
Where did The Vise Grips come from?
Later, in 1955, in the United Kingdom, M K Mole and Son, a hand tool manufacturing company, under the managing direction of Thomas Coughtrie, began making a nearly identical pliers. In the United States, the brand name " Vise Grips " is nearly a generic name for this type of pliers.
Who invented the Vise Grip locking pliers?
The product was the Vise Grip locking pliers. The small town was, and is Dewitt, Nebraska. The agricultural innovator was an immigrant Danish blacksmith named William Petersen. Petersen came to the U.S. just after the turn of the century. He tried his hand at farming, but he was in incurable inventor.
What is the difference between Mole grips and Vise Grips?
"Mole" and "Vise-Grip" are trade names of different brands of locking pliers, yet mechanics and do-it-yourself hobbyists and craftspeople generically refer to locking pliers as "Vise-Grips" in the US, and "Mole Grips" in the UK.
Who invented the Vice Grip in blackjack?
It was invented and used by Baron von Raschke, as well as many members of the Von Erich family, and Blackjack Mulligan. The double-handed version was a signature submission of The Great Khali, dubbed the Vice Grip.

When was vice grip invented?
1924The first locking pliers, with the trade name Vise-Grip, were invented by William S. Petersen in De Witt, Nebraska, United States in 1924. Later, in 1955, in the United Kingdom, M K Mole and Son, a hand tool manufacturing company, under the managing direction of Thomas Coughtrie, began making nearly identical pliers.
Who owns Vise-Grip?
Newell RubbermaidNewell Rubbermaid owns the Vise-Grip brand.
Why are vice grips called vice grips?
In the early 1920s, he arrived in Nebraska and opened a blacksmith shop. At some point, he realized his job would be a lot easier if he had a set of pliers that would clamp down and hold the piece of metal he was working on "in a vise-like grip." He undoubtedly had sets of pliers and at least one vise in his shop.
Are Vise-Grips Made in USA?
Vice-grips the brand is no longer manufactured in America, production stopped in 2008 and was moved to China. Interestingly though, in 2018 a small tool company called Malco bought the original vice-grips factory in DeWitt, Nebraska, and has employed some of the original workers.
Did DeWalt buy Irwin?
DeWalt Company History The DeWalt brand actually falls under the umbrella of Stanley Black & Decker. This parent company also owns Irwin Tools, Craftsman, Lenox, Porter-Cable, Proto, Bostitch, Vidmar, and several others. DeWalt was officially formed in 1923 by Raymond E. DeWalt (who invented the radial arm saw).
Is Vise-Grip owned by Irwin?
It is owned by Stanley Black & Decker. It is best known for producing Vise-Grip locking pliers....Irwin Industrial Tools.TypeSubsidiary of Stanley Black & DeckerFounderCharles IrwinHeadquartersHuntersville, NCKey peopleCharles Irwin, William PetersenProductsHand tools4 more rows
Where is Vise-Grip made?
DEWITT, Neb. (AP) — The production of locking pliers has returned to the southeast Nebraska town where they were invented. Malco Products says production began Monday in the DeWitt plant where Vise-Grips were made until Vise-Grips owner Newell Rubbermaid closed it in 2008 and moved production to China.
Who invented the mole grips?
In the 1950s Thomas Coughtrie patented his own version of the locking pliers and called them 'Mole grips'. The name stuck and the tool became extremely popular with mechanics and engineers across the UK.
Why are locking pliers called vise grips?
2:5718:34The True History of Vise-Grips (Locking Pliers) USA to China and ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you can apply even greater tension. After it's locked these are this is important because this isMoreSo you can apply even greater tension. After it's locked these are this is important because this is what's called an over center design so actually once it gets into the lock.
Is Irwin made in USA?
Where are Irwin Tools Made? We manufacture here in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Does Irwin make tools for Snap on?
2:548:57FIRST LOOK: Snap on NOW has USA MADE Vise grips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs i recall usa made irwin's feeling aside from that the release is the same as a pair of irwin viceMoreAs i recall usa made irwin's feeling aside from that the release is the same as a pair of irwin vice grips most of the pins are in the same location.
What are vice grips made of?
Constructed of high-grade heat-treated alloy steel for maximum toughness and durability. Hardened teeth are designed to grip from any angle. Hex key adjusting screw tightens to adjust pressure and draw materials together and provides a controlled release. Backed by the IRWIN VISE-GRIP Lifetime Guarantee.
Do vise grips have lifetime warranty?
Full lifetime warranty. Each Vise-Grip tool is warranted to be free from defects in, material and workmanship for the life of the tool, except for damage caused by abuse, misuse, or alteration.
What is a vise grip used for?
What Are Vice Grips Used For? Vice grips are used for just about anything you can think of. For house projects they can be used to temporarily hold a long straight edge on plywood so you can mark a line. They can also be used to remove stripped bolt heads if they are not too tight.
Where were Vise grip pliers made?
At least one such product became a standard component of every farmer's toolbox and was manufactured in a small rural town in Nebraska. The product was the Vise Grip locking pliers. The small town was, and is Dewitt, Nebraska.
When was the first patent issued for a locking lever?
He got his first patent for a primitive version in 1921. The patent for the locking lever was issued in 1924 . He built an inventory and starting selling the Vise-Grip Pliers out of the trunk of his car to farmers and mechanics in the surrounding towns. Gradually, he built a business, but the Depression slowed its growth.
Why did the war save Petersen Manufacturing?
The war saved Petersen Manufacturing because 1941 was the same year that their original patent ran out. Without government contracts, competition could have destroyed the fledgling company.
When did Petersen start manufacturing?
