What exactly is a Monkey Wrench?

[Outlawmws]

^^^^
Finally after 8 yrs someone posts a pic of a stereotype monkey wrench.

Chas. did 8 years ago:

 

[Outlawmws]

The amazing thing is the poll has 157 wrong answers...

 

[NoahG]

I answer "none of the above" and I think a Ford wrench just isn't quite a monkey wrench.

 

[Rossco]

Here's another monkey wrench: stainless steel Pipe Wrench / Stillson Wrench $620

I was going to get one but the shipping was just too high.

Yeah when I was an apprentice back in the UK, the older style pipe wrench was know as the 'Stillsons' or Monkey wrench. The monkey wrench looks like a monkeys arm hanging from a branch, I:E Monkey wrench.

Well that's my take on it anyhow.

 

[Outlawmws]

I answer "none of the above" and I think a Ford wrench just isn't quite a monkey wrench.

Nope it's not; it's an Auto Wrench.

 

[85FourEyedGT]

This has honestly been a question on my mind for years! lmao! nice to finally know

 

[gungatim]

Mechanics in the early days of motoring were called "Grease Monkeys". Question did Grease Monkeys ever use Monkey Wrenches to work with?

Actually, grease monkey's were the kids that swung up in the rafters where the main jack shafts of belt powered shops were in the early days, oiling, lubing, etc. They also used wrenches...

 

[Larch]

The direct evolution of this is the "Ford" wrench.

Charles

Yup, that a monkey wrench. I have a couple that were my Grandfathers. When I was taking a machining class, there were a few around the shop for setting up the milling machines. Basically like a pipe wrench but rigid and without teeth.

 

[ganymede]

Chas. did 8 years ago:

]

Well it's definitely a monkey wrench but it's got that fancy spiral handle
(which I think was actually patented. Cool ).

 

[-Brent-]

Wow, a double old-thread bump. I'm not sure I've ever seen one. Here's to hoping this thread has a chance at a trifecta.

Someone say something kinda-poignant so that a reply can be posted in a few years.

 

[beatcad]

the adjustable type w/ flat sides(not jaws) id commonly called a bicycle wrench.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thats is for the smaller lighter versions; the heavier ones like Ford provided were "Auto wrenches" I may have one so marked, and have seen many.

 

[splicer64]

Never use that term around a pipe fitter

 

[pepi]

I always thought THIS was a "Ford" wrench...

But I could be wrong,I have some friends that swear that this is the original
"Ford"wrench.

Isn't it ironic that the Ford wrenches pictured are reserved primarily for General Motors vehicles.

Nope fords use ......... bailing wire

 

[joecon]

Isn't a monkey wrench used for square nuts and bolts and a adjustable wrench used
for hex nuts and bolts?

 

[Outlawmws]

Certainly when Monkey wrenches were invented/popular, square nuts were the "norm"

Crescents could be used on either.