Vice grips
#1
03-03-23, 11:11 AM
Vice grips
Yesterday I saw a Tik ToK video where the poster demonstrated a feature of vice grips that I never knew existed and considering the source, it may not exist. He pointed out that adjusting screw on vise grips are provided with a hex hole on the knurled end that allows the pliers to be tightened even tighter and that can also be used to loosen the grip when it is too tight to be released by hand.
I have arthritis in both my hands and sometimes vice grips can be a challenge so it caught my interest. I checked my vice grips and they do not have this feature. Is anyone aware of this, and if so what brand?
I have arthritis in both my hands and sometimes vice grips can be a challenge so it caught my interest. I checked my vice grips and they do not have this feature. Is anyone aware of this, and if so what brand?
Top Answer
03-04-23, 04:03 AM
Member
Based on the fact most vise grips already have an release trigger, a second method by unscrewing the torque screw is redundant. I have doubts that screwing in the torque adjust screw with the jaws clamped on a object is even possible without damaging the threads on the handle or the adjusting torque screw if not hardened. Sounds to me like a marketing gimmick.
#4
03-03-23, 02:28 PM
Member
Wait, it's on the internet, it has to be true.
No, no hex adjustments but maybe if buying tools at Harbor Freight it may exist.
No, no hex adjustments but maybe if buying tools at Harbor Freight it may exist.
#5
03-03-23, 03:44 PM
I looked at my 3 pair and they do not have the hex feature. However, they are available on Amazon and elsewhere including WalMart. On occasion stuff on the internet can be right.
I am going to grind the knurled portion on one of mine so that an open end wrench will fit.
Malco LP7WC 7
I am going to grind the knurled portion on one of mine so that an open end wrench will fit.
#7
03-04-23, 03:49 AM
Member
Honestly that doesn't make a lot of sense, any time your adjusting the clamp force is when the plyers are released and the adjustment screw doesn't have any force on it so a hex/wrench is not needed.
You would never torque that adjusting screw when they are clamped.
You would never torque that adjusting screw when they are clamped.
Norm201
voted this post useful.
#8
03-04-23, 04:03 AM
Based on the fact most vise grips already have an release trigger, a second method by unscrewing the torque screw is redundant. I have doubts that screwing in the torque adjust screw with the jaws clamped on a object is even possible without damaging the threads on the handle or the adjusting torque screw if not hardened. Sounds to me like a marketing gimmick.
#9
03-04-23, 04:56 AM
Only problems I can see is if tightening the adjust actually pops it out of the tool so I would be careful doing this.
Also might just activate the release.
I think it may even be more useful to release the grips. Even with the release trigger it can be a pain trying to release them with bad hands.
Lets us know how you make out and if good it might be worth getting a pair.
Also might just activate the release.
I think it may even be more useful to release the grips. Even with the release trigger it can be a pain trying to release them with bad hands.
Lets us know how you make out and if good it might be worth getting a pair.
#10
03-04-23, 02:25 PM
Group Moderator
Just my opinion....
I could never see the need to tighten that bolt with a hex key.
I'd imagine once the tool is closed it would be next to impossible to tighten that screw.
If it were possible.... that screw would need to be a very fine thread. The thread in the picture is not.
On the other hand.... once the tool is locked.... it may be very hard to loosen that bolt.
Vise Grips can be tough to use. Most require a Herculean effort to release.
However.... I have seen and used locking pliers with an extremely easy to release lever.
Completely opposite of the actual Vice Grip brand pliers.
You need to shop around.
I could never see the need to tighten that bolt with a hex key.
I'd imagine once the tool is closed it would be next to impossible to tighten that screw.
If it were possible.... that screw would need to be a very fine thread. The thread in the picture is not.
On the other hand.... once the tool is locked.... it may be very hard to loosen that bolt.
Vise Grips can be tough to use. Most require a Herculean effort to release.
However.... I have seen and used locking pliers with an extremely easy to release lever.
Completely opposite of the actual Vice Grip brand pliers.
You need to shop around.
#11
03-05-23, 12:20 PM
As I said in my original post, I have arthritis in both hands and my hand strength is limited.
Today I ground flats on one the adjusting screw on one of my vice grips. I clamped them on a bolt as tight as I could with my bare hands. I put a crescent wrench on the adjusting bolt flats and could easily turn the adjusting bolt another two turns. I'm assuming that the vice grips were now even tighter on the bolt. There was no indication of any excess strain on the adjusting bolt and no indication of thread damage. I couldn't get the trigger to release then from the bolt which is often a common problem, but turning the adjusting nut out a couple of turns and it loosened easily.
I was going to buy vice grips with the hex key feature, but I'm good with just grinding flats on the bolt head.
Today I ground flats on one the adjusting screw on one of my vice grips. I clamped them on a bolt as tight as I could with my bare hands. I put a crescent wrench on the adjusting bolt flats and could easily turn the adjusting bolt another two turns. I'm assuming that the vice grips were now even tighter on the bolt. There was no indication of any excess strain on the adjusting bolt and no indication of thread damage. I couldn't get the trigger to release then from the bolt which is often a common problem, but turning the adjusting nut out a couple of turns and it loosened easily.
I was going to buy vice grips with the hex key feature, but I'm good with just grinding flats on the bolt head.
manden
voted this post useful.
#13
03-05-23, 05:41 PM
If the jaws are not moving closer to each other when you tighten the torque screw on a vise grip clamped on a bolt, you are not increasing the force between the 2 jaws. On a clamping action, once the cam bar pivot, on the movable handle, moves inside the imaginary line between the movable handle pivot for the movable jaw and the end of the adjusting screw, force is reduced and the movable jaw locks. Being able to turn the torque screw two revolutions is not increasing force and is just taking up the gap resulting from the reduction of force when locking.
