Many of us who used the original Petersen 'Vise-Grip' brand of pliers were genuinely, sad to see them sold-out to Irwin, and moved-to China. Malco Tools bought the original factory in Dewitt, Nebraska and hired many of the old-hands back, to re-introduce this classic tool. Now called the 'Eagle Grip' pliers. The Irwin's are junk compared to these new-versions. There's nothing quite-like a 'classic'. I was on their email, and survey list.




On Monday April 19th we will be introducing the Eagle Grip Locking Pliers! We're proud to say these are the strongest locking pliers* ever made. They're produced from American-made steel and built to conquer the toughest projects. As an American manufacturer, Malco has always been committed to quality, and our Eagle Grip Locking Pliers will be no different! We cannot wait for you to get your hands on the finished product.

*Verified by 3rd party testing of the LP10WC (curved jaw locking pliers with wire cutter) vs. leading traditional locking plier






Keeping Jobs in America with Eagle Grip®



Although manufacturing is critically important to our national economy, several companies throughout the years have completely outsourced their operations overseas to save on product and labor costs, despite the repercussions. Malco thinks differently. For decades, Malco has been manufacturing quality tools of the trade at our Annandale, MN headquarters. As an employee-owned Specific Benefit Corporation (SBC), we value strengthening our communities and economy by keeping jobs in America. When an opportunity arose to expand our manufacturing operations for Eagle Grip locking tools in the heartland of Nebraska, we knew that it was meant to be.


Expanding Operations to DeWitt to Keep Jobs in America

In 2017, Malco purchased the former Vise-Grip® factory in DeWitt, Nebraska, with assistance from the Village of DeWitt Board of Trustees and the state of Nebraska. In 2018, we celebrated the grand opening of our new production facility. It has been over 10 years since the Vise-Grip factory in DeWitt was closed and operations were moved to China, so Malco is proud to be the company that brought back tool manufacturing jobs to the Village of DeWitt, Nebraska. “We are acting our values, providing good jobs for American workers, and supporting tool manufacturing in the United States,” said Malco Director of Sales and Marketing Eric Peterson.

“The iconic Vise-Grip was created in DeWitt nearly 95 years ago in 1924, meaning the closure of the plant in 2008 was so much more than a loss of jobs for this community,” said Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts. “Opening this plant brings great opportunities back to DeWitt and helps build on the community’s legacy of building things and making things.”

To gain some perspective on how the decision to close down the plant affected the community, let’s highlight some insights from former Vise-Grip employees and local residents. “My grandparents worked here. My mother and father worked here. My aunt and uncle worked here. My kids worked here. My wife worked here. We all lived in the same block, on the same corner. We all worked at the factory,” noted Randy Badman, a former 36-year Vise-Grip employee. When asked about how he felt when he was let go, Randy said, “You go through all the emotions: anger, depressed (what did I do wrong), and self-doubt.”

“It was pretty hectic. We were all still trying to get product out the door that they wanted. Everybody was working overtime. We really busted it to get it all done. I think we were all hoping that they would change their minds, but they didn’t,” said Dave Harms, a former 29-year Vise-Grip employee and the current Malco process specialist.

Nancy McDougall, a former 21-year Vise-Grip employee, noted, “The last days working at Vise-Grip was almost like going to a funeral. Every day, people were literally crying and hugging. You didn’t want to say goodbye to anyone because they’re like your family.”

Everything changed when Malco decided to expand operations to DeWitt. The cozy, small-town community was now beaming with optimism. Malco Plant Manager Lucas Runke said, “There is new energy and hope in the DeWitt community by having Malco supporting the local business and bringing more jobs into the town.”

“I was like an overjoyed little kid to hear that there was a company that was family-oriented that wanted to come to our town,” noted Nancy McDougall.

Meryl Zimmerman, a lifelong DeWitt resident, stated, “We’re so happy to have another company coming in. I think it’s going to be the best thing that’s happened to DeWitt in ages.”

View the entire DeWitt story video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...G0c&feature=youtu.be

We are pleased to announce that many of the current employees of the Eagle Grip facility are former employees of the Vise-Grip plant. They bring valuable skills and experience uniquely suited to our industry and product offerings. Now and moving forward, keeping jobs in America is one of our top priorities. Since we began operations, we’ve been working diligently to ensure that we provide trade professionals with the highest quality and strongest locking tools on the market. In 2021, we will be releasing the entire Eagle Grip line of locking pliers, seamers, and clamps for our customers. Stay tuned for updates on the official product launches!

Thanks for posting this, I'll be purchasing some!

