The fact that these pliers bite is a good thing! What a fantastic tool to have in my tool box! Since I've owned these, I rarely reach for my adjustable wrench anymore. This tool replaces the need for one!
I first encountered these Irwin Vice Grips when I was having my outdoor wood burning furnace delivered. The guy who helped me install it had the tool in his tool belt. At first I thought they were pliers, and when he reached for them to tighten a bolt, I offered to lend him a wrench instead. (I come from the old school where you NEVER use pliers to loosen a bolt! They tend to slip and round the edges of the bolt!) He brushed off my offer and told me this is a new style adjustable wrench.
Huh? They look like pliers? "Yeah, he mentioned. But they work better and faster than any adjustable wrench and have the ease of a ratchet wrench." He proved it by slipping the jaws over the bolt, adjusting the opening by pressing a button, then torquing down on them and ratcheting the pliers to loosen the bolt. The bolt came off with no marks on the head in seconds!
rwin is a rather reputable tool manufacturer that has been around for some time. I have only come across their tools at Home Depot, but I suppose other stores carry them as well. I know they make many tool bits, for which I have quite a few of them. The last time I was at my local Home Depot, I picked up the tool.
The tool is made of hardened steel. They look a bit like pliers with a much more square jaw. They have blue and yellow plastic handles that appear to be both durable and comfortable. These grip handles do not slide off as typical on many pliers I own. The tool measures approximately 12 inches in length and fit nicely in a tool belt or a tool box. There are also other smaller sizes available.
To operate, as described above, simply press a button and slide the jaw. Once the jaws are in place, depress the button to lock the jaws in place. The jaws stay locked in place with no slippage. The vice grips I own can easily be used to loosen smaller 1/2 inch nuts or bolts, up to a 3 inch nut or bolt.
So far, I have used my vice grips to work on my tractor, lawn mowers, refrigerator water line, toilet bowl change, galvanised pipe fittings (3/4 inch), automotive repairs, pinball machine leg bolts - and various other assorted projects. I enjoy using it a lot since it is such a great multi-purpose, all in one tool! It truly has a great design!
This tool can be used by anyone. It is easy to use! My 7 year old daughter used it to loosen a nut on her bicycle. She says it is a "cool tool".
I would highly recommend this tool to anyone who does minor to heavy duty repairs. It displaces the need of having many various sized wrenches on hand, and it is far better and faster to use than an adjustable wrench. I got mine for just over $15 at the Home Depot and it was well worth it. Thanks for reading my review and best wishes for a nice day!
Press and slide button quickly adjusts lower jaw All purpose jaw grips on round, flat, square and hex shapes More groove positions provide the optimum...More at Amazon
Also known as: VGP2078112, VIS2078112, VSG-2078112; Features and Benefits: 12 in. Groovelock quick adjusting all purpose pliers ...More at ToolTopia.com
Fantastic prices with ease & c...(Stock status: N/A)
Press and slide button quickly adjusts lower jaw All purpose jaw grips on round, flat, square and hex shapes More groove positions provide the optimum...More at Amazon Marketplace
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