Fixed Adjustables vs Pliers Wrench

[mobiledynamics]

I never really grab my Pliers Wrench if I'm doing plumbing and just working with some large hex ned. And or fitting 2 pieces, etc.
If I need leverage and bit , I'm grabbing the Ridgid's....

But if it's a valve, etc, I often will just grab my myriad mix of Adjustable Wrenches.
Never did get the -feel- for the Pliers Wrench.
There has been 2 use cases where I have used it and did benefit from them vs. a *adjustable wrench*.

So tell me, between a regular 'ole Adjustable Wrench vs a Pliers Wrench, which one do you normally grab if you need one

 

[M6erfan]

Pliers wrench, hands down.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Does anyone make really good adjustable wrenches? Seems like an oxymoron. I have a full set of *old* Bluepoints "Made by Snap-On", and they still blow away anything modern.

I do like adjustable wrenches when separating a unions... or other stuff with opposing hex fittings. Clamp a wrench on each one, slightly offset from each other, and then squeeze.

-Ryan

 

[honcho]

Both, sometimes at the same time. I keep a 10" Pliers Wrench and a 8" adjustable wrench in my tool bag and they're usually easier to fish out of the bag than the tool roll with metric ratcheting combos or the bottom of the bag where the fractional combos live. I like the pliers wrench a lot but it doesn't work everywhere.

 

[shibertus]

Does anyone make really good adjustable wrenches?

The Top Hyper Zero series are really nice. They are made in Japan and have a two piece spring loaded adjuster that eliminates the slop in the movable jaw.

 

[dchawk81]

Does anyone make really good adjustable wrenches? Seems like an oxymoron. I have a full set of *old* Bluepoints "Made by Snap-On", and they still blow away anything modern.

I do like adjustable wrenches when separating a unions... or other stuff with opposing hex fittings. Clamp a wrench on each one, slightly offset from each other, and then squeeze.

-Ryan

I have a pair of Crescents that lock. The locking feature makes them good as far as slippage, IMHO.

But the locking also makes them annoying to remove and reapply.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I do gotta say though, in this realm where sometimes you're holding 2 adjustables or the like in a tight spot when dealing....I'm still blown away I was able to get two of this golden Unicorn Knipex Offset Adjustable Pliers Wrenchs.

 

[VolvoRyan]

The Top Hyper Zero series are the really nice. They are made in Japan and have a two piece spring loaded adjuster that eliminates the slop in the movable jaw.

Very interesting! I need to take inventory and see what size I need.

Thanks!

-Ryan

 

[General Geoff]

Pliers wrench, hands down.

Same. I repair office and paper handling machines of various types for a living, and have to do a lot of walking around so I keep my standard toolkit as small and light as possible. I keep a 7" Pliers-Wrench in my kit instead of an adjustable or any other fixed size wrenches.

When I do plumbing at home, a 12" Pliers-Wrench is my go-to for pipe fittings with flats.

 

[M6erfan]

Same. I repair office and paper handling machines of various types for a living, and have to do a lot of walking around so I keep my standard toolkit as small and light as possible. I keep a 7" Pliers-Wrench in my kit instead of an adjustable or any other fixed size wrenches.

Same here. 7" Pliers Wrench and 7" Cobra in my tool bag.

 

[Steve_P]

Nothing works better than Plier Wrench on small brass fittings; this is just a fact, especially if it's extremely tight. Because the PW is clamping on the flats; nothing else does this other than this design. A few months ago, I was working on something with a 7/16? hex brass fitting; no room for a line wrench so I put a 7/16 open end on it and rounded it off. Put a PW on a fresh set of flats and it came out with no issues.

 

[American Locomotive]

I don't bother with adjustable wrenches much anymore at all. I use my pliers wrench in basically every scenario I'd use an adjustable. They grab way harder, are far less likely to slip, and if you get the width set just right and hold them loosely in your hand, you can basically use them like a ratchet and quickly spin nuts/bolts off.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I like my old Craftsman (Western Forge) and Williams adjustable wrenches. Those are tight, hold their position well, and have little slop. Almost all new ones typically sold in stores are junk. Irega makes good ones for several brands, like Channellock.

 

[KnurledNut]

Both, sometimes at the same time.

