How useful do you find adjustable wrenches?

[Shane6377]

I use them all the time. All of you complaining about rounding off nuts and bolts don't know how to use the tool properly.


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[sberry]

I use them all the time. All of you complaining about rounding off nuts and bolts don't know how to use the tool properly.


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I am going to have to agree with that. I don't round off nuts and do hundreds a year, maybe more.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Indispensable!

I live on a farm, so there is at least one in every tractor, ATV and truck. In addition to nuts and bolts, they’ll handle a wing nut, twist a wire and work as a hammer. Life is too short to be prissy about tools for non-ornamental work.

 

[jd_1138]

I rarely use adjustables -- only if I am in a pinch or lazy. They are usually too fat to get into tight spots, and they can round off fasteners. I prefer using ratcheting wrenches, sockets, or a static wrench.

Definitely better than nothing though, so they're good to get in all sizes for your portable box.

 

[DFB]

Now this isn't aimed at anyone in particular but just sayin'...

If your the kinda guy that can usually "round off" a hex fastener with an adjustable wrench you probably may find locking grip pliers very useful!

 

[tonyciambrone]

Plierswrench in size 7, 12 and 16.

Adjustable wrench is too slow and not as versatile. The only adjustable I have that sees use is the 18" Proto

 

[Can I try?]

I contributed earlier to this thread with my positive thoughts on adjustables. I thought I would chime in again, this time with pictures.

I'm a tech in a heavy industrial sector. Among my many responsibilities is that when the SHTF and things stop working, it's my job to get them working again, as quickly as possible. When I respond to a trouble call it's usually on foot, and can only work with what I can carry. These trouble calls could involve mechanical, electrical, electronics, or airline/plumbing issues. I have to carry tools that allow me to work with all these issues. I can't afford the additional weight of a full set of wrenches.

Photo #1: A family photo of my much beloved Irega-made wrenches. The set is 4", 6", 8", 10", and 12". Larger sizes are provided by my employer as needed. All but the 6" are Klein-branded and stay in my tool bag at all times. Their frequency of use corresponds to their size in descending order. The 12" is my go to. The 6" is a fairly new addition, and usually stays in my locker. It's Channellock-branded. If I'm going on a quick inspection walkabout without my toolbag I will tuck it into a pocket. (Model numbers shown are Channellock 806W and Klein 507-12, 507-10, 507-8, and 506-4.)

Photo #2: Close-up of battle scars on the 12". It also serves me as a striking wrench. First time I did it I remember thinking "Oh well, I guess I'm sacrificing this tool to get things running again." But it held up, and now bears hundreds of strike marks. I like to think I've strengthened the forgings.

Photo #3: The hammer I carry that is used to do said striking. It's a Craftsman-branded Vaughan with a cut down handle. I forget the head weight. It's at least a 32oz., if not larger.

Photos #4 & #5: Close-ups of the measuring scales on the 12". If I decide I want to get a correctly sized wrench or socket for a fastener, I will use these scales. They are accurate enough to measure to the 1/16th-inch or 1-mm. All the Irega wrenches shown have measuring scales with the same graduations.

Photo #6: The other tools I always carry that have overlapping uses with the traditional-style adjustables: Ridgid 14" aluminum pipe wrench, Knipex 12" Cobra pliers, and Ridgid E-110 adjustable hex wrench.

Final note: I am more than impressed with Irega's adjustables. The 8", 10", and 12" wrenches shown are just over 5 years old, and still function as when new. They have been heavily abused. Used in muck and grit, struck, and used the "wrong" way due to access issues. The adjusters are still tight and smooth, with little to no slop. I have never rounded over a fastener with these. I like these wrenches so much that I replaced my Western Forge wrenches at home with Channellock-branded Iregas, and usually reach for them first as long as access isn't an issue. Finally, yes, I would buy these again, and without second thought.

 

[wiens80]

I use these daily as a refrigeration mechanic.


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[derosa]

So the general consensus seems to be a necessity in the field which doesn't surprise me much at all. Haven't thought about plumbing with them, I've got a smooth jaw channellock I've used for drains and have been wanting a pliers wrench for general use but I can see where the wide mouth adjustables could be more useful. Next time I have to do a sink I might have to use it as an excuse to get a good one.

 

[rharman]

I have two of those ChannelLock WideAzz stubby's that are invaluable for plumbing. Best tool I've found for tight spots like an angle stop under a sink or toilet.

A full complement of other adjustables too - from mini 3" to a HF 24". Sometimes they're the best thing for the job. Pretty sure I'll need the 24" when I do my floor jack rebuild soon.

 

[McFarmer]

So which way do you turn an adjustable ? I’ve got one with an arrow on it and never really thought about it before.

