Comments on: TM’s 2007 Favorites: Irwin Groove Lock Adjustable Pliers http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:09:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Stacey http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-511989 Stacey Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:22:41 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-511989 SK is again in financial trouble. They are going out of business very soon. To be continued... SK is again in financial trouble. They are going out of business very soon. To be continued…

]]> By: Rodge http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-246618 Rodge Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:00:38 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-246618 I too get most of my tools and shop supplies from Grainger. Just pick up the phone and order and they'll deliver next day. Since Grainger now carries a full line of automotive supplies, our shop gets and exclusive discount which we can purchase off of. It's a sweet deal and their reps are always stopping by with the factory reps who hand out free samples. Had the Irwin tool rep last week giving out their new torsion bits and some folks even got free groove lock pliers! They even swapped out old vise grips and other irwin tools under warranty...something our tool truck guys were reluctant to do. I'm surprised Grainger is not listed as a retalier on Toolmonger. I too get most of my tools and shop supplies from Grainger. Just pick up the phone and order and they’ll deliver next day. Since Grainger now carries a full line of automotive supplies, our shop gets and exclusive discount which we can purchase off of. It’s a sweet deal and their reps are always stopping by with the factory reps who hand out free samples. Had the Irwin tool rep last week giving out their new torsion bits and some folks even got free groove lock pliers! They even swapped out old vise grips and other irwin tools under warranty…something our tool truck guys were reluctant to do. I’m surprised Grainger is not listed as a retalier on Toolmonger.

]]> By: mark E http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-240004 mark E Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:52:27 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-240004 I get my Knipex from Grainger. Since my shop has an account with them, I can order over the phone and they'll send them to me - free shipping - along with the company discount. www.grainger.com I get my Knipex from Grainger. Since my shop has an account with them, I can order over the phone and they’ll send them to me - free shipping - along with the company discount. http://www.grainger.com

]]> By: Fred http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-236210 Fred Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:20:09 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-236210 I said it before that Knipex - smooth jaw pliers are always my first choice for finish plumbing - but the big size Channelocks are caried to the jobsite too to grab stubborn cartride filters and the like. Maybe if knipex made some really big pliers - I'd buy some too. Does anyone have a better source for Knpiex than Chads ? http://chadstoolbox.com/ I said it before that Knipex - smooth jaw pliers are always my first choice for finish plumbing - but the big size Channelocks are caried to the jobsite too to grab stubborn cartride filters and the like. Maybe if knipex made some really big pliers - I’d buy some too.

Does anyone have a better source for Knpiex than Chads ?
http://chadstoolbox.com/

]]> By: Old Donn http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-235923 Old Donn Sun, 17 Feb 2008 20:16:01 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-235923 Gotta agree with Eschoendorff & PutnamEco, Knipex are the stuff. Got a drawer full of Channellock, pretty much every size and I like them fine, but I grab Knipex first just about every time. Gotta agree with Eschoendorff & PutnamEco, Knipex are the stuff. Got a drawer full of Channellock, pretty much every size and I like them fine, but I grab Knipex first just about every time.

]]> By: Fred http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-234572 Fred Sat, 16 Feb 2008 03:30:42 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-234572 Maybe Stanley will sell Facom (Who had acquired SK) back to an independent - like they did with Golblatt -- but probably not and the really high class Facom Line will be blended with what Stanley did with Proto and Blackhawk. In an age of worldwide competition, I guess this is what happens : Snap-on takes on Williams. Danaher takes K-D Easco (always made a lot of tools for Sears) and merges them with Armstrong etc. etc. Maybe Stanley will sell Facom (Who had acquired SK) back to an independent - like they did with Golblatt — but probably not and the really high class Facom Line will be blended with what Stanley did with Proto and Blackhawk.

In an age of worldwide competition, I guess this is what happens : Snap-on takes on Williams. Danaher takes K-D Easco (always made a lot of tools for Sears) and merges them with Armstrong etc. etc.

