Tech Tip - Simple Vise Grip Hack

[@trevorbrown5142]

Had a tie rod end that wouldn't budge on my '69 mini and vise grip kept slipping. Never thought to vise grip the knurled screw. Came off immediately and that was the big task to be able to pick my daughter up on her last day of kindergarten in the mini in four days. Thanks!!!!!!!

[@OutlawEdge]

Awesome! So glad this worked for you. I’ve used this trick numerous times with great success! Thanks for the comment. I’m gonna pin the comment so there can see it works 😁👍 ARCO

[@dannyakatrikerred7381]

Yep. I learned that one years ago. I welded a 3/8" nut to the knob to use a 9/16" socket or wrench to tighten them. Good of you to pass this on to others 👍🏻. 🇺🇸😎

[@cuzz63]

was going to post the same thing...I have old pair that I welded a nut to them.

[@michaelthibault7930]

Basin wrench -- less than $10, if you don't already have one. Long handle.

[@aayesher9400]

@@michaelthibault7930 bro stop

[@frekit22]

We weld lifting lug rings to our grips. U can then use a screw driver or drift pin in the ring to tighten them

[@jmejam_jmejam_]

Yeah we do same thing at our shop it helps alot with duct work and the shop fab guys do the same.

[@matthewpeterson3329]

Similarly, I drill cross holes in the knurled knob and insert a 3" piece of rod that I hammer flat at the ends. This basically turns the knob on the vise grip into a vice handle. For years I had seen $50 vise grip style clamps with a fancier version of this, and it pissed me off that they cost so much, so I just did it myself.

[@eggroll1up918]

Best tip I've seen in a while. Nothing worse than trying to clamp or un clamp super tight vise grips. Thanks for that one.

[@danhoy8356]

I welded half washers to mine. Tighten with your hand and loosen the same way. Won’t get as tight as this method, but works good for me!

[@duncanwhitcombe4392]

Same

[@blownchevy83]

Very good idea. No more hurting my hands trying to clamp something. Thanks for sharing.

[@lex-nw3dw]

Welded for 30 years and never new that, duhhh Thanks for posting another great video.

[@steveveness3829]

G'day from West Australia, 😉🙂👍👍 Love the finishing comment! Reminds me of my Irish grandmother, Telling me that " the day you die is the day you learn to die". To me it has come to mean the following; You learned to feed yourself ,wash yourself, dress yourself, educate yourself, learned a career for yourself, etc!!! In other words get used to it , life IS the College of knowledge, which has no graduation, many exams, and no end to learning even the day we die!!! By the way thanks for the tip, I have a 24yr old hand injury to dominate hand, and you just made my life easier, Thank You Sincerly 😉🙂👍👍

[@allenmorris2661]

Dang!!!! I might just like using my Vice Grips again, because closing & opening them always hurt my hands especially hard to open waiting for that big POP when they finally open. Great tip! Thanks

[@FixNewsPlease]

Vice Grip Hack: Weld a 3/8 nut on the end of the knurled locking knob and tighten/loosen with a 9/16 socket on a ratchet or impact driver. With this method you can have multiple vise grips side by side and still adjust. You can also still adjust conventionally by hand.

[@incolink]

i think you could just change it out the locking bolt with a regular bolt .. but yeh i know if feels better to weld ya tools and you can have the nut size you like ..i might weld an Eyelet on then you can use screw driver chipping hammer punch whatever to turn it

[@FixNewsPlease]

@@incolink I didn't have a bolt long enough that was threaded to the head but I had a nut.

[@jenette16]

Oh wow, love the nut idea. My son just got his welder and I have a project for him. Sweet. Thanks.

[@Kaizer357]

That was honestly....AWESOME! Never would've thought of that. Thank you sir!

[@1956willys4x4]

Thanks man, I kill my hands every day ay work not so much putting them on but taking them off. I can't believe that I never thought of that.

[@mrw9513]

That's absolutely brilliant, I'd never seen that or thought of doing it before. Your a legend for passing on all these tips and knowledge to the next generation, this is how we keep the skills alive. Hope yous have a great weekend and Best wishes and stay safe and well to you both and your families 🖤⚙️🛠️🔧🖤

[@tompage3753]

I was 58 and a half when I learned this from you today.

[@A.Y.A]

Thank you very much, great tip. I did not think of it myself

[@4by4squared88]

Thank you. I will definitely do that now.

