IRWIN VISE-GRIP Original Locking Sheet Metal Tool, 8", 23

If you're like me, you have several pairs of locking pliers, or "Vise-Grips". That funtionality is a natural pairing with a sheet metal tool. It's like having an extra hand to hold the metal tight while you bend it. I found these pliers to be of high quality as is expected from Irwin. The pair I received was made in Taiwan, according to the box. An extra with these is the option to use a hex wrench to make "live" adjustments to the locking function while the pliers are still locked down. Otherwise, the lock would have to be released before making an adjustment by hand. The jaws will bend thee inches of metal at a time. Not huge, but that still allows the pliers to get into some tight spaces. As some have mentioned, the top jaw is not perfectly flat; it has a very slight curve, but that did not affect useability. Finally, I used the metal benders on the drip edge on my house. The bottom 1/4" is bent outward slightly and I bent it a little more to give rainwater a bit more of a kick away from the fascia.

Excellent locking pliers. The gripping power is great and you can use them beyond welding and metal forming, even for holding materials while you hammer them. The release lever works quite well, provided you keep it properly lubricated. Highly recommended.

Ok, it did the job. But what what the job? My irrigation system nas a 1" diameter flexible rubber hose used as an aggregator for small, high pressure sprayers, and it was folded and strapped closed at one end. Well, over time that strap deteriorated, causing the hose to open and flood part of the yard any time those sprinkers would come on. The solution? Clamp the end of the hose closed again. However, since I didn't have a high strength metal band (no, not metallica) or a way to apply it, this was the next best thing. I folded over the hose and clamped it closed with these vice grips. The wide duck-bill was the perfect width. Currently the hose, and these vice grips are buried in the yard, and the sprinklers work great. :) Oh, you want to know if they work for sheet metal? I have no idea, but they will crimp the heck out of a wide rubber irrigation hose.

good product

Good vice grip tongs for architectural or hvac. I prefer these ones over a lot of others. I’m a sheet metal worker

My husband needed this particular style of grips. He was cutting down an old mattress prior to taking it to the land fill. These grips worked exactly as he wanted.

Worked perfectly.

Strong clamp