upgrade your Harbor Freight vice grips

[ohiofarmer 3,265]

 We all know that locking pliers are the junk yard dog of tools, but we would not want to be without them. petersen Vice Grips were the original brand and a well made product until  irwin bought them out and made them in China.  For less expensive brand, Pittsburg from Harbor Freight is a bargain....until you try to turn the adjusting screw that changes the jaw opening that is.  I thought that the threaded portion of the screw maut be garbage, but it really is fine for the purpose. Here is how to fix it.. Unthread fully the adjusting screw and look at how rough it is on the end. take a mini grinder with a well used flap wheel sander and try to create an end that looks like a half ball bearing. Now look at the horribly rough end of the lever shaft that the lever that connects to the jaws and grind a radius on it. If you want to go one step further you can plish both pieces with an abrasive fiber disc.  It was a night and day difference on the three sets that I did. Five minutes or less completes the job

   If you have any kind of skill level, those locking pliers will function as well as the originals.  If you try it and like it please take some before and after pictures.

                                                                                                Farmer out

[WHNJ701 4,165]

sadly anymore if I need a quality tool I will buy used American made one online

[ZXT 2,401]

8 minutes ago, jabelman said:

sadly anymore if I need a quality tool I will buy used American made one online

 

 

I only use real, old Vise Grips. I've never found anything that would clamp as well as they would. All of the imitation brands were laughable when compared to the real thing. I pick up every pair that I find at yard sales and swap meets. I generally get them for $2 or less a pair. Can't beat that!

[Razorback 1,035]

1 hour ago, ZXT said:

 

 

I only use real, old Vise Grips. I've never found anything that would clamp as well as they would. All of the imitation brands were laughable when compared to the real thing. I pick up every pair that I find at yard sales and swap meets. I generally get them for $2 or less a pair. Can't beat that!

 

x2 here

[ohiofarmer 3,265]

1 hour ago, ZXT said:

 

 

I only use real, old Vise Grips. I've never found anything that would clamp as well as they would. All of the imitation brands were laughable when compared to the real thing. I pick up every pair that I find at yard sales and swap meets. I generally get them for $2 or less a pair. Can't beat that!

 I do as well, but sometimes you need more when clamping quite a bit of stuff

[c-series don 8,666]

I agree you just can’t beat the original vise grips. Ever try the ones that have the unlocking lever that sticks past the squeeze handle? Those things are bound to smash your fingers! And yes, yardsales are a great place to find the old ones. I’m not sure if I should say this but might have enough vise grips? Is that even possible 🤔

[tom2p 2,394]

the old USA Petersen vice grips are one of the best if not the best

 

 

[tom2p 2,394]

19 hours ago, ZXT said:

 

 

I only use real, old Vise Grips. I've never found anything that would clamp as well as they would. All of the imitation brands were laughable when compared to the real thing. I pick up every pair that I find at yard sales and swap meets. I generally get them for $2 or less a pair. Can't beat that!

me also - I hit flea markets almost every weekend 

 

keep my eyes open for the old original vice grips 

 

most made in USA tools go quickly - especially when priced reasonably 

 

 

[Digger 66 3,478]

How 'bout just chasing the threads ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 4, 2020 by Digger 66