I am in the need of a 24" adjustable for the piston retaining nuts found on hydraulic cylinder rods. I looked at the proto and armstrong wrenches, which can be had for around $140 give or take. I also looked at the 24" crescent branded wrench today and saw stamped on the handle "made in USA". Are the large crescents not made in china or did I just happen to see old stock? Also, are there any brands when it comes to adjustables that large that I should stay away from? I noticed an Olympia branded 24" adjustable at a welding shop that seemed to be holding up to their abuse quite well for a made in china wrench. Has anyone ever had problems with cheaper wrenches in the larger adjustable size? I only plan on using it for large lock nuts or hydraulic fittings, nothing very high torqued.
decent 24" adjustable wrench?
- Thread starter mech-tech
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Proto, Armstrong and Crescent are all made in the same factory by Crescent, if you want a quality 24" USA adjustable think SK, Craftsman, Wright, Williams USA all these brands adjustables are made by western forge on the other hand there is Klein, they are really high quality adjustables but expect to pay $$$ for a 24" one.
MoToys
Well-known member
I love my American tools but I dont really use a 24" adjustable too often. Pretty much just for jam nuts on the control arms of my jeep so I cheeped out and bout the hf for 19.99. It is more than sufficient, it would take a lot to break this wrench. Maybe one day I'll come across a good used American wrench and I can toss the hf one.
buco
Well-known member
Proto Clickstop as well?
I thought about the harbor freight wrench, but wasn't sure of the build quality. I would love to have a nice proto or other usa wrench, but I have found myself having to buy lots of other pricey items for work and wasn't sure if the china 24" adjustables were worth a try. Is there one company in the states that makes the large wrenches for everyone, cause they all seem to look strikingly similar, right down to the handle shape.
EvilWelder
Well-known member
I have the Armstrong 24" and it has never let me down after years of abuse from a welder.
Does anyone know if the SK 24" (8024) is made in the usa? it annoys the **** outta me when not one of the online retailers have a picture of the actual item and have no description
The Klein is made in spain
The Klein is made in spain
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I have the HF 24" adjustable wrench. HF stuff is well known as hit or miss, but I think this one's a hit. It hasn't broke yet, and it's had some decent length cheater pipe hung on it. It opens up to 2 1/2", I use it for everything big that I can't get a power tool on.
OP: why a wrench and not a socket set for rod nuts?
OP: why a wrench and not a socket set for rod nuts?
The reason for the wrench is because I work in both the shop and on the road, often times I find myself needing a tool that I never had time to pack, and just can't justify buying 2 of everything. Also, the bed on the service truck is already filled with parts and I am running out of room quick!
Klien make their own adjustables in their factory in Roselle IL, checkout their website for a list factories and what each plant makes. I think youR thinkin about Channellock they use Irega Spain as their adjustable supplier and the SK adjustables are made I the USA by Western Forge.
Both these reviews clain the wrench is made in spain, granted I usually don't trust online reviews but reading a stamped COO is hard to screw up. I know the old ones were USA made and excellent quality
http://connecticutvacuumtrapsshop.blogspot.com/2012/06/klein-500-24-24-inch-adjustable-wrench.html
http://www.amazon.com/Klein-D500-24...dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
http://connecticutvacuumtrapsshop.blogspot.com/2012/06/klein-500-24-24-inch-adjustable-wrench.html
http://www.amazon.com/Klein-D500-24...dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
The SK web site says it's made in USA.
http://www.skhandtool.com/products/wrenches/product.aspx?ID=2557&view=view
thanks, I couldnt seem to find the 24 incher on their website before
I'll be getting this one off tooltopia
HandyManny
Well-known member
Irega makes a 24" adjustable that sells under the Channellock brand here in the states. It's made in Spain, but Irega is well known for being one of the higher quality adjustable wrench makers in the world. I'd give them a shot. I think those Channelock adjustables are pretty damn high quality, light weight, and well balanced tools, at least the 12" and under seem to be. I don't think their 24" goes for more that $100, more like $75-$80. Look into them.
After looking at all the suggested wrenches, I noticed that most companies seem to shape the handles quite wide towards the end like the small adjustable wrenches are made. Is this so people stop using pipes on them? Even the proto and armstrong wrenches, which I thought would be made for industrial uses, are made this way. Is crescent the only company left that still makes a tapered handle? To me, if I'm going to use a tool this large, the chances of needing a cheater pipe is pretty good. I thought all wrenches this large still had tapered handles, guess I was wrong.
