How often and where do you use an adjustable wrench

[Fialaja]

We all seem to collect these yet I wonder how often do we actually use them?
I personally find I use them mostly for plumbing work and occasionally in situations where it’s all I have at hand.
I don’t think I’ve ever used one in automotive work.

 

[Kasal]

I use them when I have to do some field work and I don't know what measure I like is what I was going to need, so I only charge with one key and not with several.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

Used one last night on an tire inflator air pressure fitting.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

When you need a really good fit on something where using "nominal" wrenches gives too much play - two flats on a round shaft for example.

They're widely used in many hydraulic applications since many of those fittings are 1" or greater and it's much easier to swing a 15" or 18" adjustable wrench around than a traditional combination wrench in 1-5/8 size.

I use them for bending metal frequently when I don't have access to a break. Even thicker stuff (1/4" or more), works much better than a hammer

 

[mike93lx]

Mostly plumbing for me.

The key is to have a matching metric and sae set. Should cover most stuff

 

[AS556]

I keep one in my pocket at work doing industrial maintenance.

Truthfully I dont like them but I'm not going to carry a full set of wrenches on me. The 6" Irega does it's job.

When I'm on an actual call I bring my bag which has combo wrenches. Much prefer those.

 

[rlitman]

When you need a really good fit on something where using "nominal" wrenches gives too much play - two flats on a round shaft for example.

They're widely used in many hydraulic applications since many of those fittings are 1" or greater and it's much easier to swing a 15" or 18" adjustable wrench around than a traditional combination wrench in 1-5/8 size.

I use them for bending metal frequently when I don't have access to a break. Even thicker stuff (1/4" or more), works much better than a hammer

I've found that no amount of fiddling with the adjuster will take the slop out of the dynamic jaw to the point that it has a better fit than a standard wrench (as least, a good quality one).

Also, the same size combination will generally be lighter than the adjustable, so I see no advantage there either, unless you need multiple wrenches. That's really all I've found adjustables to be good for.

Still, I don't recall a single time I've used an adjustable since I've gotten my Knipex Pliers Wrenches. Those actually do grip tighter than a conventional wrench as well.

 

[matt_i]

I keep one in my pocket at work doing industrial maintenance.

I also keep 2 in my pocket, 40 hrs per week.

I also always take one aboard the watercraft, saves a lot of different wrenches where space and weight are not unlimited.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I only have two, a 10" and 18" and I don't use them often. The big gets used if a socket won't work and the fastener is larger than my wrenches. Otherwise I use them more for bending metal or twisting/holding other materials.

 

[Handyandy23]

I have a 'general maintenance' work bag for around the house that has mostly plumbing and electrical stuff in it. I keep an adjustable in that bag to reduce weight and it's always "good enough" for things like plumbing and gas fittings.

If I'm working on a vehicle, or assembling something with repetitive size fasteners, I always use a proper combo wrench.

I will say though a good quality adjustable makes a big difference. I had always used cheap ones, and just got a Channellock WideAzz. Loads better! Basically no slop and very nice and smooth (plus opens wide and has thin jaws).

 

[visionguru]

I've found that no amount of fiddling with the adjuster will take the slop out of the dynamic jaw to the point that it has a better fit than a standard wrench (as least, a good quality one).

Also, the same size combination will generally be lighter than the adjustable, so I see no advantage there either, unless you need multiple wrenches. That's really all I've found adjustables to be good for.

Still, I don't recall a single time I've used an adjustable since I've gotten my Knipex Pliers Wrenches. Those actually do grip tighter than a conventional wrench as well.

Even the worst quality wrenches will fit better.
Milwaukee adjustable wrenches are the best in term of jaw tightness, better than those usual "made in ***", "quality..." adjustable wrenches.

IMO, adjustable wrenches are for dealing with not-so-tight fasteners. A convenience tool.

Knipex feels good, but the adjustment and usage is clumsy. I've used mine only once on a plastic drain outlet. Regular adjustable seems easier to use for that, because the slop makes it easier to repeatedly turn the bolt.

 

[gungatim]

I would have to say mostly plumbing--and by that I mean connecting my propane tanks, brass fittings/flare fittings, air, etc.

main reason is 2-fold; I never know which size I need on the propane tanks or air fittings, and it seems like those fittings are hard to get a regular wrench on. adjustable you can get it on and tighten the jaw down, but an open end you almost have to slip it on the middle and swing it in, as if the corners are too large or something.

