Craftsman’s new folding ratcheting clench wrenches have adjustable jaws that can fit a wide range of fastener sizes. Form the looks of it, they auto-fit to any 6pt metric or inch hex fasteners, and potentially several other types as well.
The new Craftsman clench wrenches are available in a 2-piece set that includes 6-inch and 8-inch versions. Both tools feature folding handles, and it looks like the heads can be adjusted and locked in at several angles for easier fastener access. Spring-loaded jaws create a convenient ratcheting-action.
Normally we’re skeptical of these types of tools, but this looks like an interesting design. I also like that the handles collapse to give the tools a compact footprint.
Check price or purchase via Sears
Like the new Crescent Double-X pliers that we also discussed today, the Craftsman ratcheting Clench Wrenches were featured in the Sears 2011 Holiday Tool Catalog.
Does it have a belt clip? I’d love to carry it if it was like the Milwaukee fast-back clip.
They don’t have clips, as I imagine that could potentially hinder their usage.
But there should be ways for you to attach a clip or mounting point if you really wanted to.
We have a few sets of Weil Adjustamatic wrenches that were made in Japan in the late 1960′s or early ’70s – and sold back then through industrial and plumbing supply houses. I have one older wrench of a similar design – bearing the “Crescent” name that looks to be pre-WWII vintage. These are all similar to what you picture – but with spring-loaded “toothed” pipe-wrench type jaws and solid – not folding handles. Like all pipe wrenches they tend to have some inherent “grab” – and mark the pipe – so you would not use them on chrome or other plated pipe. Where they have an application is in hard to reach and see areas – where you can simply hook them onto the pipe or nipple without needing to fiddle adjusting a regular (Stillson Pattern) pipe wrench.
With smooth jaws on the pictured wrenches – they would appear to be aimed at similar situations for hex nuts and bolts. While the geometry – would seem to keep them tight in the torqueing direction – I’m not sure if they would have a tendency to round off the hex.
Looks like the Clench Wrenches that Sears sold in the mid to late ’90s. These wrenches look sleeker and the handles look beefier. Plus the wrench folds into the handle which is cool..
What kind of torque can the locking mechanism withstand? Unless it was the size of a multi-pliers, I’d be hesitant to trust a lockback with breaking a stubborn fastener loose.
I assume they’ll work similar to the myark, which is one of the coolest demos around. I think with this kind of tool (e.g. the myark, which sadly never made it to production) it’ll do amazing things BUT you need some skill so that you don’t trash the nuts/bolts in the process.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3-EsetvqRg
I’m surprised this isn’t Robo-Grip branded. Bob Vila sold a ton of those.
I will be interested to see a few reviews of these. When the showed up in the Craftsman catalog there wasn’t much info with them. I could see these being handy in my tool kit I have in my truck or boat. When space is tight I like the tools have can adjust or have many different uses.
It will take a couple of days before I can review them. If you specific questions about the clench wrenches, I can try to answer them ahead of the review. A sample arrived last night, so I do have the tools in front of me at the moment.
Regarding the geometry, the jaw angles are about comparable to that of the old-school OneHander, and they are smooth/non-serrated. I’m not sure what kind of torque they can handle, but I’ll try to come up with a test. A cheater bar will probably break the mechanism.
Regarding the Myark, thanks for sharing the video. I’ve seen their fixed-jaw wrenches before, but never that adjustable one.
I just remembered what these remind me of: a basin wrench.
Yeah, the myark video is awesome, although it does indicate that some finesse/skill is required to use it well. However, I contacted the Myark guy about a year ago and he said he isn’t going to go into production. I literally begged him to make us a bunch, but he said the volume wasn’t high enough, and if they were popular, he’d just get ripped off by the chinese anyway (who do make a non-spring loaded version; just search alibaba). If the Myark were actually built (more functional appearing than this Craftsman thing) in titanium, I’d actually pay quite a bit for it, but I think those of us that would pay a premium for quality are few and far etween.
I was able to play around with these a few weeks back at Sears. I am a mechanic, so naturally innovative tools interest me. I like the idea of the self adjust and the folding of the tool. One thing I did notice is the locking mechanism, which is a button, can be inadvertantly pushed to the unlock position if you’re not careful, I think finesse is key. I’m not sure if it would fare well in tight places, but I may buy a set and give it a whirl in my day to day goings on. The price isn’t that bad, so even if it didn’t really work out it wouldn’t be that great of a loss.
Clench Wrench video on YT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9vrriWeNXc
The original Clench wrenches were a waste. They left their mark on nuts – literally.