Daswulf Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 Pretty sure that these were just that for welding. Recently pulled these out from under a shelf when I wanted to weld up some chain. These were my grandfathers and I got them years ago after he passed. When I went to use them the top ( stationary) jaw was wiggly so I gave them a quick weld and they work perfect now. Anyone ever seen these before? Think I might be using them a lot more now. Also for those that have never seen them maybe an idea on something to make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 Robbie the robot was looking for those! If your Grandfather made those himself; then I sure hope you spent some time learning from him! Neat idea very well executed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted December 30, 2015 Author Share Posted December 30, 2015 Lol Thomas. They look factory to be honest. They could be made. I really wish I could have learned more from him. He lived 3 hours away and I was in my ignorant youth. Glad I had the sensibility to get some of his tools when I was just starting in auto body. He was the kind of man that could make about anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 They look like inspired tinkerer to me, especially as I didn't see any markings on the flat that shows when it's in the vise. My grandfather is still like that though slowing down a lot now he's in his 90's...He offered to come down and help me re-roof my house and I think he was disappointed in me when I told him we were paying to have a steel roof put on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted December 30, 2015 Author Share Posted December 30, 2015 I could only hope any of us could be that active at 90. My grandfather was gardening and active up till the day he passed. He was a tinkerer. I like the idea of these and thought I'd share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumbojak Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 That's a brilliant use of ball joints with vise grips. I agree with Thomas, they look like the work of a tinkerer. And a skilled one at that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 These were an off the shelf purchase many years ago, and Hazard Fraught even sold a copy for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted December 30, 2015 Author Share Posted December 30, 2015 Cool. I could only imagine the " Hazard Fraught " version Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 I have a set like those pictured by John McPherson. Mine came from Harbor Freight I believe. I've used them to hold things at odd angles when welding. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted December 31, 2015 Author Share Posted December 31, 2015 They are handy when you need em. I'd never seen em before or after I inherited this pair. Just started using them and I'm glad they are there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 My picture IS the HF version, and you can see that the apparatus is a dead ringer for the original. Only the pliers themselves are different, I could not find a photo of the original Vise Grip brand anywhere. I image that you would need to find an old VG catalog, or welding magazine from the 70's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 I found some info on the original patented "Vise Grip" over on the "Tool Talk" forum. Text below is copied from a member's post. If you search the "Tool Talk" forum for "vise grip", you can view pictures, other posts and other patent info on vise grips. Petersen was a blacksmith in Nebraska. " First model Vise Grip ca. 1921-1923. These wrenches were designed by William Petersen on DeWitt, Nebraska. These drop forged wrenches (first model and second model) had the parts forged under contract in New York State (by J.H. Williams). The parts were shipped to Nebraska and the tools were assembled in Peyersen's blacksmith shop in DeWitt. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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