Eddie Cairns Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 I have about 10 pairs that are worse then useless and I go through them all every time I need to use them. Can anyone recommend a make that just work and last a while rather than cheap and add to the pile that do not work. eddie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Hi Eddie, I use 'soft' Ali sheet for soft grips - simply went to shape. I use mild steel sheet for harder things. Simple cheaper and throwawayableish Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Roger I might be wrong ( and according to liz I'm always wrong) but think Eddie is referring to "mole Grips" not soft jaws if this is the case then Eddie yes I know your pain having Cr@p tools is sometimes worse than not having them at all, as you start a job thinking you have the tools only to get to the point of no return and then your tools fail( and as a gentleman of a certain age I know how that feels!) anyway if my understanding is correct the n personally I would recommend "Mole Grips and 'Vice Grips" I have both and they have both served me well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Thanks for that Graham. 'Grips' are a broad area. I have a pair of Halfords 'mole' grips and they are excellent. They come in different sizes. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don H. Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Vice grips are one of the best tools made for rounding off fasteners, and conveniently the cheap ones do it as well as the nice ones (like originals from DeWitt in Nebraska). I have a pair of my father's from the early 1940s and they'll strip a bolt head as well as any modern pair. As an added bonus, they'll mar the surface of anything you work on as well or better than any traditional clamp, too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Don would have to agree with you on this one ! very much a tool of last resort if using them on a nut/bolt of any sort Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Genuine 'Mole' grips are fine when used appropriately (i.e not as a way of avoiding finding the correct size spanner). It's also important to use the right size and the relevant jaw shape (curved or straight). Most cheap 'mole' grip copies are nowhere near as good as the real thing although I seem to have a lot of them as they are useful for emergency bodge jobs but not for serious work. As with all tools, it pays to buy the best, but easy to pick up cheap 'bargains' when you see them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Eddie Cairns Posted May 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 So Mole grips have the most votes. I agree a hex spanner or socket of the correct size on a non rusty nut or bolt is the better option. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 I have about 30 pairs that I use to hold panels together for fabrication etc and I always buy the proper "Vise Grip" US made ones. They are more expensive but they grip properly and if you buy the correct shape for the job they are by far the best. I have every shape through "C" shape to flat and curved jaws and narrow crocodile types. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oldtuckunder Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Owing a GOOD pair of "Mole" grips is like having a get out of jail free card, just occasionally they will dig you out of a hole that no other tool will. Owning a **** pair of grips makes you realise why they make proper tools for most jobs! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlejim Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 (edited) Only one of mine has a maker's name on it, but the "Michael Mouse' ones are still working as well as the name brand one. (and I'm not Irish.) Ended up with a collection to hold panels together for welding. Modified one to act as a heat sink. Edited May 26, 2015 by littlejim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Hardly known in the UK are Kant-Twist clamps. These work better than G-clamps and deserve to be better known. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KANT-TWIST-Universal-Standard-Deep-Throat-Clamp-Model-410-/221416478611?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item338d735793 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 If it's marked "Newport, Mon."[mouthshire] it's a good'un. "Newport - The Home of the Mole Wrench": http://www.delcampe.net/page/item/id,105483651,var,GB-1968-SHIP-THROUGH-NEWPORT-HOME-OF-THE-MOLE-WRENCH-SLOGAN-POSTMARK-f,language,E.html John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 How did they get moles out of the ground before wrench's were invented Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
glasgow4a Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Roger you have PM, Glasgow 4a. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Hi Ian, PM replied to. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don H. Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 (edited) I have about 30 pairs that I use to hold panels together for fabrication etc and I always buy the proper "Vise Grip" US made ones. They are more expensive but they grip properly and if you buy the correct shape for the job they are by far the best. I have every shape through "C" shape to flat and curved jaws and narrow crocodile types. Stuart. Stuart, Vise Grips, like so many other tools over here, have been a victim of offshoring, I believe. The orignals -- especially the ones marked Petersen Mfg. Co., DeWitt Nebraska, USA are considered the best over here, too. That may be faint praise to be the best Vise Grip, IMO, but I gotta admit it's tool that has its place. There are probably a dozen or two around here. These DeWitt, Nebr, USA ones are easily found in garage sales, eBay, and sometimes store dead stock. Original Petersen DeWitt Vise Grips WW2-era Petersen Vise Grips, before the release lever was added to the design. Edited May 26, 2015 by Don H. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 " How did they get moles out of the ground before wrench's were invented " A threepenny cannon, stuff down the hole, light blue touch paper and put a brick over the hole sharpish. Scan immediate area for low flying mole involuntarily attempting to attain orbiting altitude . . . . Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Stuart, Vise Grips, like so many other tools over here, have been a victim of offshoring, I believe. The orignals -- especially the ones marked Petersen Mfg. Co., DeWitt Nebraska, USA are considered the best over here, too. That may be faint praise to be the best Vise Grip, IMO, but I gotta admit it's tool that has its place. There are probably a dozen or two around here. These DeWitt, Nebr, USA ones are easily found in garage sales, eBay, and sometimes store dead stock. Original Petersen DeWitt Vise Grips WW2-era Petersen Vise Grips, before the release lever was added to the design. Thats mostly the type that I have as I bought them about 25 to 30 odd years ago and for what I do with panel work they are an essential tool for the job. I very rarely use them for anything else! Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ragtop Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 My favourite was an ELMO (yes, really) 'self-grip wrench, Birmingham, England', with no release lever and straight jaws. I think it was second-hand when I got it about 40 years ago, and only replaced when the jaws lost their edge. I kept it for sentimental reasons, and in memory of all those times when it was the 'tool of last resort' that got me out of trouble! It was replaced with a pair of 'Vise grips' with curved jaws, which I don't like as much. My choice of supplier for quality tools, sockets, spanners etc is the second-hand tool stall on my local market... "they don't make 'em like that anymore" ! Graham Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Hi Have an older version of these http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/pincers/0549331/ REally good for parallel holding - sheet etc. and the cutters work well on heavy stuff Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don H. Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Hi Have an older version of these http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/pincers/0549331/ REally good for parallel holding - sheet etc. and the cutters work well on heavy stuff Roger Bernard pliers. I have my grandfather's pair in my toolbox, a connection to a guy I never got to meet. http://www.sargenttools.com/About/Our-History/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Hi Have an older version of these http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/pincers/0549331/ REally good for parallel holding - sheet etc. and the cutters work well on heavy stuff Roger Hey - I also have a pair of those (not RS but again - a fair bit older) very hard metal so great cutters even for SS & piano wire. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlejim Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 They were compulsory issue for dental students (partial denture wires). ?You blokes got a hidden past?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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