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.hatnote{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output div.hatnote{padding-left:1.6em;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .hatnote i{font-style:normal}.mw-parser-output .hatnote+link+.hatnote{margin-top:-0.5em}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .hatnote{display:none!important}}</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">"Vice Grip" redirects here. Not to be confused with <a href="/wiki/Vice_Grip_(song)" class="mw-redirect" title="Vice Grip (song)">Vice Grip (song)</a>.</div> <p class="mw-empty-elt"> </p> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Locking_pliers.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Locking_pliers.jpg/220px-Locking_pliers.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="162" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Locking_pliers.jpg/330px-Locking_pliers.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Locking_pliers.jpg/440px-Locking_pliers.jpg 2x" data-file-width="948" data-file-height="696" /></a><figcaption>A historic version of the Vise-Grip brand locking pliers</figcaption></figure> <p><b>Locking pliers</b> (also called <b>Vise-Grips</b>, <b>Mole wrench</b> or <b>Mole grips</b>) are <a href="/wiki/Pliers" title="Pliers">pliers</a> that can be locked into position, using an "over-center" <a href="/wiki/Cam_(mechanism)" title="Cam (mechanism)">cam</a> action. Locking pliers are available with many different jaw styles, such as needle-nose pliers, wrenches, clamps and various shapes to fix metal parts for welding. They also come in many sizes. </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="History">History</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Locking_pliers&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: History"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Pince_%C3%A9tau.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Pince_%C3%A9tau.jpg/220px-Pince_%C3%A9tau.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="96" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Pince_%C3%A9tau.jpg/330px-Pince_%C3%A9tau.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/Pince_%C3%A9tau.jpg 2x" data-file-width="402" data-file-height="175" /></a><figcaption>Some locking pliers have a lever (on lower arm, right) to aid release from the locked position</figcaption></figure> <p>The first locking pliers, with the <a href="/wiki/Trade_name" title="Trade name">trade name</a> Vise-Grip, were invented by <a href="/wiki/Irwin_Industrial_Tools#History" title="Irwin Industrial Tools">William S. Petersen</a> in <a href="/wiki/De_Witt,_Nebraska" title="De Witt, Nebraska">De Witt, Nebraska</a>, United States in 1924.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Later, in 1955, in the United Kingdom, M K Mole and Son, a hand tool manufacturing company, under the managing direction of <a href="/wiki/Thomas_Coughtrie" title="Thomas Coughtrie">Thomas Coughtrie</a>, began making nearly identical pliers. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Etymology">Etymology</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Locking_pliers&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Etymology"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In the United States, the brand name "<i>Vise-Grips</i>" is close to a generic name for this type of pliers. The same is true in the United Kingdom of the brand name "<i>Mole Wrench</i>". </p><p>The spelling "<i>vise</i>" is mentioned in <a href="/wiki/Samuel_Johnson" title="Samuel Johnson">Samuel Johnson</a>'s 1755 <a href="/wiki/A_Dictionary_of_the_English_Language" title="A Dictionary of the English Language">dictionary.</a><sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> This spelling is orthodox in the United States. </p><p>The spelling "<i>vice</i>" can be traced back to 1584, for the clamping sense of the word.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> This is the current spelling in the English speaking world except for the United States. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Mechanism">Mechanism</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Locking_pliers&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Mechanism"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Locking pliers remain clamped to an object without requiring continuous pressure on the handles based on the "over-center" principle. After being properly adjusted using a threaded screw, the pliers are brought to bear by <a href="/wiki/Cam_(mechanism)" title="Cam (mechanism)">cam</a> action. In the process of being closed on an object the mechanism passes through a point of maximum tightest clamping and as the handle levers are closed further, the jaws release slightly. This means that to open the jaws have to be tightened, thus maintaining the clamping pressure. The inherent flexibility of the pliers maintains a spring pressure on the jaws such that the handle needs to be pulled open to release the clamping pressure. In many modern versions an additional inner lever aids release. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Operation">Operation</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Locking_pliers&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Operation"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Locking_plier_misuse.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Locking_plier_misuse.JPG/220px-Locking_plier_misuse.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="138" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Locking_plier_misuse.JPG/330px-Locking_plier_misuse.