How to use Vise Grips hidden unknown tip
Вставка
- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- We describe the operation of Vise Grips use in the garage , Locking Pliers Mole Pliers
rs and reveal a hidden feature I bet You didn't know . Explained by a Technician with 40 years experience with attention to detail for beginners through journey level. Free training for anyone that wants to learn . Get you a nice set of Vise grips today by clicking on the link below highlighted in blue , we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you . Irwin set of Vise Grips amzn.to/40BQ2t7
As an Assistant Buyer of hand tools for a major mass merchandiser, I met the grandson of Mr. Peterson, blacksmith and inventor of the original Vise Grip made in DeWitt Nebraska. The tool opening is based on a triangle, the strongest geometric figure with screw end compensating for material in its jaws. Original Vise Grips were patented (since expired) and copyrighted (still in effect) so that is why all other brands are called, “locking pliers” to avoid copyright infringement. Your Husky brand tool is “Vise Grip like” also known as locking pliers. Our lab tested the original Vise Grips and there is 1 ton 2,000lbs) of clamping force when the jaws are snapped closed! Excellent tool for many applications!
Thanks for your comment ! Great information and history of a USA made tool . It confirms my plan to build a tow cable with two pair and show how this original brand are very capable of extreme weight capacity. Thanks again for your information added to the discussion of the great Vise Grip that was made here in the USA .
I appreciate that you didn't drag this on more than 4 minutes like other channels are notorious for doing.
Yeah, me too! Be honestly, he could’ve ended after 10 seconds! To be perfectly honest, my mini vice grips are 90% more useful then larger sized one!
Agree 100%! I hate it when content creators drag things out and take 20 minutes to say what they could've said in 5. 😠
I have at least 30 vice grips of different sizes and types. Its a great tool.
Hello from England 😃im 60 yrs old had vice grips to use since 10 yr old..man i did not notice or know about the Cutting feature..mole grips are super handy anyway,but now i know they are mini bolt croppers too ,just makes them even cooler,,thanks man,subscribed
Welcome to the channel from US , thanks for your subscription . Stay tuned cool videos coming
Hell ya, first comment on your video. Don't forget vise grips can also be used as a hand vise so you can protect your fingers while doing something like filing, grinding, drilling, wire brushing, polishing, or buffing small parts.
@@frankcostanzo8391 Great comment Frank
I think I use mine for wire wheeling bolts weekly . Thanks for the comment
Congratulations on your victory! Here's your participation trophy!!
🏆😂
Well, not everybody has been using visegrips for the last 70 years like most of us ,so this video may be useful and with good intentions.
Been working with tools for over 55 yrs, still can learn new things, not this but things. 🤣
Thanx for the unknown to me wire cutters! I've bought them at flea markets often stuck/frozen/ abused for $1 and a little WD 40 brings em back to life!!! They are not called the third hand for nothing!!! One of the all time great tool designs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have never passed on a used set yet lol. i plan to post a video on how to restore a set . Great comment THANKS
What did you think the WR meant in the part number?
@ Just learned something!
Wire Rounded
Thanks 🙏
Nice video. Didn't waste any time. I wish all videos were this on point!
@@clloydhi Thanks for your compliment, welcome to the channel
Patton said the M1 Garand was the greatest instrument of war....THIS IS the greatest instrument of tools 👍💯💪!!!
I am an Old Marine and I was lucky to have an awesome Grandfather that taught me all that cool shit over 55 years ago. If it is not a Vise Grip Pliers it just ain't a pliers. I ride a Harley, go off-road trail riding in the Jeep and when I drove a Big Rig all over America I always have a small and large Vise Grip in my tool box. They have saved my old ass more times than I can remember. Later Brother, Semper Fidelis! OOO-RAH!!!!
Never heard them called "channel locks", only heard of actual channel locks called that.
Regardless, thanks for the tip, I've been around tools all my life and did not know of the cutting feature.
