Adjustable gripping tool

A hand operated gripping tool comprising:

• a first jaw unit having a first work piece engaging portion;
• a support member extending generally transversely with respect to said first jaw unit, said support member defining a first reaction surface and a second reaction surface disposed opposite from and facing away from said first reaction surface, wherein said support member has a first end proximate said first jaw unit a second end distal from said first jaw unit;
• a first handle at said second end of said support member;
• a second jaw unit having a second work piece engaging portion and a surface engagable with said first reaction surface and movable along said support member relative to said first jaw unit to adjust a size of a work piece receiving space between said first and second work piece engaging portions;
• a second handle having an end portion pivotally attached at said second jaw unit and spaced from said second reaction surface of said support member;
• and
• a guiding device disposed at said end portion of said second handle, wherein said guiding device comprises an engaging element and a biasing element, and wherein said engaging element is biased or urged toward and into engagement with said second reaction surface by said biasing element, said engaging element engaging said second reaction surface as said second jaw unit moves along said support member to adjust the size of said work piece receiving space.