Can one buy pliers with parallel jaws that lock like mol

Parallel clamping in my workshop is done in a normal vice, or if larger than that will accommodate then with plenty of g clamps / sash clamps and flat bars.

You could remove the spring from the Maun pliers and add an elastic band or similar. Depends on how much force you need.
Kant twist clamps are another option

Dave

What are you intending to use this tool for?

I have a pair of these truly parallel closing pliers which as I previously said, increase the jaw pressure ten fold from how hard the handles are squeezed, I use them for straightening sheet metal edges, holding things, squeezing things together, they're basically a hand held press.

Google image

Those look quite tidy, Pete

... is there much slop on the moving jaw ?

MichaelG.

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Ref. https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump-pliers/pliers-wrenches-pliers-and-a-wrench-in-a-single-tool/pliers-wrenchespliers-and-wrench-single-tool/8603125

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 06/05/2021 23:17:10

Michael, there's no excessive slop imo, as soon as you put pressure on the Jaws there's no movement, I'm not sure how to embed youtube videos on here, but these have been reviewed a lot, I'd highly recommend taking a look at a video to get a better idea.

Thanks, Pete

I’ve just watched a short video on the RS-components website, and am suitably impressed.

MichaelG.

Michael, they are incredibly useful, wouldn't want to be without them now I've owned them.

If you ever consider buying any, the 180mm size are probably the best all round, the bigger sizes are a bit less natural to manipulate the size adjust.

The updated 180mm size in black finish also have the ability to fit removable plastic Jaws, useful for chrome bathroom fittings etc.

@Dave S - No, I want to clamp things pretty hard. Hard enough to work on.

@Pete -

Yes, those Knipex "Plier Wrench" things do look extremely useful. If you push them to the limit, what breaks first? Are they as strong as an conventional adjustable spanner?

Are the steps roughly the right size? i.e. If your nut is an odd size do you ever find that the handles are either too widely or too narrowly spaced?

However for me I want something that will robustly clamp onto a part when I release my hands.
i.e. Sometimes it's about stopping a hidden nut from turning at the other end of a bolt you are turning. And at other times it's about literally using the the tool as a precision vice to hold a part (using a larger vice to hold the base).

That's two completely different jobs, requiring completely different tools. Trying to do both with one will inevitably lead to compromises that make it less than ideal for either. No wonder the tool you are looking for "has not been invented yet".

For your first scenario, if you absolutely can't use a proper spanner, and can't bring yourself to use Mole Grips AKA Vice Grips in a pinch, you need a locking wrench like below. Combines a shifting spanner with a Mole Grip locking handle mechanism. The jaw stays parallel (withing the necessary working clearances of a shifting spanner jaw) and it clamps on tight.The Vice Grip action acts on the adjusting screw, not the jaw directly.

Then for your second scenario, holding small parts firm while work is performed on them, perhaps while itself being held in a larger bench vice etc, the correct tool is a toolmaker's clamp. They come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, some with one leg extended longer to clamp in a bench vice, others with one screw only so access to the other side is open.

You are wasting your time searching for a magical unicorn tool that will do both these functions well. Use the right tool for the right job. Obviously the locking wrench could be used to hold small parts but the tapered handle profile will not clamp well in a vice. And the toolmaker's clamp could be clamped on to a nut but needs more access space than the proper spanner for the job.

Personally, I use long-nosed Vice Grips to gently hold a nut to get it started on an obscured bolt behind something else etc where fingers won't fit, then once its on the thread, the proper spanner takes over. Where Vice Grips will fit, a spanner will too. And I still have the toolmakers clamps, including a larger flatter one with one long leg, I made as an apprentice. I don't use them that often, but when you need them they are gold. Buy a set of two each of two, four and six inch models. They are also very handy for holding small parts on the drill press. 

Edited By Hopper on 07/05/2021 05:31:44

Edited By Hopper on 07/05/2021 05:34:31

If the knurled screw sticking out is going to get in your way just change it for amodified cap or button head screw and use an Allen key to tighten or simply saw it off short and saw a screwdriver slot across the end. Plain guide pin could also be shortened if you are only going to want to hold small items then the full opening range is not needed

It might be worth mentioning that 'Vise-Grip' make a specific locking wrench for gripping nuts and bolt heads, see here...https://www.irwin.com/tools/locking-tools/the-original-locking-wrenches

Hi, those vice grips that have those swivel pads will hold parallel items and even tapered ones and they can be gripped in a vice, OK, the jaws stick out a bit each side, but with most things with an advantage, there's usually a disadvantage, but the two in the photo below are only budget ones but hold extremely well, got them from one of the traders at Ally Pally exhibition several years ago.

Regards Nick.

I assumed that what was meant is this sort of parallel jaw pliers, which have been around for donkey's years. these are available from Cookson Gold:

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Yes, Neil ...

But John wants a locking version

... See the opening post.

MichaelG.

How about Cleco grips

https://eumro.co.uk/cleco-side-grip-clamps-from-omega-technologies.aspx

with pliers

https://eumro.co.uk/other-fastening-systems-and-accessories.aspx

other bits including 55 lb force ones

https://eumro.co.uk/cleco-fasteners-skin-pins.aspx

Robert G8RPI

@Hopper - I'm going to ignore your comments that in your opinion the two completely different jobs, MUST require completely different tools.

At first blush it looks like that Stanley tool could be the holy grail!
Unforunately the build quality is not great and it seems that it is quite easy to destroy them.

Other makes seem to be available, e.g.:
- "Craftsman Extreme Grip 10" Adjustable Wrench" RRP £98.00(!)
https://www.homeloft.uk/products/craftsman-extreme-grip-10-adjustable-wrench

Makita B-65470 Locking Adjustable Wrench
https://www.amazon.co.uk/B-65470-Locking-Adjustable-Wrench-250mm/dp/B085DZWPL7

They all look pretty similar. It looks like they are being made under license. I am tempted to buy one but the design does look rather weak to me. It would be interesting to know what fails first under load... but I'll have a think.

I have already told you why the Toolmaker's Clamp is not acceptable.
Likewise long-nosed Vice Grips are a cludge, that do not have genuinely parallel side and so they will potentially damage any part with that does have parallel sides.

@JasonB - Interesting thought but no, I think something like a Mole or Vice Grips will be much more convenient.

@Nicholas Farr - Like I say swivel pads aren't good for small parts.

@MichaelG - thanks!

@Robert Atkinson 2
- Cleco grips are quite clever but ultimately they only grip with the force of a spring, rather than having a clamping action that locks.

Facom made a truly parallel tool in the 1970s. Like a Mole Grip with a lever to release, but the moving jaw slid along the tail end holding the fixed jaw. Nice design, I'm still using mine.

If anyone is interested I will try to send a photo, with model number details.

Cheers, Tim

Hi John, well I suppose it all depends on how small and exactly what you wish to do. I just wanted to take a photo of these three pieces below, but I could have used this set-up if I wanted to soft solder the brass piece to the 10 x 5 x 0.101mm piece of steel.

Regards Nick.

My apologies for wasting your time. Don't worry, it won't happen again.

I can report that the comments about the Stanley tool are unfounded. I have had and used one of these for some years now and can’t imagine that they would “be quite easy to destroy”. I think to do so would require a level of clumsyness that I find difficult to imagine exists among this group.

Build quality is in the eye of the beholder, try one they really do work.

no one ever said life was easy !