My wife bought me one several years back. I thanked her and threw it in with my tools thinking it was junk and I would never use it. Well, several weeks ago I needed to remove a square head plug on a mower engine and nothing I had would fit to take it off. Found the gator grip socket and it worked perfectly. It won't replace a whole socket set but it's great to have for oddball stuff.
Yeah, it feels like one of those "weird object saves the day" stories that might happen once a decade. For $10, eh why not. I wouldn't spend much more for that sort of thing
@Crappie Chancellor Depends on what kind of access you have to the odd ball bolt, hell a pair of pliers would have worked too but if the access to the bolt is limited then a socket may have been the only option. the OP wasn't making the argument that it was the best tool ever or that it replaced anything. For $10 it has its uses.
This saved me a trip to the store once after sitting in my tool box for years unused. It's good for low torque bolts if you cant find a socket or something. For big jobs, just use a standard socket
Agreed - it's useful for low torque applications. I used it around the house to put hooks in the ceiling to hang things. It once saved my butt and did remove a damaged screw for me .As soon as you need that extra oomph you are better off using the right socket for the job. For sure it is not a replacement for dedicated size sockets - but here and there it is a nice addition.
I know there are kind of goofy, but I do carry one in my motorcycle toolkit. I think it would be a better tool if the pins had a hexagonal profile instead of circular.
That's what I was thinking as well, using a wire EDM machine I could cut the pins to be a specific diameter and that way it'll always be a perfect fit everytime
Ones with hex pins do (did?) exist I used to have a very specific and niche use for them in a previous job but we did have to replace them fairly regularly.
I've had limited success with this tool. It's useful occasionally for jacked up bolts and things like ceiling hooks (as seen on tv!). But they are definitely not a do-it-all replacement tool by any stretch of the imagination.
I've got one of these, it's defo great for hooks and things you can't usually use with a impact driver...and you have a little bit of sympathy for the thing you're attaching, but I have you know, socket attachments for the impact driver as well, so why wouldn't I use the right one!
I've had mine for over five years and use it weekly. If you actually know how to use your tools it should be usable over and over just like a socket is. You guys are dumb.
@@ObscuriaDragunAed And it also toasts the bolt you are using it on. OK in an emergency situation, but nothing I would want to do to my bolts when I'm trying to fix stuff.
@@martinweizenacker7129 Agreed, I wouldn't have used it on the aircraft if the bolt I used it to extract was still good. But, thats why I carried one for emergency situations, definitely wouldn't use it for everyday usage, but, like easy outs, it's good to have in a "just in case" situation. However, in the future, I could see something like it with better materials, and maybe suspended with neodymium magnets in place of springs, being a new standard for tools, but, that's far off and would only be feasible if conventional fasteners are still in play in that hypothetical time.
The gator grip is a pretty good “office tool.” I worked in a restaurant and we kept one in the “general tool drawer” because nobody was responsible enough to keep up with all the sockets in a set, but having one wrench with the gator grip on it in there worked pretty good for the one-off situations where we’d need to fix a filing cabinet or shelf in the closet or something small like that, because people seemed to at least be able to toss that single tool back in the drawer without losing it.
I've used one at work to adjust a machine that needed it once a month and it is nice to have in the house for a quick easy job. But for assembling a cabinet or working on cars you are much better off with tools designed for the job. The short version is they are good for what they are which isn't much.
I keep one in my tool bag in the truck. I love it, hardly ever use it but when I’m doing something easy for someone I can grab it and my 3/8 ratchet and throw them both back in the bag instead of pulling out all the sockets, that’s literally the only occasion I use it but hey it saves me a little time and having to keep track of the sockets I’m using (normally just 2, a 10 and 13 swapping batteries) but sometimes there’s nuts and bolts that aren’t standard and I would have had to go back to the bag and pull out more. Definitely not a must have but it can be a useful little socket. I think i have 2 even though I’ve never bought one though lol.
@@spol1622It depends on what you're using it for. I keep mines in a tool bag for HVAC. I don't have the space to carry an entire socket set, and depending on the brand of unit and what year, it's not possible to keep every single socket size for every bolt. This works good in place if I don't want to have to go all the way back to the truck just to unbolt a fan motor.
I actually knew a contractor that worked on retail projects that swore by this. I think it’s just a lot more useful for lower torque applications like building furniture and fixtures where there’s a lot of small annoying bolts
These are very useful for removing or installing odd shaped things like loops, rings, hooks, etc. I would not use this for regular nuts. At my aviation job this is actually the only tool that quickly removes the cargo net anchors in the baggage compartment of the Cessna 172 S. No socket fits those things, and removing them with the shaft of a screwdriver, or other such thing is a royal pain in the ass, as the eye bolt is mounted in a locking socket. I is just great for oddball applications.
Former roommate of mine left me an old ifixit kit that had a Y cup driver in it designed specifically for eyelets and hooks. I highly recommend one if that ever fails on you. I didn't know they existed before seeing one though.
I think it is funny you say they are good for "odd-ball" applications, after mentioning working in aviation LOL My limited knowledge of that field , only tells me that most of it demands very specific tools, torque specs, specs/reg methods/etc. for anything and everything on an aircraft. LOL, Are you super sure they don't have a socket/tool (high dollar) for those anchors? Saying a "Gator socket" is the best thing for an aircraft app, kinda blows my mind LOL
@@chrisperrien7055 Honestly, general aviation has very few special tools, and the ones that are around usually deal with wing mounting. Most of the hardware is pretty much standard AN, or MS harware, and in many ways us A&Ps CURSE designers that even think of requiring special tools. Special tools are usually a sign not enough thought went into a design...or too much.
My dad was an aeronautical engineer and a USAF pilot- He LOVED tools. My mom gave him one of those garbage sockets once for a present- He pretended to love it- Later he pulled me out to the garage to tell them the truth about junk tools they he through it away. It hurt him to do it since my mom gave it to him but as an engineer it was insulting- I took it and kept it. And me and that socket have been happily married for 34 yrs :)
I guess some gifts should remain as a gift and not used at all. A pal of mine was a drummer, his mother once gave him a pair of drumsticks for his birthday that he never used. As a friend of his asked, why, he answered they'd break after 5 beats. Then he hit the drums five times, the sticks broke :D
When I was a teen in the 70's and frustrated working on my car, losing sockets on my sloped driveway, I imagined a tool EXACTLY like this. I don't think I ever told anyone about it, but then a few years later saw this on the market and I was extremely bummed that I hadn't tried to patent the idea. Story of my life.
I as a little boy in the late incredible 80s saw that there was no reason that the digital screen of a computer and television shouldn't be integrated into the same device...
I think the problem is that children are often very literal and logical but don't have the wherewithal and nouce that adults have also it's hard to patent an idea without a working diagram or specimen
These are indeed PERFECT for hooks and eye bolts. They are also pretty handy if a bolt is already kind of rounded or youve lost a socket. As with most of the "As Seen On TV" stuff, its good for around the house odds and ins, but not good for an actual job.
I have one of these, and honestly, for like simple jobs, it is pretty handy because you don't have to keep going back to your toolbox. As long as you don't use it under a lot of torque it's handy.
I'm with you I've used mine for nearly 8-10 years. Great for hooks and smaller things like u said, not something I use on my vehicle or anything that needs real tools lol
I love having mine. But I don’t use it for heavy duty stuff. I pretty much only use it for those hooks or other abnormal fasteners that you normally wouldn’t be able to use a drill with.
I like this one as well. My favorite are the ones that are basically a oil filter shaped socket, but sometimes you just can't get them into the tiny space the manufacturer decides to stuff the oil filter into.
When I was a oilfield lease operator I always kept one of those in my rat pack. Those things are life savers. All of us kept gator grip sockets with us for the rams on the top of the packing. It's a 3/8" square and no socket fit quite right except gator grips
What is an oilfield lease operator? I’m a mechanical process operator and never heard of the word “lease operator” might also be because I’m a foreigner
@@ctdieselnut it don't matter how much low or high quality sets there are now, this gator grip and gator grip products have been selling for as long as I can remember, pretty much my entire adult life and im 37, hes made plenty!..... my point (and i believe as well as @Roy Evans ), is the inventor might barely have enough to buy a small snap-on tool chest and partially fill it up lol $$$
This is fascinating. I wasn't expecting the worst part of the product to be the durability. It's actually not even close to useless like I thought it would be.
When I worked in a tire shop 15 years ago and having a lock on your rim started becoming common with manufacturers, those things were a lifesaver when people lost their key. We always called them pinion sockets. They did break all the time but Goddamn if they didn't get those fucking locks off.
@@isaakwelch3451 I know dealer ships occasionally get hit and have their wheels stolen but most cars on the street are probably fine. You're way more likely to get your cat stolen than your wheels rn
My mom gave me one for Christmas 2 years ago. Got to be honest, it has been useful on more then one occasion. I obviously don't use it to replace standard tools, but there have been some odd bolt heads I've needed off and it worked every time.
I’m nearing the 20 year mark having the same one. It stays in the to-go tool bag and has definitely saved me countless times and is still fully usable. I definitely recommend it to have in a tool box cause you just never know
When I worked in stage production having one of these on a ratchet was a must. Speaker stands, lighting c clamps, stage risers, all had dire t bolts and were all buggered in some way so a regular wrench wouldn’t work …
probably they were buggered because all of the stage hands used that tool. but you are right, something that is built and taken appart on daily bases is mostly not torqued down until water comes out of the bolt, so this gatorgrip will do the job.