[@stevesloan6775]

I purchased a few sets of those large C-clamp locking pliers this morning. In my research I came across a design that had an eyelet instead of a knurling at the end. I’m planning on welding nuts to the end of my clamps. Stick a screwdriver in the eyelet and wind away! 🇦🇺🤜🏼🤛🏼😎🍀

[@richardalmond2328]

👍thanks for that I have bad caple tunnel and have lost most of my grip but that will be a big help for me thank you for bringing this tip to us

[@lesschattermoresplatter5769]

Try removing the adjustment screw and replace it with a hex head bolt or an internal hex head bolt of the same length and leave the appropriate Allen wrench within easy reach. Or you could just man up until you get a callous on your palm like your dad and grandpa had ;-)

[@electrelement2824]

Very good trick. There’s also replacement adjustment knobs available online that have a bolt-like hex head so you can use a socket and ratchet wrench to tighten tf out of them

[@lloydscharf6897]

Welding the same size nut nut on all your locking pliers will allow you to use just one wrench or socket to adjust all your pliers. LL&P

[@blackroomgh]

I’m not big on leaving comments, but this video really helped me. Great tips🙏🏾

[@WaynesGarage]

Hey Brother this is a good little Tech Tip my grandfather showed me this when I was in my teens and it's handy tip to know. Good to see the channel rocking brother.

[@tonytully4943]

I have small hands. Which has 2 major advantages. Unfortunately being able to squeeze a clamp really tight isn't one of them. Thanks for sharing! If someone doesn't like your whole video they can do more than piss off!👍🤣🤣

[@gautevaland879]

Great tip there!! I have like you smacked my hands on wisegrips several timers through the years. Thank you for sharing 👍😎🍻

[@coopersrace7277]

G’day from Australia Arco. Great tip. I have been using vice grips for many years and have never thought of doing that. THANK YOU!!!!

[@OutlawEdge]

Hello brother! Thanks for stopping by 😄👍 ARCO

[@coopersrace7277]

I did stop by but now I am staying...lol. Subscribed!

[@RedWhiteAndBlueVideo]

Good Tip. I’ve also seen where people replace the knurled knob with a bolt so they can put a open end wrench on it to tighten.

[@mgc1970]

That's awesome! Great tip, thank you!

[@johnpyle8027]

I love that! More for taking them off! I hate popping them open sometimes...

[@TonyV_in_the_OC]

Cool stuff Arco. You’re right, I just hit my forehead and said “duh”.....different for positional holding for our panel welding, but for working on a piece....great tip.

[@grege2383]

Great tip. For rehab on the rotator cuff - nunchucks. I had to have mine reconstructed & did that on my own for PT - 3 orthopedic surgeons told me that knocked 1/3 off my recovery time and 25% more use out of it.

[@OutlawEdge]

I am not sure I would recover from the concussions... -Heidi

[@mattthescrapwhisperer]

Tekton has a hole drilled through the knurled knob so you can stick a bar through it and tighten them up. Great tip Arco!

[@stevennailedit]

That's a nice little mod, I'm going to try it on a pair of mine👍

[@randysmith2970]

Thanks for sharing! I pinched the crap out of my hand just yesterday using my visegrips. I just wish I had watched this video 24hrs ago!! Keep up the good work brother.

[@TheInsaneShecklador]

It's funny. I modified a pair of long reach vice grips into a valve spring compressor for go kart engines and I welded a piece of 1/4" round bar on the knob so I have an easy handle to tighten and loosen when it's clamped. You think I'd realize turning the knob when clamped would also work on normal vice grip situations but it never dawned on me till this vid. Thanks for the tip, and making me feel stupid.

[@OutlawEdge]

🤣😂👍

[@ronbelldvm]

Great tip. Thanks for sharing.

[@tristantaus4556]

Somehow I never thought of this thank you! 🐲

[@donsmith9081]

You can also weld a lifting eye bolt to the knob and use a spud or drift pin to tighten.

[@chazgregrrr404]

So simple... But Sooo Good, Thanks ☺️

[@dvig3261]

I worked at a shop, years ago. One of the other guys welded a short rod onto his vice grip screw knobs. it did help a little.

[@markpinther9296]

That is pretty awesome. I would not have thought of that on my own. Thanks for sharing that and making the video. I know the whole process is not easy.

