MrGreedy
MB Enthusiast
Hi fellow MBclub forumites
I'm looking for a recommendation for some quality locking pliers to assist in my continued journey into Mercedes DIY and repair.
I'd be particularly interested in any Mercedes Specialist experiences with these, and brands that have lasted well.
I've got a cheap set with rubbish plastic coverings over the handles. They've lasted okay, but haven't been much pleasure to use. The jaws don't align in the plane of jaw movement. On the bigger set, at the tightest setting there has always been a 1mm gap between the end of the teeth, that means 4mm(ish) or less can't be gripped because the jaws twist and separate. They're okay for grabbing massive bolts that don't need monumental amounts of grip. They are hardly precision engineered absolutely 100% trusty workshop material. By way of example, I've managed with a handful of those cheap silver adjustable wrenches in various sizes that seem to accumulate in various tool boxes, but I got a set of Bahco adjustable wrenchs last year for Christmas, and oh boy are they the nuts. Very precise. No movement in the head. Easy to use. I want a similar experince from a set of vice grips (happy to buy them individually if this is required).
After trawling many reviews, the Stanley Fatmax seem very good, with barely a bad word said. Good jaw alignment and strong teeth and gripping ability.
The standard Stanley seem to be hit-and-miss, but can be had for a good bit less if you shop around. Occasional reports of mis-aligned jaws and poor quality jaw teeth disintergrating. I would buy these expecting to carefully inspect them and the possibility of sending them back for better luck on the next pair.
I've also come across a few reviews of the Irwin vicegrips with soft teeth. But then others have rated them highly.
So, has anyone had any recent amazing experince with some locking pliers?
I'm less interested in 20 year old grips, as the march of capitolism has inevitibly meant that products that were awesome in the past might well be less awesome now (due to cost cutting).
Oh, and budget. I don't mind paying for decent pliers, but I'm not going to spend £100 per tool. Something like the Stanley Fatmax is what I'm hoping for top budget.
250mm Stanley Fatmax Locking Pliers
225mm Stanley Locking Pliers
220mm Stanley Fatmax Long Nose Locking Pliers
215mm Stanley Long Nose Locking Pliers
This Sealey Locking Plier Set has a lifetime guarantee
What about Snap-on. Obviously strong money, but are they worth it?
I've heard in the past of Snap-on lifetime warranty, but does this still exist and how easy would it be for a member of the public to call on this warranty if needed?
And what is the difference between LP series, and Bluepoint?
Interesting to see this LP set is £108 on snap-on website (inc VAT) or £135 on eBay
shop.snapon.com
shop.snapon.com
I'm looking for a recommendation for some quality locking pliers to assist in my continued journey into Mercedes DIY and repair.
I'd be particularly interested in any Mercedes Specialist experiences with these, and brands that have lasted well.
I've got a cheap set with rubbish plastic coverings over the handles. They've lasted okay, but haven't been much pleasure to use. The jaws don't align in the plane of jaw movement. On the bigger set, at the tightest setting there has always been a 1mm gap between the end of the teeth, that means 4mm(ish) or less can't be gripped because the jaws twist and separate. They're okay for grabbing massive bolts that don't need monumental amounts of grip. They are hardly precision engineered absolutely 100% trusty workshop material. By way of example, I've managed with a handful of those cheap silver adjustable wrenches in various sizes that seem to accumulate in various tool boxes, but I got a set of Bahco adjustable wrenchs last year for Christmas, and oh boy are they the nuts. Very precise. No movement in the head. Easy to use. I want a similar experince from a set of vice grips (happy to buy them individually if this is required).
After trawling many reviews, the Stanley Fatmax seem very good, with barely a bad word said. Good jaw alignment and strong teeth and gripping ability.
The standard Stanley seem to be hit-and-miss, but can be had for a good bit less if you shop around. Occasional reports of mis-aligned jaws and poor quality jaw teeth disintergrating. I would buy these expecting to carefully inspect them and the possibility of sending them back for better luck on the next pair.
I've also come across a few reviews of the Irwin vicegrips with soft teeth. But then others have rated them highly.
So, has anyone had any recent amazing experince with some locking pliers?
I'm less interested in 20 year old grips, as the march of capitolism has inevitibly meant that products that were awesome in the past might well be less awesome now (due to cost cutting).
Oh, and budget. I don't mind paying for decent pliers, but I'm not going to spend £100 per tool. Something like the Stanley Fatmax is what I'm hoping for top budget.
250mm Stanley Fatmax Locking Pliers
225mm Stanley Locking Pliers
220mm Stanley Fatmax Long Nose Locking Pliers
215mm Stanley Long Nose Locking Pliers
This Sealey Locking Plier Set has a lifetime guarantee
What about Snap-on. Obviously strong money, but are they worth it?
I've heard in the past of Snap-on lifetime warranty, but does this still exist and how easy would it be for a member of the public to call on this warranty if needed?
And what is the difference between LP series, and Bluepoint?
Interesting to see this LP set is £108 on snap-on website (inc VAT) or £135 on eBay
I was wondering what was wire locked on Mercedes! 
