Bahco Extra Wide Adjustable Wrenches - any downsides?

[roofdweller49]

I need a new 6" & 10" adjustable wrenches and I figured I'd go with Bahco. I see that they offer extra wide jaws, and that would have been nice to have when I was tightening my kitchen faucet. Are there any downsides besides the price? (The 10" is pricey) I'm guessing if I'm using an adjustable, clearance for the big jaw shouldn't be an issue

 

[Old tool guy]

Don’t know about the brand, but I propose that if you’re using a 10” wrench to tighten a faucet, you might be over-torquing.

 

[Dagny]

I have three of them two made in sweden one in spain they are king of the hill. They look identical but one has a backwards thumb screw I call it my left hand crescent wrench.

 

[Submariner733]

I have the Bahco 9031 8inch, the thin jaws come in handy. Just make sure to get the model ending in "US" to ensure Imperial markings as well as metric and the proper thumb screw. I ordered the 10inch and returned it, felt like I was using a brick. The Bahco actually tightens on the fastener, sometimes to the point I have to back off the thumb screw, which can be annoying when blindly trying to reach a fastener in an awkward location you cannot put eyes-on.

My 10inch "J" series Proto adjustable works on some plumbing fittings, whereas my vintage 10inch Williams Superjustable's are just a tad undersized on jaw opening.

I would recommend a Hex or Monkey Wrench on plumbing. You can also use Channellock's if careful, but don't recommend after seeing all the beauty marks on chrome and brass fittings. Avoid Knipex unless you use the rubber boots.

 

[roofdweller49]

Good to know about the hex pipe wrenches. I always wanted to know the proper tools for tightening toilet valves. Every plumber just uses channel locks and the teeth marks bother me a lot.

I ended up tightened the faucet with an 8" husky adjustable I had borrowed from work, but way too long for the clearance (I barely snugged it any how, the delta faucet stem is plastic, I think)

I don't have any adjustables (I try to use combo wrenches whenever possible) and figured 6" + 10" was a good start?

 

[oscarsnapkin]

I don’t own any, but they are on my “wish list.” I don’t know that I will ever really need extra wide jaws, but they sure look comfy to use. If I am not mistaken, the Snap-On version was actually a rebranded Bahco.

 

[Submariner733]

Good to know about the hex pipe wrenches. I always wanted to know the proper tools for tightening toilet valves. Every plumber just uses channel locks and the teeth marks bother me a lot.

I ended up tightened the faucet with an 8" husky adjustable I had borrowed from work, but way too long for the clearance (I barely snugged it any how, the delta faucet stem is plastic, I think)

I don't have any adjustables (I try to use combo wrenches whenever possible) and figured 6" + 10" was a good start?

If only two, I would start with an 8" and 12" (Facilities Maintenance) . Six feels dainty in the hand and the twelve with 1-1/2" jaw opening comes in handy. I mostly use the ten when working on T&S faucet bonnet nuts. The twelve in the boiler room and on condensate lines.

If your having clearance issues with the eight, then maybe start with a six. Typical jaw opening is only 15/16 on the six.

Currently using the aerospace specification Proto adjustable with thicker chrome. Though made in Taiwan, I believe they are the best Proto's yet. I have Proto vintage wrenches from the 60's and Proto Western Forge to compare.

Tekton 6inch with 1-1/2 jaw opening just released. I have the 9" but haven't used it enough to recommend yet.

 

[roofdweller49]

I was thinking of

https://www.zoro.com/bahco-bahco-wide-mouth-adjustable-wrench-6-bah9029rus/i/G7624569/

and

https://www.zoro.com/bahco-bahco-black-x-wide-adjustable-wrench-ergo-10-9033-r-us/i/G7638386/

but the premium for the wide opening on the 10" is a lot (The standard 10" is like $30-35)

 

[Submariner733]

Zoro is a good resource, but both those wrenches are not in a Zoro warehouse (to determine stock status, look for "ships in one business day"). Price on the ten is way out of line.