They both have advantages. I use them together quite often too. I've been in situations where the pliers wrench is more of a hinderance than a help; positions where its awkward to squeeze the grips instead of just pushing or pulling on the handle of an adjustable.

 

[American Locomotive]

They both have advantages. I use them together quite often too. I've been in situations where the pliers wrench is more of a hinderance than a help; positions where its awkward to squeeze the grips instead of just pushing or pulling on the handle of an adjustable.

As long you get a slight initial purchase, and you're pulling (or pushing) on the handle that engages the dynamic jaw, you don't actually need to squeeze them - they will self tighten. Although I agree in some circumstances they can be a little awkward.

 

[Rabid Badger]

A 15" adjustable is the perfect tool for straightening twisted studs before nailing them in place.

 

[neophyte]

The plier wrench applies pressure to the flats on fasteners.
On stiff fasteners made from durable materials, this is fine, if not great.
On soft fasteners, like plastic and zinc, which you might routinely run into with plumbing, applying pressure to the flats of a nut is going to cause the nut to deform, ant least temporarily.
This can then make it harder to turn the squooshy fastener, and prevent proper tightening.
Regular adjustable wrenches don’t crush down on the fastener during use, so the above problem usually doesn’t occur.
For a lot of other jobs, the plier wrench is better, and more versatile.

 

[KnurledNut]

As long you get a slight initial purchase, and you're pulling (or pushing) on the handle that engages the dynamic jaw, you don't actually need to squeeze them - they will self tighten. Although I agree in some circumstances they can be a little awkward.

This is not true. The water pump pliers are self locking, but the pliers wrenches arent.

 

[nadogail]

How can a Fixed Wrench be adjustable?

 

[KnurledNut]

Something else to consider:
The head angle of adjustable wrenches is typically around 7-15°.
The head angle of Knipex pliers wrenches is around 25°.
Sometimes one or the other wont work due to lack of clearance.

 

[teagueo]

Not a huge fan of Knipex Pliers wrench to be honest, unless it's working on something with lots of clearance.

Adjustables also work "both ways".

 

[American Locomotive]

This is not true. The water pump pliers are self locking, but the pliers wrenches arent.

I use my pliers wrench all the time. I just went out to the shop and tested it to make sure I didn't make things up. As long as you are pulling/pushing the dynamic jaw handle towards the fixed jaw handle, it will automatically grab with one handle.

Here's a demo from Knipex. Just the weight of the handle is enough to make them grab.

 

[johninct]

For plumbing I mostly use an adjustable. I like a Pliers Wrench to take the big nut off Delta faucets. Not to much to grab on to but the Pliers Wrench can grip onto the flats.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I must be using the wrong technique.
I was removing a 3/8 plug off a Pressure Washer Swivel End.

Tried the pliers wrench again today after revisiting the topic with this thread.
Even used the largest Pliers Wrench on the swivel side. Broke out the vise grips. After struggling, figuring again, user error, I grabbed my large adjustable and an another adjustable to hold the swivel in place. Due to the single handle of the adjustable, once I got the wrenches in the correct opposing spots for leverage, it was super easy to break the plug loose

 

[speed bump]

I've tried to love the pliers wrench but it just isn't as handy as an adjustable. With an adjustable it's a lot easier to go parallel to the bolt if needed, it makes a better hammer, and in awkward spots its a lot easier to keep engaged. If I'm going to be walking around the plant I always grab an adjustable and despite having multiple pliers wrenches in our tool crib I'm not sure anyone besides me has ever used them.

 

[F-22]

If I need an adjustable, its always the Knipex. OTherwise I tend to use a real fixed wrench (non-adjustable).

 

[Mb4]

The Knipex is nice, but I prefer to use my original Eifel Plierench if I want the handle to be in the same plane as the fixture. Generally, either pliers wrench slips less frequently than an adjustable wrench.

 

[Callelle]

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one that doesn't particularly like the pliers wrench. They always seem massive and cumbersome compared to my normal adjustables.

 

[Etchase]

Is it allowed to choose between tools here? Channel locks, crescents, vise grips and actual wrenches in all their forms should be embraced on GJ. It’s ok to not have this thing. I don’t even know what it’s called, but I have one. You know, just in case. It’s labeled a push wrench. It’s unused except for trying it out purposes.

