Which locking pliers do people recommend?

[OneForTheRoad]

Great. Do you have any links and how have you found them? Where did you buy them from?

Wilko Locking Wrench 18cm | Wilko

Shop for Wilko Locking Wrench 18cm at wilko - where we offer a range of home and leisure goods at great prices.

www.wilko.com

Or try ebay for a set of 3 in various sizes.

 

[MrGreedy]

Wilko Locking Wrench 18cm | Wilko

Shop for Wilko Locking Wrench 18cm at wilko - where we offer a range of home and leisure goods at great prices.

www.wilko.com

Or try ebay for a set of 3 in various sizes.

Thank you.

So, I'm looking for some quality grips. I've bought various bits and pieces from Wilkos and eBay before, an 19 times out of 20, it turns out to be total junk.
Unless the seller is big and well know with massive feedback, I also don't trust half of the stuff on there to be genuine.

I can definitely give those Wilko ones a go if you think they fit my original brief? Have you used them?

On eBay, there are over 31,000 available, so I'll need a clue to narrow it down to a high quality pair that you recommend based on your experience of them being very good

 

[Petrol Pete]

I have got all sorts in all different sizes, some are well known makes and some are cheap and cheerful. Personally I would never really bother buying high end 'mole/vise' grips as I often end up cutting , bending , grinding, welding or hitting them. And one size does not fit all.

Having said that there is a marked difference in quality once you start spending .

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Thank you.

So, I'm looking for some quality grips. I've bought various bits and pieces from Wilkos and eBay before, an 19 times out of 20, it turns out to be total junk.
Unless the seller is big and well know with massive feedback, I also don't trust half of the stuff on there to be genuine.

I can definitely give those Wilko ones a go if you think they fit my original brief? Have you used them?

On eBay, there are over 31,000 available, so I'll need a clue to narrow it down to a high quality pair that you recommend based on your experience of them being very good

Its not something I'd spend alot on tbh, like others on here ,they abuse them to remove stubborn items. What I've found with cheaper ones is the jaws can go out of line and the teeth in the grip go flat . I've had 2 sets from high Street supermarkets , 3 in a set over the last 30 years . I think I've had my moneys worth out of them. Its an item I find ,you use and abuse ,when they are no longer any good, bin them and buy more.

 

[Jonesy161]

I currently have six sets in my tool chest, all well over 30 years old and well battered, I’ve only just looked at makers names since reading this thread.......
2 x Stanley
Visegrip
Draper
Everlasting
Unknown
All given good service over the years and only one with dodgy jaws (everlasting).
The Stanley’s are still in great condition as is the visegrip.

 

[Jonesy161]

Just realised, one of the Stanley’s has my old clock number stamped on them, they were a prize for completing my apprenticeship, so they are 55 years old. Strange really because we weren’t allowed to use moleys.

 

[Deleted member 159235]

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

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Can't stand snap on.
Always preferred Facom.

I've had some laser tools last a long time before and the price was good for the quality. They also have some unique tools as well.
Also have a collection of crescent tools since 2016 and they're still going strong.

I'm not someone that uses them day in and day out.
Also, I don't work in that field.
So I'm 100% sure you'll have more qualified answers from other members.
I do a lot of DIY for close friends and colleagues only.

 

[Martin 1]

The only tool I've ever had that just snapped, was a SnapOn socket, they replaced it quickly but I lost faith, I've got a set of Facom spanners like you've never seen, they look like Allen keys, but they're little socket wrenches, 4mm to 10mm, unbreakable, they don't wear and they're a perfect fit, I love 'em. Brilliant kit, not cheap and not that easy to find, though I suspect T'internet may have changed that.

 

[Deleted member 159235]

The only tool I've ever had that just snapped, was a SnapOn socket, they replaced it quickly but I lost faith, I've got a set of Facom spanners like you've never seen, they look like Allen keys, but they're little socket wrenches, 4mm to 10mm, unbreakable, they don't wear and they're a perfect fit, I love 'em. Brilliant kit, not cheap and not that easy to find, though I suspect T'internet may have changed that.

Same experience I've always had with Facom.
Much like Milwaukee electric tools etc. Never had issues with their electric ratchets either. In fact, my friend loved it so much, I let him keep it. Gotta get myself a new one.
They're even handy to keep in the car.
My wind back kit is Bahco. Used many times and enjoy them.

 

[Justintyme]

Same experience I've always had with Facom.
Much like Milwaukee electric tools etc. Never had issues with their electric ratchets either. In fact, my friend loved it so much, I let him keep it. Gotta get myself a new one.
They're even handy to keep in the car.
My wind back kit is Bahco. Used many times and enjoy them.

Remember many moons ago as an apprentice getting Facom socket sets, 3/8" and 1/2", still have a few hiding around the place, they crop up generally when I'm looking for something else, speaking of which grapped a visegrip yesterday at random from the rack, and thinking of this post, cleaned the surface rust off to see what make it was.. GEDORE. And despite the rusty appearance, worked as well as the first day I got it.

 

[MrGreedy]

Thank you for everyone's input.
I'm going to start with the lower cost options of Stanley and Irwin (who have bought the rights to the "Original" Vise-Grip), as both can be had occasionally on Amazon for £10 a piece. I can buy in different sizes not to duplicate.
Depending how I get on with those, I'll try Stanley FatMax and Facom, as they're both available for around £20 a piece.
Buying from Amazon is a preference due to ease of return (although I see that the 7" Stanley long nose locking pliers are only £10 at Screwfix at the moment, which is very competitive so I might get those for the Stanley set).

