How useful do you find adjustable wrenches?

[derosa]

Question is more for home users as I can see a person out on the job wanting as few tools are possible, but how many of you find adjustables usable around the house?
I recently found myself wanting to buy some new tools and the local ace has western forge made Craftsman adjustable wrenches. I spent a long time going back and forth on them before realizing I just never seemed to use them. When I worked in a bicycle shop we always had one at each bench for use with a BB tool or cassette tool or something similar. Though when the going got tough they always seemed to slip and send your knuckles into spokes or chainrings. But at home with 2 sets of SAE, 3 sets of metric and having wrenches up to 36mm along with a small assortment of channellocks which already see limited use I find I have little need for an adjustable. Anyone else find regular use or just have them for the sake of someday needing them.
I ended up not buying as one set was 6",8" and 10" while the other was 10" and 12" and I was going to buy them I wanted a full run but didn't want 2 10" laying around. Going through the tool box yesterday I discovered I do have one which is a 10" so really glad I didn't get it; for now I'll have to get something else and let them nag at me next shopping expedition.

 

[1982fxr]

Helpful when I’m a hurry. Sometimes my main toolbox is blocked in so I keep a couple handy.

Not saying I like them per se

 

[L.Cheapo]

I keep one with my welder. It's useful when I travel with it. Carrying three different wrenches or hoping the place I'm going has them and can find them has proven futile. Otherwise...almost never.

 

[coljar]

I don't use them much at home or in the shop. I like to use the proper wrench size, because I don't want things to look like some bozo rounded off a nut or worse yet, a tubing fitting. I'll use them to bend or twist something, though.

On the other hand, at work I keep a pair of 440's in my back pocket with my leather gloves for "tuning" purposes. Not that I'm out of the control room and in the field as much as I use to be, but out of habit I guess and wonder why I have hip and back problems.

 

[M6erfan]

Mine gather dust. Never did like using them.

Pliers Wrench

 

[928'er]

Pliers Wrench - done!

 

[Negen]

I use them all the time on co2 dual stage regulators or any other thing that I am not 100% sure what wrench to grab. Nice and quick and gets the job done. I use mainly 6" or 12" adjustable. But now that I have pliers wrench I suspect the adjustable to start collecting dust.

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[SuperCat]

For light duty, around the house stuff, the adjustable is just okay. I recently used one because I didn't have a big enough wrench, but it definitely wasn't my first choice. Fortunately, it was a low torque situation, and for those situations it is fine. (Ended up buying a small set of larger combo wrenches so I was covered for future needs.) I have several in different sizes up to 15 inches. I have also used the smaller ones for bending sheet metal, but just on small home repair jobs. They're handy and versatile, so I'll always have them around, but I always try to use the right tool for the job as much as possible.

 

[Y00PER]

I use them often enough in low torque situations... kids bike rims etc. my 24" one came in handy when my towing ball was rust welded together to the hitch mount. I put the hitch mount in sideways and then stood and bounced on the wrench trying to break it free. Finally had to get my wood splitting maul and wack at it with the back side of that for a while before it finally broke loose

 

[James-W]

I have several different sizes of them, but I rarely use them. I used to keep a couple in the car along with a pair of needle nose pliers and a channel locks. But I never really used them so I quit keeping them in the car.

 

[Wamsutta]

What do you guys use to take these on and off the pipe?

I use a 12 inch adjustable.

 

[plinker]

I use them often around the house, more so if plumbing is in need of something repaired (cant stand pipe wrench marks on hex fittings). When working with hydraulic fittings they are quite useful, especially with multiple size fittings. A must have for farming up here. For bending steel, a 24" works nicely.

Not a replacement for a "normal" wrench, per say, but when used properly a good substitute.

 

[1320]

Like others have said, I mostly used mine on larger size fasteners that I didn't have a wrench or socket of.

 

[TwoInch]

What do you guys use to take these on and off the pipe?

I use a 12 inch adjustable.

I tend to use large cobras. For most threaded plumbing situations. They just bite so hard in to pipe, and slip so easily the other direction I rarely use pipe wrenches on pipe or adjustables on fittings..

Fewer heavy tools to carry around too.