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Locking_plier_misuse.JPG/440px-Locking_plier_misuse.JPG 2x" data-file-width="4236" data-file-height="2648" /></a><figcaption>Locking pliers being used as a substitute knob on an <a href="/wiki/Espresso_machine" title="Espresso machine">espresso machine</a>.</figcaption></figure> <p>The bolt is used to set the jaws to a size slightly smaller than what is to be gripped. The jaws are then closed on the gripped object. </p><p>Because of the lever action the jaws move only slightly but with much force. Locking pliers have four advantages: </p> <ul><li>Their lever action is stronger than that of ordinary pliers, so they can apply much more force;</li> <li>Even though they can apply more force, they do so in a very controlled manner; this is because the jaws will never close beyond the set point;</li> <li>The closing point and with it the force that is applied on the gripped object can be finely controlled;</li> <li>When they are closed they remain closed on their own until manually released, in many modern versions using a supplementary lever on the lower handle.</li></ul> <p>A typical use would be to hold metal parts in place for <a href="/wiki/Welding" title="Welding">welding</a>. Other uses include holding a nut or bolt that has been 'rounded', helping pull out nails, holding pipes without squeezing them, and acting as temporary substitute levers or knobs on equipment and machinery. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Locking_pliers&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe40s/machines_12.html">"Vise Grip"</a>. Living History Farm, York, Nebraska.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Vise+Grip&rft.pub=Living+History+Farm%2C+York%2C+Nebraska&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Flivinghistoryfarm.org%2Ffarminginthe40s%2Fmachines_12.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALocking+pliers" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://www.irwin.com/tools/brands/vise-grip">https://www.irwin.com/tools/brands/vise-grip</a> Vise-Grip at Irwin Brands</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=vise">"Johnson's Dictionary Online"</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Johnson%27s+Dictionary+Online&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fjohnsonsdictionaryonline.com%2Fviews%2Fsearch.php%3Fterm%3Dvise&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALocking+pliers" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-4">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">(<a href="/wiki/Oxford_English_Dictionary" title="Oxford English Dictionary">Oxford English Dictionary</a>, Quote from F. Collins Wills & Admin. Knaresborough Court Rolls (1902) I. 145 "...one vice, all my naile tooles and all my hammers".</span> </li> </ol></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="External_links">External links</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Locking_pliers&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: External links"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1235681985">.mw-parser-output .side-box{margin:4px 0;box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid #aaa;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em;background-color:var(--background-color-interactive-subtle,#f8f9fa);display:flow-root}.mw-parser-output .side-box-abovebelow,.mw-parser-output .side-box-text{padding:0.25em 0.9em}.mw-parser-output .side-box-image{padding:2px 0 2px 0.9em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .side-box-imageright{padding:2px 0.9em 2px 0;text-align:center}@media(min-width:500px){.mw-parser-output .side-box-flex{display:flex;align-items:center}.mw-parser-output .side-box-text{flex:1;min-width:0}}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .side-box{width:238px}.mw-parser-output .side-box-right{clear:right;float:right;margin-left:1em}.mw-parser-output .side-box-left{margin-right:1em}}</style><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1237033735">@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .sistersitebox{display:none!important}}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .sistersitebox img[src*="Wiktionary-logo-en-v2.svg"]{background-color:white}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .sistersitebox img[src*="Wiktionary-logo-en-v2.svg"]{background-color:white}}</style><div class="side-box side-box-right plainlinks sistersitebox"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1126788409">.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul{line-height:inherit;list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol li,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul li{margin-bottom:0}</style> <div class="side-box-flex"> <div class="side-box-image"><span class="noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Commons-logo.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png" decoding="async" width="30" height="40" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/45px-Commons-logo.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/59px-Commons-logo.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1024" data-file-height="1376" /></a></span></div> <div class="side-box-text plainlist">Wikimedia Commons has media related to <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Locking_pliers" class="extiw" title="commons:Category:Locking pliers">Locking pliers</a></span>.