European Adjustable Wrenches

[neophyte]

Not strictly true.

Irimo are made in Spain also, and they’re not Irega.

Looks like the Klein above might be made by Irimo, it’s the same style as the wrench below, although Irimo also make the Snap On and Bahco branded wrenches, which are both slightly different.

If you have a choice, buy the Irega made wrenches, not the Irimo made ones.

 

[dukefx]

Irimo manufactures for pretty much no one except Snap On and co since Irimo is part of the SNA group. The Klein company made a deal with Irega in 2012. You can bet your *** the Klein wrenches (and all the other made in Spain wrenches that aren't part of the Snap On group) are made by Irega.

 

[Dave455]

Some pictures, and experiences, if it helps.

Below is a 12 inch Crescent, made in the U.S.A. I don’t really know how old this tool is, but I’m thinking at least 70 years, possibly more, and I’m the third generation of my family to use it.

I know Crescent didn’t invent this pattern (that was Bahco) but this is the best I have encountered. It’s stronger than any other of the same size, the parts fit better, and despite all the use is still free of slop! This is the standard against which you should judge all others.


Here is an original, Swedish made, Bahco that was left to me by a friend and I cleaned up. It’s a very good tool, strength and fit are excellent, but the Crescent is better.


Here’s a newer ”Bahco”. Made in Spain in the Irimo factory. I actually bought this tool for a plumbing job before acquiring the Swedish one. It’s not a bad tool. It can be seen that the pattern is styled like the original tool, but is different in a number of respects.

The overall quality is not as good as the Swedish tool. Note how the amount of metal has been reduced. The fit and finish are not as good either.


Finally, here is an Irega tool, Stahlwille branded in this case. (10 inch too, the others shown are 12’s). I bought this as I wanted a chromed tool for my road box.

I think the quality is a fraction better than the Bahco branded Irimo, but it’s obvious that the Irimo products vary in both design and quality, according to the brand name they are going to bear.

I’m not sure if this is the case with Irega. All the Stahlwille branded Irega’s I’ve seen seem to be very good, but dukefx said above that Irega’s get loose too easily. I think I’d agree with that, certainly from the older examples I’ve seen.


Finally, the Crescent, Swedish Bahco, and Spanish Bahco can be compared. The strength of the Crescent is notable. I don’t have a 12 inch Irega to compare.

 

[john.k]

The Sidchrome Bahcos are chunky like the Crescent in the black finish styles ,the polished chrome ones are thinner and tapered...........back in the day ,the black ones were around $2 cheaper than plated ................around $10 for a 15" black ,$12 plated.

 

[KnurledNut]

Anyone know who is making MOB Peddinghaus or COO? Couldn’t find much info.

 

[Steve_P]

I've posted this multiple times here in multiple threads over the years, but I have adjustable wrenches by just about every mfg except for Snap On. And the Irega are the best. And I can't remember the last time I used an adjustable wrench since I bought a set of Plier Wrenches 10+ years ago. I still have the adjustable wrenches since they're essentially worthless, but ....

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

For Irega I have only tried the Channellock branded ones but I've got a few sizes purchased new so feel like I have a decent sample. IMO these are up there with any of the classic USA brands as far as the mechanism- Diamond, Utica, and classic (not late period when they got worse) Crescent and Western Forge. Great movement with very little slop. However I don't think the jaws are as hard because they wear quicker than the classic USA ones. Overall still a good product for the price but give me a classic Diamond in good shape any day.

 

[john.k]

Theoretically ,the jaw slide should be square ,or even dovetailed .....but this would make the wrench too expensive to make........the really biggies doont have a worm screw at all ,but a pattern of holes giving a vernier type arrangement

 

[F-22]

Bahco were originally made in Sweden, and very high quality. Since being bought by Snap On their wrenches have been made by Irimo I believe, also owned by Snap On, who make the Snap On adjustables. I don’t know if Irimo manufacture for any third parties outside the Snap On group.

You can consider that the Snap On adjustables are made by Bahco if you like, but the original Bahco factory in Sweden is, I believe, long gone. They certainly don’t make adjustables there.

Photo straight from Bahocs website seems to say some of their wrenches are still made in Sweden:



Maybe only the goofy weird designs like the fishtail aren't made in Spain today? Still, makes me assume the factory in Sweden didn't completely close down, I assume it would be weird if they had enough stock of these to last for years?

