Large Adjustable Wrenches

[Cervidae]

Hi, I am looking for some advise on purchasing some decent quality adjustable wrenches. I want larger sizes 12 inches and bigger for occasional use. I'm not interested in the industrial quality brands. Most my tools are craftsman and they serve me well. I am wondering if buying some china made ones will work just fine or should I open my wallet and at least get craftsman. Does anyone have good luck with lower quality adjustable wrenches? Thanks

 

[sumner52000]

hit some flea markets. It may take some searching but you should find good brands for cheaper than the new china ones cost.

 

[jpickar]

I have some craftsman, Diamoaloy, and channelocks in 12, 15 and 24". They are all good. I got them at pawn shops for next to nothing.

John

 

[LB-1911]

Might be worth a look -
http://store.harryepstein.com/merch...een=CTGY&Store_Code=1930&Category_Code=USAadj

 

[Hawk Thor]

Cheaper adjustable wrenches rattle and deflect. They come out of adjustment with every pull on the fastener, so they need constant tightening.

They last for years of occasional use, but in a professional setting they can't compete with the big boys like Bahco and Ridgid.

 

[stratman977]

Cripe has the 24" gearwrench pretty cheap. I have been using it on my hot water boiler radiator fittings. It does the job just fine no complaints but the nuts aren't high torque either.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gearwrench-...145?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5aded51509

 

[Jeeper]

Last night, I purchased a 16" Craftsman USA made adjustable wrench for $18. Found it off of craigslist.

 

[jvitez]

I'd go for the Harry Epstein USA made Western Forge one for the money. Buying quality for occasional use means it's a lifetime purchase, so get good quality. You'll regret buying a cheap one each time you use it. Nothing more frustrating than an adjustable wrench that won't stay adjusted!

This the one I bought:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Channellock...923?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ebf809a13

It's made by Irega in Spain, but they make the best adjustables in the world. I chanced on a sale at Menards and bought one. I liked it so much I bought 2 more sizes. The last one I ordered was from that ebay link. They're excellent sellers. I've bought several things from them.

 

[Coach James]

For once in a while use, I have had good luck with cheaper ones, but these were not high torque fittings.

Coach

 

[Hammell]

Jet is what I have for adj wrenches, 12, 15,18,24, they are all well made and the price isent bad.

I use them as slug wrenches to crack tight fittings when I have too, no complaints.

 

[ijroorda]

I have 12" and 15" Harbor Freight adjustable wrenches. Strength-wise, they have held up fine to what definitely qualifies as abuse; however, as mentioned, they are not great for staying in adjustment.

 

[Zeke]

I have an 18" Diamalloy and all it's been used for is trailer hitch ball nuts. I would say when you get that big, slop in the wrench won't matter much. But mine is really nice if you're looking for a quality tool.

 

[Monte]

try channellock

 

[jamesemery728]

I bought my grandson a 12" Crescent brand made in the USA from Harry Epstein's and the thing was built like a tank. I think is was about $18. Well worth it if they have larger ones I would not be afraid to order them.

 

[willyk57]

I have made a pint to avoid adjustable wrenches when-open end or box-end wrenches will work. With that said, my complaint about cheep, large adjustables is that the sides don't stay parallel causing them to slip off.

Craftsmen, Channel Lock, and Cresent have served me well.

Best,
Willyk57

 

[Wakefield]

Is Sears/Craftsman still selling Western Forge of moderate quality? 15" one I have seems to be better made (not just bigger) than 8" one.

 

[sberry]

I have most of them, cheaper adjustables used to be all junk, if you looked hard today could probably still find one but the quality has gone up. I tried a couple Pittsburg and the likes, ok but there are better choices. One I actually like as good maybe even better if I closed my eyes is the ATD from the parts store. The jaw opens wider on a 12, only an issue for a couple things.

Any of them,,, like the Crescent at 18$ is a bargain. I got a few Craftsman, they are ok.

