Grappler Going Back

[valvestem125]

Well, my Gerber Grappler is going back to Cabelas tomorrow, where I bought it on March 3rd, 2010.

For those of you familiar with the Grappler, there are three visible small coil springs in the Grappler (two small, one larger) that are used to activate certain functions.  This afternoon, after coming up from the cellar (man cave) after oiling up the Grappler, and playing around with it, I noticed the larger coil spring just hanging from one end.  The other end, still visible, was broken off the spring.  The function of the Grappler SEEMS to be OK, I think the spring that broke opens the jaws as the mechanism is adjusted with the thumbwheel on the threaded shaft.

Seeing as I laid my hands on the receipt immediately, (another miracle) I'll be making a run on Cabelas, get my money back and put it towards a LM Charge.  I just don't trust another Grappler, with the spring issue.  I do like the design and locking thinner tip pliers, and outboard tools.  Maybe in the future,

[Anthony]

Are you able to snap a pic of it before you trade it in? 

[Mr. Whippy]

The Sears Craftsman versions of locking pliers have had this same problem IME.  The beauty if ViseGrips and LM Crunch is they have NO springs to break.

[valvestem125]

Are you able to snap a pic of it before you trade it in? 

OK, I just snapped some pics, I'll post them tomorrow after I get home from work.  Don't have time right now. must go beddybye soon.
If you have a Grappler, it's the largest of the three springs, and is closest to the plier joint, its' function I believe was to act as a jaw spreader while adjusting the jaw opening, the "lock" part of the jaws still function fine as well as the release. 
I also noticed some type of other unknown part in the mechanism that looks like a small square magnet in color and surface texture about 3mm x 3mm that has been electrically welded in position, maybe it's just a stop of some type, I haven't figured out what this piece is for yet.  I don't think it is related to the
failure of the coil spring because it sits just far enough away to not be near the spring.
It is a complicated mechanism with many small parts that probably will not stand up to the test of time and use on the regular basis.  Hell, I hadn't even had a chance to use it myself in the field. 
I've been thinking it over, and I really would like to get another though, reason being is I already have an Old Wave, a New Wave, and a Surge, so a Ti Charge would be pretty close, but the Grappler would be  a useful addition to my collection.

[J-sews]

Bummer Valvestem. Broken tools are always a drag.   I do see the spring you are referring too....odd that it broke, as it appears that there is very little stress being applied to it.

[valvestem125]

Bummer Valvestem. Broken tools are always a drag.   I do see the spring you are referring too....odd that it broke, as it appears that there is very little stress being applied to it.

I am at work right now, but yes, I agree the spring is under little stress.  The break occurred near the hook portion of the coil itself, the little piece is still in there.  In the pics I'll post later, the coil can be seen hanging from it's hook still attached on the opposite end from the break.  Maybe a case of improper heat treatment on the spring, or more likely it broke where it was bent to make the attachment hook.

[valvestem125]

[J-sews]

Oh yah, that right where I guessed you meant it broke. Too bad really. Perhaps just a bad spring.

[Kmarr]

grappler hasn't been around too long so it might be a problem with the springs as a whole, or(hopefully) you just got a lemon.  The only way to really find out is get a new one if you really like it

[valvestem125]

Well, the saga continues, I did get a replacement.  When I got it home, I eyeballed it over pretty close, and I may have to return this one as well.   The track mechanism for the plier head appears to have been riveted together improperly, so it is askew.  It rides in the track well enough, but looks very weak due to the bad assembly.  I'll try to grab some pics before it goes back to support this post.

[ryan1835]

that is pretty bad giving you 2 duff tools in a row :/ third time lucky eh?

[Benner]

That sucks. 

[valvestem125]

Hey guys, me again.  I took the second Grappler back today, and finally got a replacement that seems to be OK.  I did not get any pics of the second one with the misaligned carriage assembly, but the clerk saw it and said, "That's no good." 

I'll try to use the previously posted pics I had, to mark the area that was screwed up.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Glad you got there in the end mate

[jzmtl]

That's why you don't buy 1st model year cars/tools. 

[valvestem125]

That's why you don't buy 1st model year cars/tools. 

The problem I see with applying that philosophy to MT purchases, is that how do you know the tool on the shelf or you are being sent (if an on-line purchase) is second generation or not?  Another big problem where I live is that we are lucky to find MT's even available for sale, and when the stock is depleted, they may or may not restock depending on how quickly the previous stock sold.  One clerk told me they only restock once a year before Christmas.