DamianD Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 WTF, SINCE WHEN?!? Just purchased a set of 11' clamps and noticed it didnt have a made in usa stamp anywhere on the tool. Checked out the packaging and saw made in china to irwin specifications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK13 Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 The only new Vise Grip I have seen lately that wasn't PRC was a little long nose model... And it was Taiwan... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conductor562 Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Irwin went Chinese not long after they were acquired by Newell-Rubbermaid. I'm wanting to say the set sail around 2006, but I can't remember exactly. I consider Irwin mid-grade these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan - TIA Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 IRWIN pretty much killed a small US town when it took all the jobs to China. Thanks Newell-Rubermaid 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamianD Posted March 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Wow, I did not know of this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-Fordguy Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 IIRC it was around 2008 when they off shored the line. I bought a couple of the wide nose locking pliers a few months ago for a massive welding project. Those were made in Taiwan. I have some of the original petersen, irwin usa, irwin with global components, and now some of the off shored ones. I can't tell the difference performance wise between them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 I'm with you guys. I boycotted Irwin. Kinda like Cuba. Kinda like my boss. Kinda like underwear (just kidding...got keep the ladies at bay). Kinda like donuts (hey I'm getting older). Kinda like my ability to talk politics...thanks Barack and Nancy. Thanks. But selling out like Dan says...well Irwin can kiss my lily white New Engalnd A$s 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conductor562 Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 My problem with Vise-Grips is the lock release lever. The only thing it does well is pinch the shit out of your fingers. The type you pull up to release it a far superior design. If it is any consolation for you guys there is nobody making locking pliers in the USA anymore. The best locking pliers are made in Spain by a company called Grip On. They are sold on about all the tool trucks (yes, even Snap-On) as well as Proto and others. If you find a USA made pair of locking pliers they are old stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-Fordguy Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 My problem with Vise-Grips is the lock release lever. The only thing it does well is pinch the shit out of your fingers. The type you pull up to release it a far superior design. If it is any consolation for you guys there is nobody making locking pliers in the USA anymore. The best locking pliers are made in Spain by a company called Grip On. They are sold on about all the tool trucks (yes, even Snap-On) as well as Proto and others. If you find a USA made pair of locking pliers they are old stock. I agree with the lock release lever... I have several older craftsman that have the pull release. I've wondered who the oem for these was. I have one of the grip on brand I got off the snappy truck. I like it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conductor562 Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 I agree with the lock release lever...I have several older craftsman that have the pull release. I've wondered who the oem for these was.I have one of the grip on brand I got off the snappy truck. I like itHmmm.......no clue. That would be a question for Lauver I would think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punda1991 Posted April 2, 2014 Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 I don't mind the Irwin clamps.... The besseys are like a dream come true tho! I really like them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK13 Posted April 4, 2014 Report Share Posted April 4, 2014 This probably makes me a huge hypoctate, but I don't buy any of the PRC Vise Grips.... Unless I get them on sale for $5 like they are at Ace right now.I do have maybe a half dozen of the last of the US made Vise Grips, and honestly, I can't tell much difference.I will be picking up some Grip Ons, and some Knipex, sometime in the near future.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozintx Posted April 19, 2015 Report Share Posted April 19, 2015 If Grip-On or one of their rebrands (Proto for example) are too expensive: I have a couple of Strong Hand PR115S 11" clamps. While the Strong Hand clamps are also made in China, they seem a beefier/better design than the Chinese Irwin and have a pull release lever. I use them when welding. The new Milwaukee Torque Lock look good too, made in Taiwan but with the inferior push (pinch!) release lever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nordraw Posted April 19, 2015 Report Share Posted April 19, 2015 Wow, another one bites the dust. The selling out of the country continues. Pretty scary to say the least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poisonfangs85 Posted April 19, 2015 Report Share Posted April 19, 2015 Has anyone tried the TEKTON locking clamps? I have only ever used the irwins for metal framing, but I like the tekton price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fazzman Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 Yeah Grip-on are awesome,if you can get those I highly recommend. Way better design.I havent tried the tekton versions but most of their tools are really nice and quite well priced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frommemphis Posted June 27, 2015 Report Share Posted June 27, 2015 I have the full set of craftsmen professional series I love them and have had theam for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.