Who makes a great adjustable wrench ?

[On any Sunday]

Im looking for a great 6 inch adjustable wrench to leave in my Indian motorcycle saddle bag ...anyone have a favorite?

 

[plinker]

Pretty much 95% of available adjustables are either Western forge OE or Irega OE, Crescent does appear to be making them in the US again.

The older US made Kleins are my overall favorite, but they are scare except on ebay. You cant go wrong with Channellock (Irega).

 

[designer485]

Bahco adjustables are my favorite. Wide mouth comfort grip for the win.

 

[JBH]

VBW/Stahlwille powergrip if you’re willing to go 7”, Knipex pliers wrench if 6” is a hard limit.

 

[Rinspeed]

The newer Proto are still nice and tight.

 

[BlackLS2]

The black Stanley is very decent, I also like the older Kobalt's

 

[TheMadMech]

I've been using a Proto Clik-Stop at work daily for a few years and although the clock in Clik-Stop quit working in a matter of days it's actually the best adjustable I've ever used. For reference, I'm an Industrial mechanic.

Love this thing

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

 

[Ton ton]

Snap on has a nice rebranded one.

 

[measuredtwice]

Irega --rebranded as the new Klein, new Channellock, and many others as well

Bahco Sweden (Discontinued. I haven't tried the new Bahco Spain.)

Western Forge (Closed recently. I don't know if the parent/sister company is making them now but I hope so)
--rebranded as Proto, old USA Craftsman, and many others

 

[Rinspeed]

The black Stanley is very decent, I also like the older Kobalt's

I was going to mention that I think the black Proto is different than the chromed ones and better/tighter with a little wider jaws. The Stanley is the same wrench is it not.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Bahco. Only caveat is that the thimble rotation moves the jaw opposite direction of 'regular' wrenches. Gets me every time I use it.

 

[LNKMK8]

I got an older P&C 6" in some tools I bought and it has the best feel in the hand of about any I have picked up. I would second the Knipex Pliers Wrench though... great tools

 

[pizza]

the 'new/cool' **** in adjustable ratchets is wide opening and smooth, fine adjustment (and hopefully less slop). for a 6" wrench, the nice ones open 32mm or more.

i say get bahco.

https://www.bahco.com/int_en/products/wrenches/adjustable-wrenches.html



6" is 9029 (aka 9029 R)
i don't think the R in the model numbers means anything. it's either the type of packaging or the US model, can't remember.
https://www.bahco.com/int_en/ergotm...andle-and-phosphate-finish-pb_9029-9035_.html
https://www.zoro.com/snap-on-indust...uth-adjustable-wrench-6-9029-r-us/i/G7624569/

there's also a chrome version, 9029 C (aka 9029 RC)
https://www.bahco.com/int_en/ergotm...handle-and-chrome-finish-pb_9029c-9031c_.html

or a thin jaw variant, 9029 T (aka RT). seems less robust (prone to flexing open a little if you reef it), but i use my 8" thin jaw (9031 T) all the time. sometimes you gotta grab thin nuts that are against other stuff.
https://www.zoro.com/snap-on-indust...-thin-jaw-wide-mouth-6-9029-rt-us/i/G7627545/
https://www.bahco.com/int_en/ergotm...hes-with-rubber-handle-pb_9029-t-9031-t_.html

-----

the channellock 'wideazz' (yes, that is the real name) is also about as good as the bahco. it's made by irega, so you could get their flavor instead if you want.

https://channellock.com/product/6wcb/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014FGUYU/?tag=atomicindus08-20


imo bahco is cooler looking.

 

[goblue1998]

I have a couple of protos that are great. Much better than my old craftsman.

 

[Toyo72]

USAG/Facom, in several sizes and styles
https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?products_id=9283 <-- link to 6" version

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I've been using a Proto Clik-Stop at work daily for a few years and although the clock in Clik-Stop quit working in a matter of days it's actually the best adjustable I've ever used. For reference, I'm an Industrial mechanic.

Love this thing

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

Clean your wrench, there are little indents on the nut. I was a millwright, too, and loved my Proto adjustables.

 

[PelicanPines]

Check out Wera JOKER adjustable wrenches... Saw them online for the first time recently. they look interesting.

 

[zmotorsports]

I have a full set of the Snap-on (Blue Point) industrial finish adjustable wrenches (6, 8, 10 and 12 inch) that work well and have stayed nice and tight over the years. I also have a couple of Snap-on's comfort grip ones that I carry in my Jeep. I really like them because they have the Flank Drive feature built into them but they are spendy.

