Opinion about adjustable wrench

[Shelbylex]

Good evening
I will hopefully soon be working on disassembly of hydraulic unit. There are several large size nuts (up to approximately 2 inches) which will need to be released. I do not want to use a large pipe wrench as it may mark the nuts.

I am thinking about buying an adjustable wrench for the work

One possibility is a 24" Crescent Crestaloy wrench (if I can a good deal (has some rust), I am thinking about offering $20-30 on the one attached).
Another possibility is Ridgid Spud wrench (the second picture) - it appears that it is much shorter than Crestaloy, but can be purchased new in Home Depot (I am not sure if the angulation of the jaws is going to be as parallel as Crestaloy)

Are those adjustable wrenches strong enough for the job?
Which one would you recommend?
How much would you offer for the Crestaloy one?

Thank you for your opinion

P.S. Please click on the pictures to enlarge to see the real condition of Crestaloy one

 

[garfunkle24]

Probably most on here will point you towards Knipex PlierWrench.

 

[mille755]

Buy the crescent wrench one. Rust really doesn't matter, just lube the screw, the better ones can be disassembled. Im not sure if there is a pliers wrench that goes up to 2" my 12" goes up to 1-3/4", if they do make a bigger one I'm sure it is $75+

 

[TailGunner3000]

Whether you use it for this project or not, $20-$30 for the crescent wrench is a steal if you can get it for that. Even the cheapest chinesium 24" adjustables will run double that.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Crescent Wrench those vintage ones bring big money especially the USA made ones


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[ScootinSam]

Crescent


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[Rabid Badger]

If you can get that Crescent for $30, do it. I'd probably go up to $50.

 

[DadsTools]

Crescent wrench might be the better of the two. It might also depend on how tough those nuts are going to be to get off. They don't call 'em knuckle busters for nothing. I'd look on eBay for comparable pricing. Depending on how stubborn the nuts are to get off, you might be able to rent large combination wrenches for the disassembly and use the crescent for re-assembly.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, gentlemen. I sent an offer to the owner of crescent.

To be a devils advocate: Pittsburg 24" adjustable wrench at Harbor Freight is $29 minus 20% + some tax is probably around $25. Do you think they are durable and good deal for the money?

 

[Ton ton]

I like both adjustable wrenches.

 

[cedgo]

They make boxed/open end wrenches the size you need, and sockets.

 

[seber]

I am personally not a fan of adjustable wrenches even though I own at least a half dozen up to and including 24". I occasionally needed to use the big one on farm equipment but it was always risky. You never know when that loose mechanism was going to slip on the nut and destroy the corners. I would never even consider using one on hydraulic lines. Those nuts are already less than sharp in most cases. You are just asking for trouble.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I would get a socket if you can find one. Better yet, occasionally, you can find 3/4" socket sets from places like Grip Tools on the cheap. Maybe try checking them out. Got a TSC, Rural King or similar farm store locally ?

 

[lardy1]

For myself, adjustable wrenches are beginning to crowd in on desperation. I have several good ones that just occupy space in my tool box.

Edit to point out that I don't work on hydraulics.

 

[sberry]

There is a bit of skill to adjustables but I would be lost without them. If a guy slips up on a 2 inch with one he needs to get some lessons or rethink if using tools is really right for him.

 

[matt_i]

As others have mentioned if you can get a 24" Crestalloy for $30 then I would do it project or not.

The only other choice is OE wrenches and those aren't a ton better.

A JIC hydraulic fitting isn't like a pipe fitting. Not saying they can't be crusted and rusted on but once "cracked" loose just the tiniest bit then its hand-torque from there given good alignment of the tube or hose.

 

[American Locomotive]

Probably most on here will point you towards Knipex PlierWrench.

I'm going to second the Knipex Pliers Wrench. It's basically completely replaced adjustable wrenches for me. They have smooth jaws, so they do not damage parts.

