Crescent’s Flip and Grip folding ratcheting wrench set (CFW2) is more compact and quicker to use than an ordinary adjustable wrench. They can fit a wide range of fastener styles and sizes, and fold up for storage and transport.
You can pivoted and lock in the wrench heads at different angles, which can be useful for reaching fasteners in tight spaces. Spring-loaded jaws provide a ratcheting action for speedy wrenching.
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The wrenches are sold in sets of 2 sizes: a 6″ wrench that can fit fasteners with 1/4″ to 7/16″ flats (6-11 mm), and an 8″ that can fit fasteners with 1/2″ to 3/4″ flats (12-19 mm).
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These wrenches appear to be identical to Craftsman’s ratcheting clench wrenches, which are presumed to have also been manufactured by Crescent. I wouldn’t use them for heavy duty fastening tasks, but they do seem fairly versatile for casual on-the-go applications.
John S says
Your last sentence summarizes my thoughts nicely. Looks like this set would serve light/medium duty applications well – especially for portability
Jerry says
I got a set of the Craftsman ones last Christmas. They actually work well, even on somewhat rounded fasteners, because the harder you pull on them, the tighter they grab. I wouldn’t use them for heavy duty use, and they have no offset, so they can be knuckle skinners, but for something like a compact bicycle tool, or similar, they are great. More than adequate strength for any bolt or nut on a bike, the head really is slip-resistant (just be sure you are square with the bolt head or nut and you wont have any problems, the only time mine ever sliped was in a situation where i was unable to pull straight on the tool), and they fold to not much over half their working length. Also, the folding part is indexable, meaning you can lock it into one of several different angles.
Noah says
Going to have to pass. The larger size doesn’t go wide enough, and the bigger size doesn’t go small enough. I can do better with just one wrench, my good ol’ USA made Crescent wide jaw 6″.
Smith says
Considering the coo of this product you probably will have productivity with your American made adjustable wrench than whatever Crescent considers this to be.
I have seen this type of wrench whilst browsing vintage American made Craftsman products on eBay.
fred says
I’m not sure who made the first of this style wrench – but I have a 14 inch long Heller Brothers (known more for files) Master Wrench that dates from before WWII – and may even be much older. These wrenches had milled teeth on their jaws. I see a set on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HELLER-BROTHERS-CO-MASTER-WRENCHS-6-8-10-THREE-WRENCHES-/230901118904?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c2c777b8
These were mainly sold to plumbers – and seem to have disappeared from the market after Simmonds acquired Heller Brothers in 1955. In the 1960’s this style of wrench was being manufactured in Japan – and again sold at plumbing supply stores by Weil. Here’s a link to a 1966 article in Popular Mechanics:
http://books.google.com/books?id=mtQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA187&lpg=PA187&dq=weil+adjustamatic&source=bl&ots=g_oQvqQivP&sig=Z9Fufxm7dtioNT6dgt_y8kDrSEA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=t9ygUbqTA4384AOqiYHYCA&ved=0CFAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=weil%20adjustamatic&f=false
Mati says
Amazing, this makes sense this type of wrench has been around for decades, but I didn’t know Simmonds has been that long, let alone made wrenches ever.
Thanks for the links, that was a interesting read.
Stuart says
I have a small 4″ or 6″ that was my grandfather’s, but I don’t recall the brand and cannot find it at the moment. I believe it dates back a couple of decades at least. Thanks for the info on those other brands!
KenZ says
Got a set. Really like them for my minimalist toolkit in the car.