Show your adjustable wrenches!

[Lasu]

Still in use today, from the 30s (the model is from Bahco)

 

[ChefRex]

A couple of my big ones and an interesting "Automatic" pull down on the screw and it snaps open,

 

[CGarage]

I am shocked by all of the fascination surrounding a tool that is the “least best choice”.....

 

[ChefRex]

I am shocked by all of the fascination surrounding a tool that is the “least best choice”.....

Are you suggesting I use them as wrenches? LOL.

 

[CGarage]

I think in certain, limited applications it is acceptable.

 

[Ton ton]

I use adjustable wrenches almost as often as real wrenches LOL.

 

[ChefRex]

I use them for the most part for bending things, holding odd things and the occasional thing that I don't have a proper tool for.

 

[darkzero]

I used a few of mine just last Friday..... to take pics of them to post in this thread.

Oh wait, those pics are old. Well then, I can't remember the last time I used one of my adjustable wrenches, or when they have even last seen the light of day.

 

[bigjeff94]

A lot of people would be surprised to find out just how many nuts and bolts are turned successfully everyday with adjustable wrenches in heavy industry. When you have a lot of ground to cover and are not quite sure what you are walking into a pair of adjustable wrenches are indispensable. What really hurts is when the wrench isn't big enough and you have to use your channellocks

 

[Ton ton]

A lot of people would be surprised to find out just how many nuts and bolts are turned successfully everyday with adjustable wrenches in heavy industry. When you have a lot of ground to cover and are not quite sure what you are walking into a pair of adjustable wrenches are indispensable. What really hurts is when the wrench isn't big enough and you have to use your channellocks

Well said.

 

[Kevkx125]

My adjustable wrench's

 

[redwrench60]

A lot of people would be surprised to find out just how many nuts and bolts are turned successfully everyday with adjustable wrenches in heavy industry. When you have a lot of ground to cover and are not quite sure what you are walking into a pair of adjustable wrenches are indispensable. What really hurts is when the wrench isn't big enough and you have to use your channellocks

There are a lot of people here that live a charmed and sheltered life.

 

[silkman]

Since I consider the adjustable wrench one of the most hated tools, here's my only one. Only bought it because of the slim jaws, 10" Irega, Made in Spain.

 

[redwrench60]

I use adjustables several times a week and I can’t remember the last time I messed up a single nut, bolt, fitting or hose connector. I know when to stop and do something else before damage occurs. You gotta learn for yourself.

It took me years to learn how and when to use adjustables. When I bill customers for labor they’re not paying for the hours it took, they’re paying for the years of experience.

 

[Al Borland]

A good adjustable shouldn't damage a fastener if used correctly.
A dime-store adjustable with jaws that aren't parallel or loose/floppy? In the hands of Larry, Moe, and Curley?
You know what's next...

 

[nbpt100]

I use adjustables several times a week and I can’t remember the last time I messed up a single nut, bolt, fitting or hose connector. I know when to stop and do something else before damage occurs. You gotta learn for yourself.

It took me years to learn how and when to use adjustables. When I bill customers for labor they’re not paying for the hours it took, they’re paying for the years of experience.

Any professional should know what you are describing. It takes time and experience but it is not some rare or hard to acqurie skill . IMHO. Yes it is a skill, no argument. So you are worth more because you know how to use a cheaper tools to get something done? It is not necessarily being done any faster. Am I being too harsh on this example.?? Sorry.

I just heard about a plummber who charged a woman in my town $1100 to change two valves in the house. One was under the sink and the other was the main valve into the house. She scheduled the town to turn off the water from the street and paid the fee directly to the town. The plumber was there with an young plumber (not sure of skill level) and between the two of them they were done in under 2 hours. So say 4 man hours plus parts. When she complained he said what you said above. "You are paying for my 17 years of experience." Not sure how it was all broken down. Parts vs. labor, but it still seems excessive. She said she felt trapped and just paid it. She also said he pressed her hard to buy into an annual service plan. But that is another issue.

 

[nbpt100]

The smallest adjustable wrench in the world? maybe? Maybe not. It is about 2.7" in overall length.

 

[redwrench60]

Any professional should know what you are describing. It takes time and experience but it is not some rare or hard to acqurie skill . IMHO. Yes it is a skill, no argument. So you are worth more because you know how to use a cheaper tools to get something done? It is not necessarily being done any faster. Am I being too harsh on this example.?? Sorry.

Too harsh? Nah, I can take it.

Adjustables are just one tool in my tool box. Just ONE of many. Part of being a good hand isn’t just knowing how to use certain tools, it’s when. Many people don’t seem to know when to use them. Would I use an adjustable doing a head gasket job on a Camry? Of course not. But it’s perfect on that big odd size Hydraulic line covered in grease and three layers of paint.

 

[nbpt100]

Too harsh? Nah, I can take it.

Adjustables are just one tool in my tool box. Just ONE of many. Part of being a good hand isn’t just knowing how to use certain tools, it’s when. Many people don’t seem to know when to use them. Would I use an adjustable doing a head gasket job on a Camry? Of course not. But it’s perfect on that big odd size Hydraulic line covered in grease and three layers of paint.

I agree. When I took Automotive at the trade school the teacher said we do not use adjustable wrenches in Automotive. He was also a former Snap-On Sales man. He had a good point to spread with people just learning. With experience comes judgement. Sometimes you need an open ended wrench. You use the best one you have. Sometimes it is an adjustable. I like the ones that lock like a vice grip style wrench on stubborn or some what rounded nuts.

 

[silkman]

Since I consider the adjustable wrench one of the most hated tools, here's my only one. Only bought it because of the slim jaws, 10" Irega, Made in Spain.

