A gripper has a frame with a plurality of guide rods secured to the frame. At least one jaw is slidably secured with the plurality of guide rods. The at least one jaw includes a housing surrounding a portion of at least one of the guide rods. A locking device is positioned in the jaw housing. The locking device is adjacent the at least one guide rod. The locking device removably applies a force onto the at least one guide rod. The locking device locks the jaw in position when the force is applied and enables the jaw to slide on the guide rods when the force is removed.