Small aluminum pipe wrench

[Beemer533]

I'm looking for a small aluminum (10") pipe wrench for my travel kit. It will be used on 3/4" pipe pretty much exclusively..

I looked at the Kobalt at my local Lowes, but it felt and looked like ****.. Any experience or recommendations with other brands like Ridgid, Irwin etc?

USA would be nice obviously, but I just want a quality piece in the end. It would be nice to keep it under $40 if possible as I need to expense it for work.

Thanks!

 

[Farmall450]

A simple google search found me a bunch of links:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-10-in-Heavy-Duty-Pipe-Wrench-31010/100075882

I realize this isn't aluminium but it's a good starting point. Literally google "10" Ridgid Pipe Wrench"

Here's the Al one.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FCJHNA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ChevyEFI]

I wanted a smaller (than what I had) Ridgid and bought a 14" aluminum a year ago when Zoro had a good sale.

G2415901 Plumbing Wrenches Straight Pipe Wrench,Aluminum,14 in. L Expedited Shipping Available $55.21 1 $38.65

 

[defektes]

Ridgid aluminum, there is also a Spanish brand called super-ego that is pretty good.

 

[geojag]

About the only size of aluminum rigid pipe wrench I don't have would be the 10". I already have a steel 10" and haven't run across a good deal on an aluminum. Can't go wrong with a rigid pipe wrench.

 

[Beemer533]

A simple google search found me a bunch of links:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-10-in-Heavy-Duty-Pipe-Wrench-31010/100075882

I realize this isn't aluminium but it's a good starting point. Literally google "10" Ridgid Pipe Wrench"

Here's the Al one.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FCJHNA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks, I'm actually pretty good at Google myself

I was more asking for personal recommendations.

Thanks guys.

 

[bigcaddy]

I'm looking for a small aluminum (10") pipe wrench for my travel kit. It will be used on 3/4" pipe pretty much exclusively..

I looked at the Kobalt at my local Lowes, but it felt and looked like ****.. Any experience or recommendations with other brands like Ridgid, Irwin etc?

USA would be nice obviously, but I just want a quality piece in the end. It would be nice to keep it under $40 if possible as I need to expense it for work.

Thanks!

If you want a personal recommendation, go with a Schick!

Ridgid pipe wrenches are the standard when it comes to pipe wrenches and hard to beat quality wise. I've been crawling in pipe fitter tool cribs since I was sleeping in a crib and that's what always has been used.


If you want to go even lighter and the unusual conversation starter route, check out Schick wrenches on eBay. Unlike Ridgid wrenches that have a solid steel hook jaw, Schicks are aluminum with dovetailed steel inserts. Replacements are not available so make sure if you commit to buy, they are in good shape. I have about 5 of them laying around and it's amazing how much lighter they are. If it's going in a carry bag, lighter is better!

You could buy a Schick 10" for well under your 40.00 budget

 

[LXCam]

One more vote for Ridgid here. Nothing but praise for their mechanical products.

 

[jeremy v]

I would buy the Ridgid 810 if it were me. They are as good as it gets in terms of quality, they can be used daily for years, the handles will bend a bit before snapping if abused (the cheaper ones often just snap without warning). Also, in the future you can sell it on the used market for at least half (worst case scenario) of what you paid for it new all day long because Ridgid products have a very good resale value.

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . use Google to dig deep into CL listings . . .
. . . . >>>>>> Google >>>>>>> Ridgid aluminum pipe wrench site:craigslist.org
. . . OR . . .
. . . . >>>>>> Google >>>>>>> Rigid aluminum pipe wrench site:craigslist.org

Found paydirt on cheap 18" aluminum for $30 and looks like seller has a whole slew of aluminum Ridgid pipe wrenches at:
https://charleston.craigslist.org/tls/4935370268.html

They might have 2 smaller aluminum Ridgid wrenches for same money !!

Also general info for all . . . . . NO SUCH THING as . . "Rigid" pipe wrench !!