Gradually, he built a business, but the Depression slowed its growth. In spite of hard times, the tool was popular. In 1934, the Petersen Manufacturing Company was formed, but it wasn't until 1938 that they opened their first official manufacturing plant in a defunct drug store in "downtown" Dewitt.
Who wrote the Ganzel Group?
Written by Bill Ganzel, the Ganzel Group. A partial bibliography of sources is here.
Is Irwin Industrial Tools a division of Newell Rubbermaid?
In recent years, the company has gone through several ownership changes and mergers. They are now known as Irwin Industrial Tools and are now a division of Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.
Who invented the vice grip?
William Petersen was granted a basic patent on the vice-grips in 1924, and he sold his invention from the trunk of his car in neighboring towns and farms. The first evolution of the grips had the adjusting screw, but it took several more before the grips became a locking grips.
Where are vice grips made?
Interestingly though, in 2018 a small tool company called Malco bought the original vice-grips factory in DeWitt, Nebraska and has employed some of the original workers. They plan to manufacture a line of vice grips called Eagle Grip ...
When did the C grips come out?
In 1948, larger jawed grips and in 1951 the locking C grips hit the stores. The final evolution came in 57 when the whole range got the quick release trigger we're familiar with today and the curved jaw vice-grips made its debut.
Why were vice grips used in trucks?
The Vice-grips was a staple tool in every truck and on every farm and eventually in every home. Tools were sent to the UK to help with aircraft manufacturing and ship building during the war years. By 1941 Peterson's Vice-grips patent had run out, but they got busy improving their product and expanded the range.
Who owns Irwin tools?
Irwin Tools are owned by the Stanley Black & Decker Inc.
Who invented the auger bit?
He sold the rights to this invention to Mr. IRWIN and a year later, after patenting the Auger bit, Charles IRWIN, along with four other business partners formed the IRWIN Auger Bit Co.
When did Petersen change its name to American Tool Companies?
In 1993 the company's histories would converge. Petersen Manufacturing, which changed its name to American Tool Companies in 1985, acquired the IRWIN Tool Company. This strategy of growth through acquisition and innovation has been proven with an unparalleled history of breakthrough products.
When was the first cast iron vice made?
In 1830 in England the first cast iron vice was produced. Liquid iron could be transformed into any shape easily. When pouring, air pockets often occurred within the cast, so-called cavities. The structure was therefore porous and brittle.
When was the Heuer vice invented?
When Josef Heuer, the experimenter and inventor from Iserloh, invented a new build of drop-forge vice with its revolutionary dual-prism guide track in 1925 , the Brockhaus company in Plettenberg, Sauerland, was already one of the largest drop-forges in Germany.
Where are Heuer vices made?
A word on "Made in Germany": HEUER vices have been made in Germany alone for more than 80 years. Advanced production methods, particularly in welding and forging, spurred the inventor Josef Heuer to seek a new patent in 1948. Today`s HEUER vice is based on the concept of this patent.
What were the disadvantages of the parallel vice?
The disadvantage: the moving jaws could only be guided radially so that the clamped items would more less tilt. It was only with the introduction of the parallel vice in 1750 on which the movable jaws were guided on horizontal adjustable slots that a breakthrough was made to the optimal application.
Who invented the squat move?
Although Foley popularized the move, it was invented by Sam Sheppard, a physician who was wrongfully convicted of his wife's murder in 1954; after his conviction was overturned in 1966, Sheppard took up professional wrestling and was said to have derived the move from his knowledge of human anatomy.
How does a wrestling wrestler wrap their legs?
The wrestler wraps their legs around the opponent's head in a headscissors, facing towards the opponent, then grabs one of the opponent's arms and wrenches it backwards, causing pressure on the shoulder and elbow of the opponent. This can often be performed on a standing wrestler when preceded by a tilt-a-whirl, which was popularized by Gail Kim, who dubbed it the Flying Dragon .
What is the name of the wrestling technique where the opponent reaches forward and grasps the opponent's chin with?
Also known as a rear chinlock, the attacking wrestler crouches down behind a sitting opponent and places their knee into the opponent's upper back, then reaches forward and grasps the opponent's chin with both hands. The attacker then either pulls straight back on the chin or wrenches it to the side.
How does a wrestling armlock work?
The standing attacking wrestler grabs the wrist of a face down opponent, pulling it towards themselves, then steps over the opponent's outstretched arm, placing one leg to either side. From this point, the wrestler turns 360 degrees, simultaneously bending the arm of the opponent around the attacker's own leg. The wrestler can over-rotate or turn again to apply more pressure on the arm.

Overview
History
The first locking pliers, with the trade name Vise-Grip, were invented by William S. Petersen in De Witt, Nebraska, United States in 1924.
Later, in 1955, in the United Kingdom, M K Mole and Son, a hand tool manufacturing company, under the managing direction of Thomas Coughtrie, began making nearly identical pliers.
Etymology
In the United States, the brand name "Vise Grips" is close to a generic name for this type of pliers. The same is true in the United Kingdom of the brand name "Mole Wrench".
The spelling "vise" is mentioned in Samuel Johnson's 1755 dictionary. This spelling is orthodox in the United States.
The spelling "vice" can be traced back to 1584, for the clamping sense of the word. This is the c…
Mechanism
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 cam 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, t…
Operation
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.
Because of the lever action the jaws move only slightly but with much force. Locking pliers have four advantages:
• Their lever action is stronger than that of ordinary pliers, so they can apply m…
External links
• History of the Vise-Grip
• "New Tool Is Both Pliers and Wrench" Popular Science, December 1935, page 42
• "Wrench with Vise Like Grip Keeps Work from Slipping", Popular Mechanics, September 1935, page 326