The other day I noticed KC tool was promoting this Gedore wrench for plumbing fittings. I’d never seen anything like it — it has the characteristics of several different tools, like a Pliers Wrench, adjustable wrench, and Vise Grips.
The wrench is made for turning nickel and chrome plated plumbing fittings, and has removable 8mm plastic jaws to protect finished fittings’ delicate surfaces from being marred. The parallel jaws can clamp fittings up to 65 mm (2.5″) wide and 45 mm (1.75″) deep. While opening and closing the jaws, the length of the wrench extends from 250 mm to 299 mm (9.8″ to 11.8″).
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Made in Germany, the tool is constructed from chrome-vanadium steel (31CrV3) which has been hardened and chrome plated. The locking handle is enameled blue.
This wrench is not cheap. The best pricing I could find was Chad’s Toolbox where they charge $97 and have free shipping over $49.
Buy Now (via Chads Toolbox)
As this wrench is imported, KC Tools seems to be out of stock on the Gedore 320000 wrench for now, but if you prefer KC tools and are willing to wait they charge $118 with free shipping.
You might want to head over there for a look anyway, because they have a short non-embeddable video showing how the wrench operates.
Buy Now (via KC Tools)
P.S. Don’t forget about our KC Tool coupon code!
ca
It’s a good idea, but not for that price.
Yadda
The design makes it look like more than it is. It isn’t dissimilar to this Crescent tool.
https://toolguyd.com/crescent-locking-adjustable-wrench/
Although slightly updated the design has been around for a while. I’ve seen several vintage tools from 50’s with similar features.
William Butler
This looks more like a pipe wrench that can grip round pipes and fittings. I can see this being used on the those chrome strainer spouts on bathroom faucets.
Rick C
If they would have put the dynamic handle/grip on the bottom and lowered the price to somewhere near reasonable, I might have considered it.
NCD
They have made tools similar to this for a long time.
Koko the Talking Ape
In principle, it is like the Knipex pliers-wrench. Parallel jaws, adjustable, but with handles that close the jaws the last bit. Differences: this one has soft jaws, of course, and it looks like the crescent wrench-style, worm-gear adjustment should be slower than Knipex’s press-button-then-slide. And it costs twice as much as a Knipex.
For the few times I have had to deal with delicate fixtures, I have wrapped my Knipex jaws with tape. It worked fine. If I had to deal with them daily, I might look at this or other options. Probably other options.
Michael
For that price , I would rather have the Knipex plier wrench
Jonathan
Looks a like a modified form of Swedish Pattern pipe wrench or for the Globalists –Bahco calls them “Universal pipe wrench”, but they have incredible bite and are a little more flexible than vise grips imho, far more versatile than just for plumbing.
https://www.amazon.com/Pittsburgh-Swedish-Pattern-Pipe-Wrench/dp/B006ZBA51C#productDescription_secondary_view_div_1486653470263
FWIW Amazon has a whole slew of soft Jaw wrenches/pliers if only for the occasional delicate finishs work, starting at HF prices.
https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=soft+jaw+pliers&tag=hydsma-20&index=aps&hvadid=154697231916&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5868042463512133564&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061081&hvtargid=kwd-26395301&ref=pd_sl_38zdp347w5_b&gclid=Cj0KEQiAw_DEBRChnYiQ_562gsEBEiQA4LcssrDYjjtwPUnii8R2gFOJG9W56lpdI4p9M9V2wpUAvuoaArGG8P8HAQ
plumber84
That wrench is made by Bollmann- grip the largest high volume manufacturer of locking pliers in Germany. They are re-branded for for several other manufacturers including gedore and rothenberger. PS they work great.
John Hooper
For all the plumbing jobs I do a pair of Stillsons and a couple of strips of copper is enough. But I do admire the thought that has gone into the tool.
Oleg K
Im surprised it doesn’t have Apple logo on it and sold with a slogan that goes something like “The new iPlunge with removable designer polyurethane precious metal handling strips: because your gold plumbing deserves to be fitted by a tool just as overpriced and as useless as golden plumbing pipes”.
SiSiX
Many times the difference between “everyday workmanship” and “fine craftsmanship” is the price of the tools used, the attention to “stupid” details, and the level of anal retentiveness of your client. I had a friend that not only had the tile in his kitchen ripped out and re-installed 3 times because it wasn’t “straight” (He took a straight edge to it) but called the electrical contractor back in to have every single light switch, outlet, and visible fixture have their cover plate screws turned horizontal to the floor, on the contractor’s dime. (It was in the bid, he mentioned it more than once to the contractor, and mentioned it again to one of the electricians in passing.)
Never underestimate just how bent out of shape a client can get over something you think isn’t very important to you but is VERY important to them, especially clients that spend money on “premium” materials. When they’re paying for the job to be done right, you better do it right the first time, at least if you have any intention of having a good reputation for workmanship that is.
Ken
Right on SiSiX! I usually do my own electrical, but I paid a young electrician to replace all the outlets and switches in my house. He made sure they were all plumb with a small level and turned the screws inline vertically without being asked. He used quality tools that looked carefully chosen and well cared for. Some people say young folks got no pride in their work, but that’s another discussion…
Ken
Nice, but pricey. I hope they sell spare jaws because those will be consumable. I’m thinking just glue soft (leather, hard plastic, aluminum, or copper) strips onto the jaws of my Knipex pliers…
Adam
I just bought one of these (new job involving a lot of parts with delicate finishes). I’ll check back in with some feedback once I’ve gotten to use it for a while.
Jack Krels
Very good.