It's . . . . . RIDGID

 

[LXCam]

Also general info for all . . . . . NO SUCH THING as . . "Rigid" pipe wrench !!

It's . . . . . RIDGID

Oh ya, tell that to the speal check phone gods.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ Of course you're right !!

Search for "Rigid" pipe wrenches will find . . . . . MORE !!!!

 

[mikebaker1129]

Spend the $ on a aluminum rigid, you will be happy you did. Used if you can find it or even new at HD. I have a few of the 24,18,14 in, but like you I wanted something smaller and lighter for working 1/2 and 3/4 pipe off a ladder in drop in ceilings. I picked up what I wanted for a little over $50 at Home Depot. Pretty sure I went with the 12" AL ridgid ,I am looking for a 10 now.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I just picked up a Ridgid 810 at the swap meet last weekend for $11.

I can't believe how light and well built it is. I thought about it for a minute, and, I believe, it is just as important and/or wanted to have a light wrench in a small size as a large size. Most of the time with my 36" steel or aluminum, you set it with 2 hands (then sometimes apply force with one hand if called for.) But with the 10" you usually only use 1 hand from beginning to end. And if you are upside down and backwards under a basin, a steel 10" does get heavy. The 810 does not.

 

[Beemer533]

Cool, thanks for all the recommendations. Sounds like Ridgid is still ome of the best options.

Kind of dissapointed though, no carbon fiber/titanium options out there?

Soon as I land in Denver I'll swing by a HD and see what they have...

This post edited by the NSA

 

[bigcaddy]

Cool, thanks for all the recommendations. Sounds like Ridgid is still ome of the best options.

Kind of dissapointed though, no carbon fiber/titanium options out there?

Soon as I land in Denver I'll swing by a HD and see what they have...

This post edited by the NSA

According to the history of the Schick pipe wrenches, some were aluminum and others were made of magnesium. Thats about as fancy as they get for pipe wrench alloys.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Cool, thanks for all the recommendations. Sounds like Ridgid is still ome of the best options.

Kind of dissapointed though, no carbon fiber/titanium options out there?

Soon as I land in Denver I'll swing by a HD and see what they have...

This post edited by the NSA

Titanium is actually more dense than aluminum so the tool would likely be heavier, unless they used less material in the construction.

 

[rlitman]

If you want a personal recommendation, go with a Schick!

Ridgid pipe wrenches are the standard when it comes to pipe wrenches and hard to beat quality wise. I've been crawling in pipe fitter tool cribs since I was sleeping in a crib and that's what always has been used.


If you want to go even lighter and the unusual conversation starter route, check out Schick wrenches on eBay. Unlike Ridgid wrenches that have a solid steel hook jaw, Schicks are aluminum with dovetailed steel inserts. Replacements are not available so make sure if you commit to buy, they are in good shape. I have about 5 of them laying around and it's amazing how much lighter they are. If it's going in a carry bag, lighter is better!

You could buy a Schick 10" for well under your 40.00 budget

+1 You won't find anything made better today. But I don't recall seeing a 10" one in a long time.

 

[Lelandwelds]

I have an 18" Ridgid. Great tool. Easy to adjust "just right".

I have never seen a Schick. Now, I want one!

 

[davethorik]

I don't have any aluminum pipe wrenches, sadly. I have a 14" steel Ridgid that works great but it definitely wears the old arm out. 10" Knipex Cobras are a bit lighter. I would like to get a 14" or 18" aluminum, but haven't found the right deal yet. I think Ridgid is king of the hill in this department.

 

[gmwelder86]

When it comes to pipe wrench’s rigid is pretty much the good standard from 4” to 60” compound wrench’s when it comes to putting pipe in and turning wrench’s don’t want anything else. Only time I’ve seen one fail was a 48” with a one ton com along atttaching to it trying to break a 6” threaded joint loose for a tie in.

 

[454ragtop]

Have a couple brand new Reed 36" aluminum pipe wrenches if anybody is looking.