Irwin pipe wrenches

[thightower]

Wondering if anyone has any experience with Irwins pipe wrenches? It will have a cheater on it every once in a while.

 

[thightower]

Just curious of the COO, are they worth looking into.

 

[BreeStephany]

Just depends on what kind of abuse you will be putting it through routinely I suppose. I've seen them a few times and they seem to be pretty decent quality, but I have not experience with them.

I've only used Ridgid and have up to 48" in steel and 36" in aluminum. I tend to really abuse the steel pipe wrenches without any issues, but have always been afraid of breaking one of the aluminum ones with a cheater, so I always generally use steel if I need to use a cheater on it.

 

[Conductor562]

I've got a 14" Irwin. It's been a good pretty good wrench, but I've never had to put a cheater on it either. I believe the Ridgid's are probably a little better quality. I know for a fact that the Irwin's are imports and the Ridgid's are USA made. That being said, go for the Ridgid!

 

[SDShakes]

I love mine. A slimmer profile than most pipe wrenches and does everything I've asked it to do such as general restaurant and household plumbing etc. I prefer it over a standard style for the vast majority of jobs.

 

[Conductor562]

I love mine. A slimmer profile than most pipe wrenches and does everything I've asked it to do such as general restaurant and household plumbing etc. I prefer it over a standard style for the vast majority of jobs.

I believe you're talking about this one:

I believe he's talking about this one:

I could be wrong, but I wouldn't put a cheater on the quick adjust

 

[kams1973]

They're blue and for a pipe wrench, quite pretty. However, there is NO substitute for Ridgid pipe wrenches. Especially in oil & gas...production, drilling, and everything in between.

 

[coljar]

We use nothing but Ridgid pipe wrenches at work and we abuse the hell out of them. The biggest I have in my tool locker is 48" and up on the boiler structure, we've had 6 to 8 ft. cheaters on them and haven't broke one, yet. I did drop an aluminum 24" out of the piperack 20ft. to the concrete below and busted the saddle, but what would you expect. As an old boss of mine told me 30+ years ago, buy the best and you'll always have the best.

 

[Conductor562]

My dad worked in chemical plants all his life. He did about every job they had at one time or another, pipe fitter, weigh master, operator, and so forth. He's always swore by 3 tools, Proto pear head ratchets, 420 Channellocks, and Ridgid pipe wrenches.

 

[coljar]

My dad worked in chemical plants all his life. He did about every job they had at one time or another, pipe fitter, weigh master, operator, and so forth. He's always swore by 3 tools, Proto pear head ratchets, 420 Channellocks, and Ridgid pipe wrenches.

I laughed as a read this. Here I am sitting at a computer in a chemical plant with 420 Channellocks and leather gloves in my back pocket. The pear heads, which are mine, are at home in my toolbox and they're so old, they're Plomb's.

 

[Rezeppa]

I have all ridged steel pipe wrenches and all my aluminum pipe wrenches are Reed. When you pick up a pipe wrench you can tell the quality. it isn't hard just look at the teeth and the feel of it. Pipe Wrenches either feel good or really really bad Proto, Armstrong, Ridgid, snapon, and every other reputable tool company makes a solid pipe wrench. It seams that ridgid is the standard but that doesn't mean any of the others aren't the same caliber.

 

[dirtydogintex]

Just recently Reed was quick to volunteer that
industry standard (apparently aka 'Ridgid') parts would work on their pipe wrenches.

Just playing/not working, I couldn't tell any differences in
new Reed v. Ridgid 36" alum pipe wrenches
other than a whole bunch of $$$.
Guess we'll find out somewhere down the road.

Oh yeah, Irwins feel funny....

 

[saturdaymechanic]

I have a steel 14" Rigid and an aluminum 14' Rigid. Like another poster said, you can feel the quality.

I've been disappointed with Irwin since they came out with their "GrooveLock" pliers.

 

[454ragtop]

Pipe wrenches can usually be had for pennies on the dollar at flea markets and swap meets. Have a bunch in assorted sizes, don't think I ever paid more than $5, sometines only a buck or 2.
Jim

 

[strutaeng]

I have one of those 14" Irwins. They are okay for light use. I wouldn't use them hard. I've been meaning to get me some Ridgids - they feel a lot better in quality.

Actually, I have everything Irwin makes - everything is made in China. Recently, Home Depots in my area stopped carrying Jorgensen orange USA-made woodworking clamps - everything is now stocked with blue ****....and they are more expensive!

I will not ever buy anything that is Irwin.

 

[BD1]

I have been pulling on RIDGID' S for 40 years. Best bet for the money. Almost the only one used by professional
pipefitters and even those plumber guys. Money well spent.
Make sure the cheater goes all the way up to the jaws. Best bet is cheater on steel wrench not aluminum .

 

[jeffmoss26]

Ridgid or nothin' for me. My uncle was a plumber for 40 years, he taught me all about Channellock, Ridgid, etc.

 

[thightower]

Sound's like it probably going to be a ridgid. I have a couple steels, just looking at getting some aluminum. Been using ridgid, but the employer's been buying them. The company I work for now, I have to buy them myself. Mainly looking at the 18 and the 24.