Used it extensively yesterday and I have to say I am impressed with this tool.

On the Audi rear caliper, I used it to counterhold a very thin 15mm bolt and it would stay put while hanging from the bolt. It also helped as a lever to pull the handbrake bracket to put back the handbrake cable.

Sorry took no pictures.

 

[3baygarage]

Four good oldies that were together, so why not....

24” Diamond
8” Plomb
8” curved Billings and Spencer, marked Welland,Can.
12” Crescent

 

[daddyopoppy]

A good buddy of mine makes some excellent yard art from old scrap metal and tools. He had some stuff that he didn’t want to weld on and ruin so he brought me a box of goodie’s. This adjustable wrench has a name that looks like Baxter possibly and a patent number I haven’t been able to read yet.

 

[daddyopoppy]

I got it cleaned up a little and out in the sun I see it’s W. Baxter Pat. Dec. 1 1868. There are letters on the other side of the jaw but they’re stamped and I assume an owner id.

 

[nbpt100]

A good buddy of mine makes some excellent yard art from old scrap metal and tools. He had some stuff that he didn’t want to weld on and ruin so he brought me a box of goodie’s. This adjustable wrench has a name that looks like Baxter possibly and a patent number I haven’t been able to read yet.

There is a welder near me that does the same. Rusty metal Art. Some of it is pretty big. Like the size of a horse.

 

[four.cycle]

@daddyopoppy

Baxter / Baxter Wrench Co., Newark, NJ / patent 84605 Dec 1 1868 William Baxter / see also Green, Tweed & Co., see E.C. Stearns & Co. /

^ probably something along this line is under that corrosion:

 

[AJHD]

I am shocked by all of the fascination surrounding a tool that is the “least best choice”.....

True story... As an automotive mechanic I absolutely hated adjustable wrenches. I rarely had a need to use them and when I did, they absolutely were not the best choice for the job.

But that was then... As a heavy equipment mechanic, I'm growing to appreciate them as I more commonly have a legitimate need to use them. Despite the abundance of tools in every shape and size imaginable, adjustable wrenches are easily one of, if not the most commonly used tools around the shop on a daily basis.

I've currently got 6 in my box right now, and I've got a few more at home (not pictured).
I just picked up the Snap On 12" and I've got a Snap On wide-jaw 12" coming. So far the Snap On variety are my favorite, but for the price vs. quality, the Doyle's are actually not bad. I hope they make more sizes.

I wanted to try the Milwaukee and I have no complaints beyond it's overpriced for what it is and where it's made, and I won't be buying additional sizes. It will also likely be replaced by the 12" Snappy wide-jaw and then be taken home.

 

[Ton ton]

True story... As an automotive mechanic I absolutely hated adjustable wrenches. I rarely had a need to use them and when I did, they absolutely were not the best choice for the job.

But that was then... As a heavy equipment mechanic, I'm growing to appreciate them as I more commonly have a legitimate need to use them. Despite the abundance of tools in every shape and size imaginable, adjustable wrenches are easily one of, if not the most commonly used tools around the shop on a daily basis.

I've currently got 6 in my box right now, and I've got a few more at home (not pictured).
I just picked up the Snap On 12" and I've got a Snap On wide-jaw 12" coming. So far the Snap On variety are my favorite, but for the price vs. quality, the Doyle's are actually not bad. I hope they make more sizes.

I wanted to try the Milwaukee and I have no complaints beyond it's overpriced for what it is and where it's made, and I won't be buying additional sizes. It will also likely be replaced by the 12" Snappy wide-jaw and then be taken home.

Nice green handled adjustable wrenches.

 

[Fred Knox]

A few of my 12” adjustables that you don’t see that frequently:
PG&E (Clik-Stop) with date code = L92
McKaig-Hatch
Thorsen
Indestro Super
Owatonna Tool Co
Klein Tools

 

[Outlawmws]

Added a PG&E wrench to my collection yesterday; an 8":

Date code was:

 

[GaryM909]

Here are a few pictures of most of mine. I probably have 10-12 more kicking around and have given away quite a few to my son and daughter. Last time my son dropped in to change the ball on his trailer hitch I handed him a 24" Crescent and made him take it home.
The first picture is Proto 18" to 6".
The second is Crescent 15" to 10"
The third is a Williams 15", Rastall 12", Lobster 12", Armstrong 10", and Gray 10"
The fourth are Westward 18" and three 12"
The fifth is a Proto 12", Crescent 12" and Williams 8"
The sixth is 4" Bahco, Craftsman, Crescent, Craftsman, and Gray

 

[four.cycle]

Why is this thread so difficult to find?


Lobtex 8-inch adjustable wrench (Japan)

 

[GaryM909]

I picked this Lucas one up in October. First time I ever saw one.

 

[Spanner]

Found this little Japanese made adjustable in the bottom of my old toolbox, Aigo is the brand. Surprisingly it is really good quality.

 

[four.cycle]

I can now find this thread by searching for "difficult to find" by author "four.cycle"



Utica 90-10 10-inch adjustable wrench (Triangle era)

and why IS this thread so difficult to find?

 

[MWEric]

My Bahcos. Got the foam trays off eBay.

 

[craftsman creep]

Carry this 6 inch USA CRAFTSMAN with me ever day

 

[xOccupantx]

@2oolhound wanted to see this adjustable wrench I posted in another thread. Made by OTC.

 

[Outlawmws]

Does anyone have a "Fat version" Jaw for an older Crescent 8"? (The early ones have thicker heads then the later versions)

 

[craftsman creep]

Picked up a few the other day
The rest of my haul in in the garage sale thread

 

[Jeff]

My 4-inchers