Thanks ! I felt the same way when I found out ! Ive had a set since I was a kid too
Vise grips are Fantastic , i have had a pair of Original Petersen Dewitt USA grips for 50 years , now i also have a smaller pair and the pointy nose pair . I have even taken out Head bolts with them , they're unreal for removing those stubborn bolts with rounded burred heads . And yes i knew about the wire cutter , a very thoughtful addition to a great tool . 👍👍
I even have a pair of 4" vise grips, pocket sized and invaluable.
As nutcrackers, they are far better than some purpose-made ones. Once the stop has been set so that they close a little smaller than the nut, you can crack the shell without shattering the nut.
What a great idea ! Thanks for sharing , Bet theywould work great on black walnuts since there so hard shelled.
That's what I do, works great!
Yep, set them so they just crack the shell, then give the nut a quarter turn and crack again. Lots of the meats will come out whole with few crushed. Best pecan cracker ever.
Vise grips have saved me a number of times deep in the forest on a motorcycle. Once when I snapped a clutch cable,was able to snap on the end of cable and use them to operate clutch. 2nd time broke my gear shift lever off,used them as a gear shift. Also drove many old farm trucks with vise grip window cranks lol
@@Steve81-ql6jc great stories , i have a video in mind to show how a double set can pull a 14000 motorhome with no ball hitch . Should be fun 🤩
Great tip on that hidden cutting edge - I’m surprised I’ve never noticed it! Thanks for sharing that! 👍
Glad you found it useful ! I was shocked after using them as a kid I never knew til a buddy point it out to me . I thimk they added the cutting edge on the newer styles . Some I have dont have the cutter .
I had to grab my vice grips (two) - neither of them have the cutting edge so I guess I have an excuse for never noticing. Mine are at least 40 years old, probably closer to 50 so Go Big Garage is likely right about newer styles. Thanks. Now I need to buy an updated version!
@@randy-9842 Yes I believe the older originals have no cutting edge . I have a few with no cutting edge.
I have several "Vise Grip" pliers and clamps, and one knock off type. The knock off does not have the wire cutter and its steel is not heat-treated properly. Still, it is handy in a pinch...sorry for the pun.
It was the only new thing that I didn't know, that cutting edge. The rest, pure common seance .
I used to carry 6" Vise Grips as a Marine EOD Technician. Always used the wire cutters. Thanks for the video.
vice grips - perhaps the greatest tool ever invented!
@@BillOptional I agree ! Can’t have too many !
DANNNNNG! I cant believe I didnt know this trick! That's really cool, thankyou for going public with this.
@@crazyguy313youtubify Welome to the channel , thanks for your comment .
Good advice. I have automatic pre-adjusted vice grips. In other words I set the pressure first and then I start to clamp down on anything no matter what size it is it will grip any size object within its range at the pre-adjusted pressure. And I have some Milwaukee vice grips that have a screwdriver slot instead of that nut at the end of the vice grips tightening screw which you can also grip with another set of vice grips if you had to. I'm a retired Carpenter.
Yes Ive used those at the shop for welding ! thanls for pointing those out
Thanks for that I never really knew how to use them.👍
Im glad the vise grip tip was helpful ! Welcome to the channel
The best apprentice I ever had was a pair of Vise Grips!
@@keithanderson862 Yep for sure ! And they will work all day and never complain . Thanks for the comment Keith
Awesome attitude adjusters as well.😊 All it takes is a little bit of pressure to certian parts of the body and presto! A whole new outlook on the situation at hand appears.
You have one of the great beards of UA-cam. Use it wisely.
Loved the video, the screwdriver and pliers trick to unlock! Never knew in 60 years of using them.
We never stop learning ! Welcome to the channel
I think you'd be a great teacher in shop class at a junior high school level. I thought you were gonna WOW the whole place with the secret bottle opener feature!
Thanks for your comment ! I actually love to share my experience .
I was a carpenter/welder for 40 year. Always had 3 or 4 vice grips of various sizes and clamping jaws in my toolbox. The one he shows have the pipe jaws. There are also straight jaws and needle noses. I did know about the wire cutter, about the only tool that could reliably cut galvanized #9 wire.
Thanks for the input ! Ill post a video soon on modifications that are really handy .
I have also seen some with broad, flat jaws, but I don't know what they're used for. If my memory serves me well, it seems to be body-shop guys who have them, so I assume they're for sheet-metal work, but I haven't been able to figure out precisely what task they're good for.
