Adjustable Wrenches

[mobiledynamics]

Fess up. Who here uses Adjustable Wrenches.

Just last weekend, I was redoing some gas lines, plumbing in a hw tank to a different location, etc. All day I used adjustables for those flats on unions, etc and I DID use my Knipex flat for 1 spot which was very awkard and tight.

In all honesty, cobra flats are very seldom used in my stash.- I have the whole set too .I would rather grab a adjustable if I needed something like that. Its just weird to hold a flat with ~2 handles~. Or u just can't teach a dog new tricks

 

[ToddW]

I used these yesterday on some brass fittings and hose fittings (SS) for a pump I setup:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X4PUCQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Much much better than adjustable to me ?

Originally grabbed for a 1/2" plug (square) which worked great on, ended up just using it for the hoses, etc (3/4).

 

[M6erfan]

Haven't used an adjustable since I got my Knipex Pliers Wrench

 

[derosa]

I like my adjustable for some things, wish I had some better ones and really upset someone took my 18". Not having had larger wrenches and lacking some of the real big ones I occasionally run into a need for having a couple decent adjusts just makes life easier.

 

[jumbojak]

A few adjustable can do the work of many, many wrenches. I prefer a single size wrench when possible but it just isn't practicalpracticalnto carry around every size you're likely to need when you might be working under a house or in the field or under a truck. I like adjustables and wouldn't be without them.

 

[trackwelder]

I use them everyday at work. Also keep a few in all the door panels of my vehicles. They are great for work on the run.

 

[454ragtop]

I probably use them for bending things more than anything else. Import 24" can impart a lot of torque to a steel bar or whatever.

 

[gdocktor3]

Use adjustables every day. Knipex pliers wrench are nice, but will not take the place of a good old fashioned adjustable. Adjustables can be persuaded with pipes and hammers, necessary in the industry. The pliers wrench can't. Not easily anyways. Adjustables are also easier to pull or hang on.

 

[sberry]

I would be lost without them. Got 1 or 2 in most brands they make and a generic china version is now one of the best they make.
We sprayed a few when we were working in the snow on a job.

 

[metaldad]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145766&highlight=adjustable+wrenches

 

[ssdave]

Great for straightening or bending metalwork. Occasionally use for plugs or fasteners. Or for turning shafts or such.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I'll use them from time to time, My shop box is currently replacing adjustables with Knipex pliers wrenches, as cash flow allows. My truck box has adjustables at the moment

 

[M6erfan]

It really depends on what you work on.

I'd bet that most fans of adjustables are Plumbing and/or HVAC guys, by a wide margin.

Around my shop I very rarely have the need for an adjustable. Around the house, maybe. But I still like my pliers wrench better.

 

[ToddW]

An adjustable wrench should be a temporary substitute for the proper wrench.

Needing something ASAP is an acceptable use case in my book!!!! As-in OMG water is leaking all over grab an adjustable and run in and ___temp__fix___it____ then get the proper tools and parts to fix it right.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Dunno if there are any *pro* plumbers here at GJ, but if you are....just short of precision no hub torque wrenches, do you guys carry fixed wrenches....

 

[trackwelder]

An adjustable wrench should be a temporary substitute for the proper wrench.

Needing something ASAP is an acceptable use case in my book!!!! As-in OMG water is leaking all over grab an adjustable and run in and ___temp__fix___it____ then get the proper tools and parts to fix it right.

Not in every case, many times it the right wrench. While at work I have a small bag that comes out of the truck that has only essential tools for the job and nothing extra. When performing repetitive maintenance on some jobs there are at least a dozen or more fastners that will need adjustments and I would need at least two wrenches in six or more sizes. I can do everything with two adjustable wrenches.

Now in the garage I rarely ever use an adjustable.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Use mine for hydraulic fittings a lot

 

[tgb]

I'm in HVAC, and I never go on a call without a 6,8,10 in my tool bag, perfect tools most of the time. I personally don't like the Knipex pliers, prefer channel locks and adjustables

 

[KEH]

On farm. I keep a 12 inch adjustable in each of 3 tractor tool boxes. Also one each in 2 trucks. Also 2 or 3 in shop. Yes, I use them.

KEH

 

[potato]

 

[bigjeff94]

Use them all the time, as a millwright always have a 6 and an 8 inch with me. Have every size up to 18 inch. That gets pulled out for the big jobs.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[johninct]

An adjustable wrench should be a temporary substitute for the proper wrench.

Needing something ASAP is an acceptable use case in my book!!!! As-in OMG water is leaking all over grab an adjustable and run in and ___temp__fix___it____ then get the proper tools and parts to fix it right.

There is nothing wrong with using adjustable wrenches. In fact they are sometimes the proper tool for the job. Ever work on a hydraulic line? Combo's can be too long, stubbies too short, 30&60 degree wrenches at the wrong angle... And this is coming from a guy that has all types/ sizes of Snap-Ons.

 

[Badasssapper67]

The difference between a good adjustable wrench and a bad one is that a good one kinda works and a bad one just strips everything you use it for.

