What are the parts of mole grips?

2nd March 2020


	What are the parts of Mole grips?


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			Handles of Mole grips
			The handles are used to operate the jaws of the tool. The upper handle is often called the ‘fixed handle’ as it doesn’t move. On some Mole grips/locking pliers, the handle extends into the upper jaw as a single piece of metal.

			The lower handle is moveable and provides the pressure needed to grasp and hold an object. The handles are joined together by the link bar, spring and pivots (see below).

			Jaws of Mole grips
			The jaws of Mole grips/locking pliers are used to grip and hold an object securely. Jaws of different sizes and shapes are able to grab and hold different sizes and shapes of objects. (See: What Mole grips sizes are available? and What are the different types of Mole grips?).

			Teeth Some Mole grips/locking pliers have teeth cut or moulded into the surface of the jaws to provide an even more secure grip.

			Adjustment screw of Mole grips
			The adjustment screw, also known as the adjustment knob or nut, is situated at the end of the upper handle of Mole grips/locking pliers and is used to adjust the width of the jaws so that they can clasp and hold objects of different thicknesses. The adjustment screw is usually knurled (cross-hatched or rough around the outside) to allow for easy gripping and handling.

			Some Mole grips/locking pliers have a socket in the end of the adjustment screw that can be turned with a hex key (Allen key) to increase the pressure of the handles even more.

			Tension screw Some automatic locking pliers/Mole grips have a tension screw between the handles of the grips/pliers, instead of an adjustment screw. (See: What are the different types of Mole grips?)

			Release lever of Mole grips
			The release lever of Mole grips/locking pliers is a thin piece of metal that sits underneath the lower handle, and provides the quick release action of the handles and therefore jaws. (See: How do Mole grips work?) The lower handle provides protection against accidental release of the release lever.

			Some users report that they have been pinched when operating the release lever and lower handle of most Mole grips/locking pliers. To prevent this, some Mole grips/locking pliers have a release lever which extends beyond the end of the lower handle slightly to provide an easier opening action. This type of release lever is often known as ‘non-pinching’.

			Spring of Mole grips
			The spring of Mole grips/locking pliers is placed inside the upper handle of locking pliers and helps to keep the tension between the handles. It is stretched or compressed by the action of opening and closing the handles.

			Link bar of Mole grips
			The link bar is placed between the handles of Mole grips/locking pliers and connects them so that when the Mole grips/locking pliers are opened and closed, both handles move smoothly.

			Pivots of Mole grips
			Mole grips/locking pliers have multiple pivot points which may include: fixed jaw, jaw adjustment arm, locking lever and lock release lever pivots. Mole grips/locking pliers use pivot points to expand and contract the jaw in direct proportion to the amount of force applied to the handles.

			Additional features
			Wire cutter Some Mole grips/locking pliers have a built-in wire cutter on the jaws which will cut wire as well as screws and bolts of up to 6mm (.25 inches) in diameter using small bites. You can usually find curved jaw and needle nose wire cutter locking pliers.