@snake plissken main problem is that, especially with gaffer equipment, the individual hardware either comes with a specific odd sized tool that is meant just for the *slightly* off standard bolts and such that holds it together. If you lose that tool it is a freaking pain to try and find anything else that will work and even if you do you have to remember what alternate you found and hope it fits well enough to not tear it up. Then some just have sucky bolts that have to eventually be replaced but after replacement might not be quite the same size as the rest anymore so now you need two fittings for that piece. Also chances are that unless all your equipment is from the same company (and sometimes even if it is) you are gonna have to use different sizes for each one. I really don't know why film and lighting equipment be like that. Maybe to discourage theft or sabotage (can't mess with stuff if you don't have just the right sized tool to loosen it)? Anyway, this actually would work really well for stage or film work. Kind of wish I had one when going to college...
This thing has saved me at the junk yard a couple of times. Definitely can’t replace a whole tool box, but I carry it in my tool bag for those occasional moments
You know what? That probably the most practical automotive application this tool would ever see. I’m gonna buy one just to take to pick n pull with me from now on.
I've never had a problem with them. But then again, I don't think it was a name brand GatorGrip. Also never really used it on anything needing a lot of torque. Just basic fixtures and whatnot, it works really well. At least in my opinion and experience. It's not a replacement, but it is a nice utility socket to have for those jobs that have a bunch of different sized nuts and bolts that don't need tons of torque. Definitely not for lugs, but I get that you guys are testing to the extremes.
@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ So you're saying that the Romans should have used the Gator Grip to fasten Yeshua/Jesus to the cross with screws instead of nails?
These are good for stripped or otherwise fucked up bolts and basically nothing else. I do have a set for exactly that reason and they get used about once every year or two. They suck for everything else, but I'm always glad I have them when I need one.
Mine has reliably sat in my socket drawer for over 9 years and still looks like brand new! Of course maybe some day I’ll remember that it is there and actually try to use it.
I don't think it should replace your existing tools. But it's worth having one in your bag, because it could save you from a trip to the hardware shop, one day.
I own one solely for rare encounters with something weirdly non-standard that I need to put some torque through. I think I've used it like three times, but in each case, I would have had to break out the grinder and welder to do the job otherwise.
I have had several of these, and they have given me good service for years. The problem with them is that they are oversold; they will not "replace the toolbox," but for shallow, low-torque applications, they are quite useful. I have killed a couple using them on a power tool, but not with hand wrenches.
Exactly my thoughts. It’s ridiculous to think you no longer need other tools. But it has saved my butt a few times with stripped heads and other weird things.
I was a merchandiser at a home improvement store. For years I dismantled old displays to build new ones. Whatever i dismantled was ALWAYS built with several different size hex head fasteners. I used the Gator Grip all the time. So handy not having to constantly change sockets. It worked great for my purposes.
NOTE: They (not gator grip, but other companies) make DEEP socket styles with much further depth of travel as well as standard or metric sizes that are made specifically for say 8mm-20mm and use on nothing else and they do work REALLY well. The tech has matured a LOT from the original gator grip.
@@jmfreestuff73 i see what you did there. Also, i have one of these with hexagon pins and it is the exception to the rule. It was a free add in on another order I made, wonder why. Lol
Hexagons are the bestagons. m.th-cam.com/video/thOifuHs6eY/w-d-xo.html I picked up one of these from a local discount store and thought it would be a good investment for low level jobs. The one I got also had hexagon bits rather then circles.
Before I retired from teaching, I worked at a school that had removable walls between the classrooms. There's actually a tool that you would insert onto a square headed bolt and Crank it like a big fishing reel. Needless to say, all the teachers seem to have lost the crank that was used for each wall. Since I had a couple of these sitting around in my toolbox I just left one in my desk drawer with a ratchet. Never had a problem opening those walls.
I believe that for hexagonal fasteners, hexagonal pins would do significantly better however, I do believe the tooling required to make the hexagonal pins and/or retention mechanisms may add cost. Would the trade be worth it? The world may never know.
If I remember correctly, Snap-On makes these with hexagonal pins, and it costs something like $74.99 per week for 850 weeks after a downpayment of the soul of each of your direct descendents firstborn sons for the next 7 generations.
The fact that it passed any of the tests is amazing. Most as seen on TV stuff is complete trash. I buy one now and then, just to have it. It's definitely not replacing anything on a daily basis. It does act as a hero on a rare occasion.
Honestly this seems like something that might be worth having in your toolbox as redundancy just incase the socket you actually need magically teleported to the void like they tend to do.
I bought one of those special sockets when i was a little kid and i honestly love it. I have used it for many different bolts hooks screws and other weird shapes. They do break but i still have one ive used for years and it helps with a lot off shapes which is all i will use it for. The first group of stuff they tried to use it on is basically all i have it for
Im an electrician and i use this a lot. In our trade we dont put a lot of torque on our screws or bolts. But it seems like when you do, youll just break it
@@landar2372 It's not their fault actually. It's the commercial that said it is able to withstand 150 pound of torque. Nothing would be wrong if it was advertised as a convenient tool for a wide range of lightly-screwed bolts and things. Not everything requires a lot of power after all. But they didn't. They DO try to sell it as this tool that will replace sockets that you want to use for plenty of power and grip.
most normal and better torque wrenches cap out at 150 too but MANY cap at 80 pounds or less youre not breaking a normal torque wrench anytime soon the gator grip is a crappy tool and the ad lied
This took actually came in clutch for me once. I was changing the starter on my 2006 Acura TSX and I was removing the intake manifold, I have 5 out of the 6 bolts out. I go for the sixed and it’s rounded. So I remembered that I had that took and figured I’d give it a shot, and thankfully it got it out. Saved me from missing school and work.
As do i, but even working at a shop or home, hundreds/thousands of tools and still days when you say, 'damn i wish i had xxxx' but trust me..this cheap cap gun internals is not it lol
We use Gator Grips at our job….they are pretty useless, but come in handy when you don’t have everything with you, such as wrenches, sockets, etc.. When I’m out “in the field”, I cant lug around 250+ tools where I go. It isn’t a literal “field”….that’s just what we call it. Lol, but yeah…..we go through Gator Grips like candy.
Seriously buddy, it replaces really nothing, a simple small 3/8 drive socket set is not very big if you need if for your job. This thing causes more problems that it solves.
There are no materials that at the size of those pins could withstand that much torque and not get messed up. They are just too thin, and even if they're not, the springs will get affected.
With a well thought out redesign, and made with quality forged metal, this could be a great inbetween. It’ll never be as good as a normal socket, but it’s like an adjustable spanner. They’re pretty clumsy compared to a normal spanner but it’s handy to own
Yah I was thinking, I wonder if making the pins a diff shape would help with stripping~like instead of cylindrical pins, maybe triangular, or rectangular. And I wonder how sturdy the springs are. if there’s an alternative. To springs, possibly even something that’s not automatic so it doesn’t eject you. When you’re finished you could just push something kn the back and the pins bounce back flat into position.
@@callak_9974 I think hexagonal minimizes the gripping surface of each side, so the bolts will slip more, and they will be expensive to machine. The triangles (equilateral of course) would have the largest gripping surface for each side. The circles they use are like infinitely sided polygons, so they'll function more like the hexagons, but they're the cheapest to machine I bet. The circles will also always have gaps between circles, so the pins have space to move around and thus have torque applied to them and get bent. Triangles, squares, and hexagons can tile the plane, so one can pack them together really tightly, and this means that the pins have less space to move around and thus bend less. For this you need fairly precise machining, because larger irregularities will mean more bent pins.
@@rinosanchez2150 The problem with triangles and squares is how they would fit in regard with each other. Hexagons do fit nicely and should have more surface area than the circles that they already are. Also since they are more snug, less likely to get pushed around and be bent. But perhaps a combination of 2 different shaped pins would work the best, however the cost there would be markedly higher.
I sometimes forget I`m watching you guys on TH-cam, all your shows feel like they are part of a network or something. Really high quality and just good entertainment and info.
No, I think the ultimate reason it uses round pins instead of hex pins is because hex pins and the hard edges of those pins would chew up your bolt heads moreso than the round pins already do.
@@luigimaster111 nah, if they were considering wear on components they wouldn't have released it at all, hex pins would fit hardly anything but pins can rotate and give slightly to allow anything! Under almost all circumstances this tool damages the fastener anyway, they just want to sell it as "able to handle anything" not "doesn't scratch your bits but only does half of them"...... I'm sure their Moto is; We know it's shit, so maximise the range of shitness".......
@@EZ-D-FIANT I'm firmly visualizing this in my head and cannot fathom how hex shaped pins would limit the amount of fastener heads this tool would fit, heck the pins could be rectangular and as long as there were enough of them tightly packed together it'd still have that ability to conform to the shape of your bolt/fastener heads.
I think it's one of those tools that has a lot of potential but promises to much from one size. They should make ones for different trades (angled to fit sizes often used in them) like electrician, plumber, mechanics, exc. And maybe even make 2-3 sizes with recommendations of what it's really good at.
I'd love to see one for my profession, but as an oilfield mechanic that uses sockets between 1 13/16" to 3 1/2" most often, they'd probably need to use titanium pins to have a chance at handling the torque after watching this video.
Its a good idea in concept, just needs a little reworking to be more versatile. Make the pins tougher, thinner and have more of them. That and let the springs go deeper and you could have something really decent.
I just used my gator grip to repair my office chair when the head of a 1/4" bolt holding the seat back broke off. The gator grip removed the broken bolt with little effort and I also used it to tighten the new bolt and all remaining bolts. Your video taught me that gator grips are OK with light duty jobs but are poor for medium and heavy duty jobs. Thank you for putting it to the test.
