Show me your tiny pipe wrenches

[garfunkle24]

I like what you did with those^

 

[AreBeeBee]

Not sure if anyones still paying attention to this thread, but it’s all new to me because I just found it. So here’s my contribution, my smallest pipe wrenches 6-10”.
I’ve made it somewhat of a hobby to restore old tools, mostly pipe wrenches. Some back close to their original state, some not so much…….

Fun colors! I have a Ridgid 10-inch that the former owner painted green where red would be the factory color, but these are certainly eye-catching. Gives me ideas....

 

[MRL83]

Eye catching indeed. Makes them easier to spot in someone else’s toolbox. Haha. Those were actually like new when I got them on eBay. They came with the wrench I was really after and I don’t have much use for such small pipe wrenches so I thought I’d have a little fun with them. Hard to tell in the pic but it’s color shift paint.

 

[AreBeeBee]

Eye catching indeed. Makes them easier to spot in someone else’s toolbox. Haha. Those were actually like new when I got them on eBay. They came with the wrench I was really after and I don’t have much use for such small pipe wrenches so I thought I’d have a little fun with them. Hard to tell in the pic but it’s color shift paint.

They do have an iridescent look even in the photo. BTW, I've found that 8 and 6 inch pipe wrenches work pretty well as general adjustable wrenches for appropriately sized workpieces. Also they tend to give a better grip both for your hand as well as on the workpiece than a "baby sized" Crescent (etc) wrench.

 

[genog]

I bought an 8" pipe wrench at the Flea Market this weekend.
Stamped Made in W. Germany but no Mfr

It's missing the nut, darn it
The seller was thrilled that I bought it, he said he just won a bet from a friend who said that he would never sell it.

It was only a dollar so I took a chance on it.

Since the nut from my 8" Lectrolite won't fit and the threads are wrong, I will have to keep my eyes open for a little Chinese pipe wrench (with metric threads?) as a donor for that missing nut

 

[HeelSpur]

Picked up a New Britain 6 inch Stilson to add to my board.

DSCF4027 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF4028 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

 

[MisterEd]

J.P Danielson

 

[MisterEd]

Trimo 6 Inch and 6 Inch Improved

 

[Mallen]

?

I bought an 8" pipe wrench at the Flea Market this weekend.
Stamped Made in W. Germany but no Mfr

It's missing the nut, darn it
The seller was thrilled that I bought it, he said he just won a bet from a friend who said that he would never sell it.

It was only a dollar so I took a chance on it.

Since the nut from my 8" Lectrolite won't fit and the threads are wrong, I will have to keep my eyes open for a little Chinese pipe wrench (with metric threads?) as a donor for that missing nut

Measure your thread. Both the major and minor diameter and the dimensions of the opening where it goes and the threads per inch or the distance between to top of one tooth and the bottom of the next. (Two teeth plus the distance between them) Then we can all measure our wrenches and tell you which ones fit and which ones dont so you will have a better idea what to look for.

 

[Mallen]

Trimo 6 Inch and 6 Inch Improved

How long is that one?

 

[MisterEd]

How long is that one?

As advertised; both are 6 inches.

 

[genog]

Measure your thread. Both the major and minor diameter and the dimensions of the opening where it goes and the threads per inch or the distance between to top of one tooth and the bottom of the next. (Two teeth plus the distance between them) Then we can all measure our wrenches and tell you which ones fit and which ones dont so you will have a better idea what to look for.

Alrighty...

The distance on the outside (Big part of the threads) measures about 0.5275
The inside measurement of the threads is about 0.4625

Take the diff and divide by 2 should be the distance from the inside of the thread to the outside = 0.0325

The threads appear to be 7 t.p.i.
I just opened my calipers to 1 inch and counted the threads
So.....

Next I will measure the opening in the handle where the nut resides

I hope this helps and if anyone has info that helps me get this ole boy back to work, I will be most appreciative

 

[dchawk81]

I posted this in the "Smallest pipe wrench ever?" thread. I think I won the contest.

Smallest Pipe Wrench ever ?

Unfortunately, only the main part. :sad: STEELCRAFT Made in West Germany So made between 1973 and 1989. :dunno: Need GJs help to make this whole again !!

www.garagejournal.com

Awe. I want to pet it.

 

[dchawk81]

As advertised; both are 6 inches.

Is that man inches or that's what she said inches?

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a 6” Trimo.
-Don

 

[genog]

Found a 6" Erie this weekend to go along with a couple of other small ones that I have run across

 

[joel_400]

I have many 6 inch Ridgid pipe wrenches I've picked up over the years. One in each toolbox. They are handy for the "wrong" tool for the job. I've used them many times for removing broken bolts. Also work good for rounded fasteners. I've been told by a guy who sells used tools that Ridgid used to make a 4 inch. He swears he used to get them by the box from a guy who worked for Ridgid. He no longer has that connection so Im not sure they still make or ever did make them. Just going by what he said. Never seen one, but would love to find one for the wife's collection of mini tools. He even said they made an angled one as well. If anybody knows of these I'd love to see them! Only thing I could ever find online through searching was possibly a salesman promo of some sort.
Joel

 

[d42jeep]

I’ve had quite a few and never seen a Ridgid one under 6” but I suppose anything’s possible.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I've been told by a guy who sells used tools that Ridgid used to make a 4 inch. He swears he used to get them by the box from a guy who worked for Ridgid. He no longer has that connection so Im not sure they still make or ever did make them. Just going by what he said. Never seen one, but would love to find one for the wife's collection of mini tools.

