The Best Locking Pliers (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023 | Autance

One of the problems you face when working on a vehicle is lack of space. Depending on the job you can find yourself restricted in the tools that you can safely utilize. In these situations, having access to locking pliers can free up your hands and space, while keeping parts in the required position or allowing you to safely remove objects that have become stuck or cross threaded. But with so many brands of locking pliers available, as well as different shapes and sizes, it can be hard to know which ones are best for the job. Our panel of vehicle and tool experts have created a list of the best locking pliers to point you in the right direction.

The Best Locking Pliers

Best Locking Pliers Buying Guide & FAQ

Finding the right locking pliers for the task you are undertaking takes more than just knowing what is available. It is also important to understand what you need to look for when choosing locking pliers, what the benefits are of using locking pliers compared to other types of pliers, and how the jaws actually work. In this section of the buying guide, we explore each of these aspects in detail and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about locking pliers.

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What to Look for in a Vise Grip

Locking pliers are often referred to as either mole grips or vise grips. However, vise grip pliers are actually a specific brand of pliers, such as the Irwin Vise Grip pliers which are our top pick. Like all locking pliers, vise grip pliers can be locked into position so that they retain a strong hold on an object without the user needing to apply constant pressure to keep the handles closed. When looking for the perfect pair of vise grip or locking pliers you should look for ones that have the following features:

• Hardened teeth: The plier’s ability to hold an object in place or to grip tightly while you move or loosen an object is partly due to the shape and strength of the teeth within its jaws. If the teeth are not hardened then they will wear down quickly, meaning that its holding ability will be compromised. The shape of the teeth is important as it determines the type and shape of materials that can be successfully held in place.
• Adjusting screw: An adjusting screw or bolt allows you to set the desired pressure and adjust it in small increments to ensure that the hold is strong and secure. It is important to check the size limits of the locking pliers before using them for any specific job. If the item is too small, then no hold will be possible. If the item is too big, then there is a risk that the hold will not be stable, and the pliers could slip while you are working.
• Release lever: When you have finished the task a quick release lever helps you to remove the pliers without additional effort, even if they are at a difficult to reach angle. One touch levers reduce the risk of pinching during their operation, therefore reducing the risk of injury to your hands.
• Nose or jaw style: Locking pliers come in a range of styles and shapes, each of which is best for a specific set of jobs. However, regardless of the job, the quality and construction of the locking pliers remain more important than the shape. Curved jaw pliers should be your first choice for any form of demolition, or loosening nuts, bolts, or screws that have become frozen in place. Long nose locking pliers are better when you need to clamp onto a smaller object to either keep them in place or remove them. Items that you might use long nose locking plier for include nails, staples, broken screws, or pins.
• Strong construction: You need to trust that the pliers will hold their position regardless of the environment in which they are being used. Forged steel and high grade, heat treated alloy steel are good options.

Benefits of Using Locking Pliers

There are several benefits to using locking pliers over traditional pliers. One of the key benefits is that locking pliers require a lot less physical strength to operate than non-locking pliers. The pressure and hold are applied by the pliers, rather than by the individual holding them.

The best locking pliers allow for single-hand operation, freeing up one hand to deal with other important aspects of a task. The pliers can be easily adjusted and released with one hand, which also frees up space in the given work area.

Using locking pliers is safer than other options. Once locked in place the best vise grip pliers do not release until you press the lever. You can work with confidence, knowing that the hold on the part in question will not loosen, move, shift, or turn unless you decide it needs to.

Jaw Functionality Of Locking Pliers

The jaws are the part of the locking pliers that actually hold on to the item that you want to hold in position. The jaws tend to come in either straight or curved shapes, allowing you to choose the shape that best fits both the space you are working in and the shape of the item to be held. The adjustment screw determines the space between the jaws once the pliers are closed, and therefore the amount of pressure that is applied to the item.

The teeth within the jaws help the jaws hold onto smooth surfaces and help to distribute the pressure of the jaws equally along the surface of the object being held. If the teeth are worn or not hardened, then they can reduce the grip pressure of the pliers, allowing the pliers to slip when they are being used to loosen or tighten an object such as a stuck joint, cross threaded screw, or stuck nail.

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How to Use Vise Grip Locking Pliers

All pliers work using a lever and fulcrum system. The force that is exerted on the handles is channeled via the joint or fulcrum to the jaws at the other end. The difference with locking pliers is that you can focus more of your attention and energy on turning or levering the pliers and less on worrying about them moving or slipping during the task. Using vise grip locking pliers is a simple and effective way of holding items still or getting a better grip on items that are difficult to move, dislodge, or turn. To effectively use your vise grip locking pliers all you need to do is follow these steps:

1. The first step is to open the pliers. To do this hold the pliers in your hand and press the tab or lever on the inside of the handle. This separates the handles and the jaws ready for use.
2. Now place the jaws of the pliers around the object you want to turn, move, or hold.
3. Squeeze the handles tightly together so that the jaws close tightly around the object. The jaws can be further adjusted using the adjustment knob or screw that is situated at the end of one leg of the handle piece.
4. Once you have the correct pressure on the object you can continue with the task, either using the pliers to be kept the object in place or using them to loosen and move it as required.
5. Once completed release the pliers using the tab or lever on the inside of the handle leg.

Best Locking Pliers FAQ:

Our Top Pick for Best Locking Pliers

Our top pick is the IRWIN VISE-GRIP Original Curved Jaw Locking Pliers with Wire Cutter have a curved jaw that comes complete with hardened teeth to grip a range of shapes from any angle. The classically designed trigger release gives maximum locking force, as well as safe and pinch-free controlled release. The locking pliers include a wire cutter to increase their versatility and usefulness. The product is constructed from durable high-grade heat-treated alloy steel. Pressure can be adjusted by a hex key adjusting screw, which also enables you to draw materials together, giving the best possible hold in all situations.