Hydraulically-actuated locking pliers
 

I got a tool idea after all four of the locking pliers out of my Snap-On locking pliers set kept slipping off a 1/4" stud because the jaws and teeth on my Snap-On locking pliers are worthless and so I had to exhaust myself using a pair of $4 adjustable jaw pliers. (Notice how good I am at avoiding genericized trademarks when I choose to be.)


So has anybody ever seen a pair of locking pliers that you can "pump up" somehow, to get them to grip tighter than you could get them with your hand strength otherwise? Like a pair of Vice Grips with a miniature hydraulic press in them, so they could really clamp down on something.


I think they'd be handy.

sometimes they would come in handy, but they would probably be pretty bulky

Yes, they're called hydraulic crimpers and lineman use them all the time...of course they will probably just smash whatever you're grabbing, but one could in theory engineer something smaller to hook up to a porta power.

There's your billion dollar idea. :yeah:

Or...just buy Irwin Vice Grips and be done. They have a lifetime warranty, too. :pca1: