Vice Grip Comparison

[Rod (NH)]

<a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/tools/4336377.html">Interesting Comparison</a>. I have several of the classic Peterson manufacture. They have all served me very well over many years.

 

[Kruse]

When the new Chinese models were coming into the stores, it was interesting to compare the Chinese model and the American model side-by-side.
The plating on the Chinese model looked like crap.
The Irwin big-wigs obviously HATED to come out to BFE, Nebraska to check up on their factory.
I guess they feel better now that they come from China.

 

[RodinNS]

... and the only test that matters, checking the twisting strength of the jaw so that it doesn't trip off a rounded nut... wasn't even done.
For that, the onyl one worth owning is the Peterson.
I'll buy UltraPro from Napa or Gray before I ever buy another pair of Vise-Grips from Irwin.

Rod

 

[RodinNS]

... and the only test that matters, checking the twisting strength of the jaw so that it doesn't trip off a rounded nut... wasn't even done.
For that, the onyl one worth owning is the Peterson.
I'll buy UltraPro from Napa or Gray before I ever buy another pair of Vise-Grips from Irwin.

Rod

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have at least 50 plus pairs of different sizes and the clamp type. There at least 30 of the large type hanging on the wall at my parents.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Admittedly I haven't tried every brand out there, but I'm not soon forgetting the blood blisters, etc. I've gotten from the off brands. They are GARBAGE!

Put it this way; I'll take a worn out, beat up Peterson over any brand new competitor, any day!


Glenn F.

 

[Pat-CT]

call me funny but i have a pair of Irwin that i ahve had for 3 years that ive never had a problem with, altho i have never owned a peterson, although i would have to check my many pairs lol

 

[RodinNS]

3 years was probably before the ~change~. I first noticed the problem about 2 years ago. I seem to buy at least a couple pair every year for one reason or another.
I took a pair back for warranty about a year ago and the new replacement they gave me was worse than the pair I had... which were still no good.

Rod

 

[MirageFlatter]

My parents grew up in the general area of Dewitt, NE, where the Petersen Mfg. Vice Grip factory was located, and we have many family friends and relatives who worked there, going back probably forty five years previous to the factory closing. Many good people lost their jobs due to the Chinese outsourcing. As for the quality of the products, a cousin who worked there for several years, gave me ten pairs of 10WR's, factory seconds, which employee's got for little of nothing, about thirty years ago. I've guarded them with my life, still have them all, and have never had to buy, or use, anything else. I consider myself very lucky, as I've never heard anything good about any of the Petersen Vice Grip wannabee's. I also have several pairs of Petersen c-clamps, welding clamps, and needle-nose Vice Grips, and can't imagine working in the shop without them. Rubbermaid should have stuck with their rubber products.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Irwong can keep their chice-rips overseas in their red-commie tool toters; Those folks in Nebraska made the tools that I wanted..And I NEVER thought the good old USA product was overpriced.. So, why does Irwin think it is proper to crap on the US workforce AND the US consumers with their Red China stuff??

 

[hay]

I bought a set of four vice-grip type pliers from a large mail order tool company. The set cost $9.95, but I only needed one from the set and for a one time use. And that's exactly what i got, a one time use from that cheap chinese made tool. The action was horrible and the finish was worse, but it did do the job for ONE TIME. I sure hope i don't need the other three, if they work like the one i did use. Buy american, if ya can find it!

 

[S.Crum]

Samething is happening with Ingersol-Rand (IR). Most of their tools are made in China and of course still have American prices. The plant up in Athens where most of their big name tools were developed and made is a shell of it's former self. Very little is 'made' there mostly assembly work. They have a few contracts from customers that require 'Made in America' on their tools. Some weeks the people on the lines are idle waiting on shipments of parts and components from China to arrive so they can be assembled into a 'Genuine American Made' tool.
I've used both the new American made IR air tools and 'cheap Chinese' air tools and the performance and durability difference hardly justifies the added cost of IR.

 

[olgentdc]

g-t-am abundant chinestrashfrom h--l needs to be sent back to he--as shrapnel,, nafta ,free trade with china ...Ruined Our country ,, and in the future we will be fighting a horrific war with these cun--ries

 

[Mister Ike]

I can offer 1 advantage to the Chinese vice grips. I do a lot of underwater salvage where you need all the "universal" tools you can get. Vice grips certainy fall into this category. Since they are going to rust out in a short period of time, there is no issue with cheap "throwaways." My good tools stay topside.

 

[Poncho Villa]

Because they are GREEDY overpaid executive FOOLS ! Don't buy any of their irwin crap it's all JUNK today!

 

[Goose]

I do insurance inspections on houses for insurance companies and occasionally do some in Dewitt.

It's a shame to see that big building standing empty. Local word is, someone bought the building but hasn't decided what to do with it.

 

[ohio]

The masses of azzis will buy all the chi-com garbage they can get ahold of. And they alone, the consumer, are responsible for outsourcing to countries with no OSHA, no EPA, and slave labor. Let them slit their own throats, they revel in it.

 

[S.Crum]

Be nice if somebody had the money to srart up another company producing the Vice-Grips in the American form in the same plant. I'm sure alot of the talent is still available. And it doesn't take a lot of tweeking of a design to work around patent law. The sheeple can then buy the Chinese junk and the pros could still get the good tools.
America will come back.

 

[RodinNS]

I'm sure the patent protection has long since timed out on most of the Vise-Grip lines.
All that's required is for someone to decide that they want to put some quality tool steel and workmanship into the product.
The odd thing is... there's always a market for Vise-Grips because so many of us lose the darn things and then have to go buy another one. It's not like I wouldn't pay more for a good pair either. I always did. I always bought Vise-Grip because it was the only one that was any good. Having one of the chi-com junkers fold in your paw after the first use never impressed me. I think I was about 12 when I figuered out that Vise-Grip was the only one...
Now... they've lost my business. My very regular business... because I've lost just about every pair I ever owned and I crawled back every single time. Now I'd make my own set before I ever buy another Irwin product.

Rod

 

[Dave in NY]

I always look at flea markets,garage sales for older vise-grips.I have picked up a few in used but decent shape for reasonable to downright cheap.In fact I usally always stop to look at tools, hopeing to find older,quality tools.I agree,the china made ones are crap!