PRODUCTS

LOCKING PLIER CONNECTOR

What's in the box...

The Dexterous Instruments Locking Plier Connector kit includes:

1 x carbon steel locking plier connector body

1 x Anodised aluminum 1/4-20" UNC gender bender

1 x 1/4-20" UNC x 1" Conehead set screw

1 x 1/4-20" UNC x 1.25" Conehead set screw

1 x 1/8" hex key

1 x Printed product insert

It's all you need to get started with modular work holding at scale.

Introducing the NEW Locking plier connector from Dexterous Instruments. It is the first connector of its kind to allow the rigid and accurate mounting of locking pliers to any holding accessories that provide a ¼-20” UNC, or 8mm metric fine thread attachment points. The Locking plier connector is compatible with most standard locking pliers* from 4” to 10” in size including long nose and curved jaw pliers. The Locking plier connector is modular and compatible with a staggering array of mounting options including mounts for photography, indicator arms, and clamps which gives makers the joy of creation through the empowered work holding assistance it provides. The only limitation is your imagination.

Instructions

Modular locking plier attachment

UNIQUE DESIGN:

Provides modular third-hand solutions at scale
Affords precise, versatile, and authoritative work holding
Creates a highly versatile connection between a wide range of dial indicator arms and photographic arms
Rivals all existing third-hand offerings
Engineered from first principals to be foundational for precise work holding
Affords erector set-like construction experience
Utilizes commonly owned accessories for low initial system setup costs
Made from carbon steel for durability, authority, and long thread life
Patent pending

FEATURE LIST:

Positive, rigid clamp to locking pliers from 4” to 10” in size
Simple single-piece body
Compatible with ¼-20” UNC 20TPI photographic threads
Compatible with 8mm fine metric threads.
Compatible with dial indicator dove tail interfaces.

PAIN RELIEVERS:

Build third-hand solutions with no, creep, sag, no spring back
Build third-hand solutions that require no heavy manual manipulation for precise positioning
Build third-hand solutions that have no fixed rigidity. You can set your drag from zero to hero for all axes from a single dial
Take humans out of harm's way

Mount locking pliers easily on camera arms.

Third Hand systems at SCALE

Third-hand helping-hands heavy duty, small and miniature

Clamp vice grips or locking pliers to photography magic arms to create third hand and helping hand clamping jigs at scale. This photographic shows locking pliers from 10" curved jaw pliers down to 4" long nose locking pliers all mounted on photography arms from large to small. Our locking plier connector is the junction between your locking pliers and your camera mounts.

Optical bread board mounting of third-hand system

Soldering Stations

Create versatile third-hand soldering stations for electronics with the NEW Dexterous Instruments Locking Plier Connector. Use the connector with Vise grips or locking pliers and arms you already have to create precise, rigid, and versatile part clamping solutions.

Here we show a Locking Plier Connector on the left joining a camera locking arm to a set of 4" long nose locking pliers on a metal base.

On the right, a second locking plier connector is being used to join a dial indicator arm and magnetic base to the second pair of 4" long nose locking pliers.

This gives precise placement of the PCB and also exact positioning of the wires and parts to be soldered.

The 1/4-20" UNC threads and dovetail features on the locking plier connector make constructing systems like this quick and simple.

* Dial indicator arm must have dovetail connector.

* Not compatible with:

-Pin/dowel only dial indicator connectors

-Pliers with grips or pliers larger than 12" curved jaw

We are proud to introduce the features of our new Locking Plier Connector by Dexterous Instruments. This video shows how our Locking Plier Connector is the missing link for creating highly capable free-form work holding solutions and jigs. The Locking Plier Connector combines the dexterity of indicator arms with the fine clamping control of locking pliers for total work holding freedom and authority. We hope you enjoy using them as much as we do.

Tips and Tricks

Although we have tested the product comprehensively, we cannot provide a warranty for all configurations you may find to utilize this product. Hence you must test thoroughly all configurations you set up and validate fit form and function to determine fitness for purpose.

Take care not to damage surfaces with locking pliers.

Take care not to overload any apparatus in your setup. Refer to manufacturers' specifications for each apparatus in your setup and do not exceed any apparatus loading.

Do not mismatch threads.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS -WARNINGS-

Always wear eye and ear protection, gloves & other appropriate safety items for protection.
Don’t overload mounts, arms, or accessories you attach to this product.
Do not over-tighten set screws.
Follow all warnings and safety instructions for all accessories used with this product.
This product is not a safety device.
Do not use in business-critical applications.
Inspect the device to ensure there are no defects prior to operating this product.
* Dial indicator must have a dovetail connector.

* Not compatible with:

pin/dowel only dial indicator connectors
Pliers with grips covering fixed handle
Pliers larger than 12" curved jaw

Locking Plier Connector Compatibility

Use the following table to verify which accessories are compatible with the Dexterous Instruments Locking Plier Connector. Items with the "Tested OK" status have been physically tested. Those with the "Spec. Match" status have compatible specifications as listed on the manufacturer's documentation.

LockingPlierConnectorCompatibiliy

Accessories

Top accessories machinists can now mount on your indicator arms using the Locking Plier Connector.

Check out Todd's review on locking pliers to assist your selection when buying for your Locking Plier Connector system.

Note: Dexterous Instruments can't garantee all pliers listed will be compatible with our locking plier connector.

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