Customer Reviews

Vise-Grip 7LW Locking Wrench With Wire Cutter

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

 

 

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 (Vise-Grip 4LW 4" The Original Locking Wrench) 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 (7LW) which is the subject of this review, 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!

There are some tools that belong in every tool box, and most of us already have locking pliers from one manufacturer or another. Irwin Tools, maker of the original "Vice Grips" brand product is the best know. This new version of the tool looks and works nearly the same, but has a vastly improved jaw shape made specifically for grabbing on to damaged hex nuts and bolts.
I used mine just yesterday while working on restoring an old car for my daughter. I had to remove the heat shield from the exhaust manifold, and after 10 years of service those bolts were not in good shape at all. One of them was so bad that my sockets and box wrenches would just spin, getting no bite at all. My usual pair of locking pliers didn't help either. The unique jaw shape on the Irwin "Locking Wrench" grabbed the head of the bolt from three sides and fastened firmly enough to do the job. In just a few seconds I had that old bolt out without having to resort to cutting it with an angle grinder or torch.
I've seen these on-line for less than fifteen dollars, and for the amount of headache they save I'd call it well worth adding to any tool box. If you've ever used regular locking pliers to try to get a stripped bolt out, you'll find this new style of "locking wrench" works wonders.

I just got this, it came quickly, and for the one use needed so far, did what it was supposed to.

This product delivers the excellent quality I expect from my vise grip tools. It's a great non marring wrench to grab either the nut or the head of a bolt while you tighten the other. It is bulkier than an ordinary wrench so you will only be able to use it in those situations where there is plenty of room. That being said, it is no more bulky than a regular locking plier. The advantage here is that it has a special mouth that is non marring to a hex bolt. Of course an ordinary vise grip would grab almost as well, although it might leave some marks on the hardware. As tools go, this is more of a luxury item. I don't use this very often, but when I do it's a real joy to use.
( It's a good gift idea for someone who already has a full tool box. )

These are great pliers! If you have a frozen nut, these are the tools of choice. The will securely grab a hex nut (within their design range) and will not slip. The stub will break first or the threads will strip! No more rounded nuts. Use plenty of penetrating oil! Only kevetch is that the finish seems below that of the previous #4LW I bought when they first came out. Is Vicegrip production gone off shore?

Son was happy to get this item for Christmas. He already had several projects in mind for its use. Service was quick.