As for adjustable... I notice my 12+ inch adjustable get used much much more than the 4" thru 10" wrenches. I use them almost exclusively for situations where I know I'm going to run into large fittings or fasteners, especially clean indoor applications, and don't want to lug around a ton of stuff. Or when family calls for plumbing help. 10" and 12" cobras, and large adjustables and basic stuff like a couple screwdrivers and that's it. I can almost always get whatever done with those..

Use them and plier wrenches a lot for sheet metal bending and other general bending. Hitch balls. Odd ball stuff.

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[MO-Iron]

Any self-propelled machine on the farm has the following tools has a minimum.
Hammer
10R vice grips
12" adjustable
Both Phillips and straight screw driver

Adjustable wrenches may not be best tool for a job, but used with some common sense you can make a lot of field repairs and adjustments.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Around the house ... not much of a use other than the 3 tasks anyone would really use them for. Plumbing seems to be their highest used task.

 

[four.cycle]

I own adjustables in 4", 6", 8", 10", 12", and 15" sizes.

If I have to go out and fix plumbing, I'll take a few 6 and 8 inchers and the 12 incher. Saves me from fumbling around looking for the right size wrench when I've got my head stuck up under somebody else's toilet or garbage disposal.

Otherwise I'll dig around in my box here and find the correct size open end, combination, or offset double-end box.

 

[derosa]

Thanks for the replies, interesting to see for the home how much the pliers wrench has taken up some of the use. That's something I've thought I might need more and from using them might be an investment I want to make vs an adjustable that sits around.

 

[Spanner]

My everyday adjustable wrench’s. As a plumber these are the only wrench’s I carry in my tool bag and if you have good quality wrench’s you will rarely need fixed head wrench’s.


This is my go to wrench an 8” Bahco slim jaw that opens to 1 1/2”


This is my 12” Bahco which opens to over 1 1/2” and reverses to a pipe wrench

And my trusted made in the USA Rigid 8” with a narrow head for tight spaces. The 12” and the Rigid are over 20 years old and you can tell by the quality.




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[Doug Arthurs]

I use them all the time. Pipe fittings, hydraulic fittings and on machine tools. Leveling machines during install. Never rounded a nut with one yet. You just need to know when the proper time to use it is and when it's time to get a fixed wrench.

 

[Can I try?]

Oh boy. I love this subject.

I am constantly using my adjustables.

Adjustables are one of the most underrated tools here at GJ. Makes sense. GJ is very automotive-centric, and adjustables are nearly useless on modern passenger vehicles.

Also, don't write them off until you've tried a quality adjustable. An Irega, Bahco, or certain vintage US-made wrenches. I used to hate adjustables too, back when all I'd ever used were cheap imports and Western Forge wrenches.

 

[Wyoming09]

I used my 10" & 12" just yesterday removing a supply valve to a toilet then the 10" again to take the valve apart to repair it. Worked like a champ. These are Proto and Crescent brand wrenches and work like they are supposed to.

 

[nh_yota]

They have their place. I have them in a few different sizes and find that I use the large ones way more than the small ones.

 

[sberry]

World would stop without them.

 

[ARFLY]

I have 4", 6", 8", 10", 12" and 15". I use them quite a bit, mostly putting the kids stuff together or fixing or adjusting their bikes, mostly the 8 and 10. Every time I look at the 15" adjustable I can't help but think "If you can dodge a wrench you can dodge a ball".

 

[trackwelder]

Use them in every size imaginable all the time at work. Have several in every vehicle and in all the tool kits.

 

[Cooter Brown]

Adjustables are one of the most underrated tools here at GJ. Makes sense. GJ is very automotive-centric, and adjustables are nearly useless on modern passenger vehicles.

I think this is correct. I have a couple in the tool bag I carry on installs (cabinetry/built-ins). You have to take so many things on even a small install that it's not practical to have a set of fixed wrenches.

I've also got them in my plumbing kit and electrical pouch--this work is for myself and friends and family.

Particularly for off site or out of shop work they are indispensable.

 

[bwringer]

Plumbing, air fittings, and such are where I end up using mine.

And yes, the thin jaw versions are oddly rare but EXTREMELY useful for many situations like stupidly narrow air fittings.

I inherited some older US-made Crescent brand wrenches from my Dad, and the quality is just first-rate. The Crescent brand's newer Chinesium **** is so bad and sad...

I also have a few "Channel-Lock" branded adjustables made by Irega in Spain. They're very nice quality at great prices, and widely available.

