'Crescent' wrenches?

[superautobacs]

I agree Klein's are the best. Klein's have the least amount of play in the adjuster.

Probably because a Japanese tool maker, Top (known for their adjustable wrenches), exchanged manufacturing technology with Klein Tools back in 1987.

Although not present in the Klein version pictured earlier in this post, in part of their lineup they utilize a patented worm gear that equate to zero slop/play, even after working the fastener multiple times. You set it once, you let go of that right thumb--not something you can do with the majority of adjustable wrenches out there, even new ones.

 

[loj]

Wow, that Klein wrench is pretty.

I bought a set of three Craftsman adjustables a couple of weeks ago and I hate to say that they're rough as a cob.

 

[browntown]

Some of the klein's are made in spain. Are they possibly irega made too?

 

[back2class]

I had a Klein adjustable. Thought it was pretty crappy on the scale of adjustables and I have owned them all. It was poorly finished and had lots of slop. Though I have seen no extreme variation in quality between chinese and snap-on and I have owned everything in between. All seem to do the job fine. The nicest ones I have owned (tight and well machined) are the Igrea (sp) and current production Craftsman with the craftsman being my favorite regardless of price.

 

[Elroy]

If you want a nice adjustable you need to simply shop around like Elroy does.

So Elroy has the tool collection "habit" real BAD. There is a local pawn shop that is a regular visit for Elroy......

So last night we stopped by this "shop" to check out their current offerings. As soon as we walk up to the tool display, this little gem presents itself. This thing was ABSOLUTELY PREMIUM. Not a flaw or blemish ! Perfect condition in all respects. Can you say PRIMO ???

We set it aside and keep digging thru all the China **** looking for additional nice pieces.

We ended up selecting (4) pieces total. Took them to the counter and made a statement to this effect:

You guys see me come in here all the time and every time I try to buy something we piss each other off. I found this nice adjustable wrench and I'm willing to pay a good price for it but don't try to **** me on these:

A nice 7/8" MAC combination, a Craftsman V-Series and a modified Indesto.

And the shop Manager says:

Tell ya what, You're in here all the time. How about $1 for all four.

So Elroy says, come on don't yank me

No, I want your business. Give me a buck.

So here Elroy picks up four premium quality tools for 25 cents each. Plus tax of course!
So for a $1.06 Elroy is a happy boy and we close the deal.

 

[TheGrooveking]

All wrong....if you want the best get a Williams Super Wrench with the "D" shaped gibs for the moveable jaw. The D shape has square edges/rails that the moveable jaws square gibs engage, this allows the force to be handled without the frame spreading distortion caused by the round type of screw hole typically found in most Crescent type adjustable wrenches.

Edit, just found that the Williams adjustables are the Bahco's, where the hell did the old TRW based design go?

TheGrooveking

 

[blue dog]

This thing is pretty cool

http://www.samcofabrication.com/products/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=59

 

[blue dog]

I have never had a problem with my cresent wrenches at all. The spuds are worth every penny.

 

[2drx4]

Still haven't bought one. I need a modified 15" to get the jaw capacity I need (I finally found my notes, 1-7/8" is the largest nut on the machine). Everything that I can source in a 15" is either junk (locally) or tearing me a new one... All the ebay sellers of Bahco or Channellock are content to destroy any chance of a decent deal by requiring massive amounts of money for shipping, or not so massive amounts and sending it UPS (UPS kills you with fees if it crosses the boarder).

I'll have to see if any of the places around here that sell other channellock products will bring in something that they don't normally carry... Although it honestly appears that channellock simply does not offer a large part of its line in Canada, and that is that.

 

[matthew]

I think it's more a matter of retailers not stocking those Channellock pieces around here... if you ask they probably would order one for you, but it might cost a bit.

I'd actually consider buying a Princess Auto one, particularly if you get one when they're on sale. It can be hit or miss, but it should be cheap enough you can make it, try it out, and see how long it lasts. You may be surprised by the durability, and if it fails it's not too expensive of an experiment, particularly considering you're doing a little surgery to it.

+1 on ebay sellers being ridiculous on shipping. I don't think they understand the way the auction economics works. Exaggerated shipping charges reduce the amount the buyer is willing to pay. Which is fine if everyones charges are exaggerated equally, but when they're not it just prevents a real auction from happening.

(2drx4, also check your PM's)

 

[2drx4]

Thanks for the heads up, but actually, I just pushed the button on getting a pair of the 15" channellocks off amazon... It's not going to be cheap, but hey, I payed by credit card so I can hardly feel it!

My issue with not buying quality tools, even if I am going to doctor them, is that I tend to work in remote locations... And Mr Murphy and his law says that if it can break, it will do so at the most inconvenient time and/or place. So, hopefully these will give me trouble-free service until the time I no longer need them.

 

[Bolster]

Those Spanish Channellocks are showing up all over the place here. There must be a ton of them. Mostly selling $5 each for the 12" version. Don't know how many I really need...

 

[D9H 90V]

Thanks for the heads up, but actually, I just pushed the button on getting a pair of the 15" channellocks off amazon... It's not going to be cheap, but hey, I payed by credit card so I can hardly feel it!

My issue with not buying quality tools, even if I am going to doctor them, is that I tend to work in remote locations... And Mr Murphy and his law says that if it can break, it will do so at the most inconvenient time and/or place. So, hopefully these will give me trouble-free service until the time I no longer need them.

Good deal, make sure you post some pics when you get them and after you modify them

 

[AustinRoepke]

SCREAMIN DEAL ON CHANNELLOCK:

18" Black Phosphate for $23 shipped here.

You're welcome

 

[OccupantRJ]

What kind of modifications are you guys doing to the adjustable wrenches? I make them open further, but I don't do it with the thumbscrew. All mine at work are modified this way.

 

[matthew]

SCREAMIN DEAL ON CHANNELLOCK:

18" Black Phosphate for $23 shipped here.

You're welcome

That'd be a great deal, but $36 to ship north of the border is pretty pricey. This particular wrench is expensive to ship because it's over 4 lbs., but even on the other items the seller is offering $30-40 for shipping is very high on items that can be sent via first class mail for $5 to $15 depending on the item.

(and when you think about it, if shipping is free within the US, if it costs $5 why wouldn't that be credited against the cost of foreign shipping? Should you just pay the incremental cost???)

 

[otis66]

I would not buy any Channel Lock tool not made in USA. The craftsman adjustable wrenches are great. Made In USA. I have Dimond adjustables that are great as well. I also have a 12in and a 10in Snap On adjustables made in USA and a 15 in MAC adjustable Made in USA that looks just like the Craftsman adjustable. If you keep buying Channel Lock Tools not made in USA soon they will be marked "China" and we'll just have another "Global Corp".

 

[comedyman809]

me like my klien black dipped and red dipped handles adjustables, and my armstrongs.

love my snap on red grip ones too, although 2 of them grew legs!!!!

 

[Theloniousmonk]

Diamond is great, imo... also like my Wrights (don't know if they make them or not though)

honestly though, one of the nicest sets of adj. I ever bought happened to be the "professional" Ace Hardware brand w/ the red/black cushion grip and chrome head... made in taiwan, cheap, but really did a decent job for light duty work. Chrome flaked off after a year but gear still turns smoothly after roughly 8 years.

 

[HandyManny]

Crescent brand adjustable wrenches are plain-jane to begin with and priced right. Just buy one of those to use. Actually I've never seen too many adjustable wrenches that weren't plain-jane.