How to prevent adjustable wrenches from locking up?

[qqzj]

These wrenches often lock up after use. I sometimes spend more time to get them free than using them. Spinning the thumb wheels mostly won't work. I have to slightly bang them

 

[qqzj]

Against something to get them to loosen up. Not good for the tools. Any tricks to prevent this from happening? Thanks!

 

[4xdog]

Recommendation (1): avoid using adjustable wrenches. There are very few cases where an adjustable wrench is the best tool (IME).
Recommendation (2): use good quality wrenches? I've never had an adjustable wrench lock up in decades of infrequent use.

 

[Shiftless]

I too have never had a user lock up. I bought a Diamond Calk and Horseshoe model adjustable wrench at an estate sale for $1.00 It was locked up from rust. A soak in Evaporust and some oiling and it was almost as good as new.
I use combo wrenches almost all of the time.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I've always figured any lock-ups were from rust, or debris. When you get a new one, apply a little 3-in-1 oil and work the adjuster back and forth.

If it's an old one, you may have to clean it with a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF. If it's really rusty, you may have to give it a vinegar bath.

 

[redwrench60]

The fix is easy.

step 1 throw it in the trash.
step 2 buy a quality adjustable. Channellock, klein, Irrega, old USA made Proto, Crescent, Diamond, Craftsman ect. Life is too short to **** with a finicky adjustable.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Use a proper sized combo wrench unless you have no other option. Clean it and flush all the debris and filth out of the works with some solvent etc.

 

[CS454]

The fix is easy.

step 1 throw it in the trash.
step 2 buy a quality adjustable. Channellock, klein, Irrega, old USA made Proto, Crescent, Diamond, Craftsman ect. Life is too short to **** with a finicky adjustable.

Agree. Unless it's already a good brand name, grab a good one and keep it oiled. It'll pay off.

 

[CJM8515]

unless there is 100% no other choice i never used them. have them, but probably used one less than 20x my entire life if that

 

[Shiftless]

USA made Proto is my favorite adjustable. Old Craftsmans are almost as good.

 

[Indexmill]

The fix is easy.

step 1 throw it in the trash.
step 2 buy a quality adjustable. Channellock, klein, Irrega, old USA made Proto, Crescent, Diamond, Craftsman ect. Life is too short to **** with a finicky adjustable.

Fully agree. They are often very handy for low torque, quick tasks. Also good for chrome plated brass shower fittings.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Spray some penetrating oil on it. That’s what I had to do to an old Snap-on from a yard sale. Perfectly fine wrench just one end was locked up it was an old style double ratcheting wrench.

Edit: misread as ratcheting. I’ve had adjustables lock up too. Pick your favorite penetrating oil and spray just a little bit and you should be good to go.

 

[paulsomlo]

Never had one lock up - all mine probably came out of Western Forge.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

interesting. never had one locked up, even cheap throw away ones.

maybe jaws are misaligned or slightly bent?

 

[MAD]

I have a 8" Crescent adjustable wrench (bought 1988) that the jaw would get stuck to the point where you couldn't adjust it with the thumb screw without giving it a good whack. This issue developed after 20 years of heavy use as a wrench and occasionally as an opportune hammer. Cleaning and oiling did not help much so I removed the thumb screw and moveable jaw and cleaned up every edge where the moving parts contact using a needle file and the wire wheel on my bench grinder. After removing any little burrs from it's life of use and abuse, it has not locked up again.

 

[wtn1271]

removed the thumb screw and moveable jaw and cleaned up every edge where the moving parts contact using a needle file and the wire wheel on my bench grinder. After removing any little burrs from it's life of use and abuse, it has not locked up again.

I have found this to be the case on many adjustable wrenches picked up at estate sales and such. A little time spent cleaning and de-burring the edges usually does the trick. Too many folks use them as hammers.

Picked up a locking adjustable by Williams at a sale and it works very well, the locking bar is a neat feature but not commonly seen. Proto adjustable wrenches are usually well fitted and nice to use as well, IMHO.

 

[bonneyman]

MAD nailed it. Any that I've had that hang up were either hammered or used with a cheater.

 

[M6erfan]

For some reason adjustable wrenches seem to get beat on a lot. Probably because they **** and the user got frustrated.