I shall buy one of these on the strength of the first half of the video, then put it straight in the junk drawer based on the second half. (EDITED TO FIX MY AWFUL SPELLING OF DRAWERERAWER)
Sold all my sockets and bought one of your all in one socket recommendation. Got excited and left the video early to go buy my new wonder tool. Thanks guys for the heads up advice, and just in time, heading on a long distance drive today, wish me luck🙂👍
I bought one when I got caught without my socket set. It saved me from having to return to the job for another day to finish what I was doing. Saved me several hundred dollars so I’d say it works in a pinch for sure. Still have it in my tool bag. I also carry two socket sets now.
I built my steel building with them they work good on square nuts. Not a great tool by any means but worked perfect for me i wore out two of them but save me a ton of time on the square nuts just push and hit the trigger pretty convenient when you're doing 5000 or so in a row
It's a good concept, the execution is just lacking. I feel like it could be redesigned to work much better. Maybe if the pins were shaped to fit more tightly together... maybe hexagonal? Then the contact points between pins would have more surface area to work against, and it would keep the pins from slipping into gaps and bending under load. Although, it seems like someone would have done this already if it would work well.
I bought one of these for my dad a couple years ago. Up until last month, I wondered what happened to it. I found it in a cabinet with literally 80% of the pins damaged and not working. But ya, pins are cylinders and all the pins together make up a hex shape, like a normal socket.
@@angryginger791 Are you sure that aren't just rounded at the top? As in beveled to ease insertion? I had one that definitely was hex pins. Wasn't this brand though
I use my Gator grip pretty often... initially I bought it out of desperation trying to remove a rounded off water pump bolt and it got it out immediately. I was initially skeptical but its now kept in the socket drawer next to bolt extractors. When I'm in a rush its saved me some time. It's gotten me out of quite a few jams and I keep one in my work truck for emergencies. If you bust it they're only like 10 bucks to replace so I think they are a good buy. But mine has not busted in about 5 yrs of occasional use. Like any tool though it's got limitations. I'd say less limitations than just having a 12mm. Doesnt replace the tool kit but it's a good thing to keep in your kit for sure.
So, I know the inventor of this tool. He originally also had a smaller size one. The smaller size one was way better. Almost perfect every time I tried to use it. The larger one (like the one you tested) was loose on more attempts and had some of the same problems you experienced. However, he sold the company years ago and the newer Gator Grips do not seem to be the same quality of the original ones. I also met the producer/director of the infomercial and it is the one that is used to sell the newer Gator Grip that seems to have more issues. Only tried one of the newer generation, so I may have had a bad one (probably not based on your video). If you find the smaller one....buy it and never let someone borrow it (like I did). Once they try the smaller one, they will not give it back and claim they lost it.
That's really interesting. I had a hunch that this was the kind of story you see with a lot of infomercial products-the inventor makes something for a specific use, and then the company that sells it markets it as a revolutionary "fix-all" sort of product, leading to a bad reputation for a good invention. Sounds like this is a similar situation with an added misfortune of the design being changed to perform poorly
In my whole life, I have only found one thing this socket is perfect for (well, almost perfect for)... It was an odd shaped mini lug nut to an e-bike. And yes, it did tend to round them sometimes, but it was literally the only thing that worked consistently. There was probably originally supposed to be a specialty lug socket for it but I never saw one in that shop, so I had to make do. Great show fellas, you guys always crack me up!
I used to love mine as a plumber trying to access pump stations. The bolts are always different sizes, you lose sockets depending on your situation and that ruins a set, and we’re working out of a van a block away sometimes… so a “break glass in case of emergency” socket made life easier… we definitely roasted our first one inside of a couple months tho…
I remember this coming out in the 90's...I bought one, broke it the first time I tried to use it. Always use the right tool for the job, this in the right tool for ONE job...stripped heads! it amazingly works(depending on which one you get, the internal rods are different on many of them) on stripped bolt heads, but honestly...no better than vice grips lol.
Worked in construction and I would keep this in my ‘service’ tool kit when i got called to do quick jobs with minimal gear, It saved my butt many times. Definitely not a great tool, but can be a life saver, coz I wouldn’t just use it to turn bolts, Like a “Jack of all trades master of non, but a master of none is better than a master of one.”
I’ve used one for years. I use it in a pinch, when there’s one or two things that would require a socket; anymore than that, it’s a trip to the truck. Having a gator in my kit saves me from carrying a whole set because socket work is an every once in awhile thing for me. I can’t imagine trying to do a lot of serious mechanical work with it.
I'll be honest, this was a last resort tool when one of my keyed lugs nut developed a fault (crack most likely from impact use) and the key kept slipping. It broke the lug free thankfully and saved the day. Most likely it worked because the crack had weakened the lugnut. Its always in my toolbox as a "Well....F@#$ we've tried everything else" tool without having to resort to more time consuming and drastic measures.
Yeah, I think they failed because they tried to make it a replacement for too many tools. A more specialized version that just replaces a couple of hex nut tools but does it reliably could be way more useful. You could save time not having to change between common sizes, and a bit of weight and space in your toolbox.
You could just have a set of sleeves with staggered sizes. Depending on the sleeve thickness, you'd need a couple sockets. Maybe one does 10, 13, 16, 19, then the next does 11, 14, 17, 20, and the last does 12, 15, 18, 21. No tool like this is going to withstand the torque a purpose-built socket will though, and it has the problem that it's stupidly big. A lot of smaller fasteners are located in places this socket simply can't fit, so you still have to have a set of regular sockets to take the car apart. If you could make a gator-grip that wasn't so fragile, it might be useful for routine work on low-torque bolts in easy-to-reach locations, but it simply can't remove the need for a real toolbox. For the person who only does one or two things on their car, I'd still recommend just buying the correct one or two sockets.
Pretty sure I have the same one? The “GatorGrip”. Always called it the GatorSlip. Someone gave it to me years ago and I threw it in the van and have had it ever since. I’ve used it maybe a handful of times. I mean, it gets the job done for smaller stuff. Also the weird stuff like the eye hooks and wing nuts and stuff. But any large fasteners or anything that requires actually being torqued down it absolutely doesn’t beat a regular old socket.
@@tonymarshall9670 or maybe referring to the concept being a genius LOL. But saying that this specific tool is a genius, however, is incorrect, by ALL means 😆
The design is genius, it's the manufacturing which can't live up to the design, this as a $100 tool with near perfect engineering/tolerances/materials and twice the number of pins for a higher density could be out of this world useful.
@@cenciende9401nope. The design has a fundamental flaw and making the pins smaller might make it worse: the pins extend downwards with no support, like if they were dangling but densily packed instead. This makes them very flexy and unable to withstand a lot of shear stress.
My mom gets one for me every Christmas. She always says the same thing, "You know that I never know what to get you, but I was at Wal-Mart and I saw this and since you love working on things and fixing things, It just had your name written all over it". Next year I'm asking for a new tool box so I can fill it up with all the Gator grips that I have taking up so much room in my actual tool boxes. 🤣
I would imagine the reason this tool has round pins is cause with the hex pins, it would scare up the bolt pretty bad as sharp edges would be pressed up and torqued on the flat edges of the bolt. Not that the round pins dont do that, but probably to a lesser degree
Obviously, it didn't do all the things the infomercial said it would, but it doesn't look like complete garbage. Seems like it wouldn't be a bad thing to keep around for the occasional weird nut or bolt nothing else seems to be able to handle. Nice job, guys. :)
Why wouldn’t they make this but instead of pins, you have like 10 hex-shaped metal rings inside the socket. Then at least it would work on a bunch of different sized hexes pretty well.
1. it wouldn't work as well with eye bolts, etc. 2. you'd need to make sure the rings won't sever from their linkage to the base socket up to a reasonable amount of torque.
@@rfmerrill I have about 5 of those. My mom gets me these every Christmas and there are about 7 manufactures that all make them slightly different. One actually has hex pins and is a bit deeper and sturdier.
Yes, Gator Grip has it's limitations, but... it does come in handy sometimes. You just have to know it's strengths and weaknesses. It has surprised me a few times.. but it won't replace your tool kit.
I have one in my travel tool kit. Space and weight are at a premium for me, as my tools have to go in my checked baggage. The crates for the equipment I work on don't always have the same size bolts and this keeps me from having to carry a complete set of sockets. It doesn't always grip as well as a dedicated socket, but it does what I need.
I personally have found them kind of useful for like loose bolts but when it comes to very tight bolts it doesn't work that well. Definitely can't replace your socket set but it can be useful for like EDC kind of stuff.
This product originally came out in the early 2 thousands. I remember the SC on TV commercials for it. My mom ended up buying one and it never failed us. I think it's still in the garage somewhere today. Back then, It wasn't a bit you could put on the wrench. The thing itself was its own wrench, And you couldn't D attach it.
This tool has been around longer than that. I got a prototype in 1993, and they were being sold shortly after that. The original before the company was sold was good. The smaller one was even better.
They are good in a pinch. Bought one for the hell of it and for light work. Though for fun I did remove an old alternator off a truck that had been sitting for years with it. But if you are doing light work with a bunch of sizes it's nice to have lying around, though I'd suggest it mainly for interior work or assembling premade items. However, the more torque you need, the more of a bad idea it is. And if you are a biker, it's wise to have the main heads you need for heavy duty parts and one of those for almost anything else.
The first rule of tool use is that every tool has a job, and it does that job better than any other tool. Whenever you try to make a multi-purpose tool, it never works as good as the original tool. Take for instance 7-in-1 utility knives. They don't do any of their jobs better than just having the tools individually.
@dolita windo I don't think I understand what you're trying to say. The point of the ad is to show it can complete any task a normal socket can accomplish, but it acts as a one-size-fits-all to prevent looking for the right socket. Issue is it seems to experience critical failure very quickly, even when just doing the bare minimum demo they replicated from the ad. Basically it fails or flat out breaks when used for its intended purpose, where a normal socket would not break, nor damage the bolt/nut/hardware you are fastening/loosening.
