Locking Pliers

Locking Pliers — Vise-Grip Style Locking Wrenches

Locking pliers (Vise-Grip or mole grips) grip a workpiece and lock in position — providing a hands-free clamp, a turning tool for damaged fasteners, or a third-hand for welding and fabrication. AIMS Industrial stocks locking pliers from Irwin — the original Vise-Grip manufacturer — in curved jaw, straight jaw, long-nose, and C-clamp configurations.

Locking Pliers We Stock

• Irwin Vise-Grip Curved-Jaw Locking Pliers: Irwin Vise-Grip curved-jaw locking pliers for gripping pipe, round stock, and irregular shapes. The curved jaw profile provides three contact points for a secure grip without slipping — the standard locking plier configuration for maintenance and fabrication.
• Straight-Jaw Locking Pliers: Irwin straight-jaw Vise-Grip locking pliers for flat stock, sheet metal, and square or hexagonal fasteners. Straight jaws provide flat, parallel contact for better grip on flat surfaces compared to curved-jaw models.
• Long-Nose Locking Pliers: Long-nose (needle-nose) Vise-Grip locking pliers for reaching fasteners, wire, and components in confined areas where standard-width curved jaws cannot access. Available with and without wire cutter.
• C-Clamp Locking Pliers: C-clamp Vise-Grip tools function as a locking c-clamp for welding setup, fabrication clamping, and holding workpieces in position. The locking mechanism maintains clamping force without continuous hand pressure — freeing both hands for welding or assembly.

Locking Plier Selection & Use

• Jaw Opening Adjustment: Locking pliers have an adjusting screw that sets the closed jaw gap — calibrate to the workpiece before locking. The correct adjustment provides maximum jaw contact on the workpiece; too loose creates a rocking, insecure grip.
• Release Mechanism: Irwin Vise-Grip pliers use a thumb-lever release that disengages the locking mechanism safely without prying the jaws open. Always use the release lever rather than hammering jaws open — forced opening can damage the locking adjustment.
• Damage to Fasteners: Locking pliers are a last-resort tool for damaged or stripped fasteners — the serrated jaws will mar polished or soft fastener surfaces. Use appropriate wrenches and sockets for undamaged fasteners to avoid creating future fastener removal problems.
• Welding Use: Irwin Vise-Grip C-clamps and curved-jaw pliers are widely used as welding clamps — holding joints in position during tack welding. Ensure the locking pliers are removed or protected from weld spatter to maintain the adjusting mechanism.

Australian Business, Local Supply: As a proudly Australian business since 1988, we stock locally and work with trusted local Australian manufacturers and distributors to ensure fast, reliable supply.

Expert Support: Need help buying the right product for your application? Contact our team for application-specific advice or request a quote.

See our full hand tools range including needle-nose pliers, slip-joint pliers, and side-cutting pliers.