OX TOOLS PRO MOLE GRIPS
OX Pro mole grips lock on hard and stay put for gripping rounded fixings, clamping awkward bits, and holding work when you need both hands free.
When a nut is rounded, a bracket will not stay still, or you need a temporary clamp that will not slip, this is the kit you reach for. OX Pro locking pliers are proper site-ready grips with the bite for seized fasteners, sheet metal, pipework and quick hold-and-fix jobs. If you already carry OX Pro individual pliers, these are the next step up when finger strength is not enough. Pick the jaw shape and size to suit the work, then get a pair that earns its space in the pouch.
What Are OX Pro Mole Grips Used For?
- Holding rounded nuts, damaged bolt heads, and stubborn fixings when standard spanners or pliers just keep slipping off.
- Clamping sheet material, brackets, trims, and light steel sections in place while you drill, weld, cut, or tack them up.
- Gripping pipework, rods, and awkward fittings during strip-out or repair work where you need one hand free to work a second tool.
- Pinching components together on first fit and maintenance jobs when a quick temporary hold is faster than fetching full clamps.
- Keeping repair work steady on the bench or out on site, especially where space is tight and a fixed jaw tool will not get in properly.
Choosing the Right OX Pro Mole Grips
Match the jaw shape and size to the job, not just whatever fits cheapest in the van.
1. Curved Jaw for General Grip
If you are dealing with rounded fixings, pipe, and general repair work, start with curved jaw ox pro grip pliers. They bite better on awkward shapes and are usually the most useful all-rounder on site.
2. Straight Jaw for Flat Material
If you are clamping flat bar, sheet, brackets, or trim, go for a straighter jaw profile. It gives a more even hold across flat faces and keeps parts lined up better before fixing or drilling.
3. Size Matters More Than Most Think
Do not buy a small pair if you are regularly tackling bigger fittings or stubborn fasteners. Smaller grips are handy in tight spots, but for seized work you need longer handles and a wider jaw opening to get proper leverage.
4. Set the Tension Properly
Even the best ox pro self locking pliers are useless if they are adjusted badly. Too loose and they slip. Too tight and you chew the work up or struggle to release them. Set them so they lock firmly with a solid squeeze, not a full bodyweight wrestle.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Plumbers and heating engineers use OX Pro mole grips for holding pipe, gripping rounded compression fittings, and locking onto seized valves during repair work.
- Fabricators, fitters, and steel erectors keep ox pro locking pliers close for clamping brackets and sections before drilling, bolting, or welding them off.
- Mechanics, plant fitters, and maintenance teams swear by them for stripped fasteners and awkward repairs where an extra locked-on grip saves time.
- Sparkies and general builders use them for quick holding jobs, especially when fixing tray, trunking, or brackets and needing one hand free to finish the task.
- Joiners and site fixers often carry them alongside OX Pro tool pouches because they are handy when a workpiece needs pinning in place without setting up larger kit.
Useful Extras to Back Up Your OX Pro Mole Grips
A locked grip is only half the job. The right backup kit saves repeat trips to the van and makes awkward fixing work quicker.
1. OX Pro plier sets
When mole grips are doing the holding, you still need cutters, combination pliers, or long nose pliers to finish the job. A set keeps the rest of the basics together instead of borrowing tools across site.
2. OX Pro clamps
Mole grips are brilliant for quick holds, but for larger panels, timber, or glue-up work, proper clamps give you more reach and pressure without marking the work as badly.
3. OX Pro wrenches
If the fixing is half rounded but not completely gone, a wrench often finishes the job cleaner after the grips have cracked it loose. It saves chewing up threads when you are trying to salvage fittings.
Choose the Right OX Pro Mole Grips for the Job
Use this quick guide to sort the right grip for the work in front of you.
| Your Job | OX Pro Mole Grips Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| General repair work and seized fixings | Curved jaw locking pliers | Better bite on rounded nuts, pipe, and awkward shapes with solid all-round use. |
| Clamping flat bar, brackets, and sheet | Straight jaw locking pliers | Flatter contact area keeps materials lined up for drilling, fixing, or tack welding. |
| Tight spaces behind pipework or inside plant | Smaller size mole grips | Easier access, lighter in the pouch, and less faff where larger grips will not fit. |
| Heavy seized fittings and stubborn fasteners | Larger size mole grips | More leverage, wider jaw capacity, and a stronger hold when lighter grips keep slipping. |
| Mixed snagging, maintenance, and van stock | Multi-size selection | Covers small precise holds and bigger rougher work without forcing one tool to do everything. |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying one small pair for every job is a false economy. They are fine for tight access, but they will struggle on larger fittings and you will end up slipping, rounding more metal, or hurting your hand.