This has come up before with respect to pipe wrenches of any brand smaller than 6". What would the need in the industry be? is the question. See posts #13 through #20 above for a discussion on that. I've also looked through dozens of period ads from the 1920's through the present and never saw any advertising a 4" model. For the longest time Ridge offered eight (8) sizes between 6" and 48". Later, ten (10) sizes from 6" to 60". Not saying your used tool seller is lying. Just saying that I have never seen a 4" pipe wrench documented.

 

[four.cycle]

^ me either.
only things I see less than five inches are standard "adjustables" (e.g., "Crescent wrench") or some Billings & Spencer/Abingdon King **** type bicycle wrenches.

 

[joel_400]

I'm just going by what he said...never seen them to believe it myself. Just thought maybe someone here may have the answer! Until then I'll keep looking for the unicorn! Haha I myself could never think of a use for one other than a conversation piece.
Joel

 

[four.cycle]

^ Well....... I collect small wrenches so I'm always on the lookout for them, and I have not seen a "pipe wrench" smaller than six inches in length yet. I'll keep you posted - see the "Ebay hot deal" thread for updates. BK

Not saying they don't exist, now.
But then, I cannot say "anything's possible", because if "anything was possible", I'd be able to put a 12-pound turkey into my microwave and come back two hours later and find a 1965 Ford Fairlane station wagon in there instead of the turkey.

Just sayin'....

 

[RTM]

if "anything was possible", I'd be able to put a 12-pound turkey into my microwave and come back two hours later and find a 1965 Ford Fairlane station wagon in there instead of the turkey.

I think you've got a better chance of finding a Gremlin or a Pacer in there, maybe a K body, less of a transformation

 

[d42jeep]

^ Well....... I collect small wrenches so I'm always on the lookout for them, and I have not seen a "pipe wrench" smaller than six inches in length yet. I'll keep you posted - see the "Ebay hot deal" thread for updates. BK

Not saying they don't exist, now.
But then, I cannot say "anything's possible", because if "anything was possible", I'd be able to put a 12-pound turkey into my microwave and come back two hours later and find a 1965 Ford Fairlane station wagon in there instead of the turkey.

Just sayin'....

You’re gonna need a bigger microwave!
-Don

 

[bbbarracuda]

I picked up this 6” gtd ( Greenfield Tap and die)
Any guesses as to age?
For some reason I’m having trouble looking up catalogs

 

[bbbarracuda]

I’d forgotten about this Oswego Tool Co 6”
I found it on a shelf while looking for something else

 

[Lassen Forge]

I still have my 6" ridgid they issued me at work 30 years ago, and it's still a go to on occasion....

No pix as it's still packed away post move.

But yeah, I love that thing.

 

[Zrxrunner]

Found the elusive 4 inch rigid pipe wrench in the bottom of an auction lot! Lol...guessing this doesnt count, right?
However....this has come in handy on a few hard to get to hydraulic fittings, so it stays in the customized tool drawer on my service van.

 

[AreBeeBee]

Found the elusive 4 inch rigid pipe wrench in the bottom of an auction lot! Lol...guessing this doesnt count, right?
However....this has come in handy on a few hard to get to hydraulic fittings, so it stays in the customized tool drawer on my service van.

Say, do you find the broken-off end is sort of hard on the hand? Its edges look pretty sharp, but there's not much extra there to round off with a grinder or file.

 

[Zrxrunner]

I usually have some type of glove on. Couple times ive used it havent noticed its too sharp. Meant to round it off a few times, but never got to it yet.

 

[HeelSpur]

I snagged this 6 inch "Trustworthy" off ebay and have found very little about it.
This is from a 2010 auction on the WN. (TRUSTWORTHY (in script) (United Hardware brand).
I've looked for like 3 hours in old catalogs to see if there was any mention, but came up empty.
The reverse is just plain.

DSCF0618 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF0618 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

 

[wrench136]

Lawson/Ushco Mfg. Co. Buffalo U.S.A. 6" Pat. Dec. 14-20

 

[DGersic]

Closed, this one I just got is 5 1/2”

 

[DGersic]

Technically a toy, but it’s a tiny pipe wrench

 

[Mallen]

Closed, this one I just got is 5 1/2”

You either have gigantic hands, or that's the smallest damn pipe wrench I've ever seen.

 

[DGersic]

You either have gigantic hands, or that's the smallest damn pipe wrench I've ever seen.

Normal sized hands. It’s a cute little wrench, isn’t it?

 

[AreBeeBee]

I find that 6- and 8-inch pipe wrenches are more than just cute, they're useful around the house. They grab things often better than a small ordinary adjustable wrench would, in particular nuts that aren't crispy-cornered anymore.

 

[Mallen]

I've been considering making a tiny one
Like a 3" one. They are great for tight spaces and a really tiny one made out of good steel would be really nice.

 

[four.cycle]

I am surprised that this unit hasn't appeared in this thread yet, so I'll take the liberty of posting this example from a recent ebay ad listing.
Both @Private Lugnutz and I own copies of this wrench, but ours are stamped "A G & J Product" (for "Gormully and Jeffery".)
I have seen various names stamped on this little wrench in different ebay listings.
I am of the opinion this unit was made as a promotional item and we still don't know who actually manufactured it:

Russ Darr Sporting Goods 3-inch adjustable wrench (photo: ebay)

 

[Sumboodie]

My pipe wrench is average size.