Who makes the best claw / grabbers?

[diglassworks]

I'd really like to find a claw that lasts longer than a year without fucking up. I'd sure appreciate some suggestions here before I purchase another one. Mabye we can have a vote after a few people chime in their favorite brand/type of claw. Thanks ahead of time people.

[Glass Evolution]

L&K tools

[Breed]

I got mine from Generations glass earlier this year. They are the non i/o with the black rubber handle. I have to say, I don't like them.

The slide is sooooo stiff I have to use both hands to open and tighten it. I have lost more than a few peices to the concrete trying to get those claws onto them. I've tried grinding the claws, twisting them, everything I can think of to loosen them, no go.

Beware.

[zigs]

my hand is the best claw grabber ever since i got a high heat pad...no shit...can hold onto a pipe forever w/ one, try one out they're only 30 bucks from ABR...best thing ever invented for glass pipe making! Plus, there is no risk of thermal shock, or scratching or slipping out of them from some stinkin metal claw grabbers...ya know

[Firekist]

the 63$ one from colored sands is pretty darn nice, but it doesn't get too small. it's heavy duty, counter weight adjustable.. and the individual arms are removable via hex nut.

z--seth

[mistahead]

my hand is the best claw grabber ever since i got a high heat pad...no shit...can hold onto a pipe forever w/ one, try one out they're only 30 bucks from ABR...best thing ever invented for glass pipe making! Plus, there is no risk of thermal shock, or scratching or slipping out of them from some stinkin metal claw grabbers...ya know

thats sounds sweet especially for bigger pieces!! just wondering how big it was? theres not that much info on the abr site.

[Glass Evolution]

herbert arnold

[Julian]

i've enjoyed Glasscraft, L&K and Arrow Springs over the years.
L&K made my large, sturdy goblet claw holders that I use for goblets or large paperweights. L&K stuff is great.
Glasscraft made my old trusty claw holders that I've had 8 years, and my old favorite bead holder, the mini ball holder. My ex girlfriend back then was tired of hearing me complain about pieces that wouldn't fit in the claw and she rebent the wires, even heating them up to do so, to make something cureved that held irregular hollow things. It worked better than the original goblet foot grabbing shape. Anyway I think their stuff holds up, but I don't like the teflon handles.
I have a set of 4 brass ones I got earlier this year for small stuff from a distributor, I believe Arrow Springs makes them. Flameproof handles, tight holding, good shapes and sizes for beads and marbles.

[rumplephorskin]

I second the vote for arrow springs!!!!! as a matter of fact i will ALWAYS check them first for any tool i want to buy. except for leaf mashers. i like glass craft for those.

[zigs]

it is exactly 9"x8.5" and i usually fold it in half...the best bet is to have 2 of them one for each hand, or two in one hand for maximum coverage...but here check out these pics, they may seriously benefit you

http://www.glasspipes.org/Gal13994_high_heat_pad.asp

[Greymatter Glass]

just bend a coat hanger every few weeks.....

[Harry Paratesteez]

Borat makes the best claw........

[zigs]

i'll even use this pad to hold onto a piece while doing the main seal just so the weight of the stem is on the bridge, as opposed to the weight of a big ass can...just like pictured i hold the piece on the bottom(round with a two inch sealed off hollow punty, not flattened already), bridge it, and work the seam while holding the can and with a carbon poker at your hand to plug the hole when blowing into the hollow punty, and when you're not using your right hand to help guide the piece...less risk off bridges breaking...and alot easier to execute finishing steps...this pad is also good if you mess up say, flattening the bottom and it's a spinner or someting, because you dont need to put a blowtube on the mouthpiece, instead you just hold it with the pad...get it? need i say more? there are a ton of different uses, GET ONE it is a necessity...ty, zig

[Satori]

So zigs,
Does this pad ever leave any marks on the pieces? I'm guessing not because you love it so much! I just know that my buddy has some kevlar gloves out at his hot shop and we use em to put pieces in the annealing oven. If you hold on to something for to long with them, they start to burn and will eventually leave a burn mark on your piece. Just curious if these had the same problem or not.

Thanks!

[zigs]

nope...no marks my friend, dont get me wrong it will eventually get hot, but i have never had it burn onto a piece or get so hot i cant hold it...i have kevlar kiln gloves to and its not the same...this shit is from outer space...

