What Size Big Adjustable Wrenches for Toolbox?

[oldschoolcraft]

My wrench set goes up to 1" and as far as adjustables I have 10" Knipex pliers-wrench and 10" adjustable crescent wrench.

I'm thinking of getting some big boys in there just in case I come across something big. Maybe one to two big boys like an 18" and 24" or maybe just a single one. I'll be looking on eBay for US made or swap meets, so I just need to know what optimal size to keep an eye out for. My tool storage area is limited in size, that's why I just want one to two, also it's something I haven't needed yet and may never need but seems useful as a just in case.

Assume you didn't work on anything bigger than 1" regularly and just wanted one to two big adjustables to work with something random that might pop up every few years. Which size would you get if you just got one? How about if you got two?

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I have adjustables up to 24" and have found that on an everyday basis I seldom use bigger than 15". The bigger wrenches wrenches do get used but usually when they come out they're accompanied by similar sized combo wrenches and sockets.

I'd get a 15" adjustable AND a 24-36" pipe wrench if you don't already have one.

 

[dr_clyde]

I find adjustable wrenches and pipe wrenches work best in pairs. I routinely use up to 24", but I occasionally use my 30" blue point.

I don't use them for fasteners much, but they are super handy for straightening or bending things, as well as on big pipe fittings or fixtures.

I use 18" the most, but I am glad I have the 24" wrenches.

 

[Dozerhand]

I think 15 inch is plenty. That will cover the nut on a hitch ball.

 

[Professional Tool User]

You won't need anything bigger than 12" or 15". Worst case, you can always use a cheater pipe if you can't get enough leverage.

 

[ChrisLS8]

12 or 15

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I'd get a 15" adjustable AND a 24-36" pipe wrench if you don't already have one.

The pipe wrench idea is an interesting one! Because I don't have any pipe wrenches currently! I guess it would be kind of interchangable. It would scuff up any bolt I used it on, but I'm not a pro mechanic so if I'm taking apart a 3" hex bolt head as a hobbyist it probably doesn't matter if I scuff it up!

I'm guessing I have to go steel for cost because a 36" aluminum pipe wrench is probably $$$$$?

 

[87FoRunner]

The harbor freight 36 aluminum works well especially for the price.

 

[four.cycle]

got by with a 12" for years but every now and then I could have used something a little bigger so I picked up this old warhorse on Craigslist for $10 bucks:

 

[Shane6377]

If you don't need larger than 1" opening a 12"- 15" adjustable will be fine.

Then you need a pipe that slips over the handle. Drill a hole in your pipe so you can slip a bolt through the pipe and the eye of the adjustable so the pipe doesn't slip off.




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[G-Ram]

I love my Rastall miners wrench. It’s a 12” but opens up as wide as a 15”. I use it a lot, more than I should in fact.... I have a 24” adjustable and 24” pipe wrench in my box but never touch them.


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[SeniorCitizen]

I've found these to be handy.

 

[sberry]

I have 18, probably could have a bigger one but it just never happened for some reason. A guy doesnt have to go wild here if he really doesn't have the use but a 12 and a 15 really cover the work. I rarely use bigger, I have wrenches and sockets, impact sockets.
A 10 will do a torch, a 12 has a lot more power. Even on smaller sizes on really tight stuff, hydraulic fittings etc. I use an 8 a lot, can do the work of smaller ones and is long enough to have power on tight bolts. It's a little longer than a common 9/16 combo.

 

[sberry]

I like a 440 Channelok too, big is good, more power. I also agree a pipe wrench or 2 is a good crisis tool too.

 

[lardy1]

I have at least ten and probably more in a drawer that never gets opened. I can't remember the last time I used one.

 

[sberry]

I would come to a stop without the very basic tools.

 

[Robinson1]

I use 6 and 10 inch more than anything. But 15 is super handy. I've got a 24 on my service truck that gets used occassionally.

If I was starting from scratch I'd get a 6 a pair of 10s and a 15 along with a 12 and 24 inch pipe wrench

Buy your pipe wrenches from Harbor Freight and their big adjustables aren't bad either

 

[JiminAZ]

HJE has a 15" Wright adjustable for like $34, satin nickel finish. I have a couple they are very nice. Like noted above last time I used one it was to bend some sheet metal in a vise. I have used once or twice for stuff like a hitch ball. 15" has been plenty for this DIY guy.

 

[southalabama]

I like big adjustable wrenches for leverage and bending metal.

I also like them when I want to round a bolt or nut.

 

[Shane6377]

I like big adjustable wrenches for leverage and bending metal.

I also like them when I want to round a bolt or nut.

I've never understood how a person rounds a nut or bolt with an adjustable anymore than you would with a regular wrench. You must use yours different than me because I don't think I've ever rounded a bolt.


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[becker_atc]

15” in the garage and 24” in service truck. As far as crescents. Pipe wrench’s 18” in garage and 36” on the truck and aluminum 48 in my office so don’t walk off.

I gotta pull murphy floats switches a lot and the 24”+ wrenches come in handy. The 48 was bought to pull big bull plugs


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[RTM]

As a homeowner, I have gotten by with a 12” as my biggest, occasionally needing a big one for plumbing work. Found a 18” cheap recently, just to do less damage than the pipe wrench.

The 12” was bought for an auto antenna job 20+ years ago.

 

[redwrench60]

Keep an eye on pawn shops and flea markets for big adjustables and big pipe wrenches. I got this Irwin 24” pipe wrench at a pawn for $5! I prefer Ridgid but for $5? Shoot yeah. Also got the 15” USA Crescent at a pawn. Don’t remember what I gave but it wasn’t much. I have a bunch of em between work and Home.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Working in saw mill I found the 15" to be the go to. Once I got in the habit of using that size, I stayed with it. When I would go on the floor to see what the problem was, I packed a 8", big enough to change bottles. At home maybe a 10". For a pipe wrench I rarely needed a 24" at work, most often just a 14". And yes, get aluminum ones.