@@somejerk5662 in soms cases your right. Like how most hammers have multiple uses because they're designed to be one tool for one job. The issue is a 7-in-1 utility tool is going to do seven jobs less efficiently than if you had seven individual tools. My point is that you want a tool to maximize efficiency, precision, and accuracy, and when you try to make a tool with multiple purposes you lose a good portion of them. In a bare bones scenario, I would definitely prefer to have a 7-in-1 utility tool than no tools at all.
You could definitely replace 3 drawers of tools with the gator grip, it would have to be with enough gator grips to refill those 3 drawers tho as they are so soft
I’ve used one of these at my old place and I tell you for random bolts that ain’t too hard to undo you could easily just use this, it’s isn’t amazing but it isn’t absolutely terrible.
I’d love some sort of unshielded version that can be a hex wrench instead of a socket. It wouldn’t do for any high-torque applications but it seems like it would be great for putting together IKEA furniture.
I remember my dad having one of these in the house drawer of tools. It honestly came in hand for small stupid things instead of having to run out to the garage and go through his cabinet.
I've had mine for about 22 years now. I use it primarily to get the rock guard off my truck when I change my oil, but it's pretty reliable once you get a good lock/grip, especially with corroded things. I used it all over the rooftops of Tampa doing kitchen range installs though back in 2001-2008!
When I first saw the gator grip I thought "man, that's pretty nifty AND four $11?!", so I had to get it. I got a few good uses out of it before the springs messed up. I managed to get it to function enough to work solidly. For $11 it's not bad, I'm content with my purchase.
Having one in the toolbox can be really useful, especially for oddly shaped stuff (like hooks, rings etc.) I would not try to use it as a regular socket unless I have no other choice though. It can be easily damaged and is too shallow for any useful application on nuts and some bolts. Additionally it is significantly longer and wider than the regular sockets.
A big consideration for me is effectiveness vs volume/weight. I value having 'something' in my kit that can be applied to the present task, even if it's not ideal. My basic toolbag plus drill kit covers 95% of everything I deal with, with many of the tools sacrificing utility for versatility. Given the miniscule form factor, even as a one-off solution, this seems worth keeping one on hand.
Bought my dad one of these a few years ago. Recently my sister was renovating her room, and I needed to take down the blinds from above the window, and the wing nuts that I needed to remove were totally stuck! Was able to use the super socket to remove them (that's what they were branded when we got it for dad btw). It really does work for things that no other socket can fit. Also my dad's super socket has hexagonal pins so the tool does work a bit better.
What tool should we test next?
out of context, but try to review cute keychain, like turbo keychain and other, even there is ball bearing one
I know it's not a specific answer but I think more "as seen on TV" tools would be great to see if they're worth it or not
Your mom
Dent king
Bolt extractors
Prospective buyer to hardware store owner:"Are these things any good?" "Hell, they must be, we sold 10 of them to one guy this week!"
ok
@@tramnguyenduy954 why u mad bruh
😂😂
🤣🤣🤣
I actually have one and like it. I don't use it for anything major, but it has taken out a few screwed up weird sized bolts and fasteners.
My wife bought me one several years back. I thanked her and threw it in with my tools thinking it was junk and I would never use it. Well, several weeks ago I needed to remove a square head plug on a mower engine and nothing I had would fit to take it off. Found the gator grip socket and it worked perfectly. It won't replace a whole socket set but it's great to have for oddball stuff.
Yeah, it feels like one of those "weird object saves the day" stories that might happen once a decade. For $10, eh why not. I wouldn't spend much more for that sort of thing
adjustable wrenches work too....
@Crappie Chancellor Depends on what kind of access you have to the odd ball bolt, hell a pair of pliers would have worked too but if the access to the bolt is limited then a socket may have been the only option. the OP wasn't making the argument that it was the best tool ever or that it replaced anything. For $10 it has its uses.
@Crappie Chancellor I know, right? A crescent wrench doesn't work well in tight, recessed areas.
you dont own a pair of vice grips?
This saved me a trip to the store once after sitting in my tool box for years unused. It's good for low torque bolts if you cant find a socket or something. For big jobs, just use a standard socket
th-cam.com/video/e6Kbl85Xlbw/w-d-xo.html hey it's finay here
Mines been sitting in my toolbox for many years. Haven’t used it yet.
Agreed - it's useful for low torque applications. I used it around the house to put hooks in the ceiling to hang things. It once saved my butt and did remove a damaged screw for me .As soon as you need that extra oomph you are better off using the right socket for the job. For sure it is not a replacement for dedicated size sockets - but here and there it is a nice addition.
I use one with an impact to put bolts to connect teleposts to beams in houses and they work good enough for that
Idk where mine came from but been in my box for over a decade unused lolol I think my father bought it in the 90s
I know there are kind of goofy, but I do carry one in my motorcycle toolkit. I think it would be a better tool if the pins had a hexagonal profile instead of circular.
That's what I was thinking as well, using a wire EDM machine I could cut the pins to be a specific diameter and that way it'll always be a perfect fit everytime
Ones with hex pins do (did?) exist I used to have a very specific and niche use for them in a previous job but we did have to replace them fairly regularly.
@@Ironsight_Player No need for EDM, allen keys aren't made using EDM.
It looks to me like the one they use in this video ARE hexagonal
@@jrodriguez1374 uhhhhhhhh are you blind?
I've had limited success with this tool. It's useful occasionally for jacked up bolts and things like ceiling hooks (as seen on tv!). But they are definitely not a do-it-all replacement tool by any stretch of the imagination.
I've got one of these, it's defo great for hooks and things you can't usually use with a impact driver...and you have a little bit of sympathy for the thing you're attaching, but I have you know, socket attachments for the impact driver as well, so why wouldn't I use the right one!
Yeah, they seem like a great tool for little things around the house like hooks but that's about it
I've used it my whole life with zero ISSUES,, some just don't know how to properly use tools....
Throw a second hook into the chuck of your drill and use that to put hooks up in the ceiling
@@davidhaynes9580 mind blown
So the verdict seems to be that the Gator Grip _does_ work on _almost_ everything.
*Once.*
Yeah. I see it like fix a flat or something, one use and then toast.
I've had mine for over five years and use it weekly. If you actually know how to use your tools it should be usable over and over just like a socket is. You guys are dumb.
@@ObscuriaDragunAed And it also toasts the bolt you are using it on. OK in an emergency situation, but nothing I would want to do to my bolts when I'm trying to fix stuff.
@@martinweizenacker7129 Agreed, I wouldn't have used it on the aircraft if the bolt I used it to extract was still good. But, thats why I carried one for emergency situations, definitely wouldn't use it for everyday usage, but, like easy outs, it's good to have in a "just in case" situation.
However, in the future, I could see something like it with better materials, and maybe suspended with neodymium magnets in place of springs, being a new standard for tools, but, that's far off and would only be feasible if conventional fasteners are still in play in that hypothetical time.
Also messes up the bolt wheather it works or not
The gator grip is a pretty good “office tool.” I worked in a restaurant and we kept one in the “general tool drawer” because nobody was responsible enough to keep up with all the sockets in a set, but having one wrench with the gator grip on it in there worked pretty good for the one-off situations where we’d need to fix a filing cabinet or shelf in the closet or something small like that, because people seemed to at least be able to toss that single tool back in the drawer without losing it.
That is such a flaccid recommendation for the Gator Grip and I think it's the best it's gonna get.
I hate to say I have one of these because I didn't want to spend absurd amounts of money for a 7.4mm bolt on an old boat I am fixing.
I've used one at work to adjust a machine that needed it once a month and it is nice to have in the house for a quick easy job. But for assembling a cabinet or working on cars you are much better off with tools designed for the job. The short version is they are good for what they are which isn't much.
ok
@@jedidiah4647 Lmao 🤣
It works well enough for light duty work when you dont feel like grabbing the whole socket set
But, the socket set will come in useful later so its better to get real tools in the long run :)
I keep one in my tool bag in the truck. I love it, hardly ever use it but when I’m doing something easy for someone I can grab it and my 3/8 ratchet and throw them both back in the bag instead of pulling out all the sockets, that’s literally the only occasion I use it but hey it saves me a little time and having to keep track of the sockets I’m using (normally just 2, a 10 and 13 swapping batteries) but sometimes there’s nuts and bolts that aren’t standard and I would have had to go back to the bag and pull out more. Definitely not a must have but it can be a useful little socket. I think i have 2 even though I’ve never bought one though lol.
No, not really. Socket of proper size will take less space. This may be good for weekend diy warriors but not for a factory mechanic.
@@spol1622It depends on what you're using it for. I keep mines in a tool bag for HVAC. I don't have the space to carry an entire socket set, and depending on the brand of unit and what year, it's not possible to keep every single socket size for every bolt. This works good in place if I don't want to have to go all the way back to the truck just to unbolt a fan motor.
Yeah if you want to put 6 lag bolts in and then the socket be destroyed forever.
I actually knew a contractor that worked on retail projects that swore by this. I think it’s just a lot more useful for lower torque applications like building furniture and fixtures where there’s a lot of small annoying bolts
And you need to treat them with respect, you cant just smash them down on the fasteners.
I totally agree
I could see how it would save time, no need to switch out sockets etc.
Totally agree I’ve used this for taking off low torque part on my car like a drain plug, but I’ve also broken one trying to take off a lug nut lmao
The problem is it's going to round your bolts.
