Irwin bolt grips - Excellent!!

I was struggling with the bolt on my front knock sensor even after I took the slam panel and rad off. It was rounded and rusted, a 13mm wouldn't touch it, a 12mm spun on it, I couldn't get mole grips on it.

I ended up buying the Irwin Bolt Grips set from screwfix for 22.00.

I just used it and the bolt came out easy peasy!!! I'd definately recomend the set

 

Brilliant.
Often wondered if these would work. Usually end up hammering the next size down imperial a/f socket on. Not a lot of use for them otherwise. The imperial a/f sockets that is.

 

Thats what I normally do as well but I didn't want to hit it incase I damaged something.

I was expecting them to be crap, like most other things I buy

 

the best tools I own.... I also have the other size set, they work so well and save your bacon time and time again. Always give it a couple of taps with a hammer to get it on and then off she pops

 

Both sets here too, essential tools.

There's another thread here

 

Wish they had of worked as good on my broken wishbone bolt [:^(]

 

Can only agree with the general consensus - I have a set and whilst I don't use it that often, when I have needed them, they never fail to work. A definite 'must-have' for the tool box!

 

+1 really good when you most need them. They usually destroy whatever you try and remove with them tough.

I was most impressed when I used them to remove a sheared bleed nipple from my mates old MK2 with only about 4mm of thread for them to grip on

 

I've kept my set close to me, but touch wood haven't needed them yet

 

yknow those stupid sump bolts that are hidden behind the flywheel? well i was using a 5mm allen bit (ball end) when the ball snapped off

the irwin got in there and got the allen bolt out (ie a perfectly round bolt)

 

they are cracking tools, must have saved me at least a day of fart-ar$ing about. i've always got those and a set of draper self-grip stud removers in my tool kit.

 

Yep and the beauty of them is that allen bolt could then be re-used if needed

 

Fab bits of kit these!
Spent half of yesterday messing with 4 bolts (2 x 17mm & 2 x 8mm) my Irwins didn't fit but i remembered the add-on set,purchased today when home it too 10 mins to sort the bu**ers out with them.
Not cheap for both sets but good tools arn't,could of saved hours yesterday if i'd had them then though.

 

Been meaning to buy a set of these for ages, everyone raves about them!

 

seriously you buy them thinking you might use them once and use them loads mine have removed rear brake caliper carrier hex bolts knackered downpipe to manifold nuts front hub dust shield bolts front bumper bolts and a few other bits and bobs
and if you cant get enough leverage with a 3/4 ratchet find a socket that fits over it and get a breaker bar on it

 

I use mine with an impact gun - I smack them onto the bolt, slip an impact socket over the outside of them to stop them from shattering, and buzz the rounded nuts and bolts off. They're great bits of kit, where you have enough room to get them on the nut/bolt.

 

never dare use them with the impact gun always use the ratchet so I can feel them biting,

 

any one fancy setting up a group buy on these? I get the feeling that almost all of us want/need a set.

personally I'm a bit to tight to splash 22 upward on a set + the extra on the expansion set but if we could organise a club discount I'd definately go for it

 

Seeing as I'm not a fan of Irwin. They bought Record, and like Facom who bought Britool and Luk who bought Laycocks, they should have left good old Sheffield companies, who I've worked with or for, alone!

Anyway. Thought I'd do a web search to see if there were alternatives.

Herewith:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Irwin-Bolt-Grip-Remover-Expansion/dp/B000QW6K8I

http://www.uktools.com/locking-wheel-sockets-c-147_533.html

http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/catalog/en/index.html

http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/catalog/en/index.html

I only buy old world Britool or Beta, Carolus or Koken these days.
Just got a 1980s full Britool 1/2" drive socket set in the beautiful red steel box, unused in its cardboard packing for 120 delivered off e-bay. 250 new in 2000.

 

I'm a big fan of the irwin grips, just need to get the expansion set now also.