The Klein adjustable that I linked to is tapered and it comes with or without the soft grip.
Wakefield
Well-known member
I thought that the change in the handle to tapering larger towards the business end on the 15" and up wrenches was for strength. (8" ones from Western Forge tapered smaller toward business end,15" one tapers bigger.)
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
AZ_Catskinner
Well-known member
My 24" Proto is tapered like they always were.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
is paying local sales tax cheaper than paying shipping ?
stonesfan68
Well-known member
You can take a look at the Williams 24" adjustable wrench. It is made in the USA and costs $105 delivered to your door.
Williams AP-24A
Williams has other sizes, colors and grips available:
Williams Adjustable Wrenches
Williams AP-24A
Williams has other sizes, colors and grips available:
Williams Adjustable Wrenches
wellpoison
Well-known member
I bought a Williams superjustable at a yard sale a while back. I love it, it's very smooth and I've beat on it a good bit I got it pretty cheap. Here at work we have a very large geodore adjustable. The old crew says its been here since they started and some of them have been here 30 years.
HandyManny
Well-known member
If used properly, a good quality adjustable wrench will last a lifetime or more, even when used daily.
supersteve
Well-known member
Does anyone know who makes(made?) NAPA's 18" and 24" adjustables? COO?
I'm thinking about getting some in on my next order of NAPA 70% off hand tools.
I'm thinking about getting some in on my next order of NAPA 70% off hand tools.
willhollin
Well-known member
Never heard of them till now, so you reckon this is as good a bet as Irega or Bahco wide jaw?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FULCO-8-A...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3a76bba6ed
Not as good as Irega but better than the bahco, bahco adjustable wrenches of the last 5 years are terrible, the jaws dont line up squareley or evenly and they wobble terribly, the Irega are the very best by far, alot of major manufacturers use them even though they are dearer than the bahco wrenches, i have plenty of examples of the Proxene wrenches and can confirm that the fit, finish and operation of them is first class, dont be fooled by the low price that is not a reflectoin of the quality.
willhollin
Well-known member
Luckily all but one of mine are Swedish made, and the other was given to me by a plumber I helped out FOC!
There's only a few quid between that Proxene one and the Irega one so i'll stick with the Irega.
There's only a few quid between that Proxene one and the Irega one so i'll stick with the Irega.
I hate that. I don't have two of everything, and even the stuff I have two of, tends to migrate back and forth from my truck, and my bench in the shop. 15 minutes after I get a service call, I'm still lugging tools out to the truck, and if the foreman sees me, I get that "why are you still here" look.
Seriously, though, that HF wrench will do great for cylinder rod nuts. I've used mine when the 3/4 socket set wasn't handy. My issue with cylinders in the field is always finding a creative way to hold the rod (have not a vise on my service truck...talk about a serious tool deficiency).
HandyManny
Well-known member
I read where one pro had rated one of his Taiwanese adjustables as among the best he'd ever used. He did not know who made his as it was unbranded. Now that I hear this it is likely that his was made by Proxene. I've actually heard a few other people comment on a certain Taiwan made adjustable that was superlative in quality. Never heard of the brand until now. Too bad nobody in the USA is stepping up to the plate and competing with that level of quality at a compeditive pricepoint. I've been very much impressed with Spain's Irega made wrenches, so I continue to encourage new tool buyers to check those out for those who want a high quality European made adjustable wrench (Channellock here in USA).
HandyManny
Well-known member
I've been hearing how dissatisfied many new Bahco owners are with the newer Bahco wrenches. Makes me wonder.
And these are what Snap-On is offering, right?
5lima30
Well-known member
I've got an older SK that works great and is made in USA!
I've been hearing how dissatisfied many new Bahco owners are with the newer Bahco wrenches. Makes me wonder.
And these are what Snap-On is offering, right?
The snap-on wrenches are just as bad Manny, ive a got a Swedish made FADH10A with a 2008 date code that is great and got an 8" wide jaw 2008 made in Spain that *****. Is this what snap-on call progress?
HandyManny
Well-known member
I agree. This is my point, that there are those here who say pay the extra money to get a higher quality products. Problem is that often times you pay more and get less. I think tool buyers (and all consumers in general) need to focus on quality rather than price or COO. We hear it here all the time, that this brand is better than that brand, or this COO is better or inferior than that COO. I think one can acquire the better quality tools by just focusing on quality overall above anything else and let biasness and preconceived notions fall aside.