Need info and recommendations on adjustable wrenches

[Frenchy]

I would like to upgrade to some higher quality adjustable wrenches of differing sizes but I don't know who to go with.

In the past I have handled a 12" Snap On AD12 and about a year ago picked up a gently used 12" Proto 712 for our home shop as it was a good price. I have no idea how old it is. In either case both of these have seemed like nice wrenches compared to some of the Craftsman ones I have seen and used in the past.

I would like the ones I purchase to be made in the USA, but it appears that Snap On now has a different model number (AD12 would now be AD12A) and these are made in Spain.

In addition, I have no idea whether a new Proto wrench would have the same quality as the one we presently have.

If anyone can give me some insight on both of these brands or have another brand to suggest, I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[cowboy73]

I buy old ones at the flea market. Old Crescent and Diamond are rather plentiful. I ****** up any Diamond brand ones I find. Around here, the Diamond ones go alot cheaper than Crescent. People don't realize the quality of them. I paid a $1 for a Diamond 10" and the guy wanted $5 for a 10" Crescent. Yes, you can't get them replaced, but they will last the rest of my life and maybe a my kids.

 

[Monte]

http://chadstoolbox.com/irega-adjustable-wrench.aspx

 

[Notwerk]

last I checked, the craftsman ones were USA-made and were quite nice. Crescent still makes theirs in the USA. They do the job, but are a touch sloppy.

 

[binkcat16]

I like older proto dimond and cresent brand with industral finish the crime ones have too much slop in them the blue point are good too-

 

[jeffmoss26]

Old crescent black oxide are my favorite also . They just seem to be constructed better.

 

[truckdriver]

The USA made SO with the teeth in them were the best.

 

[Mazdaratti3]

Bahco are great and affordable but made in Sweden. If you could get around the made in USA criteria they are well worth it.

 

[metaldad]

last I checked, the craftsman ones were USA-made and were quite nice. Crescent still makes theirs in the USA. They do the job, but are a touch sloppy.

x2............ plus, the jaws on Crescents open wider.

 

[twincam00]

Check out the Knipex plier wrenches. If you are looking for a traditional adjustable wrench, take a look at Channellock. My Channellock ones have way less play in the jaw than my USA made Snap-on AD12

 

[mdnelson86]

I've become a big fan of Bahco. Not made in the USA but very good quality.

 

[Wakefield]

I think a big-15" or up-one when used with the jaws only open about 1/2 as far as they can go is much stronger than a smaller one used on the same thing where the jaws have to be opened about as far as they can go.

 

[Hawk Thor]

Bahco makes the best adjustable wrenches IMO.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Proto and Crescent are both USA made and excellent quality. I give the edge to Crescent because of the thicker (more comfortable) handle.

Craftsman and SK are the same Western Forge pattern, USA made and tougher than nails.

Looking at my tool inventory from work, I've got Crescents in 4", 6", 8", 10", 12", 15 and a 10" Spud handle, Protos in 8", 15", 24" and a 15" Spud handle, Craftsman in 10" and 16", and a 24" SK.

 

[decaf]

Bahco makes the best adjustable wrenches IMO.

I´m with you on that one, here is my collection.
They used to be made in Sweden, now they are made in Spain.

 

[PowerGenGuy]

Got 8" Snappy, 8" Channellock, 10" Gray, 12" Snappy, 15" Wright. Love all of them, not all USA. I use all of them reg., maybe the 10" Gray is the go to adjustable. Have used crescent, mastercraft and Husky, not a fan of these ones!

 

[Coach James]

What's the "best"? I don't know. I do know that Craftsman, Crescent, Proto, Bahco, Channellock, and SnapOn will all get the job done for you.

I know it's heresy, but even the imported Husky and Kobalt will work unless it's some very extreme job you're doing.

Coach