ORIGINAL VISE GRIPS NOW BEING MADE IN ORIGINAL USA FACTORY AGAIN

[chief38]

Being the "Tool Nut" that I am, I wanted to let you guys know that he Malco manufacturing Company has purchased the rights from Peterson and is making the original Vise Grip pliers and clamps in the original Factory in the USA once again. BETTER THAN EVER!

Not only is the quality absolutely excellent - it is better than the original ever was - even Snap-on has them private label them for their Snap-on branding. There is also an Allen key hex in the back of the adjusting nut so you can get even more clamping pressure.OK - they are more expensive than the Chinese knock offs but they are a much much better and strong er product. Personally, I avoid Chinese tools like the plague - can't think of any I own and would not knowingly buy any.

So if anyone is interested, the link is below. Anyone who uses these type of pliers would be well served with a set or two or three! They are well worth the money IMHO!!

https://www.eaglegripusa.com/

 

[Fishinfool]

One of the most useful tools in the tool box.

Larry

 

[Golphin]

I like it, I have no use for China tools or anything else I can get that is made somewhere else.

 

[Greyman50]

Have quite a few different original vice grips bought in the 70’s, well used d but most ok as I dont make a living with them any more.
Good to hear they are US made again, will have to check them out.

 

[dmar]

Great news! I’m also a tool guy, and refuse to buy China junk. Made in China vice grips have soft metal and the teeth deform easily.

Didn’t know about this, so thanks for sharing, I’m going to have to pick up a pair!

 

[NYlakesider]

Thanks OP!

I still have a few from the late 60s -70s that are still doing the job. So many uses for those very versatile tools.

The perfect tool to clamp under a open garage door so you can work on springs.(for safety do it on both sides!) Also makes a very good battery cable clamp in a pinch.

 

[6518John]

Chief—thanks for posting this. I thought I was doing well buying Irwin—an old US tool company. WRONG—made in China. I think a lot of folks are like me, they are buying china made products and have no idea.

 

[Muss Muggins]

That oughta make the sale price $40-$50 . . .

(Edit: I posted before I followed the link. $38.24 on Amazon for 7" locking pliers. 10" are $60. The tools you think of when you think of Vise Grip, but I'll pass at that price.)

 

[chief38]

That oughta make the sale price $40-$50 . . .

Around $39 bucks for the most common model, however the USA made ones have hardened steel and the teeth and wire cutter LAST! Soft Chinese steel just slips and mars - sometimes they will work and sometimes they won't! They are also able to be torqued with the addition of an Allen Key Nut on the rear. If you use them often or as a last resort tool - that matters!

Sometimes when helping out friends I will ask them for a pair of Vise Grips and they hand me a pair of the Chinese "Junkers". I walk out to my car and get a real pair that I know won't slip or let go.

To some it might not matter much - to others it does. When I see slip and gouge marks on a pipe, part or what ever it bothers me - some don't care. Once again, buy once, cry once - have a quality tool forever! Think about what it costs to eat out at a nice restaurant..... you know where that meal goes a few hours later - lol. A quality tool doesn't wind up in the cesspool.

 

[Muss Muggins]

. . . Sometimes when helping out friends I will ask them for a pair of Vise Grips and they hand me a pair of the Chinese "Junkers". I walk out to my car and get a real pair that I know won't slip or let go. . . .

You've kind of proved my point. People who will pay that price already have the originals that they paid much less for, and because of the quality, they aren't in the market for new. People who won't pay that price will continue to buy based on value. I have long maintained that the vast majority of the American public isn't either willing or able to pay the going price for Made in the USA . . .

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

It will be good to get more manufacturing back here. I do not believe that "information economies" really work long term. It would be nice for my grandchildren to have a "place to work", and not hop and skip around the country like I did.

 

[Cdog]

Application dictates price I will pay.

If I use a tool infrequently or for light duty use, I'm willing to go with lower quality, to a point. Not often, but at times I may buy two or three cheapo's for short term temporary use and simply dispose of when they break.

If I work with it daily, earn a living with it, or can't have one fail while I'm in the field, I want top drawer quality. Many times it's not the most expensive brand, but it's never a bargain brand either.

I'm willing to spend more for quality.

So much domestic manufacturing has ceased, that at times we have little choice.

I want the option of buying U.S. manufactured products again!

 

[Cdog]

I also stopped buying online when I can get it local. Closed my Amazon account several moons ago.

I buy the majority of my automotive/tractor/mower tools and supplies from an independent NAPA dealer near me.

Other hardware comes from a locally owned builders supply.

These people help support me, I want to help support them.

 

[d524ax]

This is good news! I shop garage sales for the older US made tools. And I do not mind paying the extra for a quality made in the USA product, new or used.

 

[MRB1]

My shop has tool boxes with top drawer, American made tools (and some German), and a few tool boxes that have foreign made expendables. The junk tools are what I use the most, and what the kids use when they have a need. The good stuff is for my private use - never allow anyone to use them, especially the wife.

 

[Nevada Ed]

A Great tool for the working man. I have four in the garage, hanging on the tool board.

Nothing like a spare hand, to shorten the time span of a job.

Glad to see they are back.

 

[wood714]

Just checked. Mine are still in the tool box.

 

[Jack Flash]

From an inflation calculator:
What cost $5 in 1965 would cost $41.69 in 2020.

When i was growing up in the 50s - 60s all quality tools sold here were made here. I remember many long hours working with my Dad on cars, farm equipment, etc. "Hand me the Channel Locks." "Hand me the Vice Grips."

Recently went to the hardware store to get some Channel Locks. I was very pleased that what I saw was "Made In USA". Yes, I paid more. Glad to hear the same is true for Vice Grips. I can always use another pair for out in the mower shed.

 

[chief38]

You've kind of proved my point. People who will pay that price already have the originals that they paid much less for, and because of the quality, they aren't in the market for new. People who won't pay that price will continue to buy based on value. I have long maintained that the vast majority of the American public isn't either willing or able to pay the going price for Made in the USA . . .

While there is merit to your statement (and you may be right) people still buy tools. They loose them, lend them and never get them back, have employees that leave tools on the job, (wish I had a dollar every time I've heard that one) or buy gifts for people. This past Christmas I bought 4 sets of William's (really Snap-on but their on-line name) screwdrivers, four 5 pc. sets of Channel-lock pliers, a bunch of drill sets and none of them were for me.

I guess time will tell if made in USA and/or high quality makes a difference to the buyer enough to sustain American Company's. While you may be correct when talking about the average joe on the street, there are still plenty of high-end expensive Company's in business today. ie: Rolex, Mercedes, Cadillac, Snap-on, Coach, Custom Shop Gun Company's, custom home builders, gourmet restaurants, $5000 / night resorts, etc.

As they say, time will tell.

 

[GaryS]

Ironically it's also one of the most misused tools in the toolbox.

Mine are all old enough that they were made in the USA. That includes one marked Craftsman that I bought for a dollar at a yard sale. That's like a 9in or something length

One of the most useful tools in the tool box.

Larry