Clean your darned adjustable wrenches . will yeah?

[The Cobbler]

​

Clean your darned adjustable wrenches, will yeah? or not!
How many really nice good brand adjustables I've bought at Habitat or yard sales very inexpensively that are virtually inoperable because they are dirty as all get out.
People figure they're worn out or whatever because they are so stiff. a bit of mineral spirits to wash them up and some lubrication makes them so nice & smooth again.
Okay. my semi non- rant for the day

 

[Wrench97]

How many have been used as hammers?

 

[The Cobbler]

I avoid the beat up ones, just talking the ones that look un-abused and stiff from debris

 

[alfadan]

If people took care of them, you couldn't get em cheap!

 

[The Cobbler]

^^^^that's for sure .... that's why I said clean them... or not.. I like them dirty so I can get them cheap .

 

[Meursault74]

^^^^that's for sure .... that's why I said clean them... or not.. I like them dirty so I can get them cheap .

I knew a guy who said the same thing about hookers.

 

[The Cobbler]

bought a 6" Proto made in Canada yesterday @ Habitat for $2 that was dirty & ceased up. some wd-40 and she's almost like new

 

[Beerhippie]

You mean like this?



I found that one in the woods while mushroom picking last spring.

It got better.



Now it's about my favorite 8" knuckle-buster--it has jaws that are parallel!

That Chrome Vanadium company made some nice wrenches.

 

[The Cobbler]

never bought one that rusty, but it's a good find for sure. and all cleaned up, it's as good as new I bet !.

 

[Beerhippie]

never bought one that rusty, but it's a good find for sure. and all cleaned up, it's as good as new I bet !.

Actually, I prefer the phosphated look and feel to the original crappy chrome job. Rust took care of most of that.

 

[danielbuck]

​

Clean your darned adjustable wrenches, will yeah? or not!
How many really nice good brand adjustables I've bought at Habitat or yard sales very inexpensively that are virtually inoperable because they are dirty as all get out.
People figure they're worn out or whatever because they are so stiff. a bit of mineral spirits to wash them up and some lubrication makes them so nice & smooth again.
Okay. my semi non- rant for the day

the same could be said of garden shears. It's amazing what just a little bit of cleaning and oil will do to make them work so much better.

 

[jdl25]

I have bought them at yard sales in all conditions. Soak them or hose them down in whatever (I like the 50/50 atf- acetone and warm it with a propane torch. They come back to life very well.

 

[The Cobbler]

the same could be said of garden shears

my sandvik pruners were tight & worked like ****. then I realized they needed cleaning & lubing. after that, a bit of a sharpen and they worked like brand new

 

[bonneyman]

Great job! Bet the wrench was several pounds lighter without its rust coat!