[@whoiswaynereynolds5457]

Piss off A hoser! 🤣🤣🤣 thats a cool trick. I will be using that!

[@myconight]

Hell Yeah! Damn, so easy, and I never thought of it. I needed this years ago.

[@CorbinAce]

Why didn't I think of that? I think vise grips are one of the best invention ever. My pet peeve? Keyless drill chucks have to be the worst. I realize you have to keep track of the Key but the chuck works.

[@mauricegd]

Man,I hate them keyless drill chucks also they are worthless.....

[@lloydscharf6897]

Years ago I had a slot milled across the head of the adjusting bolt on a pair of vice grips. Then Had a heavy duty washer welded on edge to the bolt. This allowed a rope to be attached which could be used used to pull things which were clamped in the grips, You could also tighten the grips with any sized rod that would go through the washer hole. LL&P

[@bigwheelsblacksmoke4624]

Strong hand tools sell vice grips/ welding clamps / pliers with a handle on the end for post clamp tensioning, or there is a hole on the tensioning screw to put a star screwdriver through to tighten the pliers up with.

[@123suzukisamurai]

Damn. I never thought of that. Good tip

[@OutlawEdge]

Thanks brother. I appreciate all the nice comments and your support 👍 ARCO

[@scotkov5356]

I weld washer to the adjustment bolt. you can tighten it up with anything close. screwdriver, plyers center punch etc.

[@MontanaGarage]

Great tip man. I've done this one before, but think it's super awesome that you share these little things with us viewers. I loved the one where you cleaned the magnets with air. So simple, but I had never tried it until i saw you do it, and it works great. Going to watch for of your vids and see what else I can learn tonight.

[@OutlawEdge]

Thanks bro that means alot coming from you! You have awesome stuff on your channel 😄👍 ARCO

[@MontanaGarage]

@@OutlawEdge Thanks man, and THAT means a TON coming from you. I wish I could do half the cool stuff I've been seeing on your videos. I'm learning as I go, so maybe someday...

[@MrLibertyLane]

Cool tip! Thanks!

[@robertgriffin6668]

Good tool tip, I never would have thought of that.

[@jackcollins2344]

That's a great thanks for sharing!!!

[@yvonnechristmas2616]

That was just what I needed! Omg, I'm gonna go try it. I bought a house n I never noticed the shower head, it looked ok,at the time, but I went to install the hand held sprayer, and some knucklehead cross threaded the shower head on,with plumbers tape. I mean I think it was a gorilla. I kept trying, but unfortunately I'm only 84pds, in shape, but my little hands are not strong enough to squeeze the vice grips, my husband passed away last month, and I know if I hire someone, there gonna wanna grease $$$$$$ me cause I'm on my own. Ya,know what I mean. So, I referred to u tube. Your the first video that popped up. If you reading this, watch for my result reply. Fingers crossed from Sunny Florida.

[@OutlawEdge]

Hilarious! Made my night with your comments! Hope it works 😁👍❤️ so sorry for your loss. God bless you! 🙏 ARCO

[@hallarcher5997]

Thanks I learned something today

[@johnsutter1497]

Thank you for showing that tech tip

[@BOOT]

Always hate Vise grips cause they bite my chubby palms BUT that totally makes sense. I might drill the knurl knob for a rod like on C-clamps OR I may weld a nut on mine to just use a socket/extension/ratchet. Would help for when using multiple close together like she pointed out

[@ralphm.6731]

Vice Grip Hack... Put the Vice Grip on up-side down. Release lever up. This way the the tool will not hurt your hand when it is released. Thank You.

[@brentsanders3807]

Milwaukee makes vise grips and c clamp vise grips that have a flat end that sticks out that has a hole through it so you can put a screwdriver or whatever through and tighten also

[@KUGW]

Awesome I love vice-grip videos....

[@kbexcavation2719]

Klutch and Milwaukee use a slotted bolt so you can use a flat screwdriver to tighten them. Very handy. Smarter not harder.

[@drumbyte]

Just what I needed!

[@endoxr4]

Awesome tech tip I’ll be sharing that one with my mechanic friends

[@bigpuppytools4295]

Great Tip

[@travispoppler8023]

Thanks! Been hurt when releasing them before

[@theSword-]

Also, if you flip them upside down, you can take them off easier because the lever side on top.

