New application of Mole Grips

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Back in the day I always carried Mole grips /vice grips. They were the easy fix when the gear lever fell off the bike.

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by Martin Connelly on 13/07/2018 12:34:11:

This reminds me of a day in my youth when waiting at a bus stop to go to school. A bus went past with the driver wearing an open face crash helmet, goggles, scarf, heavy coat and thick gloves. He was driving a bus (a Leyland Atlantean) with absolutely no bodywork on it. This was in the late sixties or early seventies so he had no seatbelt and nothing around him to stop him from coming off the seat.

Martin C

I saw one of these once, and they were so common a sight that either Dinky or Corgi produced a 1/43 model of a bus chassis under test with weights on to simulate a body.

Nowadays it is harder to drive round with no body on a vehicle than with a body in the boot!!!

[Bryan Cedar 1Participant @bryancedar1]

I have found the only way to open some stubborn paint tin lids is to prise up the edge and grip it with a pair of moles grips and lever the lid off. Distorts the edge which has to be straightened afterward. At least I get access to the contents. Many tins are badly designed and this is the only way.

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

I seem to remember that the Vise Grip appeared in the early 1950 ,s,and I think it was American. I remember my father buying one,which I still have. I think the Mole Grip was an English make which came along later

Is this correct,or am I way off ?

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 13/07/2018 21:15:41:

**LINK**

A Brief History of Mole Grips

I think the huge demand for that link has made the donkey even more wonky than usual

Neil

[vernon stuttardParticipant @vernonstuttard64763]

Posted by duncan webster on 13/07/2018 13:34:55:

Posted by Martin Connelly on 13/07/2018 12:34:11:

This reminds me of a day in my youth when waiting at a bus stop to go to school. A bus went past with the driver wearing an open face crash helmet, goggles, scarf, heavy coat and thick gloves. He was driving a bus (a Leyland Atlantean) with absolutely no bodywork on it. This was in the late sixties or early seventies so he had no seatbelt and nothing around him to stop him from coming off the seat.

Martin C

Used to be a regular sight in the north west. Chassis made by Leyland in preston then delivered all over the country for coachbuilders to ply their trade. Probably less unsafe than riding a motorcycle, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea

Apprentices would sit on the bare chassis at the side of the driver when on road test, until one was killed close to the Spurrier factory Leyland

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 14/07/2018 20:45:51:

I think the huge demand for that link has made the donkey even more wonky than usual

.

Looks that way, Neil

It certainly worked when I posted it

MichaelG.

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Try this one instead **LINK**

This guy is a true nerd, more power to his elbow 😁

I distinctly remember seeing the sign by the M4 in Wales. Is it still there?

Rod

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

That's an impressive link, Rod

Thanks

MichaelG.

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

A really interesting history. Thanks Rod.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Mole is a family name around the Black Country.

As a teenager, visiting distant relatives near Wolverhampton, I was told that a local boy had invented a new sort of pliers.

Soon afterwards, Mole grips came on the market.

Maybe coincidence.

Howard

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

I thought mole was a nickname for someone with poor eyesight😀

Mike

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Roderick Jenkins on 14/07/2018 21:44:26:

Try this one instead **LINK**

This guy is a true nerd, more power to his elbow 😁

I distinctly remember seeing the sign by the M4 in Wales. Is it still there?

Rod

Alas no, disappeared a few years ago.

[Author]

Posts