Bahco 9033RUS - Amazon $49

 

[roofdweller49]

Thanks. I might start with that 8" Proto and add a 6" and 10"/12" later - maybe in extra wide jaw configurations - hard to buy tools without a use case, but a feel like an adjustable is one of those "must haves"

 

[Qualitytools]

How about a Knipex plier wrench

 

[mike93lx]

For plumbing, I like my Fujiya

It opens wide, is short enough to actually fit where I need it, the grip is comfortable and the adjustment is nice and tight.

FUJIYA Tools, FLS-32G-F, Short Adjustable Wrench with Grip https://a.co/d/hSOBUbW

If I need bigger than that, I grab one of the pliers wrenches

 

[Callelle]

Bahco didn't seem to do to well in TTC's latest adjustable wrench videos.

 

[cherrybomb]

For plumbing, I like my Fujiya

It opens wide, is short enough to actually fit where I need it, the grip is comfortable and the adjustment is nice and tight.

FUJIYA Tools, FLS-32G-F, Short Adjustable Wrench with Grip https://a.co/d/hSOBUbW

If I need bigger than that, I grab one of the pliers wrenches

I followed your advice over to Amazon and then to the Fujia Store,accordingly that wrench passes the Japenese Industrial Stands for Strength Test.Looks like a viable option.Fujia makes a lot of tools I didn't know about,here we go again!!

 

[roofdweller49]

So I got myself a nice 10" Proto on eBay, and it's nice, but the jaws are slightly twisted - not sure if it's considered acceptable

I still need some for work. I've read that some people complain that the bahco and irega jaws were too soft?

 

[bonneyman]

I have three of them two made in sweden one in spain they are king of the hill. They look identical but one has a backwards thumb screw I call it my left hand crescent wrench.

10-4 I snagged a Bahco 8 inch adjustable missing the screw, figuring I could swap in a screw that I had in my parts bin. Only it's left hand drive! Tool is sitting in my projects bucket waiting till I can find a donor screw. Any suggestions?

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

I have Snap On, Bahco oxidized and Chrome. If you live in a High humidity area and can afford the extra cost I would get the Chrome Bahco version's. The black phosphate finish oxidizes pretty quickly here in Florida

 

[Dagny]

For refrigeration service work you can't beat the thin design of the bahco. Service valve caps, gauge ports, and flare nuts. Most adjustables won't fit between a filter drier and the flare nut. I can't think of a time I ever used an adjustable on an auto there are better tools for the rust belt.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I picked up a Channellock brand wide jaw / thin jaw adjustable wrench at Menards.

It has come in much handier than I expected.

Looking to get a larger, green handled Snap-On one soon.

 

[glenng]

I picked up a Channellock brand wide jaw / thin jaw adjustable wrench at Menards.

It has come in much handier than I expected.

Looking to get a larger, green handled Snap-On one soon.

I got that same pair, too. Made in Spain by Irega.

 

[KnurledNut]

So I got myself a nice 10" Proto on eBay, and it's nice, but the jaws are slightly twisted - not sure if it's considered acceptable

I still need some for work. I've read that some people complain that the bahco and irega jaws were too soft?

I haven’t had my hands on them yet, but Tekton recently released a 6” and 9” that might be worth checking out.

 

[Mr onetwo]

plus one on the Channellock version...very handy

 

[Steve_P]

I have a couple of smaller sized Bahco. They're fine, but best machined adjustables that I have are the Channellock/Irega, as said above. And I have plenty of USA WF, vintage Williams USA, Japan..... stuff. But the Irega have the least slop of everything I have. I do not have any Snap On adjustable wrenches. But if you don't want to give up a kidney to pay for a SO, then Channellock is the way to go IMO.

 

[roofdweller49]

I have a couple of smaller sized Bahco. They're fine, but best machined adjustables that I have are the Channellock/Irega, as said above. And I have plenty of USA WF, vintage Williams USA, Japan..... stuff. But the Irega have the least slop of everything I have. I do not have any Snap On adjustable wrenches. But if you don't want to give up a kidney to pay for a SO, then Channellock is the way to go IMO.

Any issues with the jaws deforming?