How Vise-Grips Saved My Life and Other Tales about this Toolbox Hero

Popular Mechanics ^ | 2/25/2009 | Harry Sawyers

[whodathunkit]

I always keep vice grips on the dash of my truck to grab the steering wheel stub the next time my steering wheel comes off.

(not mine, but wish it was)

[PissAndVinegar]

bump for later

[bonnieblue4me]

Note to all: Never buy a used motorcycle from capt. norm!

[bonnieblue4me]

"Ah, but you will have to replace them ALL with the new ones that imprint your serial number onto whatever you choose to grip. You do have your vice grip carry permit, don’t you?"

Vice-grips don't kill people; bad vice-grip jokes kill people.

[Constitution Day]

to read later

[wideminded]

Back in the 80’s I had a hand in the construction of a major American building in Moscow. I was the US laison for a subcontractor that employed all Russian workers.

If it's the building I'm thinking of, I'm surprised you're admitting it here. I've always wondered how the result of using Russian labor was not foreseen, especially in a Republican administration.

[Arrowhead1952]

Obama will only take Vice Grips from the top two percent of Vice Grip owners, those who have 16 or more in their tool box.

Well, I'll have to bury my extra Vise Grips then. I have well over two dozen - from the 4" up to the large welding types. I also have three of the needle nose Vise Grip pliers.

I even keep a pair in my tackle box. The sure come in handy when taking a hook out of a gar or when you fillet catfish. Lock one onto the mouth and hold while cutting.

[Tarpon]

Nope, original vise grips — it was a store manager sale at the local Lowes store. Regular $30.

Something to do with no business, need to sell something. Our tourist season has been a disaster, local home construction has virtually ceased, and businesses are doing all they can to get customers in the door.

It was a good deal, wish I had bought more.

[PhiloBedo]

Vise-grips, invented and manufactured in Dewitt (sp) Nebraska, is closing it’s plant there and moving manufacturing to China. That’s a fact.

[Arrowhead1952]

TROUBLE LIGHT: The mechanic's own tanning booth. Sometimes called a drop light

TROUBLE LIGHT: . . . . Sometimes called a drop light because if you drop it, you will have trouble with it forever.

Also called a drop light, because it will drop on your face when under a vehicle and then you really have trouble.

Did you ever notice when someone holds a drop / trouble light to help you, they hold the light so THEY can see, but the light BLINDS you?

[GOPJ]

Nose-Ring Remover Johnny from Monroe, Louisiana: "I was fishing a bass tournament, and my fishing buddy hooked me (accidentally) with not one, but TWO hooks of a treble hook–right in my nostrils. Ouch! It looked like it was going to be a short day, but after some cleaning of the old Vise-Grips, we were able to crush the barbs on both hooks down and push them back OUT of my nose. We even ended up finishing in second place that day!"

They work in a pinch.

[Old Professer]

No, they were used to smuggle the Vise Grips out of the plant...in the stolen, empty wheelbarrow.

[Old Professer]

This makes me want to cry.

“Manufacturing.Net - October 29, 2008

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Vise-Grips plant in DeWitt will officially close this week, ending about 70 years of operations.

The last day assembly workers will show up at the plant in the town of 570 people is Friday, but actual production will cease either Wednesday or Thursday. About 330 people work at the plant.

Irwin Industrial Tools, which operates the plant, is moving operations to China.

A spokesman for the company has said the move is necessary to lower the cost of the locking pliers so they remain competitive with other brands.”

[cquiggy]

Please tell me vice-grips were not used to hold up the panty hose.

If Vise Grips were that popular over there they should have been using them to get the girls pantyhose down. A smart man uses every tool at his disposal with the ladies.

[wally_bert]

True words about trouble lights. I always hated them. Vise grips on the other hand have saved the day many times for me.