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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 พ.ค. 2024
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Are universal sockets as bad as people say? We bought a bunch of Gator Grips to find out how useful they REALLY are?
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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.
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?
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"
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
Yes I hate that oddball stuff that a standard crescent wrench will remove.
adjustable wrenches work too....
@@chancellor170 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.
@@chancellor170 I know, right? A crescent wrench doesn't work well in tight, recessed areas.
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
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?
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'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
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 🤣
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.
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 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
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
@@valk13yrie67 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.
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
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.
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!
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
Actually I have seen rip-offs where they are hexagonal.. In fact it's worse. You get a much more slip.
@@tomr6955 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
I thought the world's most hated tool was Kanye....
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.
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!
@@andrewpulle315 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.
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 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
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
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.
This has actually found use in my tool box for stripped heads on bolts. Works really well on them.
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.
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
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.
@11:03 can’t imagine how user error possibly contributed to the failure😂. Overall, great tests and great video.
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.
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
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've used the gator grip on a stripped head bolt .
It worked ....
I used one to lower the spare tire under the truck after the key socket was missplaced..... more likely never given to me with truck
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 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"
This is seriously one of my favorite videos. Hella funny. I come back to it every now and then
I do like it for stuff like eye bolts when I put up hanging plants and stuff. I don't use it for anything serious, but for crafts and stuff, it works pretty well.
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...
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.
Looks like for basic household use and light automotive work, it can be useful- but no matter what you're using it for, you can't apply too much torque; you have to use it a bit carefully and be aware that if you screw it up you may chew up the material whatever you're working on, or break your gatorgrip.
I see a use for this. You got a tool box, you find out you don't have the right size socket or whatever for what your doing. Instead of having to go to the store, have a go with this.
It won't replace your toolbox, but for 10 bucks could save you a trip to the store if you don't have the right size socket etc
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
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.
I have one that I use occasionally for light work instead of digging out my socket set. Could easily be improved on but if you center it carefully it works well enough
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 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
I got one of these recently. It can't solve "all" your ratcheting needs, but it is super useful. Keep a regular ratchet set on hand, however.
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. :)
As a general rule, if I see anything with "as seen on TV" as one of the reasons I should buy it, it stays on the shelf.
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 man, you must be a god damn genius
@@alistairwalker2850 thank you so much, I had no idea what he was talking about…
@@Nbomber fool of a took
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?
Lmao. I hung a 55" tv using only this socket and a pliers😂
I just used one tonight to extract a set screw on a stripper pole. The extractor was meant to be used with a T-handle but i attached it to a 3/8 socket to my impact. Worked beautifully! Thats the only time I’ve actually needed this tool and it did not disappoint. It’s weird that this video popped up on my suggested videos the same night I needed it!
Stripper pole? I was hoping for a backstory 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.
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 agree with a lot of this comment section.. That it's definitely no magic replace-all tool... It does have its occasional and oddball uses for those weird uses where nothing else works. I've got a whole set of Knipex pliers of various types and sizes these days.. And I still reach for the gator grip every now and then. For 10 bucks, it's worthwhile to have in every toolbox. You may never need it.. But that one time you do, you're gonna wish you had it. Also, breaking it will not make you cry 100 dollar bill shaped tears.
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!
love it, I bought one of these like 6-7 years ago. It actually worked on small bolts and nuts where I didn't have the right wrench and was in a pinch. Get yourself a nice set of wrenches, ratchets, and sockets and you'll never need one of these
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
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 love that you blurred the guy sticking his finger through the eye bolt.
This works really really well as a replacement if you cannot find it a set of keys for your lug nuts. These will remove any key lug nut once or twice lol, always good to have around as a mechanic or a tire shop
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.
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 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.
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
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.
As a Pipefitter 25+ years I use it alot. When we're hanging strut or pipe clamps I have 1 tool and my drill. Other brothers are carrying 3 plus and stop each time to swap. These are not your replace all but they do work well.
No they don’t replace a tool kit but they have their place. I do metal framing and drywall for a living and i have to do concrete anchors and occasional odd ball things like eye lags and stuff and i always keep it in my work truck and it has saved me a few times. I do usually have a socket set on me and of course I prefer that but there have been times I didn’t have my sockets or I didn’t have the right size and had to bust out the gator grip. Its more of a last resort tool.
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 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.
I use mine for the crash barrels and other road signs that have the flashing light bolted to them. It’s a regular 1/2” bolt but the head is D shaped requiring a special socket. I needed to replace the batteries in a bunch of lights and I didn’t have the special socket. Working nights means going to buy the correct socket isn’t happening. I used this socket on a Milwaukee M18 impact driver and I was amazed at the fact that the socket made it with no damage
I'm a carpenter. This tool works great for I-bolts and hooks and such. Just because the marketers oversell what it can do, doesn't make the thing entirely useless.
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 used one of these for years on the road to assemble and disassemble clothing racks. It had been in my toolbox when I lost the socket I needed. I still have it ten years later, though I did purchase a replacement socket for the job eventually. The whole hook driver thing was invaluable as we used them on the wooden clothing racks. I will say it isn’t the best replacement tool, but in right circumstances works well enough.
I do handyman-type work professionally. My wife bought me one of these c. 2019. My experience has been that it’s not great for heavy duty applications, or indeed most situations involving ordinary hex bolts, but it IS excellent for weird shit. Eyebolts, hooks, sometimes weird off sizes that nothing seems to fit, etc. As a marketing campaign, selling that as THE intended application is obviously not going to generate the interest and high volume sales they want to recoup the development costs, so I get why they try to sell it as light/medium duty general purpose, but still if there was more awareness of it as a really good tool to get you out of an annoying spot rather than for general use, it might get better press and adoption.
I also feel like it could be more useful if there was something you could turn, slide, etc to enable or disable the spring loading. Spring loading is only REALLY necessary when screwing a hook or eyebolt into the ceiling or something like that, and as this video demonstrates, the requirement to hold it down can be a serious PITA in other situations. Along the same lines, if the pins were hexagonal, triangular, square, or any other tessellating shape, it might not be so prone to slippage on off sizes because the pins wouldn’t have space between them, nor smooth and round edges. It would still never replace a proper socket set, but it might help eg finishing a job with just a few things left to tighten up instead of having to swap sockets
One of my favorite things about this channel is the graphics, y’all do an incredible job of explaining everything through graphics
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.
It works in a pinch but don’t plan on using it too many times as they either break by the pins jamming and crossing or just get stuck.
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 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.
You get what you pay for. It's a good piece to have on hand if you can only carry one thing, and it will generally do the job it's designed for.
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.
For light duty these are awesome. I used them putting together a table today. To tighten at the end I used a regular wrench.
I personally own the gator socket. While it is not ideal for all applications it is definitely a good tool to keep in your box as it has proven to be useful to me a few times and when you are trying to get something done and this is the only tool that did it, I can appreciate that.
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…
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.