Strap wrench

[AC-WC]

Was working on a chrome plumbing fixture and was curious how well a strap wrench would work to prevent scratching the chrome.
For the rubber type straps how long do they last (stored in a drawer)? I've heard they're pretty worthless but lots of companies make them.

 

[four.cycle]

^ There are a lot of different types available. Some employ a thick "web" strap (think super-thick Army belt.)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Mine are all vintage. Straps are leather and duck. Minimal to no marring.

 

[john.k]

Parmelee wrench is the go to for plated fittings .............Ive found strap tools are OK on oil filters ,they certainly wont grip like a stillson.

 

[Wrench97]

I have a old Rigid nylon strap wrench it has to be 30+ years old, only issue is keeping the strap clean after using on something greasy/oily like a stuck oil filter...

 

[Mintgrun]

I find strap wrenches useful and have a few to choose from. This little one has a hole to accept a 3/8" torque wrench and there's a chart online to calculate how the readings apply. I've never used it that way, but have turned some stuff with it. The strap that came with it was too short for my oil filter, so I cut off a piece of dryer belt and had seventy inches left over. They still sell straps for this tool online, but they're awfully expensive... as is the wrench. This one was a score from the Habitat store. It's a Glenair tg70.



I've got some larger ones with duck and nylon straps. You can cut a strip of rubber to go under those if you need a stickier grip. I also have a couple plastic ones with weaker rubber bands and they're fine for less demanding work.

 

[oldwino]

I have the Klein with the plastic strap. Doesn’t seem to grip well on smooth plumbing pieces without putting a piece of webbing or strap between the strap and the pipe.

 

[welder4956]

I haven't had good experience with strap wrenches on plumbing. I usually use a adjustable wrench, but have been considering picking up one of these lately: https://www.amazon.com/Plumbing-Wre...tallation/dp/B0CP3K1P46/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[no704]

I just use a channel lock with a couple chunks of cardboard.

 

[Beerhippie]

I find these grip much better and fit better in the tight spaces of plumbing fixtures:



That's just an example.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

You can cut a strip of rubber to go under those if you need a stickier grip.

Doesn’t seem to grip well on smooth plumbing pieces without putting a piece of webbing or strap between the strap and the pipe.

For any plated, cosmetic finish pipe I use a sleeve of some kind. I love this stuff called pre-wrap. It's supposed to be used under athletic tape. It's soft but sheer and squishy and self-adhesive (but no glues...) all at once. When my girls were all playing serious sports, right through college, they used it to keep their hair up. It was very popular with all girls. Cheap throwaway type stuff. But like a miracle composition. It would hold a long time. Anyway, it was all over the house and cars, and one day I thought, Hmmm, and used it as a sleeve on a pipe and it was perfect. Even a Parmelee (smooth grip) could still mar the work without pre-wrap.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Before this turns into a long modern strap wrench products thread and then looks funny down here, a gentle reminder that we are in the VINTAGE tools forum.

 

[Nutria]

I have a few oldies. They usually work great . . . except sometimes they don't.