How often and where do you use an adjustable wrench

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I have at least 2 dozen, use my Snap On at work a couple times a week. Mostly plumbing, or various non automotive.

I also keep a couple in the truck, a set in the plumbing box in the kitchen, a few in my desk, etc, etc.


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[Indexmill]

Only when:

1) have no other wrench handy...AND
2) it fits in the available space...AND
3) it will NOT damage the fastener al all.

 

[johninct]

I keep one over my workbench so I don't have to walk to my box so much.

 

[sparky 1971]

I had to use one for the first time in quite awhile two weeks ago. Putting a new pto clutch on my lawnmower of all things. I had to put a wrench on the clutch to keep it from spinning while I torqued it down. The "flats" on the shaft to hold the clutch still are larger than a 32mm. That's the biggest open end wrench I have. My 12" NAPA brand wouldn't open far enough, but the Chinese Crescent brand would.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

I use them daily. I must have over 20 of various sizes, all high end brands. Air, hydraulics, bending metal, used as a hammer. On something that is siezed or very tight I will use the proper size wrench, but they save 5 trips to the truck or toolbox, and you can carry only 2 with you instead of juggling 5 wrenches. Also great for jobs where you have to climb. Up and down the ladder or whatnot 10 times for the proper wrench will wear you out quick.

 

[plinker]

I think I've only used an adjustable a couple times on anything automotive related, packable wheel bearing castle nuts & once on a steering rack nut that was rather large.

Pipe thread fittings (air & fluid), hydraulics, steel bending were/are something that'd see more use for an adjustable wrench for me. I'll use one in a pinch on whatever I mess with, depending on if I know it will work.

 

[gungatim]

had a shop teacher in auto shop that said adjustable wrenches were the only suitable tool to use on a wing nut. can't say I've ever tried it...

 

[IndyGarage]

Not sure what the hate is with adjustable wrenches. They have their place in tool kits the same as other tools do.

Are they as good as a correctly fitting open end? Of course not. Are they much more convenient? Yes they are.

I carry them in my universal tool kits. I have one pair that have a locking mechanism on them - like a combination vise grip and adjustable wrench. Those are extremely convenient for working on things like hose fittings, where you need to hold the item steady and work with another wrench at the same time.

It's called Stanley Maxgrip adjustable wrench - I notice Craftsman and Crescent both have a similar tool.

 

[Dave455]

The contents of my work jacket pockets...

6 inch combination pliers, heavy jack knife (I’ve tried lighter ones but few tools seem to ‘cut it’), Eclipse pocket screwdriver, ‘Jubilee’ clipdriver (invaluable), and of course a baby ‘King ****’ adjustable!

It’s amazing how much day to day stuff you can do with this, although to be honest, I didn’t realise how much stuff was skulking around in there!

Might go lightweight for a bit...!

 

[Toold_up]

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.

Wow sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.

I mistakenly called the fitting a flare nut. What I was working on was the flexible faucet lines under the sink cabinet. The only line I had trouble with was the chinese made one. A normal wrench fit all the others just fine. I resorted to the adjustable wrench after I ran out of combination wrenches to try, and the length of the adjustable wrench allowed for more swing in a confined area.

 

[mobiledynamics]

When I redid the gas lines for our hot water heater, in tight spots, the adjustable wrenches came more handy in tight spots than the much ~beloved~ cobras

 

[decableguy2000]

Use them daily splicing coax. One pole may have 4-8 different size connectors on it. A 4" Klein is part of my every day carry.

 

[seber]

I keep one in the motorhome toolkit and one in the boat kit but I don't think I've ever been desperate enough to actually use one.

 

[Davefr]

They're also pretty nice to have when going to garage and estate sales when you find something bolted to a workbench and the seller says '"you can buy it if you can remove it". (ex: grinders, vises, etc)

..Or when you stumble onto some machinery that needs to be broken down to haul.

 

[Phantomd]

Automotive work -> Almost Never
Industrial Maintenance -> Every Day

High quality ones are a completely different experience then the cheap ones, Don't knock them unless you have tried a Bahco/knipex/etc. the cheap ones are just crappy hammers and nut rounders.

 

[PartsGuy]

had a shop teacher in auto shop that said adjustable wrenches were the only suitable tool to use on a wing nut. can't say I've ever tried it...

only because your shop teacher didn't have a wing nut socket!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075VPVWQ8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

and if you're uppity about your tools (like I am), Snap-on makes one, too!
https://shop.snapon.com/product/WNS1

I also have an old MAC wing nut socket (SC10) designed for Chrysler valve covers!

 

[CR888]

I have a few adjustable wrenches like bahco, Irega, JBS (irega), Sidchrome and vintage F-type adjustable wrenches made by English Snail brand. These were recommended on tool forums so I bought them but don't use them, I just clean them, inspect their chrome finish & cherish the warranties that come with them.

 

[MJD1]

Use them quite often. From a 6" wide azz to a 30" blue point. Big ones are real handy for large hydraulic hoses and for straightening bent up ****. The channelock wide azz ones are nice for fittings and smaller hoses where a long wrench isn't needed for leverage. The small ones can also open a beer bottle if needed.

 

[sberry]

I use 10 and 15 on occasion but really lean on 8 and 12. I can do most stuff a smaller one will do and some a bigger can do depending on jaw feature. Same for a 12, some open to 1 5/16. 14 in just one spot.

 

[rockettgpw]

Daily.
I have close to 30 "shifters" and all Swedish made Bahco or Sidchrome re-brand bahco except for one spanish bahco 10" that I hate because the worm is cack handed. All sizes from 4" to 18". Used correctly with the jaws snugged up to the nut they do not slip. My 8" slim jaw Bahcos need to be backed off to let go of the nut.
I have some Crescent and Diamond Caulk adjustables as wall hangers/curios.
Of course serious work deserves a spanner or socket.

 

[Outlander]

Number one use: propane tank connections for heater etc. Second most frequent use: when nuts have been abused.

 

[samss]

Commercial refrigeration
My backpack has 1/4 through 9/16 and two 9" adjustables. Service valve caps are 9/16 and 13/16. Some are brass, some are steel and some are painted. It's the painted ones of course that you have to use an adjustable on. Filter/driers are painted too.