locking shifter

I could see that being useful for clamping thin and sheet materials together for welding and possibly for small scale bending
 
For welding....



040212840.jpg
 
Phil, i have several of the welding ones in differing styles - would not be without them for thin sheet work.

I take it no one has actually used the ones in my link?
 
Looks just like mole grips with the adjusting screw at the front rather than the rear. Expensive 'development'.

Regards
Donald
 
They look like mole grips with a different method of adjusting the jaw width. So presumable are no more useful than mole grips but a lot more expensive. It just looks like a design change for change sake without any real advantage. ......

They are totally different to mole grips. They adjust like an adjustable spanner, using the lead screw, the jaws stay parallel to the flats on the nut/bolt but once adjusted, the mole grips mechanism clamp tightly not the nut/bolt.

We like this a great deal. Some splendid chap at Stanley has had the brilliant idea of combining the wide range of adjustment of an adjustable, with the firm gripping power of a mole wrench. Tighten the jaws in the normal manner, then squeeze the handles together, this tightens the movable jaw and grips the nut or bolt firmly. Capacity up to 32mm or 1.1/4"AF.

I have not used them, so don't know if they are any good, but I think this is could be a great idea, especially in applications where it is awkward to hole the adjustable, or if the flats are not in the best of condition but a firm clamp would be sufficient.
 
The problem is that, like mole grips, it is a sizable tool and thus it is generally awkward to use in any confined space, making the traditional sized spanners more likely to do the job. They are, however, strong with a large surface in contact with the nut and can therefore be used with some force, which may be a reason why they get used to damage nuts.
They are totally different to mole grips. They adjust like an adjustable spanner, using the lead screw, the jaws stay parallel to the flats on the nut/bolt but once adjusted, the mole grips mechanism clamp tightly not the nut/bolt.



I have not used them, so don't know if they are any good, but I think this is could be a great idea, especially in applications where it is awkward to hole the adjustable, or if the flats are not in the best of condition but a firm clamp would be sufficient.
 
Yes, have had a pair for several years. They have limited use due to the size of them. Fine if you have plenty of manoevre room but otherwise I rely on correctly sized ratchet ring spanners which will fit into much smaller areas.
 
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