Thanks, didn't know about the cutting feature although been using them for over 70 years! Somewhere there is a 49 Chevy truck with a pair holding something on under the truck (don't remember what it was now!)
LOL my bother drove his 63 inpala for weeks with a pair as a steering wheel .
old school brake line lock, clamp some vice grips over the rear brake lines
Never saw the cutter - thanks!
Your very welcome ! Welcome to the channel
Invented right here in Nebraska by a farmer in De witt and if your showing how to clamp two pieces of metal stock always use the flat head grips much safter .And a great metric tool..
Thanks for your input , I love the history behind old tools .
I used them back in the 1960's for a roach clip
Is that like a rabbit punch?
Yes!!! exactly!!!!😂😂😂@@peterburi2727
¡¡¡Here's the thing. Growing up with my dad being a military veteran/mechanic there were tools in the garage. So when I stumbled upon this video I have to admit I indeed fell for the clickbait at which I rolled my eyes after he announced the "hidden feature" wire cutters at the end. Then I got to reading the comments and was reminded that there are in fact, individuals who grew up without a father figure in their life. I tip my hat to you my friend.
Thanks for your comment . I was raised without a father so it means a lot to me .
I never knew that they cut wire until your video! Very informative and entertaining! Thanks alot!
Looks like im going to have to go out and get some vice grips
In older times, jr. high and high schools had shop classes where kids could learn how to use woodworking and metalworking tools. Nowadays, videos such as this are providing that education.
Wow that's great compliment and makes what I'm doing worth it all . Kind of sad but a reality
Thanks
We had shop class in high school. We learned how to take apart a lawnmower engine and put it back together. The shop teacher left out the instructions on how to reinsert the pistons because he thought everybody already knew that. Needless to say, some of us were not amused.
Ok, I did not know about the wire cutting feature in the vice grips so *Thank You* for that new information. Now I have to go and look at my pieces of chinesium crap and see what the cutting edge is like. What's the bet it's a soft bit of garbage just like the tool itself.
FYI, in Australia where everything is upside down and back to front, we have to use _Righty loosie, lefty tighty_ and yeah I am making an ǝpᴉsdn uʍop joke. 🤦♂
Hope you had a great New Year and now I'll have to go look at your other videos to see what I don't know. 👍👍
@@braveworld2707 Thanks for your comment ! Keep tunes we have some good stuff in the works . See ya round Mate ! Cali to Ausie joke !
An extra trick with the cutters: if you can't cut through the wire all at once, you can do it in stages. (1) Grip the wire with the cutter blades, tightly enough to hold it in place. (2) Adjust the Vice Grips' knob until, with some effort, you can lock the cutter blades onto the wire. (3) Unlock the Vice Grips, but keep them gripping the wire (hold the handles with one hand while you squeeze the unlock lever with the other). (4) Still holding the handles, tighten the adjustment knob a little. (5) Squeeze the Vice Grips locked again, at the same place on the wire. (6) Repeat.
At each repetition, you can tighten the adjustment knob a little more as the blades bite a little deeper. After a few reps, you'll be through.
BE CAREFUL, though! The wire ends might go flying, especially if one is short. Eye protection is a good idea.
Great comment !
Weld a washer to the end of adjusting bolt and you can tighten it even more with a spudwrench.
I have used vise grips for years and never noticed the wire cutters - thank you!
Same here , A buddy of mine taught me
I just found your channel so I subbed and will watch your other tool videos....I would preface these videos with "This is not a hammer...a hammer, is a hammer" I have ruined so many adjustable/Cresent wrenches, ViceGrips and even ratchets by using them as hammers (many years ago when I was impatient and dumb (no Dad to correct me as I went along). I look forward to watching the other videos and future videos, Thanks!
Thanks for the compliment and video ideas ! Welcome aboard
I once had my gas pedal cable brake put lock pl.on the little bit of cable left put a string and stick on the end and it worked to get me home
vise grip brand and some others have a cutting edge on them, although the vice grip branded ones I own aren't very sharp and don't seem to be made for cutting purposes, but I have some other off brand locking pliers that have a definite cutter made on them as well as some have nothing like a cutting edge, I guess it depends on brand and even the time in which they were made as to a cutter feature.