 

[Dave455]

I don’t use them that often, but when I do it’s usually the best tool to hand!

Yes, I use them for plumbing occasionally, but most often I use them because I either don’t have an open ended wrench to hand, or more usually, don’t have an open ended wrench big enough!

I typically carry up to about 22mm in my road bag, or maybe 5/8 BS if I’m working on machinery, so the adjustable comes out if I need to attack a hose fitting, or just change a gas cylinder!

 

[rlitman]

The Knipex adjustment is clunky. But once you have it on the correct notch, it almost ratchets, because with the handles closed it grabs the flats, and with the handles opened, it clears the corners.

 

[Catch_22]

I have an 24 inch proto one I used for adjusting offroad control arm jam nuts. That's the only use for it but its also the best tool for the job.
I keep a single 1-7/8 Crowfoot for the trail, but that only fits my setup.

 

[straps57]

Use them often around the house.

 

[65k10]

Mostly I use them in the field when I don't have a full set of tools available to me. At home, it's more for bending things or situations where a combo wrench doesn't quite work. One example was screwing together some sucker rod for reinforcing part of a corral. I had to use an 18" and 24" adjustable to screw them together since the proper wrench (around 15/16") would have been too short. The threads on the rod were rough and corroded and it took a fair amount of leverage to get them screwed together.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I have always referred to adjustable wrenches as Crescent wrenches. Have about 10 in all, Crescent, Proto from about 4” to 18”. Have used them less and less as my tool collection has grown. The 18” has come in handy when needed occasionally for large bolts ie. hitch balls etc. But have to admit sockets first, open ends second and occasionally a box end.
On a job site the lowly Crescent is probably the only wrench in the bag. But the trucks is generally not to far away for a proper wrench if needed.

 

[Super Mech]

I keep one on the welding cart for changing tanks and torch heads. I have some old Proto adjustables that have detents on the thumb wheel. I find them to be of very high quality.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

A 6 inch Channellock (Irega) adjustable and a small pair of Channellock pliers reside in my glove compartment. Used them last month for an unplanned battery replacement in a Walmart parking lot. Not the ideal tool for the job but it worked fine. A 10mm combo wrench might have shaved 5 minutes off the job but no big deal.

 

[measuredtwice]

The Knipex adjustment is clunky. But once you have it on the correct notch, it almost ratchets, because with the handles closed it grabs the flats, and with the handles opened, it clears the corners.

That would be called slipping on any other wrench. Clever marketing from Knipex.

 

[Toold_up]

I've found that no amount of fiddling with the adjuster will take the slop out of the dynamic jaw to the point that it has a better fit than a standard wrench (as least, a good quality one).

Yesterday I was doing some plumbing work and the brass flare nut I needed to take loose wasn't a standard size. 5/8 was about 1/16" too big and 16mm was too small and 17mm was even more sloppy than the 5/8!

Guess what wrench I had to use? O'l crusty but trusty No 6 Crescent! I wish my 4" crescent had more jaw capacity than 1/2 because that would have been perfect. Something like this:

https://www.zoro.com/snap-on-industrial-brands-adjustable-wrench-chrome-4-13404a/i/G7601566/

11/16" jaw capacity in a 4" adjustable size. Wish the COO was different or i'd have ordered it already.

 

[Lisamelting]

Every day...and probably 50% of the time it's to tap or nudge something into place.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

I've found that no amount of fiddling with the adjuster will take the slop out of the dynamic jaw to the point that it has a better fit than a standard wrench (as least, a good quality one).

Also, the same size combination will generally be lighter than the adjustable, so I see no advantage there either, unless you need multiple wrenches. That's really all I've found adjustables to be good for.

Still, I don't recall a single time I've used an adjustable since I've gotten my Knipex Pliers Wrenches. Those actually do grip tighter than a conventional wrench as well.

I've had the opposite experience on adjustables and getting them tight...this is particularly on areas where you can't get a box end or socket on them so you're restricted to 2 flats.

Disagree on the weight - I can swing a 10" adjustable easier than a 15/16" combo wrench.

I carry a Knipex Pliers Wrench in my pocket daily - it's awesome!

