Sweden V. Spain SO Adjustable Wrenches
- Thread starter Rickkyyr8
- Start date
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
There are some who say Bahco adjustable wrenches were higher quality back when they were made in Sweden. Whether or not that is the objective truth is another matter. Though my favourite adjustable wrenches are the USA made Proto clik stop ones, the Channellock branded made in Spain adjustable wrench I have is quite nice. There's at least one company in Spain (Irega) that specializes in making adjustable wrenches, so they should know what they are doing.
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four.cycle
Well-known member
^ That's all Irega does: adjustable wrenches. Nothing else. I cannot speak from personal experience on either Spanish or Swedish adjustable wrenches - all of mine are old U.S. made stuff.
Irega / Irega S.A., Fueros, 1, 48250 Zaldibar, Vizcaya Spain / http://www.irega.es/en/ / est. 1945 / adjustable wrenches /
Irega / Irega S.A., Fueros, 1, 48250 Zaldibar, Vizcaya Spain / http://www.irega.es/en/ / est. 1945 / adjustable wrenches /
dutchgray
Well-known member
The Swedish Bahco's were better, there has definitely been some quality fade over the years, its a long time now since production switched to Spain.
The other issue is they have got really expensive.
The other issue is they have got really expensive.
Dagny
Well-known member
I have 2 swedes and a spain I can't tell they are very nice,thin and tight
When you buy Bahco adjustables get the "ergo" ones, massive difference in quality, Spain or Sweden doesn't matter. Also bahco is owned by snapon so you know who makes those overpriced snapon adjustable wrenches.
BarrelRoll
Well-known member
Who makes blupoint's adjustable? I've been looking for a 24 and 30" for work. It looks like the 30" side adjuster is made in spain and looks like a bahco. The normal 24" and 30" are showing made in China.
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
It depends on the vintage of the tool. The old blue point ones were made in USA. I bet all the new ones are made in China.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
If you ordered current stock Bahco thinking they are Swedish, prepare to be disappointed.
four.cycle
Well-known member
Just a wild guess, but I'd bet GJ member Monte would know WHERE to buy any tool in Europe. he doesn't seem to have any problem finding exactly what he wants.
Glad you were able to find what you were after.
Glad you were able to find what you were after.
I’m aware they are not
Dagny
Well-known member
Got mine at united refrigeration.
Today's tool haul. Went to my usual pro tool dealer who also carries Bahco to get a Bahco slim adjustable wrench, he didn't have any in stock. But he had this:
Irega, Made in Spain 8" slim jaws.
The jaws edges aren't perfectly contoured like the Knipex pliers wrench which will not leave a mark to a chromed faucet nut.
But it is a solid tool, the jaws are parallel, very little light shines through when closed, opens to 40mm and the cog naturally has 4 wheels instead of the usual 3 with very good smooth movement. 20eur
Not bad. It will be mainly used to counterhold thin nuts/bolts and whatever use I will discover for it.
EDIT: For you in the US of A, GJ members pointed out that its the same as a Chanellock model. Irega makes this for Channelock.
Irega, Made in Spain 8" slim jaws.
The jaws edges aren't perfectly contoured like the Knipex pliers wrench which will not leave a mark to a chromed faucet nut.
But it is a solid tool, the jaws are parallel, very little light shines through when closed, opens to 40mm and the cog naturally has 4 wheels instead of the usual 3 with very good smooth movement. 20eur
Not bad. It will be mainly used to counterhold thin nuts/bolts and whatever use I will discover for it.
EDIT: For you in the US of A, GJ members pointed out that its the same as a Chanellock model. Irega makes this for Channelock.
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Why don’t you get the new USA made ones on the Snap-on website? They started making them in Elizabethton TN again, they look exactly the same as the the original US AD series only slightly narrower which is a bonus
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Or, just buy Pliers Wrenches and join the 21st Century.
silvertina
Active member
I have an Irega 8" and 10." These were my father's tools given to me when I started wrenching 24 years ago. They are still fine to this day aside from the chipped chromes. They have outlasted the Bacho ones I bought new
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I have the Chanellock ones, they are great.Today's tool haul. Went to my usual pro tool dealer who also carries Bahco to get a Bahco slim adjustable wrench, he didn't have any in stock. But he had this:
Irega, Made in Spain 8" slim jaws.
