Chain wrench or pipe tong

[bobcatdan]

I've been looking for a larger USA made chain wrench and have seen several companies offer pipe tong too. What is the difference of the two tools, or when all said and done are the same tool? I fix skidsteers, not a plumber so I'm looking for something to go around odd shapes, not pipe. I have a craftsman chain wrench and it is never long enough for anything. Just though one of the all know tool fananic could school me.

 

[crewchief888]

i have a long (24"?) chain wrench i bought from SO many years ago.

it may be a bluepoint, but i really dont remember.


edit: cw12a listed as 12" long 16" chain bluepoint COO china


i'll check tomorrow on the PN on mine

 

[Jbullfrog]

Pipe tongs are setup to grip from either side and a chain wrench is setup to just go one way. I use a 12" Craftsman for big oil filters. If you go bigger, you can't find room to swing the handle. I have used a 5/16" chain and a pinch bar to get things turned to line up pins before. A 24" adjustable wrench or a pair of 20" waterpump pliers will do alot.

 

[HAP]

Here is a rendition I made a few months ago.
Regards,
HAP

 

[metaldad]

Ridgid offers both. I have a 24 chain wrench, where I added a 2nd chain to.
Chain tongs have longer handles, may present a problem in tight areas.
On the link, I'm surprised chain tongs can accept 1/4'' pipe. I see the minimum size for a chain wrench is 2''............ I think that's gotta be a misprint.
http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Pipe-Wrenches/index.htm
BTW, nice vise, Hap.

 

[crewchief888]

the larger chain wrench i have is a bluepoint cw24.

 

[JimDon]

HAP,
Could you give us some details on what you used to build that chain vise and maybe a sketch? Sure would like to replicate that.
Cheers,
JimDon

 

[slip knot]

Got a big set of pipe tongs I use when things really need to be broken. Williams brand I believe. maybe 36in and not at all useful in most auto/truck repair applications but I do find a use for it every now and then on agricultural implements.