How to Adjust a Lock Wrench

Lock wrenches firmly secure materials between their jaws.

A lock, or locking, wrench is designed to firmly hold material such as pipes or bolts between its jaws, ensuring a strong and unmoving grip. With the jaws either straight or slightly angled, the wrench has two handles, one of which has a circular dial on its end used to adjust the tightening position of the jaws. The other handle has a lever attached to its inner side, and is used to open the wrench's jaws.

Instructions

1. Open the lock wrench's handles, and position the material between its jaws.

2. Squeeze the wrench's handles together to secure material tightly in the wrench's jaws. If the jaws are too wide apart or too close together to properly hold the material, turn the circular dial on the end of one of the handles to adjust the positioning of the jaws (turn the dial clockwise to move the jaws closer together, and counter-clockwise to move the jaws farther apart).

3. Pull the lever away from the handle it is attached to, to loosen the jaws from the material. Remove the material from between the jaws.

Tips & Warnings

• Lock wrenches are also referred to a vise grips or mole grips.

References

• Wessels Living History Farm: Vise Grip
• "Home Improvement 1-2-3"; Christopher Cavanaugh; 1995.