 

[logical]

A few well made ones without a ton of slop in the jaws are always handy around the garage or basement shop for basic low torque nut turning. I probably wouldn't touch a car or motorcycle with one but for holding the bolt head while you put a socket on the nut to snug up something on a lawn mower or something...why not.
And in the pic below, you would turn them clockwise.



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[sberry]

I do use 10 some cause I have them but my staple is 8 and 12 along with 440 Channelok. I never use a 6, just don't as anything I could do with a 6 can be done 8 and anything 10 can be done 12 and handles are longer. When I was in a trade that carried pouches I use 10 some as I only carried 1.
Same for the Channels, can do the work of a 430 with a 440 and the larger one can do a lot that a pipe wrench does.

 

[DFB]

I can only relate my experiences dunno how some of you guys with limited tool sets would ever get a chromed fork tube cap off a Harley FX Shovel it would take a 1-3/8" wrench (or actually 35mm since they are Jap) without a large adjustable. Same goes too loosen chromed axle nuts without bunging them up sure a 1-1/16" combo wrench works if you got one and obviously a socket wont work without dropping an exhaust pipe but a simple 10" adjustable fits tight, the smooth flats wont mar the surface. IMO its just handy

 

[senlow]

I find 'em useful. They are great for sheet metal work. I tend to use them more for bending than turning a fastener. For fasteners, my first choice is typically some sort of fixed size wrench. I have them in sizes from 4" to 15". I probably ought to get an 18". I keep adjustable wrenches in every vehicle and the house just for the convenience. Most of mine are Snappy, Irega and Bahco.

 

[sberry]

I can only relate my experiences dunno how some of you guys with limited tool sets would ever get a chromed fork tube cap off a Harley FX Shovel it would take a 1-3/8" wrench (or actually 35mm since they are Jap) without a large adjustable. Same goes too loosen chromed axle nuts without bunging them up sure a 1-1/16" combo wrench works if you got one and obviously a socket wont work without dropping an exhaust pipe but a simple 10" adjustable fits tight, the smooth flats wont mar the surface. IMO its just handy

Those and old John Deere tractors, pretty much the same thing.

 

[sberry]

There seems to be a lot of compulsion for finding the smallest that will work, I try to use the biggest size or drive I can. A 6 inch is in my way and last thing I am going to do type of thing is to try to put 3/8 guts in a 1/4 ratchet body. I got a couple small adjustables but NEVER use them. I have a dozen 8 and use them all.

 

[matt_i]

I keep 2 in my back pocket at work in a mfg plant. 6" channellock and more recently an 8" old-school forged crescent.

A lot of times there's a prox switch or a stop or an air cylinder which needs a little adjustment, I've pulled them out 1000 times to fix a problem right now when other people are walking on the way to find a toolbox.

Only downside is the sharp jaws of the channellock evventually wear a hole in my jeans pocket. Need to figure out a leather liner or double denim, just a nusiance really.

 

[sberry]

Yes, that kind of convenience means a lot. I also live by the common combo, have about 20 each in sizes to 3/4, dozen 15/16 too. While it's true there are places for specialty ones, a differetnt one may be a little faster in some cases the convenience of proliferation is worth it.
As Matt says, done before a lot of people find the tools.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I keep a couple of knipex pliers wrenches in the trunk. Quite handt

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[2manytools]

I absolutely love, when I'm not in front of a set of sized wrenches, my Milwaukee 8" wide jaw adjustable wrench. Takes care of a majority of sizes and no slop at all. I used it to tighten a 1-1/2" trailer hitch nut to within a 1/8 turn of maximum tightness (brought out a 15" to finish up).

Often I'm using these with a Knipex pliers wrench two wrenches are necessary. If you already have an adjustable wrench, I would try to get a Knipex Pliers Wrench (10" probably), then upgrade your adjustable's depending on capabilities. If it's your first of either, or really won't see much use, get a good set of adjustables. Cheap ones with slop aren't worth the knuckle swearing they are guaranteed to bring.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Not very useful. I still have a few, but once you have two pliers wrenches it'll be hard to find a good use for your adjustable wrenches anymore.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Only downside is the sharp jaws of the channellock evventually wear a hole in my jeans pocket. Need to figure out a leather liner or double denim, just a nusiance really.

Might fit a flashlight holster.

 

[Spanner]

Might fit a flashlight holster.

You beat me to it, the flashlight holder works great, I carried one for years in a Maglite holder strapped to my belt when I worked doing machine maintenance


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[sberry]

I took an alternator off a bulldozer today with a 12 inch adjustable. I was away from the shop, wouldnt have saved 30 seconds taking it and a guard off with the "right" tool.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have a single stubby adjustable, used for spinning off large nuts like EGR tube fittings after being broken free. I have a "monkey wrench" or two for large fittings/couplers. Stuff like the oil burning furnace, EGR tubes, really big pipes.