]]> By: PutnamEco http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-234060 PutnamEco Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:11:51 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-234060 Knipex Cobras are the best bet. I'm still not sure I like button adjustment pliers, sometimes I do sometimes I don't. I can readjust regular channel locks one handed. I haven't mastered that yet with the button adjusters. They are great for repetitive tasks when you don't have to continuely readjust. Knipex "Pliers Wrenches" are the smooth jaw equivalent of these Irwins www.knipex.com/index.php?id=783&L=1&convert=0&ukat=rohr10&active=Info Anyone tried their Smart grip pliers yet? www.knipex.com/index.php?id=783&L=1&grpID=17&ukat=rohr18 Knipex Cobras are the best bet.
I’m still not sure I like button adjustment pliers, sometimes I do sometimes I don’t. I can readjust regular channel locks one handed. I haven’t mastered that yet with the button adjusters. They are great for repetitive tasks when you don’t have to continuely readjust.

Knipex “Pliers Wrenches” are the smooth jaw equivalent of these Irwins

http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=783&L=1&convert=0&ukat=rohr10&active=Info

Anyone tried their Smart grip pliers yet?
http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=783&L=1&grpID=17&ukat=rohr18

]]> By: eschoendorff http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-234014 eschoendorff Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:29:08 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-234014 Forget those Irwins.... go buy the Knipex Cobras. Much higher quality and they have a long-standing successful track record. Not made in China, either. Or, spend the same amount of $$$ and buy American-made Channellock products. They are perhaps teh most under-rated manufacturer in the business. But almost every professional uses their products, day in and day out. For REALLY nice pliers, try to find some of the older (pre-Stanley takeover) FACOM pliers. Absolutely the best I've ever used. Forget those Irwins…. go buy the Knipex Cobras. Much higher quality and they have a long-standing successful track record. Not made in China, either.

Or, spend the same amount of $$$ and buy American-made Channellock products. They are perhaps teh most under-rated manufacturer in the business. But almost every professional uses their products, day in and day out.

For REALLY nice pliers, try to find some of the older (pre-Stanley takeover) FACOM pliers. Absolutely the best I’ve ever used.

]]> By: eschoendorff http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-234012 eschoendorff Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:26:16 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-234012 I wouldn't spend my money on those... especially when you can get the real thing made by Knipex for just a few dollars more... Knipex Cobras are where it's at!!!! Ask any professional.... Between Knipex (Germany) and Channellock (made right here in the USA - unlike that Irwin stuff), you should have all of your pliers needs covered. And for about the same price as those Chaiwnese Irwins. I wouldn’t spend my money on those… especially when you can get the real thing made by Knipex for just a few dollars more…

Knipex Cobras are where it’s at!!!! Ask any professional….

Between Knipex (Germany) and Channellock (made right here in the USA - unlike that Irwin stuff), you should have all of your pliers needs covered. And for about the same price as those Chaiwnese Irwins.

]]> By: rf http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-233668 rf Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:55:21 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-233668 I have to disagree with bc. I own these in all 3 sizes: 12", 10" and 8" and love them. Combined with the irwin multi driver and irwin knife I've become a big fan of their stuff. I have to disagree with bc. I own these in all 3 sizes: 12″, 10″ and 8″ and love them. Combined with the irwin multi driver and irwin knife I’ve become a big fan of their stuff.

]]> By: Fred http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-233530 Fred Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:31:21 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-233530 It does not surprise me that some Irwin Tools are good and others not. When Newell acquired Rubbermaid and a host of other brands (Record , Marples, Irwin, Vise Grip etc.) there started to be a blurring of quality - with some cheap junk from China - and some lines they have tried to maintain. I think the same is true for Cooper (Nicholson, HK Porter, Crescent, Weller, etc.) I still like the Channelock product - but use smooth-jaw Knipex pliers almost exclusively on finish plumbing work. It does not surprise me that some Irwin Tools are good and others not. When Newell acquired Rubbermaid and a host of other brands (Record , Marples, Irwin, Vise Grip etc.) there started to be a blurring of quality - with some cheap junk from China - and some lines they have tried to maintain. I think the same is true for Cooper (Nicholson, HK Porter, Crescent, Weller, etc.)
I still like the Channelock product - but use smooth-jaw Knipex pliers almost exclusively on finish plumbing work.

]]> By: bc http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-233399 bc Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:09:56 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/14/tm%e2%80%99s-2007-favorites-irwin-groove-lock-adjustable-pliers/#comment-233399 I own these... they suck. very cheaply made. I own these… they suck. very cheaply made.

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