inexpensive vice grip pliers

[Anole]

Turns out, "vice grip" is a trademark, so technically . . .
These lock, have curved jaws for round things, bolts, or nuts, with quick release, and padded handles.
If you don't have any, get one set.
If you can actually think of a project where you need some now, then get two sets. -

$7 on sale through the end of the month.
This three-piece set is about what you'd pay for one pair of pliers, at best.

I was amazed to see where Stogie used three similar locking pliers to do experiments, temporarily grabbing three support arms and securing them to his modified scalar.

Item number: 91684

 

[stogie5150]

Actually lizard THIS is what you need. One isn't enough, nor two, nor three. I wouldn't stop until I had four of them. You won't know how you made it this far in the hobby without them once you have them. Just this afternoon I took three of mine and a piece of flatbar steel, clamped it up to hold the dish in place while I changed out the actuator. No muss, no fuss.

 

[turbosat]

for stogie
I like this.
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[Dishman Dan]

"Vice Grip" plier are great for a lot of different project and they come in many shapes and sizes.

The off brand ones do work but it does make a difference on how hard you you them.

The chinese knockoffs do not take a lot of abuse but usually do well under normal use.

Another sad irony of today is that genuine "Vise Grips" are now made in China!

 

[stogie5150]

Well I kind of had a leg up. I was a ship-fitter/welder for eight years, and I learned all about all kinds of clamps/holders. The vice grip's were always the best, however, it does not surprise me that they are now made in China. I actually have two sizes, a couple bigger ones and three smaller ones. In the early 90's I still paid almost 10/each for the smaller ones, and 15/each for the larger ones. Most of those knockoff locking pliers will HURT you if you aren't real careful, I have had some of the knockoffs fail on me at the most inopportune times. Sometimes it pays to spend a little more on tools, and this is definitely one of those situations.

 

[Corrado]

I went out in the shop to check mine and they are made in USA. It states "The Original" since 1924, Petersen Mfg CO. DeWITT Nebr. I probably bought them 30 years ago. Then I checked my son's and they are newer with the plastic covered grips and still Vise Grips brand but made by Irwin in China.

 

[stogie5150]

I went to Harbor Freight today and picked two of these up, 3.99 each for the six inch size, I was very impressed with the weight and smoothness of them, compared to my genuine Vice-Grips. And for 3.99 a pair, how can ya go wrong? If you going to buy Made in China tools, why buy them from Irwin, when you can cut out the middleman and get them from HF?

 

[Dee_Ann]

Oh I need some of these! I have one old pair that I used as the handle for the hot water in my shower for the past year until my dad fixed it for me.
These things are super handy!

 

[stogie5150]

Oh I need some of these! I have one old pair that I used as the handle for the hot water in my shower for the past year until my dad fixed it for me.
These things are super handy!

Yes they are. Just be careful with them. They even handy for fixin ya John Deere, too, sometimes.

 

[Tron]

I have had reasonably good luck with Harbor Freight tools. I don't use them professionally every day, however, so I'm not sure how they'd hold up in that kind of an environment.

As for the "Made in China" concern, just about anything you buy these days... even from reputable tool manufacturers... comes from there.

 

[Dee_Ann]

Yes they are. Just be careful with them. They even handy for fixin ya John Deere, too, sometimes.

Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! No no no no no!!!! Nothing doing!
I bought the extended onsite service plan. When the oil needs changing I pick up the phone and Mr. John Deere guy gets in his little truck and drives on over.
Blades need sharpening? Ring! Ring! Zoom Zoom!

I paid a LOT of money for that thing (right about $3,000) and I'm going to make sure it last me the rest of my life!
Unlike the last on that caught on fire, blew up and set me on fire because it was JUNK that had been half-a## rigged up hundreds of times...

No no, this John Deere is my baby and I'm not playing silly rig it up games. :

 

[Dee_Ann]

I have had reasonably good luck with Harbor Freight tools. I don't use them professionally every day, however, so I'm not sure how they'd hold up in that kind of an environment.

As for the "Made in China" concern, just about anything you buy these days... even from reputable tool manufacturers... comes from there.

Harbor Freight is the church my dad worships at. His religion is "More Tools" and the check out stand is the alter where he pays homage. (just kidding!)

Dad can spend three hours in there when he says "I just need to get one thing, BRB.."

I mean really, is there a way someone can have too many tools? If anyone is a poster child for having too many tools it would be my dad.
When he dies we're going to have the biggest tool auction on earth.. Sheesh..

 

[rv1pop]

I mean really, is there a way someone can have too many tools? NO If anyone is a poster child for having too many tools it would be my dad.
When he dies we're going to have the biggest tool auction on earth.. Sheesh..

Be sure to invite all of us!

 

[Tron]

Harbor Freight is the church my dad worships at. His religion is "More Tools" and the check out stand is the alter where he pays homage.

You need to make a T-shirt with this printed on the front of it, I'm sure it would sell!