Irwin 3-piece Original Locking Pliers Set $20 + Free shipping

Quote from jedimaster974 : how do you even find something like that out? (aside from a MIC stamp) is there a vice grips newsletter somewhere, that tells you what companies make what parts and where and in what qty?

No, but there are forums where people talk about a wide variety of tools (Garage Journal being the largest I know of), and news like country of origin of tools isn't too hard to find out, as normally if it's in question someone will email the manufacturer to find out.

Given the swing in popularity for things made in the US - quite a few sites I visit now have dedicated Made in the US sections - I would be surprised if some tool manufacturers didn't pick up on that sentiment and swing production of some of their main line tools back to the US. Craftsman has taken a huge beating by outsourcing a large amount of their tool manufacture to China, which only serves to make people spend their money with SK, Armstrong, Snap-On, Matco, and the like.

Sweet deal. In for 3. LOL

[QUOTE=N0BIGDEAL;49236144]Here is the site which still carries made in the USA vise grips.
http://store.harryepstein.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=1930&Category_Code=IrwinIndustrial[/QUOTE]

$26 for the same three in this deal except they are soft-grip and made in USA. What doesn't make sense is why the ones HD is selling are made in China and these are not. What's up with that?

Sorry, $20 for Chinese junk is not a slick deal.

You can still find the Soft-grip quick release USA-made(or US made from Global Materials) Vise-Grips in some hardware stores and Sears stores with low turnover. There are also plenty of sellers on ebay who sell new, original US-made Vise-grips for picky buyers, usually for surprisingly low prices considering their rarity.

HD, Lowe's and the like are high-turnover stores, they sell stuff like Vise-Grips by the carton every day to contractors, construction workers, etc. They won't have any problem getting rid of whatever they sell. Smaller stores, and internet sites that don't get a lot of business will have a lot of old stock available just because most people wouldn't think of paying their price and shipping when they can get something for a few bucks less at a brick and mortar place, and they don't know or care that they're buying something made in China or that there is a difference.

[QUOTE=maltboy;49242518]

Quote from N0BIGDEAL : Here is the site which still carries made in the USA vise grips. http://store.harryepstein.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=1930&Category_Code=IrwinIndustrial[/QUOTE] $26 for the same three in this deal except they are soft-grip and made in USA. What doesn't make sense is why the ones HD is selling are made in China and these are not. What's up with that? Sorry, $20 for Chinese junk is not a slick deal.

I think they bought a ton of them as soon as they found out Irwin was moving production to china I. 2008. They are most definitely old stock.

[QUOTE=N0BIGDEAL;49251022]

Quote from maltboy : I think they bought a ton of them as soon as they found out Irwin was moving production to china I. 2008. They are most definitely old stock.

have you bought anything from the site you mentioned? and how is their shipping rate?
Thanks.

[QUOTE=jackbauer24;49251258]

Quote from N0BIGDEAL : have you bought anything from the site you mentioned? and how is their shipping rate? Thanks.

No, I read about it on the garage journal forum, but I would not hesitate to order from them if I was looking to buy. Shipping can be calculated at checkout. Its not cheap but not too high.

Those are some rather inexpensive prices for stamped USA-made Vise-Grips on that site. I've bought them in-store for their original retail plus tax, which is quite a bit more.

8 bux at harbor freight with life time warranty if anyone is interested

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-pi...91684.html

Dead for me.

Irwin > Kobalt > Harbor Freight, etc.

Irwin is a trusted brand for professionals (i.e. general contractor dad, 25+ yrs). I've definitely dropped these intentionally and unintentionally, and I've seen him use the same set for a long time now.

This was a great deal because things like these (esp. Irwin branded) probably don't go on sale very often.

Quote from bygbawlz : 8 bux at harbor freight with life time warranty if anyone is interested http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-curved-jaw-locking-pliers-set-91684.html

Too much $ for inferior garbage. I'd rather pay triple for tools that I didn't have to return every time I use them because they bend like butter, IF I can find the receipt. The cheapest item is not always the best value.

Glad I disregarded what was stated in this thread and took a chance. I actually like this set better than my 30-yr old Irwin plyers passed onto me by my grandfather.

These newer Irwins feel a lot ligher, while just as strong, more comfortable and functional. Very impressive what $20 can buy today, cheap Chinese labor or not.