Strap wrench or chain wrench?

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Which one is more universal for working on cars and light trucks? Holding pulleys would be the biggest one. The reason i ask is that i know a chain wrench can or will mar a surface but i had to use one (was all i had to borrow) to hold the water pump pulley on a durango to take the fan off. If a strap wrench will do the same without damage as a chain wrench, i'd go with that. If a chain wrench will most likely cause little to no damage (i saw none on the pulley) and be more useful, i'd go with that. Don't have the money to buy both but will need it within the next few weeks. No experience with a strap wrench.

 

[gdocktor3]

If you do buy a strap wrench, buy a good one. The cheaper ones tend to slip quite easily. The good thing is they can double as oil filter wrenches.

 

[colin39]

I grab for my chain every time, purely because its easier on air dryer filters on coaches n lorrys, and im a lazy bstard and dont like grabbing 2 differant tools

 

[LXCam]

I own both, but you already answered your own question. I luv me a good chain wrench but even protecting a part with a rag or piece of rubber you stand a damn good chance of marring up the finish. And not just the part your working with either.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

If you do buy a strap wrench, buy a good one. The cheaper ones tend to slip quite easily. The good thing is they can double as oil filter wrenches.

Would the OTC one be a good choice? OTC 7206?

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I grab for my chain every time, purely because its easier on air dryer filters on coaches n lorrys, and im a lazy bstard and dont like grabbing 2 differant tools

Have you damaged any pulleys yet?

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I own both, but you already answered your own question. I luv me a good chain wrench but even protecting a part with a rag or piece of rubber you stand a damn good chance of marring up the finish. And not just the part your working with either.

Yeah, i know i know lol. I would just like to buy one that i can use for a while before getting funds for another. I know they aren't expensive to begin with, but i've got other tools to buy as well so i've got to choose one or the other.

 

[LXCam]

Something to consider. Long ago I got a canvass style strap wrench. Pretty much good for nothing since it slipped all the time, but did have a good cast handle. One day I decided to coat the strap with that liquid rubber grip stuff and other then being a little stiff, works like a champ.

 

[bobcatdan]

Would the OTC one be a good choice? OTC 7206?

Ridgid is the way to go. As to which to use. A strap wrench won't wreck anything. A chain wrench will have more bite. Hard to say which I use more as they have different uses. I just got the ridgid chain wrench a little while ago as I wanted a little more beef then my Williams.

 

[Gmonkee]

Make a wider handle for a strap wrench that takes car seat belt material.

After bending two commercial models I made some of my own like that.
All three are still working years later.

As for chain types bike inner tube is the easy answer to grip and cushion. It chews up the rubber instead.

 

[gdocktor3]

Would the OTC one be a good choice? OTC 7206?

While OTC generally make good tools, I cannot say how well that would work. I'd bet it works pretty good, though I prefer rubber straps over nylon. I feel nylon slips more/easier. The Amazon reviews aren't stellar on that either. Try to find the oem for Snap On or Matco. It may be OTC. I second the Ridgid chain wrench. It works awesome. Actually all Ridgid tools/wrenches work great. No questions asked they're all excellent quality. Especially plumbing tools.

 

[Know Wosad]

Chain and old innertube pieces.

 

[Silver_11]

Chain wrench has never failed me, I always use old bits of serpentine belt underneath it to protect the pulley, I've never damaged one this way. Strap wrenches never bit quite enough for my liking.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Leave serpt belt on and walk the fan clutch nut off with an air hammer

 

[gdocktor3]

Leave serpt belt on and walk the fan clutch nut off with an air hammer

And make sure you are going the right way. Left hand thread vs right hand thread that is....

Or you may come across one that was liquid nailed on and wouldn't budge no matter what tool you used like my 93 F250 diesel. Had to torch it off. That was fun...

 

[Gmonkee]

Best way I found is a friend of my boss has the complete special wrenches kit. For all makes at that.

Made it easy to do that job by far. Not worth getting now as the trucks are fewer and low budget repairs anymore.

 

[davethorik]

I like the Klein Grip - it strap wrenches. The strap is a rubberized fabric with ridges on the work surface and holds well on smooth surfaces like filters and plastic pipe. The handle is made of what looks like die cast aluminum, but has held up well.

I have a Diamond Tool & Horseshoe 15" chain wrench I bought off ebay a few years ago. It has something ridiculous like a 30" chain. I use that for big stuff.

Also have a nos Craftsman chain wrench, but it's in the minty fresh plastic pouch, I'm gonna leave it a collector piece.

 

[gdocktor3]

I have two chain wrenches, Ridgid and an Empire I received in exchange for my old Craftsman. The Ridgid works better. As mentioned above, leave the serpentine belt on and/or save some old ones to use with the chain wrench and you'll be good to go.

Alternatively, you can give this a shot. For the price, why not? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001P30664/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[CutterFarms]

I've always used a chain wrench never owned a strap wrench other than one of those craftsman rubber strap with handle MIL used for jars.

 

[four.cycle]

considering what Owatonna model 887 12-inch chain wrenches are going for right now on Ebay, I would say get one of each.