[@jimarena1166]

Hi my name is Jim I'm from Australia I have subscribe to your channel I reckon you're awesome keep up the good work I love that tip with the vice grips I've got arthritis in the hands and that will help me so much thanks for that👍🇭🇲

[@OutlawEdge]

Happy to help!! -Heidi

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

These simple tips are great!👍

[@transam4spd650]

Good tip never seen that one.

[@Wheelingoffthewrench]

I’ve been using a slide hammer to vice grip attachment for that trick. And it’s set up to clamp and pull as well

[@tylerhale1696]

Damn y’all sound like cool people😂 I enjoyed the video

[@scotts4125]

Good stuff thanks!

[@mpikas]

Or one of a dozen other solutions letting you tighten them farther. The problem with this is that it eventually ruins the visegrips. The problem is that the lever that screw pushes against has an angled/ramped end that puts stress on the screw offcenter causing them to fail one of 2 ways when overly tightened- either the end of the screw mushrooms till it can't turn or come out, or the screw itself bends and then won't turn out. On the larger visegrips the screw only bends on the cheaper brands (Irwin ones have a heavier screw), but on the medium and smaller ones it's pretty common, and it seems like the end of the screw mushrooming is kind of random, some have a good heat treat and won't do it and other pairs will do it right away.

[@chrisallen9154]

Now I have to go to the garage just to try this out.

[@OutlawEdge]

Hahaha! That’s funny 😆 👍

[@timshepherd1406]

you can also grind the sides parallel on the adjustment screw so use can use either a wrench or a cresent wrench.another idea would be to simply weld a straight piece of rod 90 degrees to the end of the screw good tip too,periodically,put a little spray lube on the adjustment screw threads,male and female.a little lube does alot for friction reduction.sucks when your screw gets loose and wore down.

[@fknows1]

great tip thank you

[@brdnsky6417]

Yeah, that's pretty easy. thanks. Ronnie.

[@johnpappas2060]

Thanks 🙏 That’ll save some busting hands

[@ElrodsGarage]

That's genius! Thanks for the tip!

[@krazziee2000]

cool tip, thanks

[@dolphincliffs8864]

We cut off the "eye" from a 3/8" eye bolt ,grooved the head and welded the ring to the head. Way better,screwdriver,winding bar or whatever to loosen /tighten.

[@martystratton5818]

Great tip man

[@paneltruckbob]

Thanks for the tip. I use a screwdriver to pop them open when they are on tight.

[@michaelthibault7930]

Do. Undo. IOW, the trick works in reverse.

[@dggustafson02]

Damn ya learn something every day 👍 great tip👍

[@tedsamuels3203]

It's ok, I gotta wife too and what would we do without them lol Great video..Thanks for sharing and I guess a person can use a pair of vice grips for anything ? THANKS AGAIN

[@roncar1565]

Good tip especially for an old weak guy. I need all the help I can get.

[@outlaw77_20]

you can also drill a hole in the knurled knob and get some 1/4 inch hardened round stock and heat up both ends and flatten them so the round stock won’t fall out of the knob then no need for the extra vise grip….

[@glynngraham2931]

Good tip thanks

[@RalfyCustoms]

Boom! Awesome tip brother

[@highdownmartin]

I’m Dave’s lawyer. He does mind

[@OutlawEdge]

Lol 😂 🤣😆👍

[@pbmachines972]

Cool trick👍🏻

[@zachfender8693]

Great tip brother thanks for sharing keep up the great work brother

[@ramblers69]

Great tip!!!! 👍 👍 😎

[@bruceemmory861]

Replace the tension adjustment with the proper size & thread grade 5 or 8 all thread bolt, tighten with a socket & don’t risk screwing up the knurl on the adjustment knob.

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

Replace the adjuster bolt with a regular bolt?? Good tip, been fighting those things for years LOL!!!

[@BeachsideHank]

I hurt my hand too when I was 12, but it wasn't because I gripped pliers too tight, I was gripping something else too tight...☺

[@OutlawEdge]

😂🤣😆 To much info bro!

[@beauxtx1959]

AWESOME!

[@earlcousins6635]

Now that was COOL!

[@patrickbodine1300]

A man of many hammers.

[@fltchr4449]

I've seen the ones you talk about and it never occurred to me to take a wrench to normal vise grips. This may replace my auto-adjust as a go-to. Thanks.

[@richardlees778]

Thanks for the tip

[@TonyUrryMakes]

Good tip