[blackstoneglass]

I love my glass craft claw grabbers they are very light which is nice when you are using two to put a goblet together. My csg one is very heavy w/ a counter wieght which i thought i would like but they make my hands and forearms tired very quickly....mike

[pyrorob05]

L&K all the way by far the cheapest ive had mine for 3 years they rust up a bit on the shaft but a quick spray of DW-40 from time to time keeps it sliding like knew and the locking nut easily tightens and loosens unlike many claw grabbers with the brass octagonal shaped handles that dont feel right in your hand

[FiredDesires]

Breed..I hear you. I bought the same thing back in Sept as a birthday present for my son and everything you have described is what he's gone through. I'm very disappointed in these grabbers, takes both hands to operate them they are so stiff. I've tried waxing them, graphite...etc

[KT-Old School Glass]

Hey Breed and Fired Desires,
Give me a call (888-456-7975) or email me. I have stopped selling the ones that you guys got for that reason. I will replace the ones that you have with the new ones that I carry. The new ones have really smooth action.

The ones that I carry now are the ones that Glasscraft used to carry (before they started having the made in China) and are still made in the USA.

Glasscraft never made their own grabbers. They have been having theirs made in China for about a year now and have been having a few quality issues.

[Stagger Lee]

Damn Kristian's got some good customer service. I might have to start using him more in the furture.


this shit is from outer space... that all you had to say. I'm getting some of these thangs now. I've seen a mit, pad and a sleeve. Which is the best one to get. I'd think the pad.

Kristian............ you got these?????????

[boxfan willy]

I'll 2nd that on the Glasscraft grabbers. the new ones kinda suck. The wire has no memory whatsoever. They don't open as much as the old ones. $35, you get what you pay for. If you can ever get one of Matt Eskuche's grabbers, they are the shit, no questions asked. I've had them for over two years, carried 'em all over and they are still straight as an arrow. Made with stainless and drill stock, counterbalanced. $200

boxfan

[Mr. Smiley]

Kristian does carry the pads. I picked one up from him at AGI. It's great for wiping kiln dust off of garaged pieces too. I don't know how I lived without that pad.

[KT-Old School Glass]

As far as the pads, sleeves, mitts, and gloves go, we carry the Original Heat Defense Products. These are rated for up to 2200 F. They will not marr the surface of the glass or leave any residue. The Pads and Mitts are the best out of the set. Keep in mind that they are extremely heat resistant but can produce some steam that can be hot.

There are a few knock-offs out there that I have not had the chance to check out in person so I can't give an accurate opinion of them.

[zigs]

Here it is...get one


Link (http://www.dichroicimagery.com/product_info.php?cPath=16&products_id=1806)

[FiredDesires]

Kristian...you are the bomb! Please know that I wasn't slamming GG or you, just those damn grabbers! Yes, everyone...I have dealt with K & GG over the last three years several times and always, always the customer satisfaction is top notch...before even purchasing items from him..I used to email and ask questions etc..Kristian would always offer it up, with concern & patience to boot....happy holidays to ya my man.

[Breed]

Kristian...you are the bomb! Please know that I wasn't slamming GG or you, just those damn grabbers!

Ditto.

Thanks again kristian! :D

[ALIEN!]

killed my grabber the other day, lanced off a claw oops. So anyone know where I can view a L&K grabber? Never did like the $50 ABR pair, the locknut never held, and by the time I was done using them on a piece my thumb is all sore ass from holding the nut.

[ALIEN!]

so yeah, any advice on a good grabber would be great, this is the only thread I really found and its old as hell so I dont know if there's any newer better grabbers on the market. Looking for an all around use grabber, medium size. The pair I have now is the I/O flared $50 ABR kind. Any preference on I/O, non flared? Never really did use them for grabbing on the inside, always wondered if the non flared grabbed better or if they are worse for scratching. Bottom line is, I want a pair that I can grab tight as shit on the glass and know the lock nut will stay clamped, thumb-on-the nut all day make me feel like im getting carpal-tunnel syndrome. Really, I've noticed some pain in my right hand and wrist lately and notice it flares up when using the grabber. (Its even worse now that the grabber is missing a finger)

[ralph]

Hi ALIEN, I really like the grabbers from Sundance art glass. http://www.sundanceglass.com/lgtoolpiper.htm
the brass looking one's holding the goblets, not the cheapo one in the dudes hand. I think they are like $90, I have had mine for 9yrs and bought an additional larger model 4yrs ago. I would call them direct, I think they manufacture them in house.

[lisaerickson]

My boyfriend and I decided to try to make one ourselves, it was fun, we went to ace hardware with the piece that has the holes and screw and the guy was like oh yeah i'll make you one and he did, it worked great, getting the metal rods right was the tricky part

[Dom]

Ive been using these for the last 4 years. Glad I got them for only 20 bucks.

http://www.sundanceglass.com/lampWEB/hf420-glassblowing-fingers-lg.jpg

[Chubbles]

those are the same ones I have. I have had them for like 4 years too and they are perfect.