Having primarily used only terrible quality adjustables, I strongly dislike them. Pipe wrench and Knipex Cobras for plumbing. Or just grab the SAE wrench roll and use the correct size. Although I've found plumbing fittings which use neither SAE or metric. And this is stuff bought in the last year of so. I guess they assume you'll use an adjustable? I hate plumbing anyways.




EDIT: Now I'm all riled up thinking about plumbing. Why can't they just standardize it? Why do I need 2 sink installation kits and a flexible hose to make my sink reach the hole in the wall? It's a linear 2 feet! Why does everything use ******** plastic threads which never want to start and are all loose like they're the wrong size until they're 2 threads on? Why can't the stupid sink plugger-thing have proper linkage instead of all those BS clips and such that fall off and get stuck. I hate plumbing.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Usually for plumbing fixtures or like another one said, nuts bigger than what I have wrenches for, like a nitrous bottle.

Small square oil drain plugs.

 

[Robbie B]

I’ve got an old P&C tools 6” on that I keep on my work key ring. The mechanism on it isn’t floppy like any of the newer ones I’ve had my hands on. I keep it with me so I don’t have to walk halfway across the plant when I need to take an air line loose or adjust a machine. Doesn’t see much use other than that but it does have its uses.


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[nelstomlinson]

I don't have much use for them, but when I do need one nothing else will do. Usually that's because I don't know what size I'll need when I get there.

 

[rtz]

I use them when I'm in a hurry and only one bolt needs dealt with. Faster than figuring out the right size wrench.

Another good tool to have for large hydraulic fittings in confined spaces is a "Ford Wrench". The deal with these is how big they can open up whereas with adjustables the size of the wrench gets big just to get one that will open up enough:

https://www.browntool.com/Listview/tabid/344/CategoryID/70/Level/a/ProductID/261/Default.aspx

 

[Wamsutta]

Is this one made by Western Forge?

 

[paulsomlo]

Is this one made by Western Forge?

Could be - you'd have to turn it over and look for the markings on the other side, near the handle hole. I know that Ideal has other foundries, but not sure if they are tooled for adj wrenches. It would seem to be a slam dunk to make those at WF. I have Craftsman, Allen, and HJE brand adjustables - all made at WF.

 

[PugetDude]

I generally only reach for an adjustable wrench when I'm doing plumbing, and I HATE doing plumbing...

The bigger ones do come in handy from time to time for bending or twisting something when I'm welding.

 

[Wamsutta]

Could be - you'd have to turn it over and look for the markings on the other side, near the handle hole. I know that Ideal has other foundries, but not sure if they are tooled for adj wrenches. It would seem to be a slam dunk to make those at WF. I have Craftsman, Allen, and HJE brand adjustables - all made at WF.

I've always said -

"The best tools SK makes are the tools they don't make."

 

[CR888]

Adjustable wrenches need to be quality or they'll just frustrate you. Either buy good ones or don't buy them. I use Irega & Bahco, some of the cheap ones I own that I've found or been given truthfully are not worth the packet they came in. Its the cheap sloppy ones that give the adjustable shifter such a bad name.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I use my 15” a ton for hydraulic fittings. Never on a normal nut or bolt. The pliers wrenches are interesting for low torque applications but worthless for higher torque use

 

[Jlarson]

Super useful, mostly for pipe fitting and holding odd sized stuff, like keeping lugs on transformers from spinning while torquing them. I've got probably 3 dozen from 6" to 24" and a few 15" line up adjustable. The line up wrenches get used all the time when I'm welding/fabricating bending metal, cylinder nuts, as another line up pin, prying on stuff....

 

[gatlibs]

Could be - you'd have to turn it over and look for the markings on the other side, near the handle hole. I know that Ideal has other foundries, but not sure if they are tooled for adj wrenches. It would seem to be a slam dunk to make those at WF. I have Craftsman, Allen, and HJE brand adjustables - all made at WF.

It is my understanding that all current U.S. adjustable wrenches are forged by Western Forge. Since both SK and WF are owned by Ideal, then that would further support this theory. Also, this video shows a SK taken to it's breaking point.

 

[Outlander]

My number one use - propane tank installation (BBQ and shop heater)

 

[sberry]

I actually like a generic China one better. It's hard to improve something that's been around that long but they did it. I suspect an American engineer did it. They widened the jaw on the 8 and the 12. The big one fits an inch machine nut and they put 4 turns on the adjuster screw. They also retailed a set of 4 at 20$. Throw a bunch on the bench, ask someone which is the best, guys pick it every time.
After that,, the WF is good and ok but it's after Proto , about the same as Diamond.