 

[KnurledNut]

I use my pliers wrench all the time. I just went out to the shop and tested it to make sure I didn't make things up. As long as you are pulling/pushing the dynamic jaw handle towards the fixed jaw handle, it will automatically grab with one handle.

Here's a demo from Knipex. Just the weight of the handle is enough to make them grab.

So you were confident enough that you were right, that you had to go test it? Gotcha.
I’ll keep trusting what I have experienced.

 

[General Geoff]

So you were confident enough that you were right, that you had to go test it? Gotcha.

He is confident because he tested it. I'll take verification over faith any day.

 

[American Locomotive]

He is confident because he tested it. I'll take verification over faith any day.

Precisely. Memory is a fickle thing. I was pretty sure I've used the pliers wrench opposing another wrench just as mobiledynamics described. I also recall another situation that may have involved some serious abuse of the pliers wrench, with me standing on the handle. ...but I wanted to make sure I hadn't just imagined all of that.

Also, it doesn't work going "backwards", and it may be awkward if the wrench is horizontal as when you let go, the wrench will fall. But, as long as you are applying at least a little pressure to the dynamic handle, it will grab.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I prefer to use my original Eifel Plierench if I want the handle to be in the same plane as the fixture.

I'm impressed! I mentioned Eifel during one of the last dozen times we had this debate. I have one, but readily admit it's more of a show n' tell piece than a user. I love the action - and the fact that it's literally antique and good ol' 'Murican made, but it is bulky.

 

[KnurledNut]

He is confident because he tested it. I'll take verification over faith any day.

Precisely. Memory is a fickle thing. I was pretty sure I've used the pliers wrench opposing another wrench just as mobiledynamics described. I also recall another situation that may have involved some serious abuse of the pliers wrench, with me standing on the handle. ...but I wanted to make sure I hadn't just imagined all of that.

Also, it doesn't work going "backwards", and it may be awkward if the wrench is horizontal as when you let go, the wrench will fall. But, as long as you are applying at least a little pressure to the dynamic handle, it will grab.

Faith? Memory? Lol.
Dont need that when I use them working every day.
Seen all I need to see here. Believe what you want. Im out.

 

[American Locomotive]

Faith? Memory? Lol.
Dont need that when I use them working every day.
Seen all I need to see here. Believe what you want. Im out.

It's okay to be wrong, but only if you're willing to admit it and learn from it. I made a video today just for you:

I think that should definitely end any questioning about whether you *need* to squeeze the handles for them to work.

 

[rmack898]

I bought a Blue Point rebrand about 15 years ago and find it to be one of the most useless tools I own.
This tool seems like Bob Villa should be hawking it on on infomercial.

 

[rlitman]

I bought a Blue Point rebrand about 15 years ago and find it to be one of the most useless tools I own.
This tool seems like Bob Villa should be hawking it on on infomercial.

I'm very fond of mine. I'm sure you'd have no difficulty selling that here or locally.

 

[KnurledNut]

It's okay to be wrong, but only if you're willing to admit it and learn from it. I made a video today just for you:

I think that should definitely end any questioning about whether you *need* to squeeze the handles for them to work.

What you arent mentioning is that doesnt work with the pliers adjusted for normal use.
You’re setting the jaws to the fastener with the handles wide open to where they hit the physical stop and cant be open any further. Self-limiting is not the same as self-locking.

Go try that with the handles parallel like a person would normally use them, especially in cramped quarters, and tell me im wrong.

There is a reason Knipex doesnt market them as self-locking.

 

[dutchgray]

I own one pliers wrench
I own at least 20 adjustable wrenches, up to 24"

The pliers wrench gets used as a pair of pliers far more than a wrench.

 

[American Locomotive]

What you arent mentioning is that doesnt work with the pliers adjusted for normal use.
You’re setting the jaws to the fastener with the handles wide open to where they hit the physical stop and cant be open any further. Self-limiting is not the same as self-locking.

Go try that with the handles parallel like a person would normally use them, especially in cramped quarters, and tell me im wrong.

There is a reason Knipex doesnt market them as self-locking.

1) They're not anywhere close to being as open as far as they can go. You can literally see a large gap between the mechanical stop on the dynamic jaw and the handle

2) I'll humor you, and adjust them so they're as parallel as possible. Hopefully picking up half the 240 pound bike when tightening the axle nut is enough proof?