My larger adjustables (I also inherited a 24" US-made Craftsman from Dad) most often get used for tweaking or bending rather than fasteners.

 

[bobcatdan]

I use the larger sizes 15, 18 and 24 on hydraulic hose fitting. Depending on the maker of the fittings. They can vary up a size or down so I finger grabbing adjustables just easier. Also handy for bending stuff.

 

[JBH]

Adjustables are one of the most underrated tools here at GJ.

I don't think "underrated" so much as "obsolete."

They're fine if one's used to them, but what can an adjustable do that a pliers wrench can't do as well or better?

 

[DFB]

Your kidding right? Plumbing is always the first thing that comes to mind. Normally any chrome plated faucet fixture that has stems and packing nuts, water supply lines I grab an adjustable, often times when I'm on the farm job/greenhouse use one its good for multiple fittings instead of hauling a bunch of single wrenches

In general they probably have a much more limited use in most auto/mechanical repair jobs, but on my own motorcycle and at the shop we almost always use one to remove an axle nut. I always have one with any of my tool totes and in my SUV and just earlier this week I had tighten a heater hose clamp while out on the road. A small 4" worked in pinch I tell ya!...and didn't have another tool with me

USA Craftsman adjustables are decent I have several up to thru 10" and I have an 8" Tekton one I gleaned off my tool table is virtually identical to the matching Craftsman but my fave is a 10 Williams, along with 12" Utica that has a locking jaw feature. A small 6" Crescent I keep in my saddlebags. I have some stubby ones too, open further tha open a normal 4" a CalHawk with nice plastic sleeved handle and Husky I found somewere A couple of large ones 15" 18" just cheap Chinese but they do the job, handles are short though.

So I must have at least a dozen different ones not counting some cheapos I always grab off my tool tables. Interesting some cheap import stuff isn't all that crummy one has nice foam sleeved handle.


Ha I should gather them all up and take a photo to post for the "show your adjustable wrench" thread.

 

[larry_g]

I don't think "underrated" so much as "obsolete."

They're fine if one's used to them, but what can an adjustable do that a pliers wrench can't do as well or better?

Hold a nut on the other side of the wall with no one holding it.
They have the mass to be a good hammer.
Smooth jaws do not damage what is being worked.
Close up to zero or a few thousands to work sheet metal.
Always parallel jaw faces.

They have their place in my tool box and get used when needed.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[NickTheGreat]

MEh, I use them occasionally. If they were to get lost or stolen, I'm not sure how quickly I'd go about replacing them.

 

[MarlynOC]

Use them as non marring vice grips to hold pieces I want to heat with a torch or to bend pieces of flashing to fit into somewhere.

 

[bpjr]

I use them frequently, mostly on large nuts...trailer hitch balls and plumbing. Sometimes on small stuff like motorcycles and bicycles. If the nut isn't easy to get off with an adjustable I use dedicated wrenches or sockets.

 

[fsae0607]

My adustables get used only for household plumbing.

For automotive & motorcycle, I use my good Snap-On flare nut wrenches.

 

[Davefr]

I use them all the time when the fit isn't critical. I can usually pick an adjustable that fits without going back to the tool box looking for a different wrench or socket if I guessed wrong.

They're particularly useful for holding a bolt head while you use a ratchet or wrench on the nut.

 

[nelstomlinson]

Most places where I would like to use an adjustable there isn't room to get it on the bolt.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I use these same ones at work. Bahco makes them for Snap On too. The only difference in the regular Snap On ones is they are shiny and have red handles, making them easier to find in on a dirty floor or under a piece of equipment. If you opt for the Snap On Flank Drive they have non slip grooves in them as well to help prevent slippage.

I have the Bahcos. They grip very well for an adjustable and I use them quite often. More so at work since I often need multiple size wrenches for air lines and it's easier to have two wrenches than all of them.

My everyday adjustable wrench’s. As a plumber these are the only wrench’s I carry in my tool bag and if you have good quality wrench’s you will rarely need fixed head wrench’s.


This is my go to wrench an 8” Bahco slim jaw that opens to 1 1/2”


This is my 12” Bahco which opens to over 1 1/2” and reverses to a pipe wrench

And my trusted made in the USA Rigid 8” with a narrow head for tight spaces. The 12” and the Rigid are over 20 years old and you can tell by the quality.




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[lbhsbz]

I use them all the time....mostly on larger fasteners and fittings