There are some situations where an adjustable may be better, but in 95% of my use cases, the pliers wrench is vastly superior. I did a whole bunch of hydraulics work with mine the other day, and it was great.

I think the Knipex 86 03 400 should do what you need quite well.

 

[redwrench60]

There is a bit of skill to adjustables but I would be lost without them. If a guy slips up on a 2 inch with one he needs to get some lessons or rethink if using tools is really right for him.

Post of the day right here.


The bigger the fluid connection fitting or fastener, the better an adjustable performs. A pair of good quality adjustables, set right and in the correct direction of pull does the work of a wheelbarrow full of big *** combo wrenches. I work on lots of large connections and fasteners at work and use large adjustables all the time without ******* up anything. I also know when to back up and punt if I see I’m not going to get away with using one.

 

[Ton ton]

There is a bit of skill to adjustables but I would be lost without them. If a guy slips up on a 2 inch with one he needs to get some lessons or rethink if using tools is really right for him.

I agree.

 

[paulsomlo]

If this is for the tank nut and it's the typical metal to metal seal on the reservoir, then I doubt either wrench will be up for the job. The last tank nut I battled, I use a three foot pipe wrench and still had to lash the jack handle to it for leverage.

But I agree with both Matt and Eric - for $30, I'd buy that adjustable just for future use. None of the tank nuts I've dealt with were hex - if they were, first choice would be socket and impact.

 

[sberry]

My first choice is the big adjustable, if that dont work then I head down another road. Try it first before every other scheme we can dream up.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, Paulsomlo. This is for my vintage Weaver when I get back to it (got busy at work and then had to learn how to do brakes on my car as caliper bracket pin got rusted and wore out a pad prematurely...
Gentlemen, I put an offer on the adjustable, but no reply yet. Hopefully will get some answer soon...

 

[WittHay]

I wouldn't bother with the 24" Crescent, you still might not have enough leverage to loosen the tank nut. Would buy any brand of 18" quality adjustable and use a 2 to 4 foot cheater pipe. The good adjustables have a tapered handle like the Proto in the picture instead of the straight import design like the Pittsburgh. A cheater fits snugly on the wrench

Instead of Knipex plier wrenches, most people around here just use adjustables on hydraulic fittings over 1 1/4" wrench size. I like the Gray and Jets. Lighter and thinner jaws than the Crescent style. They have tapered handles in the over 15" sizes and are a matte finish instead of chrome

 

[Oil leak]

I have and use a Rigid 31280. It is a smooth hex jaw pipe wrench. Better than your other options.

 

[fatfillup]

To the OP, why not both. Both are quality pieces. The Cresent will be more useful long term but the Ridgid will get places the Cresent won't

As to the HF 24" as some have mentioned, Its a lo0sey goosey POS compared to a good one but will certainly work for some jobs.

To the adjustable haters I use them daily, just not on nuts and bolts. For fittings and quick couplers, they work just fine

 

[Ton ton]

Go with both adjustable wrenches

 

[anndel]

I had to remove the nut on a old Japan-made Sears floor jack I was rebuilding last week and didn't have a wrench that wide so I used a pipe wrench and it did the job. 40 year old jack is happy. Get the Crescent and clean up the rust on a buffing wheel.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you. Still waiting for the owner to respond. Will send a second email tomorrow. I hope it’s not sold...

 

[Shelbylex]

Time is flying... I guess I never put an update 3 years ago...
Did not get the CRESTALLOY - the owner sold it to somebody else.
However, got a DIAMALLOY this weekend for $18.42 including gas money. I wish I did not erase a picture of how it came - was rusty and sticking... Cleaned it up today and lubricated. Now it works like new

 

[Ton ton]

Way to go, OP.

 

[redwrench60]

That’s a nice 24” adjustable and for well under a dollar an inch…….damn..

I love big adjustables with tapered handles. Mine live in the toolbox with the 3’ cheater pipe slid over the handle.