Who makes Ridgid adjustable wrenches?

[twincam00]

Picked up this Ridgid 8" adjustable wrench today at HD on sale for $14. I am curious if Ridgid actually makes these or if they are rebadged from another company. heres some pics of it, model 777

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View media item 14048

 

[oak_park]

Western Forge. Has WF on one side and some other date code on the other. Those are nice adjustables.

 

[SMKS]

Yup, it's Western Forge. I highlighted the marking the other member was talking about.

I like WF wrenches a lot more than the Crescent brand wrenches. Plus, Crescent will soon be Chinese, so WF will be the last (that I know of) adjustable wrench producer in the US.

 

[twincam00]

thanks guys! I learn something new every day this forum

 

[lbgradwell]

Ridgid is owned by Emerson. Emerson also owned Western Forge until they sold it to Ideal in 2009...

 

[fr0mastaj]

Yes, WF as other have already stated. Sears used to sell them as Craftsman Professional beak jaw adjustable wrenches (think it's discontinued). I have the 3 pc set...love them.

 

[JASTECH]

And Ideal owns Klein correct? And Ideal is owned by China?

 

[SMKS]

And Ideal owns Klein correct? And Ideal is owned by China?

Wrong and wrong.





Klein is independent. In fact, according to their website, they have acquired several other companies over the years. They're for sure not owned by Ideal. Klein is based in Lincolnshire, Illinois.
http://www.kleintools.com/content/history

Klein Tools is still owned and managed by the Klein family. Direct descendants of Mathias Klein are actively engaged in every aspect of the business. Its products are still sold through distributors who serve the professional tradesman. And Klein Tools still makes dependable, efficient, and durable tools and equipment. Nothing less than the best to equip the professional.

Ideal is based in Sycamore, IL. They own SK, WF, Pratt-Read and some other companies.
http://www.idealindustries.com/about/

 

[lbgradwell]

And Ideal owns Klein correct? And Ideal is owned by China?

No & no!

 

[thesilverone]

And Ideal owns Klein correct? And Ideal is owned by China?

china is owned by Mars who is owned by Zeus

 

[plumber84]

Klein still makes crescent wrenches in Roselle IL and the quality is up there with the old diamonds and new irega wrenches.

 

[Rogue1987]

Just picked up the last one of those my HD had, I do like them. Esp for $14!

 

[Stuey]

I've never seen those in-store at HD, otherwise I would have bought one on the spot!

I was waiting for the similar styled Craftsman Pros to go on sale, but then they all vanished one day without a trace.

 

[G_P]

I one of those adjustables and agree that it is a nice well made tool!

 

[plinker]

Western forge also makes the jaws for the pipe wrenches (Ridgid's). I have an S-K adj. wrench made by W-F as well. Very nice stuff.

Since Cresecnt went to china, Looks like the W-F (and thier rebrand's) and Kliens are the only US made adj. wrenches.

 

[HandyManny]

Klein still makes crescent wrenches in Roselle IL and the quality is up there with the old diamonds and new irega wrenches.

Yes that's correct. I was reading the thread earlier about the new Crescents now being Chinese and thought that Western Forge was now the last of the adjustable wrench makers left domestically. I forgot that Klien now makes their own, but they are diffiucult to find, not very readily available. The Kliens are actually a domestic clone of the Japanese wrenches they used to import...TOP. TOP, Irega, and Bhaco are likely now among the best adjustables being made in the world. I also have a high regard for those made in my own state by Western Forge. But knowing what I know about WF, they do lay off and cut work force often.

 

[PowerGenGuy]

Does western forge make adj. wrenches for Wright, or does Wright make their own??? I thought Wright was also making theirs..

 

[HandyManny]

Western forge also makes the jaws for the pipe wrenches (Ridgid's). I have an S-K adj. wrench made by W-F as well. Very nice stuff.

Since Cresecnt went to china, Looks like the W-F (and thier rebrand's) and Kliens are the only US made adj. wrenches.

They do now make the top portion of the jaws for Ridge, didn't used to be that way though. If I recall WF produces the forging and ships those forgings to Ridge in Elyria Ohio where the threading and jaw teeth are cut, and the final finishing is done at Ridge Tool Co. too.

 

[HandyManny]

Does western forge make adj. wrenches for Wright, or does Wright make their own??? I thought Wright was also making theirs..

As I recall the Wright adjustables are now made again by WF as well. Western Forge makes several tools for many of the high-end industrial brands. Interestingly enough, their wrenches are all the same high quality, the only difference from brand to brand are the extra features that a certain brand may request, or a special head or jaw shape. The Ridgid #777 adjustable is actually a 8" adjustable overall length but with the head of a 10" adjustable for the extra capacity, so WF will do special stuff like that for certain brands, and create different styles like the Ridgid brand.

 

[HandyManny]

I have that same #777 wrench, bought it in 2007, and mine has the same date (year) code as yours. I take it that Home Depot doesn't move too many of these Ridgid adjustables. That U year code is from 2005. It is a high quality wrench I can tell you from having used it many times.

 

[lbgradwell]

They do now make the top portion of the jaws for Ridge, didn't used to be that way though. If I recall WF produces the forging and ships those forgings to Ridge in Elyria Ohio where the threading and jaw teeth are cut, and the final finishing is done at Ridge Tool Co. too.

Really? Never heard this before...

I wonder why?

 

[HandyManny]

Really? Never heard this before...

I wonder why?

I've only seen the WF stamped into the moveable jaw portion of Ridgid pipe wrenches recently on ones made within the last 10 years or so. Western Forge and Ridgid used to both be owned by Emerson at the same time making them sister companies, perhaps this sourcing was done to streamline a process or something. I also heard from a onetime machinist at WF that in addition to producing certain fully completed tools to other brands they also produce blanks, and certain unfinished components for companies like Ridgid, SK, and others. Can't say for certain though, just heard it 2nd hand from a former employee who only worked there briefly. Stands to reason that it was and is certainly done for Ridge Tool Co to some extent.