Power Slot Brakes

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IRWIN® Tools, a leading manufacturer of hand tools and power tool accessories, has expanded the VISE-GRIP® category with a variety of new cutting pliers that provide superior comfort, durability and cutting power. The new line features Max Leverage Diagonal Cutting Pliers and End Cutting Pliers, which are equipped with PowerSlot Technology, for twice the cutting power and half the effort¹, and the ErgoMulti Long Nose Pliers, which are designed with an angled head for reduced wrist strain. The complete range of new products also includes Lineman’s Pliers, Long Nose Pliers, Bent Nose Pliers and a patented Performance Lanyard system.

Nov 23, 2014  These are Irwin's new Vise Grip PowerSlot cutters, which make it incredibly easy to cut through hardened wires with less effort and less fatigue. These are the most comfortable pliers handles I've. The 4 Best Locking Pliers You Can Buy Use them to clamp metal for welding, grab onto stripped bolts, pull nails. With locking pliers, suddenly you’re Superman. By Roy Berendson.

“After inventing the first-ever locking pliers more than 90 years ago, IRWIN Tools continues to push the evolution of pliers technology, enabling tradesmen to do more with greater ease,” said Marta Aebischer, Director of Brand Marketing, IRWIN Tools. “Innovations like PowerSlot Technology and 3-Zone Comfort Grips deliver dramatic performance advantages so that users can get the job done faster and easier.”

Providing greater power and durability, all IRWIN VISE-GRIP cutting pliers feature induction-hardened cutting edges durable enough to cut ACSR, nails, screws and even piano wire. The pliers are specially coated for superior rust resistance and longer life and feature the IRWIN Lifetime Guarantee. In addition to providing superior performance, all IRWIN VISE-GRIP cutting pliers feature industry-leading 3-Zone Comfort Grips, with three molded layers in the handle for enhanced comfort. The new VISE-GRIP line is specially engineered for trade professionals in the construction, maintenance and repair, electrician and HVAC/R industries.

Two of the new releases, Max LeverageDiagonal Cutting Pliers and End Cutting Pliers, feature exclusive PowerSlot Technology, for twice the cutting power with half the effort¹. In professional field testing, 86 percent of participants rated IRWIN VISE-GRIP cutting pliers with PowerSlot Technology higher in overall performance than their current pliers². PowerSlot Technology is available in 7” and 8” Max Leverage Diagonal Cutting Pliers and 8” Max Leverage End Cutting Pliers.

The ErgoMulti Long Nose Pliers are engineered with a 62° ergonomic head, for a more natural feel that reduces wrist strain and the risk of repetitive stress injuries (RSIs), which cost employers $2 billion annually³, according to Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety. The 62° angled head, 3-Zone Comfort Grips and contoured handle provide optimal cushion and control, helping to reduce RSIs and allowing the user to work more comfortably. The ErgoMulti Long Nose Pliers feature built-in wire strippers for added versatility.

The Lineman’s Pliers are available in three models, including one designed for pulling fish tape and another capable of crimping non-insulated connectors and pulling fish tape.These added features enable users to complete more tasks with fewer tools, and the cross-hatch knurls and built-in spanner allow for superior gripping and twisting of screws, nuts and grounding rods. Rounding out the line, the Bent Nose Pliers and Long Nose Pliers, provide comfort and durabilityfor construction, maintenance and repair, electrician, plumbing, HVAC/R and automotive users.

The new IRWIN VISE-GRIP Cutting Pliers are designed to attach to the IRWIN Performance Lanyard System with integrated handle hooks. This exclusive lanyard system helps prevent accidental drops when working in elevated conditions. The integrated hooks also provide easy retrieval when stored in a pouch or pocket.

The new IRWIN VISE-GRIP cutting pliers will be available September 14, 2014 at home centers, hardware stores, and construction and industrial tool suppliers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Suggested retail prices range from $27 to $55.

About IRWIN Tools

IRWIN Tools manufactures and distributes a broad line of hand tools and power tool accessories under the IRWIN® brand including VISE-GRIP® pliers and wrenches, MARATHON® saw blades, QUICK-GRIP® clamping tools, SPEEDBOR® wood drilling bits, STRAIT-LINE® marking tools, UNIBIT® step drill bits, MARPLES® fine woodworking tools, and HANSON® taps and dies. IRWIN Tools is a part of Newell Rubbermaid’s global portfolio of leading brands. For more information, call 1-800-GO-IRWIN or visit www.irwin.com. IRWIN invites the nation to celebrate National Tradesmen Day, on Sept. 19, 2014.

¹ Average cutting performance of PowerSlot pliers in 14/2 Romex cs. Standard IRWIN Pliers of same variety
² Hopper, R. (2013). Diagonal Pliers Field Study.
³ 2009 Workplace Safety Index, retrieved June 10, 2014 from www.libertymutual.com/researchinstitute (http://www.libertymutualgroup.com/omapps/ContentServer?pagename=LMGroup/Views/LMG&ft=2&fid=1138356633468&ln=en)

Locking pliers (or Vise-Grips or a Mole wrench or a vice grip) are pliers that can be locked into position, using an over-center toggle action.

History[edit]

The first locking pliers, named Vise-Grips, were invented by William S. Petersen in De Witt, Nebraska in 1924.^[1]

In 1955 'Mole wrenches' were developed by Thomas Coughtrie (1917–2008), who was at that time managing director of M. K. Mole and Son.^[2] The wrenches were manufactured in Newport, Wales, just off the M4, near to the Brynglas Tunnels; travelling west on the motorway, the Mole sign was visible immediately before entering the tunnels.

Mechanism[edit]

One side of the handle of locking pliers includes a bolt that is used to adjust the spacing of the jaws, the other side of the handle (especially in larger models) often includes a lever to push the two sides of the handles apart to unlock the pliers. '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. In Ireland the tool is known as a 'vice grip'.

Locking pliers are available in many different configurations, such as needle-nose locking pliers, locking wrenches, locking clamps and various shapes to fix metal parts for welding. They also come in many sizes.

Operation[edit]

Springs For Vice Grip Pliers

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 much more force;
• Even though they can apply more force, they do so in a very controlled manner; this is because the jaws will never close beyond the set point;
• The closing point and with it the force that is applied on the gripped object can be finely controlled;
• When they are closed they remain closed on their own without any user intervention.

A typical usage would be to hold metal parts in place for welding. They are also used for holding a nut or bolt that has been 'rounded'; pulling out nails; holding pipes without squeezing them; or as temporary levers/knobs on equipment and machinery.

Mini Vice Grips Pliers

References[edit]

1. ^'Petersen Manufacturing'. Official Nebraska Government Website. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
2. ^[1]

External links[edit]

Small Vice Grip Pliers

• '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