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Bahco Side Nut Adjustable Wrench

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neophyte

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I’m not sure the complete history,
But “Crescent” style adjustable wrenches with the side adjustment like that seem to be a Spanish Thing.
Irimo(now owned by Snap-On Europe) has produces them, as do several other Spanish tool manufacturers. Since Bahco is part of Snap-On Europe, and the adjustable wrenches are now made in Spain, that might be why this style is now being offered by Bahco. Alternately, some of the Spanish Tool Companies that are now owned by Euro-Snap seem to be getting rebranded to Bahco.

Other than Irimo, Irega now offers that style, and I think several years back they didn’t, although I’m not completely sure.
Acesa/Palmera does as well. (Also part of Snsp-On Europe)
Ega Master does also.

This style of wrench is also used by dome manufacturers of 1000V VDE linesman tools, since the adjustment screw can be insulated, which isn’t really possible with the “Crescent Style” adjustment screw design.
 
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mr.lemons

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I have an Irimo.

It's quite hard to adjust with just your thumb. Mechanism is a little stiff and the adjustment knob is small.

On traditional adjustables, your thumb naturally rests on the adjuster. On the Irimo you have to reach for the adjuster which gets a bit annoying.

The knob turns the opposite way on the Irimo to open/close the jaws compared to all other adjustables I've used which can also be annoying, but I guess you could get used to it.

Adjustment is finer than a standard Bahco.

IMG-4281.jpg

I have never got on with it, but it may just be me having trouble getting used to something a bit different. Also, Bahco may have improved on the design. :dunno:
 
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rice rocket

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Knipex pliers wrench has entirely replaced any use case where I'd ever read for an adjustable wrench (which was not many to begin with). Do it, and never go back, adjustables should be banned.
 
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pizza

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interesting, neophyte & lemons.

ThePostman said:
I have this:

https://www.bahco.com/int_en/3-8--square-drive-crowfoot-adjustable-wrenches-pb_1950mz_.html

Exact same head in a crowsfoot setup that I got through snapon. I use it for tie rod assemblies on seventh generation honda civics. It's a sturdy tool.
Click to expand...

that's pretty cool. i've wanted a set of crowsfeet, but maybe i'll get one of those instead. it's not a tool i'd use often, and i didn't know that existed before.

rice rocket said:
Knipex pliers wrench has entirely replaced any use case where I'd ever read for an adjustable wrench (which was not many to begin with). Do it, and never go back, adjustables should be banned.
Click to expand...

i beg to differ.
PW is bulkier and won't fit everywhere. it also occupies your entire hand, and you need to be gripping it. you can't lean on it with your arm, your foot, or your chin, lol. and if you take your hand off of it for a second, it falls off the fastener or workpiece and onto the ground. this can be very frustrating.

if you don't have an open-end wrench for the job, an adjustable is often more appropriate than PW.

that said, i love PWs and use them all the time.
 
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Ton ton

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pizza said:
interesting, neophyte & lemons.



that's pretty cool. i've wanted a set of crowsfeet, but maybe i'll get one of those instead. it's not a tool i'd use often, and i didn't know that existed before.



i beg to differ.
PW is bulkier and won't fit everywhere. it also occupies your entire hand, and you need to be gripping it. you can't lean on it with your arm, your foot, or your chin, lol. and if you take your hand off of it for a second, it falls off the fastener or workpiece and onto the ground. this can be very frustrating.

if you don't have an open-end wrench for the job, an adjustable is often more appropriate than PW.

that said, i love PWs and use them all the time.
Click to expand...
I like your perspective, pizza.
 
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neophyte

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rice rocket said:
Knipex pliers wrench has entirely replaced any use case where I'd ever read for an adjustable wrench (which was not many to begin with). Do it, and never go back, adjustables should be banned.
Click to expand...

I like the Knipex plier wrench style wrenches, but they’re not a great design for certain situations.

“squishy” fasteners, like thin zinc alloy nuts used for plumbing, and plastic fittings as well, don’t have enough stiffness.
When using a pliers wrench, the wrench squeezes two sides of the fastener, and with soft fasteners, this means you can deform the fastener, either permanently, or just while trying to turn it, which makes the fastener way harder to turn, since you’re forcing friction between part of the nut and the thread the nut is engaging.

Regular adjustable wrenches only really apply a bit of force to the glats, with most of the force near the corners, so squooshing the fastener really isn’t an issue.
 
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JradM

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Alberta
Rice rocket has the right idea - use a pliers wrench.

As to neophyte's concern about squishing soft fasteners - you just don't own enough sizes. 😄 I'd pull out my 125 (aka 5") if I was worried about squishing something.

As far as I'm concerned the pinnacle of adjustable wrenches remains the Irega-made Channellock. Not because it is the absolute best in every respect, but because it IS awesome and anything better is ungodly expensive. Just buy a pliers wrench if you need something better than the Channellock.
 
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