 

[stonesfan68]

Williams 12" USA model AP-12A is $22

Williams 15" USA model Williams AP-15A for $38 delivered isn't so bad

 

[jontar]

Klein has a Spanish (Irega) series 77 on the market for there 15.18.24 inch sizes, I have an 18in, its the best large adj wrench I own, better then the actual Crescent, I also have several Channellock (Spainish) ones as well, very, very good wrenches, probably best made in the world.

 

[Cervidae]

Thanks guys, I was thinking about picking up some craftsman and allen adjustable wrenches all 12 inches and bigger. What do you think of both of these brands?

 

[Farmall450]

You can also find used Craftsman, and if anything ever goes wrong, well, you know the rest.

 

[sberry]

Any of these will work for you. We have them all and are considered ruff service, a home/hobby small maint shop would never abuse tools like we would, buy as reasonable as you can, save some loot and add a pair of those 16 inch Channelok pliers while you are at it. I dont use these bigger tools at the rate we do 12 inch but when you need it you need it. A little like 3/4 drive sockets in a small shop, there is an occasion or 2 where a guy might need one, they make dandy drivers too,,, at 600 or more a set it doesnt make sense for a lot of people but those China deals at 50 or 75$ are worth it to sit around.

 

[jvitez]

IIRC both were made by Danaher, so they might be exactly the same thing. I can't check as Canadian Sears is terrible, it's all cheap Chinese tools except for Canadian made rebranded SPG International toolboxes. Canadian and US Sears use very different suppliers.

Do you have a Menards by you? They sell Allan tools, and Channellock. Channellock adjustables are made by Irega, the best I've seen.

 

[padronanniversary]

Irega try amazon. I scored some 20+" for under $30 about half a year ago. Took about 4 months for the price to drop, but it eventually did

 

[bobcatdan]

I feel adjustables are the one thing still worth buying from craftsman. I have a 12" and 15" in my service truck. Bought some cresents to "upgrade", side by side, the craftsman were simply better.

 

[dirtydogintex]

CMs 12"... really 15" and larger are real hard to beat.... or break even w/cheaters
smaller ones not so much

however they don't handle being submerged in salt water very well

 

[AndyA]

My lowes still has USA made 24" Crescent brand adjustable wrenches for $99. I have one of these and an SK. I think the SK is slightly better quality, but the Crescent is comparable.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Craftsman are still Western Forge and well worth the money. They will hold their own alongside any of the others.

 

[jpickar]

My 24" is a Diamoloy and has seen years of service on a steam locomotive with cheeters on it all the time and it is as tight as they come.
Craftsman and allen a ought to be good ones.
John

 

[justanengineer]

Ive always been a fan of the older Williams adjustables. They are a bit thinner than other adjustables which allows for fitting into tighter areas without sacrificing strength or quality. Diamond, older Crescent, and many of the other names mentioned also make nice adjustables, but I would seriously compare the thickness across the jaws before buying.

 

[Jbullfrog]

Cripe has Brigade 15 and 18 for ~$25. I got some for christmas and like them alot.

 

[jmm]

As much as I use adjustables (hardly ever), I couldn't spend big money on them. So I went with the Harbor Freight 12" model. They're a little loose, but for my purposes they do the job just fine, though it is obvious that if I needed such a wrench anymore frequently I'd have to upgrade.

As for smaller ones, I'll also recommend you hit the fleamarket. Adjustable wrenches, size 10" and under, are one of the most ubiquitous items you'll find used.

 

[Hootbro]

Last night, I purchased a 16" Craftsman USA made adjustable wrench for $18. Found it off of craigslist.

You got an older one then as they have not offered the 16" in years and was dropped for a 15" model.

 

[kythri]

You want cheap, for something you're not going to use a lot?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200304161_200304161

Most of my adjustables are NAPA Silverline or Evercraft, but I picked up that set from Northern Tool, and it's pretty solid.

I couldn't justify spending the money for something that is going to get used as rarely as a 24" adjustable.