- Using mole grips as a substitute for every spanner or wrench chews up good fixings. Use them for damaged, stubborn, or holding jobs, then swap to the proper tool once the fixing is moving.
- Setting the adjustment screw too loose means the jaws will not lock properly and can jump off under load. Set them so they clamp firmly before you lean into the job.
- Overtightening onto delicate materials can crush pipe, mark finished surfaces, or deform thinner steel. If the work needs protecting, pad the jaws or use a different holding method.
- Leaving them wet and full of site grime shortens their life. Clean the jaws, oil the pivot, and keep the release working freely or they soon become stiff and awkward.
Mole Grips vs Pliers vs Clamps
OX Pro Mole Grips
Best when you need a tool to lock on and stay there. Ideal for seized fixings, temporary clamping, and awkward holding jobs where both hands are needed elsewhere. They are not the cleanest choice for finished surfaces, but they are hard to beat for grip.
Standard Pliers
Better for fast in-hand work, cutting, twisting, and general gripping where you do not need a locked jaw. They are quicker to use, but they do not offer the same bite or hands-free hold as ox pro vice grips.
Clamps
The right call for bigger assemblies, timber, panels, or glue work where even pressure matters more than raw bite. Slower to set up, but far better than forcing mole grips into jobs that need reach and broad clamping faces.
Maintenance and Care
Clean the Jaws After Dirty Work
Wipe off filings, plaster dust, oil, and rust flakes after use. Dirty jaw teeth lose bite faster and make the tool more likely to slip on the next stubborn fixing.
Oil the Pivot and Screw
A drop of light oil on the pivot, release lever, and adjustment screw keeps the action smooth. If the release starts sticking, sort it early before it turns into a two-handed fight.
Store Them Dry
Do not leave them rolling around wet in the van floor or bottom of a bucket. Dry storage helps stop surface rust and keeps the locking action working properly.
Check Jaw Wear and Alignment
If the teeth are badly rounded or the jaws no longer meet properly, grip drops off fast. At that point, replace them rather than fighting a tool that will not hold.
Do Not Abuse the Release
If they are jammed on because you overtightened them, do not belt the release with another tool. Back off the screw, free them properly, and save the mechanism from damage.
Why Shop for OX Pro Mole Grips at ITS?
Whether you need a compact pair for tight maintenance work or larger OX Pro locking pliers for stubborn site fixings, we stock the full range in one place. That means the sizes, jaw styles, and matching OX hand tools you actually need are in our own warehouse, picked and ready for next day delivery.
OX Pro Mole Grips FAQs
What are mole grips used for?
Mole grips are used for locking onto nuts, bolts, pipe, sheet material, and awkward parts so they stay gripped without constant hand pressure. On site they are handy for seized fixings, temporary clamping, holding parts while drilling, and any job where you need both hands free once the tool is locked on.
What is the difference between mole grips and pliers?
The main difference is that mole grips lock in place, while standard pliers only grip while your hand is squeezing them. That makes mole grips better for stubborn fixings and holding work steady, while ordinary pliers are quicker for general gripping, bending, and cutting jobs.
Are OX Pro mole grips any good?
Yes, for trade use they are a solid choice. OX Pro mole grips are built for regular site abuse, with the sort of jaw bite and locking action you want for damaged fixings, clamp-up work, and general van duty. They are not magic if you pick the wrong size, but chosen properly they do the hard jobs well.
How do you use locking pliers?
Open the jaws, wind the adjustment screw until the size is close, then place the jaws over the work and squeeze the handles until they lock. You want a firm clamp, not a ridiculous amount of force. To release them, use the release lever and back off the screw if needed. Get the tension right and they hold properly without slipping.
What size mole grips do I need?
It depends on the material and access. Smaller grips suit tight areas, lighter fittings, and precise bench work. Medium sizes cover most day-to-day repair and installation jobs. Larger pairs are better for seized bolts, pipe, and heavier clamping where you need more jaw opening and leverage. If you do mixed work, owning more than one size is the sensible answer.
Will these mark the material?
Yes, they can if you clamp straight onto finished metal, chrome, or softer materials. That is the trade-off for the extra bite. If the surface matters, pad the jaws, reduce the tension, or use a clamp better suited to finished work.
Are mole grips a replacement for a proper wrench set?
No. They are brilliant for damaged or seized fixings and for holding work, but they are not the first choice for clean fastening. If the nut or bolt is still in decent shape, use the correct spanner or socket first and save the grips for when the job has gone rough.
What else should I carry with mole grips for repair jobs?
A lot of trades back them up with OX Pro plier sets for cutting and lighter grip work. If you are doing flat material or assembly jobs as well, OX Pro clamps are worth having because they apply pressure more evenly over larger pieces.