The jaws edges aren't perfectly contoured like the Knipex pliers wrench which will not leave a mark to a chromed faucet nut.
But it is a solid tool, the jaws are parallel, very little light shines through when closed, opens to 40mm and the cog naturally has 4 wheels instead of the usual 3 with very good smooth movement. 20eur
Not bad. It will be mainly used to counterhold thin nuts/bolts and whatever use I will discover for it.
EDIT: For you in the US of A, GJ members pointed out that its the same as a Chanellock model. Irega makes this for Channelock.
redwrench60
Well-known member
Hey Barrel, if you’re still looking for a USA made 24” adjustable, Harry Epsteins has new old stock USA made tapered handle Crescents. I like the tapered handle for cheater pipe use and the quality is excellent.
neophyte
Well-known member
The Span-On Spanish adjustanle wrenches aren’t made by Irega.
Snap-On Spanish adjustable wrenches are made by Span-On Europe, usually using the Bahco designs that originated in Sweden.
Part of Snap-On Europe contains a Spanish adjustable wrench manufacturer called Irimo, a brand which I think still exists.
I’ve never seen a badly made Irega wrench.
I’ve seen and owned poorly made Bahco Spanish made wrenches whose jaws didn’t line up properly.
I would not purchase Bahco/Irimo adjustable wrenches, unless that was the only option available, or possibly if I got to examine the wrench in person before buying.
The quality control was just not there.
Snap-On Spanish adjustable wrenches are made by Span-On Europe, usually using the Bahco designs that originated in Sweden.
Part of Snap-On Europe contains a Spanish adjustable wrench manufacturer called Irimo, a brand which I think still exists.
I’ve never seen a badly made Irega wrench.
I’ve seen and owned poorly made Bahco Spanish made wrenches whose jaws didn’t line up properly.
I would not purchase Bahco/Irimo adjustable wrenches, unless that was the only option available, or possibly if I got to examine the wrench in person before buying.
The quality control was just not there.
The Channellock was made by Irega. It came with a rubber handle that I cut off.
I bought the Bahco because I didn’t have a 6”, and i liked that it was an original - made in Sweden, with the Invented by Bahco marking. Like having Vise Grips that say Peterson, DeWitt Nebraska - you can argue whether they’ve ever been bested, but they are absolutely connected with their heritage.
They’re both really good. The Channellock does have 4 knurled engaging. If buying for function I’d say Bahco Sweden will be harder to find, so just go get an Irega. For most things the wide opening jaw version is probably best.
I bought the Bahco because I didn’t have a 6”, and i liked that it was an original - made in Sweden, with the Invented by Bahco marking. Like having Vise Grips that say Peterson, DeWitt Nebraska - you can argue whether they’ve ever been bested, but they are absolutely connected with their heritage.
They’re both really good. The Channellock does have 4 knurled engaging. If buying for function I’d say Bahco Sweden will be harder to find, so just go get an Irega. For most things the wide opening jaw version is probably best.
Attachments
Ton ton
Well-known member
White horse machine, Gap,PA.
I have been using adjustable Bacho's for about 25 years, I finally broke the original Made in Sweden one after 16 years. It was the one with the alligator Jaws on the back. It was from the abuse I put it through as I commonly put cheater bars(pipes) on it to gain leverage. The replacement made in Spain, lasted about a month before it was rounded over etc. I emailed back and forth with Bacho over the disappointing sub par quality of the wrench I presumed was made in China, I found out it was made in Spain. I ended up finding an old used one on eBay that was made in Sweden. I am still using the used made in Sweden wrench today. Still abusing it almost daily and it is still performing. The Swedes take pride in their work and don't make **** tools. The should offer to collect all of the ones made in Spain, melt them down, correct the steel composition, and re manufacture the tools in Sweden. Quality vs Profits = Sweden vs Spain.
neophyte
Well-known member
The machining was also sometimes off on the Spanish made Bahco Adjustable Wrenches.
Shoreline_
Well-known member
Irega are my favorite. The older ones had left handed worm gear. Messed me up all the time.