Good old Vise Grips--the tool that rounded the heads off a billion bolts!

quote:

Originally posted by bigwagon:
Good old Vise Grips--the tool that rounded the heads off a billion bolts!

I have never seen a Vise-Grips round the head off a bolt, but I’ve seen plenty of people do it though. Like any tool, they have their place.

I’m glad to have another source of American made tools.

quote:

Originally posted by bigwagon:
Good old Vise Grips--the tool that rounded the heads off a billion bolts!

If you ever watch AvE (sarcastic Canadian amateur machinist and tool lover) on YouTube, he generally calls crescent wrenches (the adjustable jaw ones) "nut fuckers," or sometimes "Swedish nut lathes."

I find Vise Grips VERY useful for that really stuck thing you just have to get off, but you don't care how much you screw it up because it's already screwed up and you're going to throw it away and replace it.

For any-size-wrenches, the Knipex Pliers Wrench works amazingly well and will not round or even really mar nuts and bolts.

I got a little excited as I thought your title said Maico. Maker of a a few great bikes from the 80's and 90's.

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co...%20Sand%20Spider.htm

Oh well.

Im in for a couple pair the first time I see them. That story reminds me of when my Mothers company was closing, moving to mexico. The last day, she never came home untill 9 at night. She had been out looking for a new job. The lady has never stopped working to retire.

I'm a big believer in vise grips; lots of copies out there, but none nearly as good. Glad to hear that they're rising from the ash, because while there are a number of locking adjustable pliers, none are vise grips.

Vise grips, nee eagle grips now, aren't just for grabbing bolts. I use them for a shit-ton of projects and when something needs to be held together, or locked in place, or weight put at the end of a wire, or thousands of other uses, they're perfect.

In fact, as a rule, I don't grab bolts with them...because they damage bolts in many cases. But I do use them for a lot of other things, including clamping soft metal, when used with something to protect the metal.

I'd like to see a smooth jaw version.

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
...

I'd like to see a smooth jaw version.

For sure!

I'm a Channel Lock tongue and groove fanboy with most sizes, probably one of my most used tools. The smooth jaw plier is essential.

They aren't made in the US, but they're at least from Spain, rather than China - Grip-On makes a variety of Vise-Grip style pliers, including some with pivoting smooth jaws, axial versions with smooth jaws, and some designed specifically for working with sheet metal.

https://www.grip-on.com/

Malco makes some great tools.
They have been upping their game here lately.

Their nutdriver bits are a big hit. Two sizes in one, with easy cleaning. Remove that stubborn metal chip when driving self-tappers.

C-RHEX® Cleanable, Reversible Magnetic Hex Drivers (1/4″ and 5/16″) or (5/16 and 3/8).
https://www.malcoproducts.com/...agnetic-hex-drivers/

quote:

Originally posted by maladat:
They aren't made in the US, but they're at least from Spain, rather than China - Grip-On makes a variety of Vise-Grip style pliers, including some with pivoting smooth jaws, axial versions with smooth jaws, and some designed specifically for working with sheet metal.

https://www.grip-on.com/

I was about to post these, Grip-On pliers are absolutely fantastic. Made in the gun-producing region of Spain, a stone’s throw from Bergara actually.

I had a needle nose set of vise grips several years ago and loaned it out to someone who never returned them. I hope they come out with a set of these and I’ll be happy to buy them from Malco.
Please let us know when they start releasing them.

My first consignment of Malco Eagle Grips landed today. My initial impression is: wow!! These pliers are top-drawer, all-the-way. The fit-and-finish is impeccable. Just hefting-these; the quality is apparent. As good as, the 'original' vise-grips were, these are even better, finish-wise. Every detail has been attended to, from the rivets, to the knurling on the adjustment knob: now oversized, and hardened. Here are the pics I promised, you be the judge. I have a 10" pair enroute with straight-jaws. In my opinion, you will not find a better-made American tool. The eagle has landed! Three cheers for Malco!!!

I've still got mine and my Dad's Vice Grips, I bet some are near 50 years old. They are just right for 'that situation'

My wife thinks a complete tool kit is a vise grip, a small tack hammer, and a maybe a screwdriver, although a knife can be a screwdriver in a pinch.

I have also heard a vise grips called a Mexican socket set, with all apologies to the many Mexicans who know how to use tools properly.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
My wife thinks a complete tool kit is a vise grip, a small tack hammer, and a maybe a screwdriver, although a knife can be a screwdriver in a pinch.

Your wife is mostly correct. Throw in a roll of duct tape. Then it's a complete kit.

I am glad that they’re manufactured in DeWitt; that’s great.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
....... although a knife can be a screwdriver in a pinch.

Dear God. Please never say that.