 

[wayne55]

I have some older Proto, from the 1970's, that are really smooth.

 

[Spareparts]

I like the looks of the new Channel Lock with the scale on it, does it have Metric on the other side

 

[Al Borland]

Old bike? Look for an older industrial finish Utica or Crescent.
New bike, something chrome.

 

[GrantCee]

For years my favorites were the old Proto, and I still have a soft spot for them. These days, the Irega (Spain) are probably the best bang-for-the-buck, and are as good as anything Proto ever put out.

My new favorite, though, are the Hyper Monkey Zero from TOP (Japan). Very smooth, no backlash, and the jaws fit perfectly with no play. Absolute joy to use.

That being said, the Lobtex (also Japan) UM36XGB are perhaps even better. They have a patented design to distribute stress better than typical adjustables, along with anti-backlash screws and sprung bearings in the sliding jaw. The thing I can't abide is that they don't close down to zero like all other adjustables (minimum opening is 8mm on the 10" model.) It's not as though I really need them to, but the gap bothers me for some reason.

 

[visionguru]

Milwaukee, if jaw tightness is one of the determining factors. I tried it side by side with Channellock (made in Spain), Stanley (made in China). Milwaukee obviously has less sloppiness, while Channellock is the same with Stanley.

Just count the threads, be it Snap On or Bahco, if it has less threads, it's hard to stay tight.

 

[doug.j]

Lobster wrenches would be good for a bike kit. Compact and lightweight but good quality.

 

[Toyo72]

For years my favorites were the old Proto, and I still have a soft spot for them. These days, the Irega (Spain) are probably the best bang-for-the-buck, and are as good as anything Proto ever put out.

My new favorite, though, are the Hyper Monkey Zero from TOP (Japan). Very smooth, no backlash, and the jaws fit perfectly with no play. Absolute joy to use.

That being said, the Lobtex (also Japan) UM36XGB are perhaps even better. They have a patented design to distribute stress better than typical adjustables, along with anti-backlash screws and sprung bearings in the sliding jaw. The thing I can't abide is that they don't close down to zero like all other adjustables (minimum opening is 8mm on the 10" model.) It's not as though I really need them to, but the gap bothers me for some reason.

Interesting, @GrantCee these were two new ones to me.

 

[Rinspeed]

For years my favorites were the old Proto, and I still have a soft spot for them.

I hear you and I think that's why I was so happy with the new Proto I picked up several months ago. They were as good or better than the ones made 25 years ago.

 

[pizza]

I have a full set of the Snap-on (Blue Point) industrial finish adjustable wrenches (6, 8, 10 and 12 inch) that work well and have stayed nice and tight over the years. I also have a couple of Snap-on's comfort grip ones that I carry in my Jeep. I really like them because they have the Flank Drive feature built into them but they are spendy.

neat, never saw that one. bahco + jaw teeth. looks like nicer chroming too.

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Fla.../8"-Flank-Drive-Plus-Adjustable-Wrench/FADH8B



looks cool, but it's almost 4 times the price of bahco
https://www.zoro.com/snap-on-indust...stable-wrench-chrome-8-9031-rc-us/i/G7599597/

My new favorite, though, are the Hyper Monkey Zero from TOP (Japan). Very smooth, no backlash, and the jaws fit perfectly with no play. Absolute joy to use.

That being said, the Lobtex (also Japan) UM36XGB are perhaps even better. They have a patented design to distribute stress better than typical adjustables, along with anti-backlash screws and sprung bearings in the sliding jaw. The thing I can't abide is that they don't close down to zero like all other adjustables (minimum opening is 8mm on the 10" model.) It's not as though I really need them to, but the gap bothers me for some reason.

wow. now i want one!

looking at their site now

are these their two 'best' wrenches in terms of bells and whistles?

Hybrid adjustable angle wrench　W-ZERO
Hybrid adjustable angle wrench X premium series　PUM-X

and if i understand correctly, they're the same except the premium one is finished/chromed nicer but lacks the mm scale markings? just looked, and the premium one is in the $100+ range.

 

[slowtwitch73]

I have an old Crescent with a 3/4 box end at the end of the handle.. man I love that wrench.

 

[metaldad]

old green dipped diamond
you may find a deal on ebay.
some are omg!

 

[bwringer]

Irega/Channellock - great quality, and available all over the place cheap.

Lobster from Japan is pretty darn nice as well, and is what is in my motorcycle tool kit most of the time.