I haven't used the all, but I haven't used a single one that was the best choice for the job. For plumbing and steam fitting a plumbers wrench is better. I'd never use one on a car, and for heavy equipment they never seem big enough so I end up buying a wrench or socket for the size I need anyway.

If anyone knows of a good adj wrench that has no slop and play in it please advise....

 

[jeeper46]

My old "Jamestown, NY" Crescent wrenches don't have any slop in them-neither do my Williams "Superwrenches". My Diamond Adjustables are pretty good,too. I have a wall of adjustables, from 4" up to 24". I just can't pass them up at yard sales, where I often buy them for a dollar each. I keep a couple on my tractor, for adjusting the hitch, and I use them on my old vehicles-usually removing or tightening the bearing hubs, and i use them for bending stuff,too.

 

[tvtaurus]

I admit that I use them as well. Mostly to hold a bolt or nut while I tighten the other end though. The existence of adjustable wrenches is more out of convenience.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Big fan here. Usually use on hydraulic lines & fittings.
I'm partial to Diamond brand. 4"-24" and I've got a lot of them!

 

[Finky198]

Use them everyday. I have a chrome snap on set for normal use and a dirty set for fab/tweaking things. We also use pipe wrenches, knipex pliers wrenches and alligators daily as well...

In fact most are kept right on my cart.

 

[65k10]

I have more of them things floating around that farm than I care to admit. Probably at least one if not two 12" adjustables in most of the tractors and pickups with a number of 10" and 15" too.

Despite having so many, they aren't my favorite thing to use. However, they have their place in emergencies or when you need an extra wrench and can get away with an adjustable. I am working on getting small tool sets in the tractors and vehicles that do see more use to cut down on having to rely on adjustable wrenches, which has been nice.

 

[slip knot]

I've got dozens and use them regularly. just this evening I was at the MILs and her waterwell pressure tank was waterlogged. pulled the crafty adjustable off the wall and pulled the plug to drain the water. Simple easy and done. I keep an adjustable everywhere I have a waterwell. also every tractor and vehicle has at least one on it somewhere.

 

[413dan]

used one earlier tonight, didn't have any COO markings, but it was my grandfathers so I know it's old. used it to tighten down a muzzle brake on a new ar barrel! the cutout in the wrench I usually use for that type of work was too small, fits an a2 flash hider, but this brake is a little wider, no biggie!

 

[Teenager with old tools]

Keep one set of wrenches and an adjustable in car. For anytime I need to hold the nut while loosening the bolt


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[555]

I use mine quite a bit!
John

 

[four.cycle]

potato - that's a fabulous Baxter there! what's the one above it?

I have a couple old Diamond 12-inchers and a Diamond 15-inch and 4, 6, 8, and 10 in Indestro and a couple other brands. Easy. Don't have to haul a whole bunch of wrenches to go fix a toilet or a faucet.

 

[justanengineer]

I keep at least one on every machine tool and on the farm theyre on every piece of equipment. They're not a bad choice, temporary/emergency measure or otherwise, just another tool folks need to either learn to use properly or not use.

 

[potato]

potato - that's a fabulous Baxter there! what's the one above it?

I have a couple old Diamond 12-inchers and a Diamond 15-inch and 4, 6, 8, and 10 in Indestro and a couple other brands. Easy. Don't have to haul a whole bunch of wrenches to go fix a toilet or a faucet.

just some random pics from ebay lol.
from this ad http://m.ebay.com/itm/332066618999

 

[four.cycle]

ahh... okay.

 

[gdocktor3]

Dunno if there are any *pro* plumbers here at GJ, but if you are....just short of precision no hub torque wrenches, do you guys carry fixed wrenches....

I am a plumber by trade and while I have fixed wrenches at work, they sit in the tool box while adjustables and chanellocks fill my immediate tool bag.

If anyone knows of a good adj wrench that has no slop and play in it please advise....

Proto Clikstop. I have TONS of adjustables, but nothing compares to Clikstop. However, Bahco and Ridgid both make nice adjustables as well.
http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/i..._Proto®-Satin-Clik-Stop®-Adjustable-Wrenches/

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I use them more (last 4 years or so) since GJ turned me onto Proto clik stop, Irega, and last but not least Snap on. No play in these things. Great for plumbing etc where you're not cranking to 800ft/lbs.

 

[sberry]

I had some out the other day and my bud picks one up, says that's a heck of a wrench, it was the second cheapest one. I ran a little check with some guys, tossed a bunch in the pile and said pick the one you like best. 3 or of 4 guys picked the China import.
I have rigid, Proto, Diamond and 1 or 2 of most of the rest. I was a die hard Proto guy for good long time and its really hard to beat something as fundamental that is made as long as they have, similar to Clok or Vgrip but they did it.
Usually when they make changes it gets messed up but these are minor and whoever did it really truly knew American wrenches and fitting sizes.

 

[woody6904]

https://www.channellock.com/8WCB-Adjustable-Wrench.aspx

I use this way more than I probably should. Just too darn convenient.