August 3, 2010

Irwin GrooveLock Pliers

Irwin has just released two new jaw designs in their GrooveLock series. Prior to this, there was only the v-jaws version available (pictured, left). The new designs (straight jaws and smooth jaws) are alterations with the 'teeth' of the tool and nothing else.

So it all comes down to what it is you're going to be clamping. If it's regular old nuts, stick with the v-jaw. If it's something a little more delicate, something you can't mar, then look into the smooth jaws. If you're grabbing at an item with parallel edges, the straight jaws are the ticket.

There's actually more to these tools than the new variety to the business end. With the initial release of the v-jaws a couple years back, Irwin's GrooveLock system bypassed the normal adjustment aggravation associated with standard tongue and groove pliers and made a system where you just press a button and slide the jaw where you want it and lock it in place. According to Irwin, this process is twice as fast as the traditional method.

The new designs aren't at Amazon yet, but the v-jaws are here.