Where do you need locking pliers?

[volunteers]

I use two specific locking pliers in Kreg pocket hole jig.

Besides weld, I wonder where you need locking pliers?
I want to add couple of locking pliers to my toolbox, but could not find the applications for me so far.

 

[Guns R Tools]

Hold the hood up with by leaking struts.
Loosen/break loose rounded out nut/bolt.

 

[davesnothere]

I use them on almost every car that comes from the meineke next door.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

grabbing nuts/bolts, chisel hold, hood prop, welding, pulling, slide hammer, pinching off hoses, spring hold-down, radio/wiper knob, nut setter, etc, there are unlimited possiblities.

 

[Skin]

rust. Had some air filter box bolts that were so rusted they werent 8mm hex anymore, they were 7mm and round. Vise grip bit and spun them out .

 

[farmall400]

I use them as a steering wheel on my commuter...

 

[jdl25]

I clamp one on the garage door track when a vehicle dont fit.

 

[Robbie UK]

Not sure why you would want to buy tools ahead of finding an application for them; it's usually the other way round for the rest of us, sometimes with a bit of borrowing in-between!

Locking pliers are one of those 'do almost anything' tools. If you think about it gripping is the most basic of mechanical things to do. Pretty much up there with opposable thumbs, which is where all human mechanics began.

Trying to find affordable quality ones is becoming quite a challenge in the UK though.

 

[Monte]

3rd hand

 

[jetmech09]

piano hinges.

 

[jdl25]

Hold small item while grinding.

 

[OccupantRJ]

You need them in the tool box, because if you work on anything mechanical at all, you will surely use them.

 

[ctb]

Mostly for gripping rounded fasteners (small) that I don't want to grind off. Use them more for holding steel when welding and grinding.

 

[Hank McMauser]

What type of work do you generally do? I've had a pair of 10" peterson curve jaw vice grips in my road box for nearly twenty years. I use a 6 or 7 inch long nose for pinching off fuel lines on lawnmowers when cleaning the float bowls.I inherited them from my dad,and they were well used,and abused when I got them. I also find them at yard sales for a dollar or two. If they are the old peterson's they are well worth that & more.Don't let the lack of shiny chrome on an old pair shy you away, some of mine are pretty rusty& old looking but function 100%.
the ones in this picture were all less than a buck a pair.a little rusty but still ready to work.

 

[rmsg0040]

broken bolts,

on my some vehicles they use a hex on the inside of the shaft with a bolt and after a few years of road use and debris, trying to use the correct size allen key doesnt fit. So the locking plier grips the shaft and prevents it from spinning while I use a wrench to break the bolts loose. Notorious on my trailblazer end links and strut assembly.

Does anybody know what this design is called?

 

[Plasmatic]

I once used one as a corkscrew in a pinch...

 

[earlthegoat2]

clamping rubber hose fuel lines when changing a fuel filter or somesuch.

Punch and chisel holder

 

[volunteers]

Thanks for comments.
I have several channellock-like pliers in my toolbox, they can hold round pipe, break round nots, etc. Now I wonder what locking pliers can do while cannellock cannot.

 

[Zrexxer]

I once used one as a corkscrew in a pinch...

^^^^^^^ Done that too...

 

[jjjrmx5]

Does anybody know what this design is called?

Yes.
It's known as a ****** design.

Upward facing hex cap screw fasteners are known water collectors.

Either installed wrong or a bad choice of fastener design/spec'ing from the factory.

Ur call.

 

[Marty256]

neighbor uses one to bypass the saftey bar on his lawn mower. Maybe calling him peg leg in the future!

 

[osborn.ozzy]

In the rust belt.

 

[Full Throttle]

I never owned a set in my 32 years of living, till recently. I have always thought of vice grips as like and adjustable wrench. Why do you need it as there is always the propper tool and size for the job.

 

[bigbarf48]

Holding the top of a carriage bolt so it doesnt spin while you get the nut off

 

[jtfc]

On s cam brake springs

 

[davesnothere]

I used a pair today to keep a 2/3 rotten away battery cable end on the battery terminal, so I could drive it into the shop.