 

[Chucktin]

Seldom and only if I have to.

 

[rlitman]

That would be called slipping on any other wrench. Clever marketing from Knipex.

Slipping? How so? You just don't have to take the tool completely off the fastener to change positions. When you squeeze the handles, even just a little, it doesn't slip at all.

Yesterday I was doing some plumbing work and the brass flare nut I needed to take loose wasn't a standard size. 5/8 was about 1/16" too big and 16mm was too small and 17mm was even more sloppy than the 5/8!

Guess what wrench I had to use? O'l crusty but trusty No 6 Crescent! I wish my 4" crescent had more jaw capacity than 1/2 because that would have been perfect. ...

Good gawd, an adjustable on a brass flare nut. What has this world come to?
If 5/8" is 1/16" too big, I suggest you try a 9/16" flare nut wrench for this job.

No, a 4" crescent would have been more likely to ruin the nut. Wrench flat dimensions are fairly standardized, and if you haven't yet noticed, flare nut flats run wider than standard nuts and bolts. Adjustable wrench jaw widths increase with increasing handle lengths. The narrower jaws on a 4" wrench would cover too narrow a part of the flare nut, thus increasing the likelihood of rounding it. An even wider 8" wrench might be better than the 6" you chose, if it covered more area.

 

[nh_yota]

I use mine as a hammer.

 

[DerekV]

Virtually never once I got the Knipex pliers wrenches. Only time I find myself using them now is when it's tough/awkward to squeeze and turn the fastener/fitting/etc. at the same time. Very infrequent situation but it happens.

 

[Davefr]

I use them all the time for non critical fasteners. They're huge timesavers vs running back and forth to the toolbox guessing which size you need.

 

[measuredtwice]

Slipping? How so?

When you squeeze the handles, even just a little, it doesn't slip at all.

You answered your own question. What about when you don't squeeze the handle? ...or if the nut is frozen?

Knipex marketing made slipping a feature. Quite clever.

I like the Knipex plier wrench. Don't love it though. I do love the Cobra.

Btw, they make non marring vinyl covers for the 10" Cobra and Plier wrench. I just got them but haven't tried the covers yet.

 

[BFBOB]

Every time I attend a garage or estate sale, there's a 6" Crescent wrench in my pants pocket. And a double ended slot/Phillips screwdriver in my shirt pocket.

 

[metaldad]

my cart at work, has (2) 6, (2) 8, (2) 10, 12, 15, along with combos to 1 1/4
have similar setup in the carage and shop

 

[mbushnell]

I had an instructor in Aircraft Maintenance School who referred to them as “Metric Crescent Wrenches”.

 

[BukitCase]

Both my 40 horse tractors are older, Allis (made in france by indecisive idiots who couldn't decide between metric and sae) and a Long (factory in lower bratislavia somewhere - factory razed and replaced by a shopping mall about 15 years ago, doubt they ever DID know which was which)

Point is, I carry 1 or 2 sizes of HF's "mid range" "Crescents", use 'em as a combination "poor man's caliper" (mm scale on one side, fractional on other side) so I know WHICH kind of tools to go back for - and occasionally I MIGHT use one as it was intended, but rare... Steve

 

[Robinson1]

I use adjustables all the time used one today to change a dishwasher. Used one Saturday to tighten a bolt on the grass deflector on my zero turn. Used one last Friday to help bend a bracket from some scrap 1/8" bar stock.

I keep an 8 inch adjustable, slip joint pliers, and a 6 in 1 screwdriver in every vehicle and piece of equipment I own. Even my service truck has these 3 basics in the door pocket.

 

[fsae0607]

I keep mine in my "house tools" tool box. I use them for household plumbing fittings mostly. Damn near never in automotive.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I used to seldom use mine. But I'd like to carry less. Or have a set to carry around that has "everything." And my (late) neighbor used one a lot on cycle repairs. So I picked up a few from Cripes on an order years back, and they get used more.

 

[toolmutt]

Mostly to bend stuff. Occasionally on plumbing stuff, though.

 

[uscarry45]

Mike 93 beat me to it - when i get some ******* no nothing at the hardware store i ask if they have any metric crescent wrenches!!!

 

[RedneckWelder]

Hydraulics and torch tank fittings. Also for bending metal. Never for normal bolts.