These are very useful for removing or installing odd shaped things like loops, rings, hooks, etc. I would not use this for regular nuts. At my aviation job this is actually the only tool that quickly removes the cargo net anchors in the baggage compartment of the Cessna 172 S. No socket fits those things, and removing them with the shaft of a screwdriver, or other such thing is a royal pain in the ass, as the eye bolt is mounted in a locking socket. I is just great for oddball applications.
Exactly why I have one in my tool shed......👍👌👍
Former roommate of mine left me an old ifixit kit that had a Y cup driver in it designed specifically for eyelets and hooks. I highly recommend one if that ever fails on you. I didn't know they existed before seeing one though.
@@BlackJackOfAllTrades I'll look into that cos honestly it's what I use mine most for now days.....👌👍
I think it is funny you say they are good for "odd-ball" applications, after mentioning working in aviation LOL
My limited knowledge of that field , only tells me that most of it demands very specific tools, torque specs, specs/reg methods/etc. for anything and everything on an aircraft. LOL, Are you super sure they don't have a socket/tool (high dollar) for those anchors? Saying a "Gator socket" is the best thing for an aircraft app, kinda blows my mind LOL
@@chrisperrien7055 Honestly, general aviation has very few special tools, and the ones that are around usually deal with wing mounting. Most of the hardware is pretty much standard AN, or MS harware, and in many ways us A&Ps CURSE designers that even think of requiring special tools. Special tools are usually a sign not enough thought went into a design...or too much.
My dad was an aeronautical engineer and a USAF pilot- He LOVED tools. My mom gave him one of those garbage sockets once for a present- He pretended to love it- Later he pulled me out to the garage to tell them the truth about junk tools they he through it away. It hurt him to do it since my mom gave it to him but as an engineer it was insulting- I took it and kept it. And me and that socket have been happily married for 34 yrs :)
bro I know you didn’t marry your mom, but damn
I guess some gifts should remain as a gift and not used at all. A pal of mine was a drummer, his mother once gave him a pair of drumsticks for his birthday that he never used. As a friend of his asked, why, he answered they'd break after 5 beats. Then he hit the drums five times, the sticks broke :D
Are you about the happily married part?, divorce is an option
@@valk13yrie Im glad i wasnt the only one who read that.
That dad is a pos, if he’s going to pretend to love it he shouldn’t pull his son to the garage and tell him the harsh truth.
When I was a teen in the 70's and frustrated working on my car, losing sockets on my sloped driveway, I imagined a tool EXACTLY like this. I don't think I ever told anyone about it, but then a few years later saw this on the market and I was extremely bummed that I hadn't tried to patent the idea. Story of my life.
Same thing happened to me but with falcon heavy rocket engines - just gotta get there faster next time!
I as a little boy in the late incredible 80s saw that there was no reason that the digital screen of a computer and television shouldn't be integrated into the same device...
Flying cars with me but I may still have a chance
I think the problem is that children are often very literal and logical but don't have the wherewithal and nouce that adults have also it's hard to patent an idea without a working diagram or specimen
These guys aged out of high school.
I love using mine. I use it everyday, never had a problem with it. I would highly recommend this if you need a good paper weight
Well, that was way unexpected .. kek
Not gonna lie, you had us in the first half LMAO
You had me going in that first sentence! And then I read the rest, and laugh my ass off! “A paper weight”! Hahahah
It actually works really well.
@wnnalis cioov It pretty much did everything it claimed to do in these tests
These are indeed PERFECT for hooks and eye bolts. They are also pretty handy if a bolt is already kind of rounded or youve lost a socket. As with most of the "As Seen On TV" stuff, its good for around the house odds and ins, but not good for an actual job.
Bone apple tea!
Odds and *ends*
Exactly
I was going to say the same thing. Say you were a wedding prop builder and you needed to quickly pop in and out hooks, it looks really good for that.
Yeah. I own one for the situations where a proper tool doesn't exist. Not to replace my actual sockets.
Its a good tool to just throw in a bag with its wrench just in case you need it for something. I would never use one if I didnt need to tho.
I have one of these, and honestly, for like simple jobs, it is pretty handy because you don't have to keep going back to your toolbox. As long as you don't use it under a lot of torque it's handy.
No ugga dugga? Awwww...
@@akgaming3000 You can get a little ugga dugga, but too much ugga dugga will get you ugga dugga *SNAP*
Exactly. This is designed for light duty, it's for your average joe who might use a socket wrench once or twice a year.
I'm with you I've used mine for nearly 8-10 years. Great for hooks and smaller things like u said, not something I use on my vehicle or anything that needs real tools lol
@@micrograham I Ugga all the time maybe it’s because it’s a impact rated grip socket. Mine has held up for a year of using it maybe once a week.
I love having mine. But I don’t use it for heavy duty stuff. I pretty much only use it for those hooks or other abnormal fasteners that you normally wouldn’t be able to use a drill with.
same here
Oil Filter wrenches would be sick to see.. the three different kinds of them as up against each other
I just use a old leather belt, works great on every size of filter plus the length makes it easier for tall engine bays
I like this one as well. My favorite are the ones that are basically a oil filter shaped socket, but sometimes you just can't get them into the tiny space the manufacturer decides to stuff the oil filter into.
Good idea
@@ztyhurst Yea i use the socket ones too but depending on the year of car i find u need either smaller or alot bigger which is strang
Those new 3 pronged ones you can put on an impact win for me lol put in on pull the trigger lightly and wait for it to tap it loose
When I was a oilfield lease operator I always kept one of those in my rat pack. Those things are life savers. All of us kept gator grip sockets with us for the rams on the top of the packing. It's a 3/8" square and no socket fit quite right except gator grips
Hey dude let me know if you get into fracking. I design/build lube system packages and have done a bunch with Tri and quint rigs.
What is an oilfield lease operator? I’m a mechanical process operator and never heard of the word “lease operator” might also be because I’m a foreigner
Perfect use for the Gator Grip.
Square head set screws! They should have tested the Gator on some of those too
@@sk-yd5ge it's a Pumper. It's a fancy term basically. Making sure pumping units are running and ensuring production levels are kept at optimal levels
I heard the guy that invented this thing now has enough money to buy himself a decent socket set. For realz. 😁😁
Still, he probably can't afford a set of SnapOff sockets from the big white ass rape truck.
Lol. Low quality sets are sooo cheap now why even bother with this thing?
Underrated Comment.
@@ctdieselnut it don't matter how much low or high quality sets there are now, this gator grip and gator grip products have been selling for as long as I can remember, pretty much my entire adult life and im 37, hes made plenty!.....
my point (and i believe as well as @Roy Evans ), is the inventor might barely have enough to buy a small snap-on tool chest and partially fill it up lol $$$
He might even be able to afford Snap On!
This is fascinating. I wasn't expecting the worst part of the product to be the durability. It's actually not even close to useless like I thought it would be.
When I worked in a tire shop 15 years ago and having a lock on your rim started becoming common with manufacturers, those things were a lifesaver when people lost their key. We always called them pinion sockets. They did break all the time but Goddamn if they didn't get those fucking locks off.
That’s really useful information for someone who buys a used car with those damn locks on them! Thanks!
That's really useful information for someone who steals rims from used cars with those damn locks on them! Thanks!
@@Sniper0502 do people even steal wheels anymore? I've never heard of someone these days getting their wheels stolen.
@@isaakwelch3451 I know dealer ships occasionally get hit and have their wheels stolen but most cars on the street are probably fine. You're way more likely to get your cat stolen than your wheels rn
@@isaakwelch3451 it takes less than 2 minutes to steal a set of rims that can then be sold for 1k at times. So yes, rims do get got.
I'm surprised he didn't immediately lose the socket after using it for the 10mm lol 😆
nice... i have brought 5283 10mm sockets over my lifetime and have ZERO of them today 😪😂
😂🤣😂👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 You do realise there’s groups of mongrels that go around stealing people’s 10mm from there toolboxes.
There is a merch opportunity for donut, the donut 10mm socket
My car ate my 10mm fell into a rain drain hole and is gone forever but it's not lost just inaccessible
There *has* to be a scientific explanation for this.
My mom gave me one for Christmas 2 years ago. Got to be honest, it has been useful on more then one occasion. I obviously don't use it to replace standard tools, but there have been some odd bolt heads I've needed off and it worked every time.
Exactly.
What is it with moms and gator sockets? 😂
My mom also got me one for Christmas 😂 I just used it yesterday to change my alternator and had no issues
@@electropentatonic ever heard of reddog i just saw a commercial for it its literally the same thing
Ur honesty is appreciated
I’m nearing the 20 year mark having the same one. It stays in the to-go tool bag and has definitely saved me countless times and is still fully usable. I definitely recommend it to have in a tool box cause you just never know
When I worked in stage production having one of these on a ratchet was a must. Speaker stands, lighting c clamps, stage risers, all had dire t bolts and were all buggered in some way so a regular wrench wouldn’t work …
probably they were buggered because all of the stage hands used that tool. but you are right, something that is built and taken appart on daily bases is mostly not torqued down until water comes out of the bolt, so this gatorgrip will do the job.
@snake plissken main problem is that, especially with gaffer equipment, the individual hardware either comes with a specific odd sized tool that is meant just for the *slightly* off standard bolts and such that holds it together. If you lose that tool it is a freaking pain to try and find anything else that will work and even if you do you have to remember what alternate you found and hope it fits well enough to not tear it up. Then some just have sucky bolts that have to eventually be replaced but after replacement might not be quite the same size as the rest anymore so now you need two fittings for that piece. Also chances are that unless all your equipment is from the same company (and sometimes even if it is) you are gonna have to use different sizes for each one. I really don't know why film and lighting equipment be like that. Maybe to discourage theft or sabotage (can't mess with stuff if you don't have just the right sized tool to loosen it)? Anyway, this actually would work really well for stage or film work. Kind of wish I had one when going to college...