That "Hyper Monkey Zero" and "Lobtex" look verrrrrrry very interesting. How can you not love anything named "Hyper Monkey Zero"?

 

[GrantCee]

Lobster from Japan [...] and "Lobtex" look verrrrrrry very interesting.

Lobster is Lobtex. Or vice-versa, if you prefer.

 

[tanukiboy]

I second the TOP Hyper Monkey Zero recommendation. I have a couple of them, and they are the most precise feeling adjustable wrenches I have ever held. The spring loaded split worm gear really does eliminate backlash/drift, and the jaws have almost zero play. They feel like precision tools.

 

[Sportsman762]

I carry a Proto 706 Chrome plated wrench by Western Forge. The chrome is a dull chrome so its not too shiny. I do not like shiny as you just end up blinding yourself when working with a headlamp. I got it because it would open to 15/16", one of the more common bolts I run into. A 15/16 head is a 5/8" bolt, I have put a cheater on the wrench and have not bent or broke it. I have a spare just in case. I just measured the play, it 0.043" when measured at the tip of the jaw and open 1/4". Please note that this is an abused and used wrench so it has more play than new. The SK, Wright, Proto, ideal, and some others are all the same WF wrenches. Lets see some others measure their wrenches instead of subjective terms. Also the Proto is USA made, why not carry a USA wrench in a USA bike?

I had also looked at Ingra (channellock), USA Crescents, and Bahco. All are good wrenches. Not a fan of Chinese made products, I like North American, or EU tools, when I can justify it. The Milwaukee hand tools are nice, but you can often buy an American version for less, so that's an easy decision for me.

 

[LJZ]

Of just a mention on the side relative to the thread. Does not really help On any Sunday. Have a few tools from the Dad unit, mixed in with my own acquirements. He had some Diamond tools. I have 2 of his Diamond crescents. They are still the first grab if looking for a crescent . Just figured to mention if someone had not heard of the Diamond tool company. Different times , different people.
https://archive.org/details/DiamondToolCatalogW28/mode/2up

 

[motoretro]

I have a 8" Swedish made Bahco, very nice wrench although it's pretty angular and might not be a good fit for a M/C tool bag. I also have a USA made Crecent, purchased at the local ACE Hardware (20) years ago. While perhaps not as precise as the Bahco, it has a thick orange rubber cover and exposed edges are well rounded, might be a better fit for a M/C bag.

 

[bwringer]

I find myself consumed with desire for a Hyper Monkey Zero HM-25.

What's the best way to get a Hyper Monkey Zero wrench from Japan to Indiana?

There seem to be some fleaBay listings, but they look pretty sketchy...

 

[matt_i]

old green dipped diamond
you may find a deal on ebay.
some are omg!

and also @ LJZ

I really like the Diamond Tool & Horseshoe versions as my all time favorites.

The Snapon AD series from the late 1990s are a close 2nd -- full metal tool - before they decided the "comfy grip" was a good thing. It just stains and gets **** like pipe thread sealant on it, which would be instantly wiped of the full chrome versions.

I have an 8" Crescent that I carry in my pocket - its an old version which I can tell because its thin. The newer Crescent are like 2x as thick and clunkeee.

I like the Irega but the thin "sharp" edge of the tips can get twisted if too much force gets put on them.

 

[GrantCee]

I find myself consumed with desire for a Hyper Monkey Zero HM-25. What's the best way to get a Hyper Monkey Zero wrench from Japan to Indiana?

Amazon Japan.

 

[GrantCee]

looking at their site now

are these their two 'best' wrenches in terms of bells and whistles?

Hybrid adjustable angle wrench　W-ZERO
Hybrid adjustable angle wrench X premium series　PUM-X

and if i understand correctly, they're the same except the premium one is finished/chromed nicer but lacks the mm scale markings? just looked, and the premium one is in the $100+ range.

You've got it. The Premium series are pretty, and the polished blue one is enticing, but they're functionally no better than the UM-XGB series (which are still a little "fancier" than most of my other tools!)

 

[pizza]

hey GrantCee,

going back to what you said before,

do you have the lobster w-zero (UM36XGB) as well? if so, is there anything else you don't like about it besides how it doesn't close all the way?

what about the feel of the handle or of the adjustment screw?

i think TOP looks cooler, but Lobster design i suppose is a little more advanced.
i'm thinking of ordering a lobster and maybe a bent, thin-jawed TOP.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07W7VVTDW/
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001D31RL4/