</div></div> </div> <ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.asktooltalk.com/articles/toolhistory/vise-grip.php">History of the Vise-Grip</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=yyUDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA42">"New Tool Is Both Pliers and Wrench"</a> <i><a href="/wiki/Popular_Science" title="Popular Science">Popular Science</a></i>, December 1935, page 42</li> <li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=ud4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA326">"Wrench with Vise Like Grip Keeps Work from Slipping"</a>, <i><a href="/wiki/Popular_Mechanics" title="Popular Mechanics">Popular Mechanics</a></i>, September 1935, page 326</li> <li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.newportpast.com/gallery/potpourri/php/photo_page.php?search=%20&search2=yyyyyy&pos=58">Last Day Cover Newport Mon The Home Of The Mole Wrench</a> at newportpast.com</li></ul> <div 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title="Clamp (tool)">Clamp</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Crimp_(joining)#Electrical_crimp" title="Crimp (joining)">Crimper</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Crowbar" title="Crowbar">Crowbar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dead-blow_hammer" title="Dead-blow hammer">Dead-blow hammer</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fish_tape" title="Fish tape">Fish tape</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gimlet_(tool)" title="Gimlet (tool)">Gimlet</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glass_breaker" title="Glass breaker">Glass breaker</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Grease_gun" title="Grease gun">Grease gun</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hammer" title="Hammer">Hammer</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hammer_tacker" title="Hammer tacker">Hammer tacker</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hawk_(plasterer%27s_tool)" title="Hawk (plasterer's tool)">Hawk</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Headlamp_(outdoor)" title="Headlamp (outdoor)">Headlamp</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hex_key" title="Hex key">Hex key</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hole_punch" title="Hole punch">Hole 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title="Pincers (tool)">Pincers</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pipe_wrench" title="Pipe wrench">Pipe wrench</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pliers" title="Pliers">Pliers</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Plumber_wrench" title="Plumber wrench">Plumber wrench</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Plumber%27s_snake" title="Plumber's snake">Plumber's snake</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Plunger" title="Plunger">Plunger</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Podger_spanner" title="Podger spanner">Podger spanner</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Punch_(tool)" title="Punch (tool)">Punch</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Punch_down_tool" title="Punch down tool">Punch down tool</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Scratch_awl" title="Scratch awl">Scratch awl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Screwdriver" title="Screwdriver">Screwdriver</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sledgehammer" title="Sledgehammer">Sledgehammer</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Slide_hammer" title="Slide hammer">Slide hammer</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Socket_wrench" title="Socket wrench">Socket wrench</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Spike_maul" title="Spike maul">Spike maul</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Staple_gun" title="Staple gun">Staple gun</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Stitching_awl" title="Stitching awl">Stitching awl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Strap_wrench" title="Strap wrench">Strap wrench</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tactical_light" title="Tactical light">Tactical light</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tire_iron" title="Tire iron">Tire iron</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tongue-and-groove_pliers" title="Tongue-and-groove pliers">Tongue-and-groove pliers</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Torque_wrench" title="Torque wrench">Torque wrench</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tweezers" title="Tweezers">Tweezers</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Upholstery_hammer" title="Upholstery hammer">Upholstery hammer</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Wrench" title="Wrench">Wrench</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2"><div><div class="hlist"> <dl><dt><a 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alignment tools">Measuring and alignment</a></dd> <dd><a href="/wiki/Template:Mining_equipment" title="Template:Mining equipment">Mining</a></dd> <dd><a href="/wiki/Template:Power_tools" title="Template:Power tools">Power</a></dd> <dd><a href="/wiki/Template:Textile_tools" title="Template:Textile tools">Textile</a></dd> <dd><a href="/wiki/Template:Woodworking" title="Template:Woodworking">Woodworking</a></dd></dl> </div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>    </div><noscript><img src="https://login.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?useformat=desktop&type=1x1&usesul3=0" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border: none; position: absolute;"></noscript> <div class="printfooter" data-nosnippet="">Retrieved from "<a dir="ltr" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Locking_pliers&oldid=1277830113">https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Locking_pliers&oldid=1277830113</a>"</div></div> <div id="catlinks" class="catlinks" data-mw="interface"><div 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