Snap-On Adjustable Wrench. disappointed?

[G1GRANDEUR]

Well, i got AD12A

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=20360&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

The problem is, bottom jaw moves side to side. like snug fit. is it normal?

 

[mrshaun]

well with any thing that moves, sometimes you get a little play. I will check the ones similar to that on the truck and see if they are different. the fadh12(green handle) that i use has no jaw slop... might need to check with your dealer and compare it to one on the truck...

 

[FNFS2000]

Haven't used one of those knuckle busting nut rounding things since a friend showed me the plier wrench

 

[mrshaun]

not a bad idea. ask for a pair of knipex cobra pliers and you will not use the adj wrench again.

 

[Mickey O]

Damn Swedes, they can't find a US supplier for an adjustable wrench.

 

[lbgradwell]

Maybe, but Bahco makes a superior adjustable wrench and SO already owns them, so why would they?

Besides, it's not the Swedish tools that upset me...

 

[Merkava_4]

I have the 10" version with the green padded handle. The lower jaw shakes all over the place like yours does. In comparison, my 10" Klein is high precision.

 

[Danglerb]

Stopped at a new HF today with a 20% off coupon burning a hole in my pocket, and general desire for a better adjustable wrench than my motely hardware store collection. 12" Pittsburgh Pro was on sale for $11, got it for $9, and part of my selection process was to compare the first five on the rack. All had a bit more jaw wobble than I liked, and some didn't have as sharp of marking for the opening size. 1 15/32 wide jaw, nice soft grip, and the jaw opening seemed tight (still had side to side wobble), so I bought it.

Funny that I am sitting here pondering the same issues with this $9 HF wrench as somebody else is with a Snapon. Adjustable wrenches are not "go to" items for me, so I wasn't willing to pay $23 for a Mountain branded one when I ordered a bunch of there pliers to try last week. Makes me wonder what it costs for a "good" adjustable wrench these days. I've still got a monster 15" on my list of stuff to buy, maybe I will bite for something premium.

http://www.tooltopia.com/mountain-11212.aspx

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95317

 

[Merkava_4]

This is the real deal here ... it doesn't get any better than this.

 

[nissan_crawler]

We have a name for them at work, but I won't say it here. I don't believe in using nut rounders. I bet I haven't touched one in 5 years, hell I don't even have one in my box at work. As far as I'm concerned, they rank right up there with the gator grip socket.

 

[Merkava_4]

nissan_crawler hasn't tried a Klein adjustable.

Smooth and tight at the same time.

 

[autoace]

nissan_crawler hasn't tried a Klein adjustable.

Smooth and tight at the same time.

Sure you are talking about pliers!

I have not tried the Kleins, but adjustable wrenches in general work better as slug weapons than tools.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Sure you are talking about pliers!

I have not tried the Kleins, but adjustable wrenches in general work better as slug weapons than tools.

Agreed, only thing I will use one for is straightening metal. Fasteners? No way, I'll get the appropriate size wrench, thanks.

 

[Merkava_4]

I tighten the jaws in on the hex each time before I turn. It takes a little more time, but it makes it impossible round off a corner that way.

 

[Danglerb]

Things I don't like about adjustable wrenches;

I forget which way is open and close.
Tighten down on a nut, pull off the wrench and it won't go back on, fails to hold size.
Crank on a nut and the jaws flex or loosen or something and wrench slips.
Crank on a nut and the adjustment jams and its hard to get the wrench off the nut.

I like the laser size marks, now at least I will know what size wrench I should be using.

OTOH my set of Plier Wrenches from Knipex may make adjustable wrenches obsolete, but I don't think so. Just can't see smacking one with a hammer.

 

[oldtools]

This is the real deal here ... it doesn't get any better than this.

I have an older 12" Klein adjustable wrench (made in Japan). The jaw is wobbly just like my 12" SO adjustable wrench. The Klein cost me $2 and the So cost me $30.

 

[forceyoda]

“Adjustable wrenches are an abomination. I will not allow them in my shop.”

Harry Miller

 

[Hawk321]

My adjustable crow foot wrench from Snap-On (same as an adjustable wrench) is not wobbly !

But I use it only for hard to reach sensors...on normal fasteners I will NEVER use this junk!
An old rule that I learned > use the whole fastener and not only the half...it's fully paid.

 

[The Muffin Man]

I am quite fond of my ADH12, though I do not use it in any automotive applications.

Bahco's adjustable pipe/wrench is also quite useful on rounded fasteners.

 

[sk farmer]

i like this thread. many of us would call merk a tool snob. (no offense please merk.) yet we are busting peoples chops because someone wants to find a good adjustable wrench. merk is in there trying to offer good advice and says he sees a need for one. they are just like any other tool. there are good and bad ones,jobs they are suited for and jobs they are not. just because someone does not have a need for one they discount them all as junk. i own several diamonds and some crescent. i most often use them on pullers that have a square head. for example a can use a 15 inch adjustable on a puller that needs a 3/4 wrench. what do you thank will transfer more torque? the wrench or adjustable. and merk, thanks for checking in with some good advice.

 

[Avgas]

I bought a set of these Crescents a little while ago, they feel nice, no play, but it is starting to rust with minimum use, not impressed with the black phosphate finish.