[ALIEN!]

ended up getting a cheap-o $30 "medium" economy pair from ABR. I think my last pair was ABR's 50$ medium ones. The $30 ones have a way better lock IMO and ar shorter and smaller in diameter, but hold like some kung fu grip action. Since they're smaller in dia. I have to grab the mouth end of a spoon with my shitty broken ass old pair so Im not trying to fling the piece out in the kiln while my hand is burning. Still a step up though since they grab so nice. I'd still like a well built pair one and two sizes bigger in the future, but Im good with these for now.

[Robert Mickelsen]

This is the best all-around finger holder there is: http://home.comcast.net/~lktooling/images/lrgfinger.jpg

Mostly because of the range of sizes it will hold - from less than 1 " to almost 5". There is no other version of this tool that will do that. I would prefer a longer handle, but do not like counterweights. I prefer a tool that will hold a cup from the inside or the outside to those that will only hold from the outside. This particular tool is relatively inexpensive and the ones I bought from L&K more than ten years ago still work perfectly.

I also own a brass one I bought from C&R Loo a number of years ago that looks almost the same but they do not appear to carry it anymore. It has the same features... wide range, inside and out, no counterweight and handle too short... but made of brass and a little nicer. Anyone know where I can get another one of these?

- RAM

[ALIEN!]

Hey robert, most hardware and home improvement stores carry copper (or maybe its brass?) tubing, I plan on making mine longer by sliding on a length with a little glue maybe to hold it. Maybe try that?

[Lub]

RAM where can you buy that model? i killed my claws last week, they suck now, and i need 2 new pairs cuz only having one sucks.

[Bo Diddles]

Check out these puppies, with limited edition handle extension / counterweight.
Okay, they're ugly but they work better than my other pair! (the small ones)

[Bo Diddles]

Damn it!
Here's the pic lol....

[shelbo]

matt eskuche makes the best claw grabbers ever to grace the planet but i dont think that anyone stocks them anymore... winship had em for a while but no more most likely.... if you snoozed on them when they were in front of you and you ended up with some cheap bullshit then sucks to be you.... also if you are making pipes and jars only then you will never fully appreciate a quality cup and foot holding tool.

[Bo Diddles]

Whoa, didn't you even see my picture? Now THOSE are the best grabbers ever, with all due respect to Matt.
Just had to clear that up.

[shelbo]

whoa, reread the last sentence of my post por favor. just had to clear that up.

[Bo Diddles]

um, I was just joking... i made those grabbers, and they're crap compared to matt's.
your last sentence talks about making jars and pipes. are you addressing that to me or something? i use my grabbers for vases and goblets. can i appreciate a quality cup and foot holding tool?

[Lub]

Anyone? I am not spending 50 for the ones on generations, they don't seem worth that (Sorry kristian) i feel like they were 35 when i got my first pair

[Lub]

i want these how much are they, are they still in biz, anyone know? http://home.comcast.net/~lktooling/6_finger_holder.htm six finger holder, dual, same link as ram posted

[gn0me]

I love my set of hot fingers grabbers from Arrow Springs (www.arrowsprings.com)... check em out. No nuts to tighten or lose and they stay the same length... nicely weighted and balanced, too.

http://www.arrowsprings.com/Hot_Fingers_-_Medium_with_Flare.jpg

[Lub]

how do you not drop stuff?^^^

[gn0me]

how do you not drop stuff?^^^

I never said I didn't!!

But in actuality, the brass bushing on the handle slides back and forth to loosen/tighten the claws.... mine are pretty new, so i don't know if they loosen over time, but they're pretty tight now. I haven't had anything fall out yet!

[Belgin Bilgin]

Pls where i can buy this grabber?

[Belgin Bilgin]

Pls let me know where i can buy this grapper http://home.comcast.net/~lktooling/images/lrgfinger.jpg

[JBob]

looks quality id like to know as well!

[Greymatter Glass]

Those might be L&K claws, if so I think the guys who run L&K are looking to sell the company, not sure if they're making tools currently? ABR, Glasscraft, ArtCo, and Arrow Springs have good claws and can ship internationally...

Also, Zombie Thread Friday?

[Chad S]

Matt Eskuche makes awesome claw grabbers! He sent me an email not too long ago saying he's currently redesigning his tool and should have them for sale again very soon.

[Chad S]

But yeah L & K are top notch tools as well. Check out this link... http://home.comcast.net/~lktooling/6_finger_holder.htm

[skip]

L and K are what I have been using for 10 years. I would say they are the best bang for the buck. There are some others that are really nice but the price difference is why I choose L and K,.

[InIty]

Keep us posted on those Eskuche grabbers! I'd love to get my hands on some of those...