 

[Old Man Roger]

So you guys are saying you’re not supposed to use them to bend steel plate?

 

[ZRX61]

I found one that was all locked up with rust, works fine now

 

[FMB4]

Rust, etc, can of course cause an adjustable to lockup. But many such cases are caused by excessive wear and/or loose tolerances in the adj mechanism.

Edit: the main frame/handle part of adj wrenches that hold the lower jaw and adjuster can become worn and/or 'spread out' to the point the wrench will lockup.

 

[MAD]

For some reason adjustable wrenches seem to get beat on a lot. Probably because they **** and the user got frustrated.

I think they get beat on for the same reason you find a lot of beat up 9" linesman pliers- to save time and steps back to the truck/job box/tool room/etc...

If I abuse a tool at home, it is probably a last resort at attempting to accomplish my task at hand. I have my choice of dozens of different sizes and types of hammers a few feet away so I wouldn't beat on a wrench at home. If I'm at work up in a lift without a hammer and something needs a couple of loving taps, the tool of first resort is likely to be an adjustable wrench.

 

[PFSard]

- Take away the keys? LOL
- Seriously, what brand(s) are binding up?

 

[Bockscar]

I think they get beat on for the same reason you find a lot of beet up 9" linesman pliers- to save time and steps back to the truck/job box/tool room/etc...

If I abuse a tool at home, it is proably a last resort at attempting to accomplish my task at hand. I have my choice of dozens of different sizes and types of hammers a few feet away so I wouldn't beat on a wrench at home. If I'm at work up in a lift without a hammer and something needs a couple of loving taps, the tool of first resort is likely to be an adjustable wrench.

I guess you should have one of these then

 

[Jland]

"Recommendation (2): use good quality wrenches? I've never had an adjustable wrench lock up in decades of infrequent use."
I will second that....

 

[MAD]

I guess you should have one of these then

I bought a 12" hammer head adjustable many years ago and it is still pristine- too big to carry around. I would need an 8" one. An 8" Adjustable with hammer head, spud type handle, and lanyard attachment point would be great for me.

 

[qqzj]

Aren't you afraid that one day you might be poked by the pointy end?

 

[Xcursion88]

These wrenches often lock up after use. I sometimes spend more time to get them free than using them. Spinning the thumb wheels mostly won't work. I have to slightly bang them

Buy better product

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

So you guys are saying you’re not supposed to use them to bend steel plate?

But they work so great for that.

 

[Bockscar]

For the people saying an adjustable wrench should never be used has never been in certain situations.....not all of us on here are auto mechanics which I understand an adjustable is probably your last resort.....when I was doing industrial maintenance in a factory I carried a 6" Cresent in my back pocket a multi tool on my belt and cannot count the number of things that I fixed with those.....90 plus percent of the time I carried a tool pouch....I was not gonna carry a set of wrenches...too much weight....but a 8" and 10" adjustable was perfect.....the key is using them correctly, knowing there limitations and a good adjustable wrench

 

[Kurt4440]

I have seen many adjustable wrenches than were used as hammers. In addition to cleaning and lubricating the wrench, make sure the casting is not peened over where the adjustable portion moves in and out. A little file or Dremel work is frequently needed to get the wrench back in working shape.

 

[CS454]

I guess you should have one of these then

Mobile mechanics best friend. I love my Rastall.

 

[redwrench60]

If you’ve never used an adjustable wrench to at least peck on something then you live a sheltered life.

 

[FuzzyTiger]

I think if the wrench is getting stuck while you're turning the screw without any load, there's probably debris or rust causing issues.

If it's getting stuck after you've loaded it and needs to be tapped free, that sounds like a tolerance issue. Either it's excessively worn or it was never made to sufficiently tight tolerances in the first place.

 

[Sgtboz]

I've always figured any lock-ups were from rust, or debris. When you get a new one, apply a little 3-in-1 oil and work the adjuster back and forth.

If it's an old one, you may have to clean it with a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF. If it's really rusty, you may have to give it a vinegar bath.

Using the adjustable wrench as an informal hammer is a nice way to lock up the wrench. I've bought used adj wrenches and have had to grind away on the open end to allow the jaws to close all the way. C'mon man!

 

[M635_Guy]

I've always hated adjustable wrenches. The Knipex pliers wrenches have been a joy - used them today in fact.