This thing has saved me at the junk yard a couple of times. Definitely can’t replace a whole tool box, but I carry it in my tool bag for those occasional moments
You know what? That probably the most practical automotive application this tool would ever see. I’m gonna buy one just to take to pick n pull with me from now on.
I'll just stick with a pair of Vice Grips as my "cover all" tool.
I've never had a problem with them. But then again, I don't think it was a name brand GatorGrip. Also never really used it on anything needing a lot of torque. Just basic fixtures and whatnot, it works really well. At least in my opinion and experience. It's not a replacement, but it is a nice utility socket to have for those jobs that have a bunch of different sized nuts and bolts that don't need tons of torque. Definitely not for lugs, but I get that you guys are testing to the extremes.
@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ Why are you gay?
I’m 😊
@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ his name is Yeshua not jesus and the niv version of bible is as good as toilet paper.
@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ So you're saying that the Romans should have used the Gator Grip to fasten Yeshua/Jesus to the cross with screws instead of nails?
@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ repent because of the gator grip?
These are good for stripped or otherwise fucked up bolts and basically nothing else. I do have a set for exactly that reason and they get used about once every year or two. They suck for everything else, but I'm always glad I have them when I need one.
I mean that alone is worth buying one.
Mine has reliably sat in my socket drawer for over 9 years and still looks like brand new! Of course maybe some day I’ll remember that it is there and actually try to use it.
Yep. They're novelty tools at best
You had us at the first half
I don't think it should replace your existing tools.
But it's worth having one in your bag, because it could save you from a trip to the hardware shop, one day.
No...just...no
ok
If you stumble across a 19mm bolt it might…
I think it would work if the pins were a lot thinner and made out of tougher material, idk how do you make sth that tough but yeah
I own one solely for rare encounters with something weirdly non-standard that I need to put some torque through. I think I've used it like three times, but in each case, I would have had to break out the grinder and welder to do the job otherwise.
I have had several of these, and they have given me good service for years. The problem with them is that they are oversold; they will not "replace the toolbox," but for shallow, low-torque applications, they are quite useful. I have killed a couple using them on a power tool, but not with hand wrenches.
Their problem is ability to strip and round the bolt because of the way it grips it when pulling too hard ...
Exactly my thoughts. It’s ridiculous to think you no longer need other tools. But it has saved my butt a few times with stripped heads and other weird things.
I was a merchandiser at a home improvement store. For years I dismantled old displays to build new ones. Whatever i dismantled was ALWAYS built with several different size hex head fasteners. I used the Gator Grip all the time. So handy not having to constantly change sockets. It worked great for my purposes.
NOTE: They (not gator grip, but other companies) make DEEP socket styles with much further depth of travel as well as standard or metric sizes that are made specifically for say 8mm-20mm and use on nothing else and they do work REALLY well. The tech has matured a LOT from the original gator grip.
agreed, great for stealing wheels off people that use lug locks.
@@plebiansociety bruh🌚🌝
Yea it really is sort of old...
Do you have a link for those?
It's called you could have 5 full sets and still can't find the right size as people have said it's good for a pinch
if those pins were hexagonal, the whole internal part of the tool inside the socket would be a lot more rigid, and I think you'd bend less pins.
i'd say that's how they manage to keep the costs down, lower quality and machining
@Tom R how?
Hexagons are the bestagons.
@@jmfreestuff73 i see what you did there.
Also, i have one of these with hexagon pins and it is the exception to the rule. It was a free add in on another order I made, wonder why. Lol
Hexagons are the bestagons. m.th-cam.com/video/thOifuHs6eY/w-d-xo.html
I picked up one of these from a local discount store and thought it would be a good investment for low level jobs. The one I got also had hexagon bits rather then circles.
Before I retired from teaching, I worked at a school that had removable walls between the classrooms. There's actually a tool that you would insert onto a square headed bolt and Crank it like a big fishing reel. Needless to say, all the teachers seem to have lost the crank that was used for each wall. Since I had a couple of these sitting around in my toolbox I just left one in my desk drawer with a ratchet. Never had a problem opening those walls.
i think i know what school that is, ichabod?
Circular pins leaves room for gaps and error, I wonder how it would perform if the pins were hexagonal like a bee hive
Great idea. Seems like the pins would not be able to move when torqued.
The original one 75 years back did have hex pins. This is a knockoff of a knockoff.
My dad received one with hex pins about 20 years ago. Any improvement of performance would be marginal.
I believe that for hexagonal fasteners, hexagonal pins would do significantly better however, I do believe the tooling required to make the hexagonal pins and/or retention mechanisms may add cost. Would the trade be worth it? The world may never know.
If I remember correctly, Snap-On makes these with hexagonal pins, and it costs something like $74.99 per week for 850 weeks after a downpayment of the soul of each of your direct descendents firstborn sons for the next 7 generations.
The fact that it passed any of the tests is amazing. Most as seen on TV stuff is complete trash. I buy one now and then, just to have it. It's definitely not replacing anything on a daily basis. It does act as a hero on a rare occasion.
It became permanently damaged rendering it useless after that very first test so...
Yes, for one or more times only though
I actually liked using it for eyebolts
@Marconi and Cheese That's what one of the only reasons to have one.
@@nathanbrinkerhoff5886 dont forget its use as a fidget toy. All those pins to push down.
Honestly this seems like something that might be worth having in your toolbox as redundancy just incase the socket you actually need magically teleported to the void like they tend to do.
Lol
But it doesn't work on 10mm bolts very well. Isn't that the sockey that always disappears?
@@jasonhaynes2952 yes that's the one. Especially the 1/4 version
Works on everything I've ever used it on...
It happens more than often xD
I bought one of those special sockets when i was a little kid and i honestly love it. I have used it for many different bolts hooks screws and other weird shapes. They do break but i still have one ive used for years and it helps with a lot off shapes which is all i will use it for. The first group of stuff they tried to use it on is basically all i have it for
I love this combo of Jeremiah and Zach, please do more shows with them together.
Yeah, they’re a fun team. Seems like they work off each other well.
Right? I was thinking the whole time, have we seen these two together before?
They released a show together earlier this week, and this was the top comment. And Donut gifts us with more.
Nah. Not enough nudity.
Im an electrician and i use this a lot. In our trade we dont put a lot of torque on our screws or bolts. But it seems like when you do, youll just break it
I agree, they were way to hard on this one. I mean come on.
@@landar2372 It's not their fault actually. It's the commercial that said it is able to withstand 150 pound of torque.
Nothing would be wrong if it was advertised as a convenient tool for a wide range of lightly-screwed bolts and things. Not everything requires a lot of power after all. But they didn't. They DO try to sell it as this tool that will replace sockets that you want to use for plenty of power and grip.
yeah a 150 pounds of torque is a LOT coming from a flesh and blood arm and hand
most normal and better torque wrenches cap out at 150 too
but MANY cap at 80 pounds or less
youre not breaking a normal torque wrench anytime soon
the gator grip is a crappy tool and the ad lied
skip to 11:30
youre NOT getting 150lbs with one hand and without an extremely long lever like they had
i will never buy anything "made for tv"
The gator grip is actually genius, has automatic torque limiting based on the size of the bolt
Plus an also built-in "this bolt shall newer be unscrewed" function!
@@LoneStarr1979 Next week in the infomercial: "...magically comverts any bolt into a no-tamper bolt..."
...
...
...
Apple buys all of them.
It still damages the fastener, just not the "fastening part" of it.
I never had a problem with my gator grip. I use it in odd situations and it has saved my bacon a few times
This took actually came in clutch for me once. I was changing the starter on my 2006 Acura TSX and I was removing the intake manifold, I have 5 out of the 6 bolts out. I go for the sixed and it’s rounded. So I remembered that I had that took and figured I’d give it a shot, and thankfully it got it out. Saved me from missing school and work.
“Tool”
@@alistairwalker2850 thank you so much, I had no idea what he was talking about…
@Nbomber fool of a took
I would just love to get a job at an auto shop and stroll in with this bad boy first day on the job lol
Would be strolling right back out if that were the case
@@tbozzz8785 😆😆 I live in a small town so I think it would be a bit hard finding work after that, but it would be good for a laugh lol
As do i, but even working at a shop or home, hundreds/thousands of tools and still days when you say, 'damn i wish i had xxxx' but trust me..this cheap cap gun internals is not it lol
What's stopping you?
Walk in with the tiniest tool box you've ever seen... Just waiting for someone to ask what the little box is for 😂 "That's my tools"
We use Gator Grips at our job….they are pretty useless, but come in handy when you don’t have everything with you, such as wrenches, sockets, etc.. When I’m out “in the field”, I cant lug around 250+ tools where I go.
It isn’t a literal “field”….that’s just what we call it. Lol, but yeah…..we go through Gator Grips like candy.
Lmao as if you clarified you aren't wandering around in a field with your toolkit 😅
Seriously buddy, it replaces really nothing, a simple small 3/8 drive socket set is not very big if you need if for your job. This thing causes more problems that it solves.
Buy an adjustable wrench.
@@smkinrade Another tool that's barely better than a gator grip.
Oh, I think you can lug around 250+ tools where you go. You just need a tool packout kit.
I wonder how good an optimally designed version with high quality materials could be.
There are no materials that at the size of those pins could withstand that much torque and not get messed up. They are just too thin, and even if they're not, the springs will get affected.
