Customer Reviews

Vise-Grip 18-6SP Locking C Clamp with Swivel Pads

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have used my pair of these as glueing clamps, construction clamps, hold down clamps, stop block clamps and who knows what else.

They were real handy when I was assembling my Jet 5hp table saw (see that review). I used two of them to hold up the cast iron extension tables while I aligned them and tightened the bolts. That was HEAVY duty. They are easy to adjust and can be operated with one hand once the screw is adjusted to the grip thickness.

Every shop needs a variety of Vise-Grips to survive. How DID man survive before Vise-Grips?

Furniture making is a hobby of mine. This clamp has been useful in a variety of situations with stationary and hand held tools. That's why I'm waiting for another to arrive. I let it sit at the base of my drill press on a magnet. I bought it to hold down pieces as they were drilled but have found it handy throughout the shop. I also have many 3/4" and 1/2" pipe clamps, one hand operation clamps, and many C clamps. This clamp provides the greatest force with the least effort.

A prior reviewer trashed this wrench as a brake line tool. I will explain why the Vise Grip 4LW is the best brake line tool you can buy.

This wrench is at its best when removing brake hoses from the flare fittings on hard brake lines. The hazard in this work is that the force applied to the fittings will twist the hard line, kinking it and causing it to leak. It can be a delicate project, with substantial wrenching force required.

This tool enables the mechanic to hold the flare fitting on the hard line immobile while applying counterclockwise force to the fitting on the hose. Always hold the fitting on the tube fast while twisting off the hose fitting -- the clamping force of the hose fitting prevents the flare fitting from rotating on the tube.

I've replaced plenty of brake hoses using this tool and haven't trashed a brake line yet. The most recent was a 1971 Mercedes with original, 38-year-old hoses. The job would have been hopeless without the 4LW.

If you need a tool to help loosen tight nuts and bolts, or to firmly hold one in place, this is a great option.

These locking wrench pliers are very different from the standard Vise-Grip locking pliers. The jaws are designed to fit a hex-head fastener (bolt, nut, etc.)and hold it tightly in place. They are excellent for breaking lose extra-tight or rusted-on nuts and bolts. The special jaws provide a much more secure grip than standard Vise-Grip pliers or a wrench. (But beware; those special jaws make this tool less versatile than the standard Vise-Grip pliers.)

Be sure to get the size you need. It has been my experience that using the wrong size, even though the fastener may fit, increases the risk of rounding off the corners of the fastener.

These "wrenches" come in three different sizes. The smallest (4LW) which is the subject of this review, has a jaw capacity of 1/4" (6.4mm) to 9/16" (14.3mm) which is great for small fasteners on consumer electronics, toys, etc. The medium sized model (Vise-Grip 7LW Locking Wrench With Wire Cutter+C92) has a jaw capacity of 7/16" (11mm) to 3/4" (19mm) which I find works well for most of the fasteners I encounter as a home-owner and hobbyist. I have not (yet) purchased the larger model (Vise-Grip 10LW Locking Wrench with Wire Cutter) which has a jaw capacity of 5/8" (15.9mm) to 1 1/8" (28.6mm). But it is on my wish list!

I recently purchased a floor model drill press (green brand) based partly on the large table that comes with it. I failed to notice (one star for me) that the table does NOT have any 'holes' in it for the standard drill press clamps that bolt down through the opening.

Even with a make shift table and fence I still needed some means of holding down my work. Trying to drill free hand is both potentially dangerous and disastrous to a work project.

The IRWIN vice grips with swivel pads seemed to be the ideal answer. However, as I scanned through the (then current) listings, I could not find specifications for the throat depth, I didn't know if I needed the 4SP,the 24SP or something in between.

An email to IRWIN customer service was answered the same day and I ultimately had a friendly exchange of emails with one of their CS reps 'Ken' who provided all of the information I requested.

I ordered the 18SPs through Amazon and had them in hand within five days. I was using them within 30 minutes of taking them out of the box. SEE MY PHOTOS ON DRILL PRESS.

PROS:

1. Tool does everything expected;

2. One handed operation;

3. Swivel pads has NOT mar any wood;

4. Once clamped the item stays in place;

5. Mfg customer service was informative and prompt to respond.

CONS:

1. Pricey item but works well, appears sturdy and I DON'T expect to ever have to buy another one.

WOULD BUY AGAIN: Yes, tool was exactly what I needed.

They seem to work decently, but since they are now the same Chinese tool Husky puts out, it's off to ebay for older models.

I have owned this wrench for many years. It is the best tool I have ever used for removing brake line fittings. Works really well on rounded off or rusty nuts as well. I bought this one for my son because he liked using mine.

Vise Grips are easy to use and last. They are useful for a variety of tasks in my wood shop. The are strong enough to hold down wood and metal while drilling, and gentle enough to glue a magnet to plastic you don't want to scratch.

I knew the pliers would be good by Vise-grip but I couldn't find them in my area. Easy to find at Amazon, great price, free shipping, and fine delivery. Satisfied my need completely.

This review pertains more to the next size up (Vise-Grip 7LW Locking Wrench With Wire Cutter), but I think it applies equally well to this one. I bought both sizes because I wasn't sure which would fit my fastener better and the 7LW ended up being a better fit. I didn't end up using this 4LW size (yet), but am going to keep it because I'm sure I'll find a need for it.

I bought the 7LW to take a brake line off my car -- the nut was corroded over and tight from years of salt and my line wrench started to slip, so before rounding it off entirely I bought these vice grips and they worked perfectly. The nut was not in good shape when I was done from being pinched in the pliers, but I wasn't planning on reusing it anyway.

I'd never even heard of this style of vice-grip before reading about it in an online forum, but glad I got it. I have regular vice grips, but they need to be locked on super tight to keep them from slipping on bolt heads The angled plier head on these vice grips fit the nut perfectly and I didn't risk crushing the brake line from having to squeeze super tight.