 

[bushhawg73]

I agree with SK Farmer. Adjustable wrenches have their place in any toolbox. They are great for throwing in the plastic tote when you are out working on things away from the shop. I am not talking about doing a main bearing job on a BMW now. Just fixing some electric horse fence or maybe tightning the hinges on a gate. Why carry 10 combo wrenches when you can slip a 12 inch adjustable in your back pocket and get it all done. Just my 02 cents.

 

[lbgradwell]

I bought a set of these Crescents a little while ago, they feel nice, no play, but it is starting to rust with minimum use, not impressed with the black phosphate finish.

I have a Diamond (Cooper era, same as Crescent) "industrial"-finish 10" adjustable & I have the same problem. Last un-chromed wrench I'll ever buy!

Speaking of Crescent brand, I have a 4" model on my key chain. There's more play in the jaws of that POS than in my sloppiest 12" model. I keep it as an example of a truly poorly-made tool...

 

[lbgradwell]

I agree with SK Farmer. Adjustable wrenches have their place in any toolbox. They are great for throwing in the plastic tote when you are out working on things away from the shop.

Agreed. Obviously, they are not the ideal solution, and may be nearly useless for automotive work, but they still have their place...

 

[thedrivel]

I have a few Proto adjustable wrenches in different sizes I picked up off eBay CHEAP. I like them a lot, not something I'd use on a car, but great for other things around the garage & house.

 

[sk farmer]

Agreed. Obviously, they are not the ideal solution, and may be nearly useless for automotive work, but they still have their place...

square set screws, pullers, screw in gate hinges, straightening and bending things, the hole in the handle(sorry again merk) can be slipped around or over things to turn or bend them. i have a couple of differant sizes in each tool set. by the way merk, what do you think of the handle holes in adjustables? are they ok?

 

[old salvage]

I had a nice 4" Xcelite. It looked just like Merkavas. I bet it was made in the same factory. Hardly any slop in it.

 

[nelstomlinson]

I've got an FADH10. It's flank drive plus, there is minimal slop (little enough that I've never really noticed it), it just works. It's nicer than my Proto adjustables, mainly because of that flank drive feature. I've never really noticed any slop in my Protos, either.

I use it for getting the drain plug out of the oil pan, for all those Norwegian fasteners (the square-heads), and for saving trips back to the box.

I've never rounded a fastener with it, because I won't use it on something that takes a lot of torque. I have definitely rounded some fasteners with smooth-jawed adjustables while learning that lesson about keeping the force to a reasonable level.

 

[Mickey O]

You need to get yourself one of these:

I've got a **** load of adjustable wrenches, most have a bit of play, the tightest and best one one I have is an old chrome Diamond Dimalloy, you set it and it's like an open end wrench, doesn't budge.

 

[Jared]

Adjustables have there uses, automotive just isn't one of them. I use one all the time, I cant carry a 1/4 inch through 1 inch combo wrench set in my pocket.

 

[Monte]

I would check out the original Bahco`s they have a tight fit

 

[krusty the clown]

I would check out the original Bahco`s they have a tight fit

aren't snap on's bahco's

 

[Monte]

I think so. SO site states sweden as origin for the SO wrenches. Maybe the ones from the newer production are sloppier ???? Less precise = cheaper manufacturing....

I measured the wobble of the Hazet/Irega it was 0,6mm pushed to the one side and 0,9mm to the other , a Gedore wrench was 0,3mm and 0,8mm (approximately)

Bahco + Facom which i can recommend

 

[Rnz520]

I have a Kobalt from Lowes, and it is surprisingly tight and handy, its about 6 years old with lots of abuse.

 

[fordbroncodave]

the snap on ones are the best ones out there hands down. i bought both sets. one with red handles and other one with plain chrome.


adjustable wrenches are an abomination

 

[back2class]

I had a new Klein 10". I found it no better or worse than any other adjustable. I think the nicest ones ive used are the current production Craftsman and I own about a dozen from just about every company.

 

[fatfillup]

I use adjustables everyday, just not on nuts and bolts. They work great on quick couplers on pressure washer hose and wands. The hex heads are wide and no access problems. I'd have to grab 6 combo wrenchs to get the jobe done that 2 adjastables do just fine. Other uses also but if I used my cobras on the quick coulper application the brass would splinter and scar.

I have an older pair of Mac's (10 years old) and they are great. Have several cresents, williams, utica, p&c and other old US brands in my showroom for sale and they are smooth, but tightness does vary. Bachos have been very nice but sell quickly. Cresent consistently seem to be nicest. As far as them rusting. a little scotchbrite and motor oil will clean them up nicely.

As some others have said, adjustables, especially good ones, have their place.

 

[jjkrjh]

I use this for hydraulic hoses. It works very well for clamping and staying on fittings. Take the handle loose and it slides right off. Put it on the next fitting and close the handle. In the locked (closed handle) it tightens very tight.


So tight that it will stay on a crank bolt with the engine running. I was working on an old Bobcat with a Mitzy gas engine in it. Put a new set of points in. Used the adjustable wrench to turn over the engine. Went around front started it and came back to the rear and almost craped myself. Shut it off pretty quick and removed the wrench without an "epic failure".

 

[D4man]

On our farm we use the old nut rounders a lot. The other alternative is to carry a tool box bigger than the fertilizer tank. Most of ours are 15" and up and mostly Crescent brand.

All too often they get used as a convenient hammer and jam up the adjusting screw. Wish I had a dollar for every one we planted in the field.

 

[fordbroncodave]

best adjustable wrenches you can buy