Vise grips

[me0418840987]

Don't know where else to post this, so here goes. I have wanted a 14" vise grips in the worst way forever. Has anyone else found that the largest, 10", that Irwin makes is just too small? Either can't open it quite big enough, or, when you put a cheater pipe on, you bend the screw, and it goes on the scrap pile. One of these days, I am going to call them and ask.

 

[lostcause]

i rarely, if ever, use vise grips on a fastener that i'm turning. i'll use them to hold something stationary, but if i'm turning i'll resort to a pipe wrench or parrot jaw pliers. or maybe even a strap chain wrench. basically anything that puts more clamping pressure on as you turn. i'm sure there are odd things you need to turn that are more suited to vise grips though.

 

[bcp]

Don't know where else to post this, so here goes. I have wanted a 14" vise grips in the worst way forever. Has anyone else found that the largest, 10", that Irwin makes is just too small? Either can't open it quite big enough, or, when you put a cheater pipe on, you bend the screw, and it goes on the scrap pile. One of these days, I am going to call them and ask.

Maybe this Vise Grip, 3 1/8 inch jaw capacity:

The Original? Large Jaw Locking Pliers - Tools - IRWIN TOOLS

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

 

[me0418840987]

Got one of those, not as handy as you would think, as it still does not have enough leverage, without a pipe handle. A pipe wrench doesn't stay on the workpeice by itself, and is directional, usually in the wrong direction, i.e. can only get to the item from one side, and only a small amount of room to turn

 

[Redneck in training]

Knipex 4104300 41 04 300 Round Jaw Grip Pliers

I have several Knipex pliers. Their quality is outstanding. Don't have wise grip pliers though.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have a large vise grip plier that is about 15" long that I think came from Harbor freight. I dont remember why I bought them, but occassionally use them to clamp two pieces of metal together for tacking. They are to heavy and awkward for much use.
I just remembered what I last used them for , it was to hold the 3 ph lift pins when replacing a bent up one. The pipe wrenches kept falling off and those things were long enough to clamp and wedge lock in place. After I got my cutting torch, that use has gone away.

 

[jonyyuma]

I would think that Lowes would have a large set? They sold several brands, the last time I looked there.

 

[tglass]

Don't know where else to post this, so here goes. I have wanted a 14" vise grips in the worst way forever. Has anyone else found that the largest, 10", that Irwin makes is just too small? Either can't open it quite big enough, or, when you put a cheater pipe on, you bend the screw, and it goes on the scrap pile. One of these days, I am going to call them and ask.

Lowes, home depot, and other places are trying to sell high grade tools and have been for a long time. I've heard vice grip, originally made in Nebr. has sold to another company. The quality may be the same. I would contact them directly to see if they make one the size your looking for. Sure would not buy anything less especially if you've used the other's. Lowes sells a vice grip brand I've bought and I often wonder if they are the same standard as the original or have givin in to the cheaper value with the name brand stamp.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have a large vise grip plier that is about 15" long that I think came from Harbor freight. I dont remember why I bought them, but occassionally use them to clamp two pieces of metal together for tacking. They are to heavy and awkward for much use.
I just remembered what I last used them for , it was to hold the 3 ph lift pins when replacing a bent up one. The pipe wrenches kept falling off and those things were long enough to clamp and wedge lock in place. After I got my cutting torch, that use has gone away.

Not really Vise Grips are they? If not theres a huge difference in capability.
larry

 

[digger2]

Not absolutely sure about this but i heard they are now made guess where... CHINA,like just about everything else.......makes me sick.
It seems to me that Rubbermaid owns Irwin tools and thats who makes Vise Grips.
Yeah,they do seem to work OK,they look the same,but they "feel" different than they used to.Its like they put some cheaper junk chrome plating on them.
Oh.........Irwin tools are not all made in China.Some are still made in the USA,but i'm pretty sure Vise Grips now are Chinese...But it probably wont say that outright on the package,it'll say "global parts".

 

[Gary Fowler]

I took a photo of my "normal sized" vise grips which are Craftsman brand and the 15" ones which are Jobmaster. I dont have any ViseGrip brand unless my welding clamps are vise grip brand. I didnt check those.

 

[digger2]

Correction....i was just at Sears,they do say "made in china" right on the front.
About a year ago i actually e-mailed Channel Lock about the idea of making their own brand of locking pliers.Never did get a response to my idea.
Channel Lock tools are made in Meadville,Pennsylvania,and i'd much rather give them my $$$. I'm sure alot of other people would too,even if they did cost more.
digger2

 

[Gary Fowler]

I checked my welding clamp pliers and they are ViseGrip brand. They dont work any better or worse than the Craftsman. I couldnt make out the manufacturer origin on them. They both have been use and abused for over 30 years and still work as they are supposed to.

 

[dstig1]

Same problem here. I have wanted larger ones, but the biggest I can find is 10". Interesting to see some people have found sources...

 

[5030]

Not absolutely sure about this but i heard they are now made guess where... CHINA,like just about everything else.......makes me sick.
It seems to me that Rubbermaid owns Irwin tools and thats who makes Vise Grips.
Yeah,they do seem to work OK,they look the same,but they "feel" different than they used to.Its like they put some cheaper junk chrome plating on them.
Oh.........Irwin tools are not all made in China.Some are still made in the USA,but i'm pretty sure Vise Grips now are Chinese...But it probably wont say that outright on the package,it'll say "global parts".

Chinese Vice Grips.....

Chigrips.....:laughing:

Fits Metric and SAE........

Use once and discard to your favorite landfill.....:confused2:

 

[Soundguy]

vice grips.. are't those the tools that are used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand thru your glove?

 

[dirt clod]

I love vice grips. I probable have 20 or more pairs. I call'em the right tool for the wrong job. There is no end to the odd ball uses of these things that nothing else is made for or your on tractor and dont have proper tool to get back to shop. I have dreamed of having a quality made locking pliers in a size larger than the standard size vice grips. Lets keep this going. maybe someone could send link to tool manufactors

 

[flusher]

vice grips.. are't those the tools that are used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand thru your glove?

Never tried that

You can never have too many clamping pliers (aka Vice Grip)--like when I relined the brakes on my 1945 Oliver 60 last summer:thumbsup:. Most of these in the photo are Harbor Freight cheapies.

 

[yomax4]

No getting by without Vise-Grips. I use over a dozen of the various sized c clamp version as well as the regular pliars type. I really like the newer large size pipe grip. I have one with a chain that wraps around your work and a few with flat sheet metal jaws. If you can't get something undone or need to hold something in an odd shape. Grab the Vise-Grips.

 

[Soundguy]

Never tried that

You can never have too many clamping pliers (aka Vice Grip)--like when I relined the brakes on my 1945 Oliver 60 last summer:thumbsup:. Most of these in the photo are Harbor Freight cheapies.

View attachment 244431

i hear ya. I was doing some tire work the other day.. few weeks ago actually.. and the tire casing was so stiff It was wanting to overide the rim before I could get it over and seated. I used about 3 pair of VG's .. 2 on the rim flange to make a stop for the tire to ride up against, and 1 as a stop for my prybar

then I used some of the wide 'c-clamp' styles to clamp the tire to pinch it thin ( was obviously a front.. etc.. )


soundguy