Awesome man.... didn't know about the cutting feature.... thanks!
Welcome to the channel glad you got some value from the video
OMG I'm almost 70 and a diy'er and I did not know about the locking nuts with the nylon and how they were designed to not easily spin on, thanks.
There are two types , some are all steel and swedged at the end the others have nylon on the threaded part . They work great where you dont want them to rattle loose but a pain to remove at times.
Had a BIG dude that worked for my grandad's construction company. He would clamp down actual Vice-grip brand locking pliers so tight that he would bend the handles. Same guy that could grip three cinder blocks in each hand. Handy to have around, but expensive when it came to Vice grips.🤠
@@mr.hanger great story ! Thanks for sharing !
I learned something new today
Well it was a good day then ! Welcome to go big garage
Thanks! Any extra knowledge is much appreciated. Wire cutter...who knew? 😀
Channel lock pliers is a completely different tool. It is “F” shaped and has several grooves (channels) that you alternate between in order to get the appropriate size.
@@halweiss8671 My bad lol 😂
I meant to say locking pliers . Thanks for pointing this out . Great video idea for me .
@ I look forward to seeing it.
I'm from the U.K. and have always known these as Mole grips.
@@bossdaddy1919 Do you know what the Mole is reference to ?
Years ago, I had three pair of needle-nosed vice grips holding my 71 Monte Carlo's right quarter panel on for several weeks -- until I got around to tack-welding it.
Great story !
Learned something new.
Welcome to the channel
NICE - when I drink a lot of beer and can't get to a men's room I can use these pliers--- avoiding the cutting edge that is!
You had the plate under the cutting edge, not on the clamp end.
Look again
@@donames6941 you should look again @ 1:34 😉
@@donames6941 You look again, as he clamps it you can see the bottom jaw move away from the piece.
Yep, I noticed that straight away.
There was daylight between the front of the jaws, was definately clamped on the cutting edge on the first bracket he showed👍
I didn’t know about the cutters. I’m going out to the garage and check mine out. 😊
Let us know if they have the cutting edge , Some of the flat jaws dont have one . Also the best originals say Vise Grip on them and was made in the USA . The company Peterson moved the manafacturing to China I think in the 60 S ?
I’m 59 and just learning this. 😂
Years ago I noticed that little pointy section of the jaws and asked myself, "What's that for? Looks like a wire cutter to me." That's how I found out about it. It's occasionally nice to have it there, but I have found that the jobs where I'm using vise-grips are generally not jobs involving wire, and vice-versa (no pun intended).
@@grizzlygrizzle The cutters come in handy when working with fencing for pulling staples and cutting the wire.
@@GOBIGGARAGE66 -- That's right.
You won’t this on every pair, but some have an Allen key slot on the tightening set screw. Once you clamp the vise grips you can give it a turn and tighten it just that little bit more, or even loosen using an Allen key.
Did anyone click on this actually looking for a tutorial for how to use vice grips
That is my adjustable metric/SAE Wrench. It also cuts metric size wire.
LOL
Sometime around 1970 my grampa told me to never buy a Visegrip unless it was a Petersen. I can't pick up a Visegrip without reading the handle.
I agree the originals are a higher quality for sure
They are great ground clamps, occasional hammers, chisel holders and sometimes file holders.
@@akbychoice Yes they are ! I substitute grounds often like this . I have a pair with a 20 ft 10 guage wire attached to both for quick testing for a bad ground . I’ll be posting a video soon showing how I use a set for removing batteries without killing your back . Thanks for your comment .
Excellent video. New subscriber
Thanks for your subscription welcome to the channel .
Never saw the cutter feature, and I've used them a lot over the years.
you don't use the cutting blades to lock the grip on the metal, It's for cuttig wire
Good eye , I caught that too.
Very entertaining. I did know about that cutting future but I'm an old man and learned that but being a curious old man.
Glad we were entertaining and old men have lots of knowledge we need to be passing on . welcome to the channel !
Cool, man. The cutter is new to me, too...after 60 yrs!
