A recent "incident" when welding has led to the demise of my trusty, and ancient, mole wrench. Can anyone recommend a good quality replacement? I thought Knipex, Stanley and Irwin would be OK but the reviews are variable. What other makes should I be looking for?
Recommendations wanted for mole grips
Mar 22, 2022
Last reply: 4 years ago
17 Replies
Angle grinder to 'unweld' the previous mole grips ?
That's what I had to do, but they aren't what they used to be :-(
I suppose it depends on how fussy you are, but most of them seem to do the basics. Better ones have less side to side slop in them.
I have been quite impressed by some of the "Ox" branded hand tools, so those might be worth a look...
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Is it standard practice for eBay to default to a 5* rating when there have actually been no reviews?
On 22 Mar 2022, Jeff Layman wrote
There's a difference between a "rating" and a "review" -- there's been a single 5* rating, but there haven't been any reviews.
I own a Stanley version, and it is quite solid. I'm sure that I only paid around 10-12 quid for them.
I also own an anon pair I bought with Green Shield Stamps many years ago, and still soldiering on.
I'm sure that you can get better ones for 40 quid, but what's the point if you are just going to weld them?
If you can get past his voice this guy is good
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My old one are Mole brand, do they still exist?
Mike
On 23 Mar 2022, Mike Rogers wrote
FWIW, I have a pair of Vise-Grips which I must have got when I bought my first house (in Canada, late 1970s).
Can't recall if I bought them new or picked them second-hand, but they're certainly still going strong. Bade to last, I think.
My father would have bought his before 1957, and indeed, 1955.
I hadn't heard of "Ox", but they get good reviews so I took the plunge and a pair arrived today. They seem very good, with little side slop and a good action, although they haven't done any real work yet. Someone suggested using some bargain-basement types for welding, and that seems like a good idea.
I have Mole and Vise(sic - Usanian) and Vise is much better.
These?
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Yes, very similar anyway. The sliding lock mechanism is the same.
I've posted pictures of mine now too.
Also search for "channellock 910-C" no longer sold, but perhaps more 2nd hand ones about?
Probably worth getting some of the ones designed for welding...
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