? What the hell is wrong with you? I was born at night it just wasn't last night!!! Why I should kick your a$$ for asking such a dumb question. Of course Elroy is "sure". As sure as my wedding day.
Enough
Yes, Both Elroy and "FRANZ" are sure. All the vice grips have a crown just like in the first picture.
Elroy would venture you want some thing like this:
http://www.malcoproducts.com/products/seamers/seamersforged.asp
Now these Malco tools are as flat as "Elroy's" head. They are also forged steel and are nickle plated. They how ever have a "milled" patten in their face to give the tool a little tooth.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed Elroy's little fun and find the link helpful.
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russlaferrera
Well-known member
you makin' fun of the shape of my head?????
NO NO NO! I'm trying to give a heads up, a head start, a headache ? Yea a headache!
russlaferrera
Well-known member
Stuey My brain just had a power surge. What about 2 pieces of flat stock 1X2 and weld them to the pliers ?
Don't tell me you don't know anyone who welds. However IF that is the case. IMO you need to get some better/crafter friends.
Don't tell me you don't know anyone who welds. However IF that is the case. IMO you need to get some better/crafter friends.
Nope, don't know anybody that welds. Before I returned the tools, I considered using flat stock to protect the sheet from the jaws. BUT, I then considered that if I turn it into a hacked tool, I may as well just use two regular staight-jawed locking pliers with flat stock shims.
At this point, I don't have time to make friends with welders. I do have time to learn from you guys though. =)
Even if I wasn't a hypochondriac, I'd say that I was likely a little obsessive compulsive and **** retentive. I believe that when I purchase something as new, it should perform flawless and according to its design. Having crooked jaws, excessively curved jaws, or heavily burred jaw edges just was not acceptable.
the intimidator
Well-known member
Well went to the canadian tire today had to pick up the tire they ordered in anyways. I go to look at the vise grips **** only two on the shelf ok ok get a little closer made in usa stamped made in usa on the handle grabbed the two went looking for more, I asked the lady and she said 144 more in stock We found them and they all said made in usa with global components and did not have made in usa stamped in the handle. I pointed out the difference on the package and said those are made in taiwan she looked and said she could tell a difference in the two and said something about rooting threw the bin and store room for more lol I guess she was surprised that they were not being made here anymore
They also had a couple varies other styles in stock with made in usa stamped on them but also had the newer ones on the same pegs so I think when they all go there gone a well at least 90% of the people won't notice and just grap the front ones Thanks guy's
What is the deal with the peterson stamp? did not notice it and have not looked at my old ones yet to see? Thanks
We found them and they all said made in usa with global components and did not have made in usa stamped in the handle. I pointed out the difference on the package and said those are made in taiwan she looked and said she could tell a difference in the two and said something about rooting threw the bin and store room for more lol I guess she was surprised that they were not being made here anymoreThey also had a couple varies other styles in stock with made in usa stamped on them but also had the newer ones on the same pegs so I think when they all go there gone
a well at least 90% of the people won't notice and just grap the front ones Thanks guy'sWhat is the deal with the peterson stamp? did not notice it and have not looked at my old ones yet to see? Thanks