The Knipex Plier Wrench works poorly for nuts and fasteners made of softer material, like zinc alloys and plastic, because it crushed the fastener nuts with too much force.
This excess force makes it harder to turn fasteners.
A regular adjustable wrench gets set at the correct width, and then just turns against the flats, eliminating the problem of crushing a fastener.

Plastic and zinc fasteners are a very niche use case. It is also unlikely for the nut to be tightened so much that these pliers would crush it sooner than unscrewing it. I did use it for plastic nuts almost every time I encounter them - the ability to squeeze it makes it less likely to strip it, at least in cases where I encounter them. You don't need to completely squeeze the pliers anyway.

Note how the amount of metal has been reduced

Finally, the Crescent, Swedish Bahco, and Spanish Bahco can be compared. The strength of the Crescent is notable. I don’t have a 12 inch Irega to compare.

Depending on what you use it for, all the extra material can be a downside, as well as a very thick wrench that does not fit in some areas. You can see how the Spanish one is more chamfered towards the rear where the extra material really does not make much more than adds weight. More modern approach to engineering (like FEM/FEA analysis) makes it much easier to optimize such designs for the use case. The Bahcos seem about as wide as most machine nuts usually are, but the US made one looks more over the top to me. I think your swedish Bahco is still quite modern, I wonder how the really old ones compare because I think they used to be fatter as well.

 

[neophyte]

Photo straight from Bahocs website seems to say some of their wrenches are still made in Sweden:



Maybe only the goofy weird designs like the fishtail aren't made in Spain today? Still, makes me assume the factory in Sweden didn't completely close down, I assume it would be weird if they had enough stock of these to last for years?



Plastic and zinc fasteners are a very niche use case. It is also unlikely for the nut to be tightened so much that these pliers would crush it sooner than unscrewing it. I did use it for plastic nuts almost every time I encounter them - the ability to squeeze it makes it less likely to strip it, at least in cases where I encounter them. You don't need to completely squeeze the pliers anyway.





Depending on what you use it for, all the extra material can be a downside, as well as a very thick wrench that does not fit in some areas. You can see how the Spanish one is more chamfered towards the rear where the extra material really does not make much more than adds weight. More modern approach to engineering (like FEM/FEA analysis) makes it much easier to optimize such designs for the use case. The Bahcos seem about as wide as most machine nuts usually are, but the US made one looks more over the top to me. I think your swedish Bahco is still quite modern, I wonder how the really old ones compare because I think they used to be fatter as well.

Plastic and Zinc fasteners are very common in plumbing, and zinc nuts for connecting chrome and brass sanitary plumbing under sinks are basically the only type you get at major retailers like Home Depot and Lowes nowadays.
Solid brass nuts with or without a fancy chrome or other finish are available, but require ordering online, or going to an actual plumbing supplier like Ferguson, and Ferguson has way worse hours than HD and Lowes.

 

[dukefx]

Anyone know who is making MOB Peddinghaus or COO? Couldn’t find much info.

Couldn't find anything either but based on the patent and knowing all the European manufacturers I'd say they are outsourced to some SEA country, probably China, but don't quote me on that. It's just a guess.

 

[brutus22]

Hi, everybody
Where good description about present quality of IRIMO adjustable wrench

 

[Wamsutta]

I'm bumping this thread to help me remember the brand name IRIMO. That was a long search to find this thread.

 

[pizza]

The best selection of new adjustables seems to come from Japan. Those made by Top and Lobtex are well regarded here.

i think they're great. my notes on those:

Tools of Japan

You were right about the cost!

www.garagejournal.com

i have not tried the nepros, but idk if i ever will. i'm kind of set on adjustable wrenches, and i use knipex PW way more anyways.

 

[BrandonV]

i think they're great. my notes on those:

Tools of Japan

You were right about the cost!

www.garagejournal.com

i have not tried the nepros, but idk if i ever will. i'm kind of set on adjustable wrenches, and i use knipex PW way more anyways.

Makes sense. Seems like the Japanese are more set in their ways with tools. I feel like most of the exit from the adjustable wrench market in Europe has been supplemented pretty well with plier wrenches.