Tool Review: Vampliers 7.5” Long Nose Screw Extraction Pliers
The Vampliers Long Nose 7.5” Screw Extraction Pliers by Vampire Tools are designed for removing stripped, rusted, corroded, stuck or one-sided torx screws, nuts and bolts. The pliers are designed with patented Vampliers technology and feature inter-meshed top teeth for a non-slip grip, ergonomic handles designed for comfort and T-shaped forge handles to prevent the grip covers from twisting or slipping off. The pliers are designed for hard-to-reach screws up to 5.5mm in diameter and 2.2mm in height. The pliers are made in Japan from high-carbon stainless steel.
The review
Removing broken screws can be a time-consuming endeavor for technicians. Phil Fournier, owner and technician at Phil’s Auto Clinic in Hemet, Calif., appreciated the quality and the gripping power of the serrated jaws on the Vampliers 7.5” Long Nose Screw Extraction Pliers.
“As an 'old school' guy, I was concerned that a tool made in Japan would not be of good enough quality to function reliably. I was certainly wrong there,” Fournier says.
“Here in California, we have fewer cases of rust as compared to other areas, but one place that always tends to rust is the exhaust shields on most vehicles. It is very common for the manufacturer to use low-quality screws, and the heads shear right off. These pliers will [sometimes] back the screw right out,” he says. He notes that this is a huge timesaver, since it prevents him from having to drill the screw out in these instances.
Fournier noted that the pliers have very precise alignment. The serrated edges of the screw extraction portion of the pliers make them good for pulling out screws that have broken or rounded off. “Even though the primary design calls for extraction of broken screws, I find that their precision grip and fine cutting edge makes them a tool I now grab routinely,” he adds. Fournier also appreciated that the plastic grip handles worked well even with greasy hands.
There was no manual included with the pliers, and although Fournier found them easy to use, he suggested that including a link to the pliers’ product video would be helpful. Fournier notes that he watched the product video to get a better understanding of the pliers’ intended uses. “I’ve never heard of this tool company before and have not seen it on the tool trucks. It seems pretty unique,” he says.
There was nothing that Fournier disliked about the tool, but he did suggest that a locking mechanism to help maintain the grip on a broken screw might be helpful for some applications.
Overall, Fournier appreciated the quality of the steel and the gripping power of the pliers. “I wish I had this tool long ago,” he says