With a well thought out redesign, and made with quality forged metal, this could be a great inbetween. It’ll never be as good as a normal socket, but it’s like an adjustable spanner. They’re pretty clumsy compared to a normal spanner but it’s handy to own
Yah I was thinking, I wonder if making the pins a diff shape would help with stripping~like instead of cylindrical pins, maybe triangular, or rectangular. And I wonder how sturdy the springs are. if there’s an alternative. To springs, possibly even something that’s not automatic so it doesn’t eject you. When you’re finished you could just push something kn the back and the pins bounce back flat into position.
A redesign and quality forged material would put it out of the "stocking stuffer" price range, which is clearly what they're aiming for.
@@GansterComputerGod Triangle and square/rectangular probably wouldn't be good. Maybe hexagonal though?
@@callak_9974 I think hexagonal minimizes the gripping surface of each side, so the bolts will slip more, and they will be expensive to machine. The triangles (equilateral of course) would have the largest gripping surface for each side. The circles they use are like infinitely sided polygons, so they'll function more like the hexagons, but they're the cheapest to machine I bet. The circles will also always have gaps between circles, so the pins have space to move around and thus have torque applied to them and get bent. Triangles, squares, and hexagons can tile the plane, so one can pack them together really tightly, and this means that the pins have less space to move around and thus bend less. For this you need fairly precise machining, because larger irregularities will mean more bent pins.
@@rinosanchez2150 The problem with triangles and squares is how they would fit in regard with each other. Hexagons do fit nicely and should have more surface area than the circles that they already are.
Also since they are more snug, less likely to get pushed around and be bent. But perhaps a combination of 2 different shaped pins would work the best, however the cost there would be markedly higher.
I sometimes forget I`m watching you guys on TH-cam, all your shows feel like they are part of a network or something. Really high quality and just good entertainment and info.
Every time I grabbed that socket when working with my dad as a kid I'd say, "What about this thing dad?"
...and he'd just say, "No"
Since the first time I ever saw one, I wondered why they used round pins instead of hexagons.
A hex shape would fit around bolts so much better.
Probably just to make them cheap to manufacture
Because hex pins won't fit as many different shapes........
No, I think the ultimate reason it uses round pins instead of hex pins is because hex pins and the hard edges of those pins would chew up your bolt heads moreso than the round pins already do.
@@luigimaster111 nah, if they were considering wear on components they wouldn't have released it at all, hex pins would fit hardly anything but pins can rotate and give slightly to allow anything!
Under almost all circumstances this tool damages the fastener anyway, they just want to sell it as "able to handle anything" not "doesn't scratch your bits but only does half of them"......
I'm sure their Moto is;
We know it's shit, so maximise the range of shitness".......
@@EZ-D-FIANT I'm firmly visualizing this in my head and cannot fathom how hex shaped pins would limit the amount of fastener heads this tool would fit, heck the pins could be rectangular and as long as there were enough of them tightly packed together it'd still have that ability to conform to the shape of your bolt/fastener heads.
One of my favorite things about this channel is the graphics, y’all do an incredible job of explaining everything through graphics
I think it's one of those tools that has a lot of potential but promises to much from one size. They should make ones for different trades (angled to fit sizes often used in them) like electrician, plumber, mechanics, exc. And maybe even make 2-3 sizes with recommendations of what it's really good at.
I'd love to see one for my profession, but as an oilfield mechanic that uses sockets between 1 13/16" to 3 1/2" most often, they'd probably need to use titanium pins to have a chance at handling the torque after watching this video.
Its a good idea in concept, just needs a little reworking to be more versatile. Make the pins tougher, thinner and have more of them. That and let the springs go deeper and you could have something really decent.
I just used my gator grip to repair my office chair when the head of a 1/4" bolt holding the seat back broke off. The gator grip removed the broken bolt with little effort and I also used it to tighten the new bolt and all remaining bolts. Your video taught me that gator grips are OK with light duty jobs but are poor for medium and heavy duty jobs. Thank you for putting it to the test.
I shall buy one of these on the strength of the first half of the video, then put it straight in the junk drawer based on the second half. (EDITED TO FIX MY AWFUL SPELLING OF DRAWERERAWER)
*drawer
😂
Try the Super Socket
@@geopioneergsxr5357 there’s always one, peeple gust kant let its goh
Sold all my sockets and bought one of your all in one socket recommendation. Got excited and left the video early to go buy my new wonder tool. Thanks guys for the heads up advice, and just in time, heading on a long distance drive today, wish me luck🙂👍
I bought one when I got caught without my socket set. It saved me from having to return to the job for another day to finish what I was doing. Saved me several hundred dollars so I’d say it works in a pinch for sure. Still have it in my tool bag. I also carry two socket sets now.
I built my steel building with them they work good on square nuts. Not a great tool by any means but worked perfect for me i wore out two of them but save me a ton of time on the square nuts just push and hit the trigger pretty convenient when you're doing 5000 or so in a row
@Karl with a K Once per bolt!? 🤯
It's a good concept, the execution is just lacking. I feel like it could be redesigned to work much better. Maybe if the pins were shaped to fit more tightly together... maybe hexagonal? Then the contact points between pins would have more surface area to work against, and it would keep the pins from slipping into gaps and bending under load. Although, it seems like someone would have done this already if it would work well.
it still has 3 major points of error. the pins, the springs, and the user who probably wont line it up perfectly, EVER.
Um, the pins are hexagonal.
They have to be.
@@MostlyPennyCat The pins are definitely round. They are in a hexagonal pattern.
I bought one of these for my dad a couple years ago. Up until last month, I wondered what happened to it. I found it in a cabinet with literally 80% of the pins damaged and not working. But ya, pins are cylinders and all the pins together make up a hex shape, like a normal socket.
@@angryginger791
Are you sure that aren't just rounded at the top? As in beveled to ease insertion?
I had one that definitely was hex pins.
Wasn't this brand though
I use my Gator grip pretty often... initially I bought it out of desperation trying to remove a rounded off water pump bolt and it got it out immediately. I was initially skeptical but its now kept in the socket drawer next to bolt extractors. When I'm in a rush its saved me some time. It's gotten me out of quite a few jams and I keep one in my work truck for emergencies. If you bust it they're only like 10 bucks to replace so I think they are a good buy. But mine has not busted in about 5 yrs of occasional use. Like any tool though it's got limitations. I'd say less limitations than just having a 12mm. Doesnt replace the tool kit but it's a good thing to keep in your kit for sure.
So, I know the inventor of this tool. He originally also had a smaller size one. The smaller size one was way better. Almost perfect every time I tried to use it. The larger one (like the one you tested) was loose on more attempts and had some of the same problems you experienced. However, he sold the company years ago and the newer Gator Grips do not seem to be the same quality of the original ones. I also met the producer/director of the infomercial and it is the one that is used to sell the newer Gator Grip that seems to have more issues. Only tried one of the newer generation, so I may have had a bad one (probably not based on your video). If you find the smaller one....buy it and never let someone borrow it (like I did). Once they try the smaller one, they will not give it back and claim they lost it.
That's really interesting. I had a hunch that this was the kind of story you see with a lot of infomercial products-the inventor makes something for a specific use, and then the company that sells it markets it as a revolutionary "fix-all" sort of product, leading to a bad reputation for a good invention. Sounds like this is a similar situation with an added misfortune of the design being changed to perform poorly
In my whole life, I have only found one thing this socket is perfect for (well, almost perfect for)...
It was an odd shaped mini lug nut to an e-bike. And yes, it did tend to round them sometimes, but it was literally the only thing that worked consistently.
There was probably originally supposed to be a specialty lug socket for it but I never saw one in that shop, so I had to make do.
Great show fellas, you guys always crack me up!
I used to love mine as a plumber trying to access pump stations. The bolts are always different sizes, you lose sockets depending on your situation and that ruins a set, and we’re working out of a van a block away sometimes… so a “break glass in case of emergency” socket made life easier… we definitely roasted our first one inside of a couple months tho…
I remember this coming out in the 90's...I bought one, broke it the first time I tried to use it. Always use the right tool for the job, this in the right tool for ONE job...stripped heads! it amazingly works(depending on which one you get, the internal rods are different on many of them) on stripped bolt heads, but honestly...no better than vice grips lol.
Worked in construction and I would keep this in my ‘service’ tool kit when i got called to do quick jobs with minimal gear, It saved my butt many times. Definitely not a great tool, but can be a life saver, coz I wouldn’t just use it to turn bolts, Like a “Jack of all trades master of non, but a master of none is better than a master of one.”
This is seriously one of my favorite videos. Hella funny. I come back to it every now and then
Realistically this would be great for a couple times use on home hardware or a stripped nut or bolt. Can't replace your whole toolbox unfortunately.
Totaly agree.
I’ve used one for years. I use it in a pinch, when there’s one or two things that would require a socket; anymore than that, it’s a trip to the truck. Having a gator in my kit saves me from carrying a whole set because socket work is an every once in awhile thing for me. I can’t imagine trying to do a lot of serious mechanical work with it.
This is the way.
I'll be honest, this was a last resort tool when one of my keyed lugs nut developed a fault (crack most likely from impact use) and the key kept slipping. It broke the lug free thankfully and saved the day. Most likely it worked because the crack had weakened the lugnut. Its always in my toolbox as a "Well....F@#$ we've tried everything else" tool without having to resort to more time consuming and drastic measures.
@11:03 can’t imagine how user error possibly contributed to the failure😂. Overall, great tests and great video.
As a car salesman we are in charge of putting on tags and used cars always have random bolts and the gator grip saves me from needing all bits
When I used to repo I had one to remove license plates for the exact same reason.
I really want an engineer to redesign this to actually work for hex heads at least. I feel like it is possible
yeah my dad has one with hex heads, works pretty good
Geahhh. Noooo
Yeah, I think they failed because they tried to make it a replacement for too many tools. A more specialized version that just replaces a couple of hex nut tools but does it reliably could be way more useful.