If I remember, I'll update this thread with my findings.

 

[Deleted member 159235]

Thank you for everyone's input.
I'm going to start with the lower cost options of Stanley and Irwin (who have bought the rights to the "Original" Vise-Grip), as both can be had occasionally on Amazon for £10 a piece. I can buy in different sizes not to duplicate.
Depending how I get on with those, I'll try Stanley FatMax and Facom, as they're both available for around £20 a piece.
Buying from Amazon is a preference due to ease of return (although I see that the 7" Stanley long nose locking pliers are only £10 at Screwfix at the moment, which is very competitive so I might get those for the Stanley set).

If I remember, I'll update this thread with my findings.

Keep your eyes peeled on ebay and fb market place for some bits too.
Laser is not bad either, as mentioned before.

Stanley I think is part of black and Decker.

Believe it or not, I think they own Facom. However, Facom is not made in even the same factory though.

Stanley Black and decker has bout a lot of other brands over the years...

Reminds me, Bluepoint use to exist. It was like a cheaper version of Snap On. I think everything was made in Taiwan.

Again, dont take anything I say about this topic for gospal.. As I came across it all passingly over the years. (I could be wrong).

Halfords use to have their professional sets on a great deal during black friday as well. Their stuff has a warranty. Probably covered well, unless Halfords folds due to Covid.

Robert Dyas also sometimes has interesting offers and discounts from time-to-time.

 

[MrGreedy]

Keep your eyes peeled on ebay and fb market place for some bits too.
Laser is not bad either, as mentioned before.

Stanley I think is part of black and Decker.

Believe it or not, I think they own Facom. However, Facom is not made in even the same factory though.

Stanley Black and decker has bout a lot of other brands over the years...

Reminds me, Bluepoint use to exist. It was like a cheaper version of Snap On. I think everything was made in Taiwan.

Again, dont take anything I say about this topic for gospal.. As I came across it all passingly over the years. (I could be wrong).

Halfords use to have their professional sets on a great deal during black friday as well. Their stuff has a warranty. Probably covered well, unless Halfords folds due to Covid.

Robert Dyas also sometimes has interesting offers and discounts from time-to-time.

Thanks.

Yes, you can still get bluepoint. I linked to Snap-on full fat, and Snap-on Bluepoint sets in my original post, but Snap-on's link through doesn't show what I'm linking to. Not bad value the Bluepoint at £60 for a tool roll of locking pliers. But Snap-on seem to becoming a company that wriggle and squirm all the can to get out of their warranty these days, and expect the original owner to keep paper receipts for their 'lifetime' warranty. I just don't want to do business with a business like that.

I would go Halfords advanced, but they don't do locking pliers (bugger).

 

[Deleted member 159235]

Thanks.

Yes, you can still get bluepoint. I linked to Snap-on full fat, and Snap-on Bluepoint sets in my original post, but Snap-on's link through doesn't show what I'm linking to. Not bad value the Bluepoint at £60 for a tool roll of locking pliers. But Snap-on seem to becoming a company that wriggle and squirm all the can to get out of their warranty these days, and expect the original owner to keep paper receipts for their 'lifetime' warranty. I just don't want to do business with a business like that.

I would go Halfords advanced, but they don't do locking pliers (bugger).

I think youre right.

I'll name drop a few companies as they always use to give me free clothes etc a few years back.

www.tooltruck-uk.com

Signet is one of their brands.
Pivot Force maybe another brand they offer.
(i'm going through their old brochure).

Yup, keeping hold of a receipt is a joke.

A brand like Snap on could stamp a serial number in and have everything they make catalogued.

I do believe with Halfords, you hand it to them, show its broken and they give you a new one on the spot.

 

[Wolfie1]

100% vice grip brand, dont buy any other crap

 

[MrGreedy]

100% vice grip brand, dont buy any other crap

These 10" Irwin locking pliers are the 'big pair' that I'm going for. As said, now the owner of the original Vise-Grip brand

Good price at the moment on Amazon

 

[Trickythemerc]

I have several sets of Milwaukee Torque Lock grips that I bought on offer somewhere ? They are very well made and feel well balanced in the hand. The lock and release works well, even when locked very tight. Don't think they were cheap but then again not madly expensive.

On the advise of our late friend Bruce Millar I have some Halfords Professional stuff that seems to do what it says on the tin.

 

[Will]

I think it’s popular to bash Snap-on due to the cost or something but for stuff like sockets and spanners they really are amongst the very best and of course have a cast iron warranty. Nice cabinets, ratchets, impact guns etc too, and the tools hold their money well if you decide to sell anything you no longer need at some point down the line

Halfords Pro isn’t bad value for money, IIRC some of their stuff was made by Britool?

Like many other things in life companies like SO have re-branded/bought out some other tool companies and you don’t need to buy snap-on for every tool. Eg Bahco - make decent adjustables and swan neck pliers etc.

Vise-grip are a pretty standard choice for locking pliers though, and aren’t that expensive - they tend to get a pretty rough life anyway so you can replace them If needed once they’re had a fair battering over the years...

 

[Trickythemerc]

I also have some US Pro stuff that seems to be good quality. They are I think now rebranded as Bergen, or maybe it's the other way about...???

 

[Petrol Pete]

Just realised, one of the Stanley’s has my old clock number stamped on them, they were a prize for completing my apprenticeship, so they are 55 years old. Strange really because we weren’t allowed to use moleys.

That's why they lasted 55 years ...you never used them because they didn't show you how during your apprenticeship !