I was working with a buddy . Asked him twice to hand me those wire cutters . he looks at me and says you know those vice grips have cutters right ? I was like what are you talking about ?
The cutter was actually my favorite feature ,for many years ,on the farm.cut plenty of thick barbwire, telephone wire, coat hangers,etc.
The wire cutter was the first thing I noticed when I bought my Vice Grips. There are several variations and shapes of Vice Grips.
Amazing! Can't wait for my next handyman lesson.
Thanks stays tuned more to come soon . We should be dropping a video a week now.
Thanks!~ Some people, like me can see a lot of tools in the garage but don't know how to use them! I know about vise grips now!
Thanks this is exactly my intentions with these videos , Glad this was helpful to you . I will be doing basic beginning level teaching of tool usage and tricks I have aquired over 30 years as a Master technician . So glad your here to learn . Stay tuned we will be dropping videos weekly .
Never used the cutter function. GOod.
welcome to the channel
Every plyer I've owned has that cutting tool I didn't know vise grips have it too
Thank you for learning me!
@@santiagovillarreal6647 I will learn you how anytime lol 😂
I never knew that! Thanks!
Welcome to the Go Big Garage channel !
Oh My! What amazing information!
For about 20 years a set of vice grips sat in my Dads tools unused because neither of us knew how to use them. Then i saw someone using a pair to remove coach bolts from a church door where they had been for about 140 years. The paint was so thick you could hardly see the hex on the head. After 10 minutes he had removed three bolts done whatever and replaced them. I know have 4 different sizes and think they are brilliant. I find the Cheap ones wear out after a number of years so when those wear out I'll treat myself to European made ones.
@@philipdove6987 great story
I have many of the original I’ve picked up at yard sales . Going to do a video on how to restore a pair . Thanks for your comment
Astounding, simply astounding discussion of the obvious.
Yet some people have no idea how to use them. I didn't have a male parent or father figure to teach me these things so this gentleman would have been a huge help to me 59 years ago as I am sure he will be to some kids who are growing up like I did so long ago. Did you know about the _wire cutting_ feature of the vice grips? Ever think of making a video about it and sharing that _obviousness_ with the world.........mmmm, thought not.
Lots of people don’t know this stuff. Very useful video.
Another apparently little known fact is that the Irwin - Black & Decker brand Vise - Grips have a hex drive screw so you can loosen - tighten with an Allen wrench or hex key.
Ive seen those , a nut welded to the others works great too
The cutting edge l figgerd that one out as a kid working on my dirt bike to remove bent spokes
Good demonstration buddy. I like your shirt!
Thanks ! Been riding for years , I have a rebuild planned for my 1993 electraglide this winter ,
Not all Vise Grips have the wire cutting feature. The model stamped with 10WR is the wire cutter. 10 indicating the size of the tool and WR indicating wire. Then there's the CR which stands for curved jaw only, generally used for gripping pipes or round objects. There many more different models for spacific jobs. Just an fyi. Good video.
thanks for the input ! Maybe we should have a video on the different types and their usage . Welcome to the channel
You can also loosen the screw which opens the jaws.
Good video, nice pace, good voice. You should point out their prying ability. The curved shape of the top jaw is designed to be used as a fulcrum for pulling nails much like the curved head of a claw hammer.
Great tip ! I will have to include that in a video about the differnt types of Vice Grips and their use . Thanks
Jumped up and looked at my 2- 1970 Craftsman Locking Pliers. Neither has a cutting edge. Neither does my mini hobby locking pliers. I also have an odd shaped one (Holds nuts like a wrench), it has a cutting edge as you described. Working under a vehicle 50+ years ago and put my face up to the tool area so I could see what I was doing. The pliers lock lever suddenly popped open and hit me square in the mouth. It broke off the back side of a tooth which I eventually had dental work on. DUH. Caution: Keep tool away from face while in use. 😁
@@DOLRED Great tip , when they release there like a spring , a long screwdriver is pest for the release . I slipped off a crate once turned my front tooth into powder with a 20 inch crescent wrench . Being a mechanic comes with risk that’s for sure .