You could save time not having to change between common sizes, and a bit of weight and space in your toolbox.
Hex pins and a slight angle on them I feel would work better but then it wouldn’t replace as menu tools
You could just have a set of sleeves with staggered sizes. Depending on the sleeve thickness, you'd need a couple sockets. Maybe one does 10, 13, 16, 19, then the next does 11, 14, 17, 20, and the last does 12, 15, 18, 21.
No tool like this is going to withstand the torque a purpose-built socket will though, and it has the problem that it's stupidly big. A lot of smaller fasteners are located in places this socket simply can't fit, so you still have to have a set of regular sockets to take the car apart.
If you could make a gator-grip that wasn't so fragile, it might be useful for routine work on low-torque bolts in easy-to-reach locations, but it simply can't remove the need for a real toolbox. For the person who only does one or two things on their car, I'd still recommend just buying the correct one or two sockets.
Pretty sure I have the same one? The “GatorGrip”. Always called it the GatorSlip. Someone gave it to me years ago and I threw it in the van and have had it ever since. I’ve used it maybe a handful of times. I mean, it gets the job done for smaller stuff. Also the weird stuff like the eye hooks and wing nuts and stuff. But any large fasteners or anything that requires actually being torqued down it absolutely doesn’t beat a regular old socket.
I love that you blurred the guy sticking his finger through the eye bolt.
The gator grip is actually genius
No, its actually garbage.
@@Carstuff111 must mean genius advertising 😂
@@tonymarshall9670 or maybe referring to the concept being a genius LOL. But saying that this specific tool is a genius, however, is incorrect, by ALL means 😆
Yeah, with some proper design & engineering, plus much better materials, this could work out.
i like it
They're perfect for rounded off bolts, nuts, etc. and lowering a spare truck tire. There's a use for every tool, no matter how dumb the design
The design is genius, it's the manufacturing which can't live up to the design, this as a $100 tool with near perfect engineering/tolerances/materials and twice the number of pins for a higher density could be out of this world useful.
We still haven't found a use for your mom yet
Yep. That's why I have one. They have their use. However, definitely not a replace all.
@@cenciende9401nope. The design has a fundamental flaw and making the pins smaller might make it worse: the pins extend downwards with no support, like if they were dangling but densily packed instead. This makes them very flexy and unable to withstand a lot of shear stress.
TRUCK TIRE! Exactly why I have one! Mount one on the drill driver - no more hand cranking
My mom gets one for me every Christmas. She always says the same thing, "You know that I never know what to get you, but I was at Wal-Mart and I saw this and since you love working on things and fixing things, It just had your name written all over it". Next year I'm asking for a new tool box so I can fill it up with all the Gator grips that I have taking up so much room in my actual tool boxes. 🤣
Do you think a similar tool but with different pin shapes would work better? Like hexagonal shaped pins?
Good idea patent it and make millions, not sure there may be that version but if not....
Yes, maybe drop forged or heat treated hex pins for durability.
I would imagine the reason this tool has round pins is cause with the hex pins, it would scare up the bolt pretty bad as sharp edges would be pressed up and torqued on the flat edges of the bolt. Not that the round pins dont do that, but probably to a lesser degree
@@SupChad735 like it didn't do that already
@@ILoveTinfoilHats I mean I would assume the round pins would scar it less was my point
Obviously, it didn't do all the things the infomercial said it would, but it doesn't look like complete garbage. Seems like it wouldn't be a bad thing to keep around for the occasional weird nut or bolt nothing else seems to be able to handle. Nice job, guys. :)
Why wouldn’t they make this but instead of pins, you have like 10 hex-shaped metal rings inside the socket. Then at least it would work on a bunch of different sized hexes pretty well.
I think THAT is a good idea!!
I believe this product exists, or existed at one point in time. Can't remember what it was called.
it would be too fragile
1. it wouldn't work as well with eye bolts, etc.
2. you'd need to make sure the rings won't sever from their linkage to the base socket up to a reasonable amount of torque.
@@rfmerrill I have about 5 of those. My mom gets me these every Christmas and there are about 7 manufactures that all make them slightly different. One actually has hex pins and is a bit deeper and sturdier.
Yes, Gator Grip has it's limitations, but... it does come in handy sometimes. You just have to know it's strengths and weaknesses. It has surprised me a few times.. but it won't replace your tool kit.
I have one in my travel tool kit. Space and weight are at a premium for me, as my tools have to go in my checked baggage. The crates for the equipment I work on don't always have the same size bolts and this keeps me from having to carry a complete set of sockets. It doesn't always grip as well as a dedicated socket, but it does what I need.
I personally have found them kind of useful for like loose bolts but when it comes to very tight bolts it doesn't work that well. Definitely can't replace your socket set but it can be useful for like EDC kind of stuff.
This product originally came out in the early 2 thousands. I remember the SC on TV commercials for it. My mom ended up buying one and it never failed us. I think it's still in the garage somewhere today. Back then, It wasn't a bit you could put on the wrench. The thing itself was its own wrench, And you couldn't D attach it.
This tool has been around longer than that. I got a prototype in 1993, and they were being sold shortly after that. The original before the company was sold was good. The smaller one was even better.
I like it and use it relatively often. You just have to know the limits of your tools and what they are designed to do.
They are good in a pinch. Bought one for the hell of it and for light work. Though for fun I did remove an old alternator off a truck that had been sitting for years with it. But if you are doing light work with a bunch of sizes it's nice to have lying around, though I'd suggest it mainly for interior work or assembling premade items. However, the more torque you need, the more of a bad idea it is. And if you are a biker, it's wise to have the main heads you need for heavy duty parts and one of those for almost anything else.
The first rule of tool use is that every tool has a job, and it does that job better than any other tool. Whenever you try to make a multi-purpose tool, it never works as good as the original tool. Take for instance 7-in-1 utility knives. They don't do any of their jobs better than just having the tools individually.
@dolita windo I don't think I understand what you're trying to say. The point of the ad is to show it can complete any task a normal socket can accomplish, but it acts as a one-size-fits-all to prevent looking for the right socket. Issue is it seems to experience critical failure very quickly, even when just doing the bare minimum demo they replicated from the ad. Basically it fails or flat out breaks when used for its intended purpose, where a normal socket would not break, nor damage the bolt/nut/hardware you are fastening/loosening.
The only time those type are viable is when they save you from carrying several tools. A 6-in-1 screwdriver, for instance.
The tool you have is better then the tool you don't.
Aside from that looks shit.
There are situations where versatility counts, though... it's a lot easier to find space for a 7-in-1 than 7 different ideal tools.
@@somejerk5662 in soms cases your right. Like how most hammers have multiple uses because they're designed to be one tool for one job. The issue is a 7-in-1 utility tool is going to do seven jobs less efficiently than if you had seven individual tools. My point is that you want a tool to maximize efficiency, precision, and accuracy, and when you try to make a tool with multiple purposes you lose a good portion of them. In a bare bones scenario, I would definitely prefer to have a 7-in-1 utility tool than no tools at all.
You could definitely replace 3 drawers of tools with the gator grip, it would have to be with enough gator grips to refill those 3 drawers tho as they are so soft
I’ve used one of these at my old place and I tell you for random bolts that ain’t too hard to undo you could easily just use this, it’s isn’t amazing but it isn’t absolutely terrible.
Lmao. I hung a 55" tv using only this socket and a pliers😂
Used mine today in an impact driver to drive eye hooks in 2x4's to hang up outdoor power tools. Works excellent.
Very light duty tool..
@dejuren lol, so you like to promote crap, that's worse than your negativity issue..
Good with hooks
I’d love some sort of unshielded version that can be a hex wrench instead of a socket. It wouldn’t do for any high-torque applications but it seems like it would be great for putting together IKEA furniture.
Just use a drill with a hex bit.
IKEA duty was my first thought as well, they should bundle a tiny, cheap version with furniture purchases
You can get a proper hex set that won't strip your screws for the same price as one of these
I remember my dad having one of these in the house drawer of tools. It honestly came in hand for small stupid things instead of having to run out to the garage and go through his cabinet.
I've had mine for about 22 years now. I use it primarily to get the rock guard off my truck when I change my oil, but it's pretty reliable once you get a good lock/grip, especially with corroded things.
I used it all over the rooftops of Tampa doing kitchen range installs though back in 2001-2008!
When I first saw the gator grip I thought "man, that's pretty nifty AND four $11?!", so I had to get it. I got a few good uses out of it before the springs messed up. I managed to get it to function enough to work solidly. For $11 it's not bad, I'm content with my purchase.
@dolita windo yeah, it's annoying. I use it but rarely
Having one in the toolbox can be really useful, especially for oddly shaped stuff (like hooks, rings etc.) I would not try to use it as a regular socket unless I have no other choice though. It can be easily damaged and is too shallow for any useful application on nuts and some bolts. Additionally it is significantly longer and wider than the regular sockets.
A big consideration for me is effectiveness vs volume/weight. I value having 'something' in my kit that can be applied to the present task, even if it's not ideal. My basic toolbag plus drill kit covers 95% of everything I deal with, with many of the tools sacrificing utility for versatility. Given the miniscule form factor, even as a one-off solution, this seems worth keeping one on hand.
Bought my dad one of these a few years ago. Recently my sister was renovating her room, and I needed to take down the blinds from above the window, and the wing nuts that I needed to remove were totally stuck! Was able to use the super socket to remove them (that's what they were branded when we got it for dad btw). It really does work for things that no other socket can fit. Also my dad's super socket has hexagonal pins so the tool does work a bit better.
This made me laugh SO hard ! “A moment of silence for everyone that has died using the gator grip”