Yep thanks I never noticed that either. How do ya like that?
Thanks for the refresher course.
Nice 😊❤
Thanks ! Welcome to the channel
At 1:30 you clamped the piece not with the jaw but with the cutter. At 3:43 the tool is clamped to the nut as if it were going to be tightened, if you were using it the way you described- to loosen- the tool would be clamped to the nut in the opposite direction.
you should do a video on how not to video.
Thank you, i learned something today
Glad it was helpful to you , thanks for yout comment
Great tips!
@@comentariopolitico1014 Thanks welcome to the channel
Been familiar with vise grips since childhood, acting as 'grease monkey' to my dad in his workshop. I did not know about the cutting tool part, however.
There is a 4th way to unlock them as well. If the grip is so tight that you can't release the lever (usually happens from over-tightening the adjustment knob), you can also turn said knob to loosen the grip that way.
Great tip ! thanks for sharing .
kool stuff! Thanks
Thanks ! Welcome to the channel
I welded plates to the clamping part then put a few drops of weld on the plates. Then I would put a long threaded rod with a sliding weight to replace the short threaded bolt that was on there
Then I would heat aluminum up with a blowtorch after putting bolts in aluminum that was stuck on a die.
I could then slide the weight back and forth to get a stuck casting off of a die face when someone screwed up
@@madtownangler Great comment ! Great idea for a puller too .
Another trick.....pull out the adjustment screw and replace it with a socket head so you can tighten the adjustment screw after you've locked the vise grip on your part.
I need to try this ! I was going to weld a bolt head on but a socket end for a 3/8 ratchet is a better idea , THANKS
You can also use 2 vise grips...1 pair to clamp the 2nd pair to a table and the 2nd pair become a secure vise.
@@Thomas-ei1yk great tip ! Thanks for your comment
When I was an apprentice sheet metal worker in the 1960 s I had never heard of vice grips we called them Mole grips they were like a third hand
Vice grip is the American mole grip. Only slight difference. Good quality though.
This video may look silly, and very matter of fact for some.. but a lot of people cant use tools properly or don't know what they are for anymore.
Its actually the aproach I was taking , Trying to simplify the process for those in that exact situation. We have really failed at passing down skills to the younger generations. I was working with a young man not long ago that had no clue as to how to dig a hole with a shovel .
Thanks for your comment it means alot ! I can teach at master mechanical level but it requires master mechanics as students . I really enjoy teaching those eager to learn . I went to college and spent 2 years in a automotive program and worked for 30 yerars doing driveability and electrical trouble shooting and at one time was certified as a ASE master .
Im 60 and still hold a position part time in a automotive shop , Im hoping these videos will be helpful to the eager students I know exist.
3:00 rest it against the frame...
Make certain that the handle with adjuster knob is against the frame. Otherwise it gets really difficult to open the jaw
I have a vise grip which holds two tubes together for welding. how many other specialised vise grips are there?
Sorry, I haven't read all your comments, but I thought I'd share something I saw on another UA-cam vid. If you want to loosen off the pliers, you can stick an Allen key in the end of the screw at the end and turn it. Obviously it works to tighten it up also.
This feature is on some , great advice ! You can weld a 9/16 nut on too works great
Good informative video thxs
Glad you found some value in the video . Go check our recent upload of the home depot deal . Great deal !
Im 60 years old and I never knew that 😂😂😂😂.. thanks for the information
Happy to help!
Awesome tool to turn into a slide hammer, weld a ½-13 rod connector on it and single point the threads on a piece of ½ bar stock.
@@kevinzucco8358 Thanks for that idea , great idea 💡
I learned a long time ago to buy the best locking pliers. I have used these tools my entire life because my granddad and dad were mechanics. A pair of cheap pliers will fail and get you in trouble. When I get a new pair or a set I put them to the test,any funny buisness and they go back to the store. Even the best nowadays will be suspect until tested.
I love finding the originals at yard sales the best . Thanks for the great comment
Nope in 57 they added the cutter in 2008 Irwin tools moved the plant to China
n 2008, the original Vise-Grip manufacturing plant in Dewitt, Nebraska, closed when the parent company moved production to China.
A very sad day