We have been having a bit of discussion lately as to what constitutes a “normal” adjustable wrench. In my mind, a normal wrench may not necessarily be a good one. You know the kind, those 3-for-$15 sets you find at the bargain bin at the local home improvement store during peak winter holiday and Father’s Day shopping seasons.
Personally, I don’t like normal wrenches, I like the ones where a conscious effort has been made to improve upon the standard design, if even ever so slightly.
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I own and have used quite a few adjustable wrenches, but by far my favorite one to use is an 8″ Irega-made Channellock wrench, followed by a 6″ Stanley MaxSteel wrench.
Tell us about your favorite [or least favorite] go-to Crescent-style adjustable wrenches.
Stanley MaxSteel Adjustable Wrenches via Amazon
Channellock Adjustable Wrenches via Amazon
jeff_williams says
Aug 24, 2010 at 11:24 amUsually it’s a generic 10″ crescent style. It is way lighter (and thinner) than my Cooper made Crescent. I only use the thick one when I need to really crank on something.
fred says
Aug 24, 2010 at 1:56 pmWe have found that we like smooth-jaw adjustable plier-wrenches made by Knipex way better than any adjustable wrench. The 10 inch (250mm – 86-03-250) and 12 inch (300mm- 86-03-300) sizes seem to fit the bill for most plumbing jobs – but the smaller 86-03-180 and 86-10-150 are handy for small fittings.
PutnamEco says
Aug 24, 2010 at 2:10 pmMy favorite would have to be Wescott. Though no longer produced they are the most comfortable to use with their curved handles and wider than average jaws. They also seem to open wider than other similarly sized adjustables.
You can’t really beat an older Cresent Tool Company branded crescent wrench, a simple honest tool, they have a thicker head and are not chrome plated. In my humble opinion the qaulity went down when they started those Crestoloy steel versions.
I also have a very large old Bahco that has saved my neck more than a few times, when I come across larger than average nuts.
lametec says
Aug 24, 2010 at 3:27 pmI believe adjustable wrenches (universal head rounders) are the devil’s work, so I avoid them at all costs.
A long time ago before I knew better, I used my father’s Bahco when working on my bicycle.
fred says
Aug 24, 2010 at 3:32 pm@PutnamEco
On big nuts (us plumber’s work with “unions”) we use No. 25 Ridgid Hex wrenches. I like the E-25’s that are no longer made – but you can still get the straight pattern.
http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Hex-Wrench
Rick says
Aug 29, 2010 at 11:23 pmTwo unique ‘modern’ wrenches – the Channellock Wide opening style and the Craftsman ‘beak jaw’ types – they both have a fairly accurate hex fit and stay adjusted pretty well.
The worst are the worn-out wrenches that have loads of slop in them.
fred says
Aug 31, 2010 at 6:40 amAt the other end of the spectrum from big spud wrenches is the very thin jaw adjustable from Engineer Inc. – their TWM-03 – used for small jam nuts and electronics:
http://www.tme.eu/html/EN/adjustable-spanners-for-bnc-connectors/ramka_2139_EN_pelny.html
Stuart says
Sep 2, 2010 at 10:08 pmThese are all great suggestions! I’m familiar with a few of the mentioned designs. One of these days I’ll consider trying Craftsman’s “beak jaw” styles, but as mentioned I’m in no desperate shortage of adjustable wrenches.
Jerry says
Mar 17, 2012 at 11:11 amJust saw this, and had to comment.
The absolute best adjustable ‘wrench’ I have ever used, is the Knipex paralell jaw pliers looking ones. The harder you pull, the tighter it holds, but once you release the handle, you can skip over a flat on the bolt head, and grab the next one much quicker than a regular adjustble wrench.
It has only two faults.
The jaw is a bit big for confined spaces, and
it really only works in one direction.
Hunter says
Oct 29, 2012 at 8:48 pmI have to agree whole-heartedly with the endorsements of the Knipex Pliers Wrench. The faults raised stating “The jaw is a bit big for confined spaces, and it really only works in one direction,” are true, but applicable to ANY kind of adjustable wrench. If running into those issues, it’s time to accept the extra weight and move on to a good set of combination wrenches. As for the fellow who said adjustables were the devils work, I can say I whole-heartedly agreed (and still do). The Knipex is really in a class of its own.
Joel says
Jul 5, 2014 at 3:39 amCan’t go past the Irega 77 series. My dad gave me his 18″ he bought during his apprenticeship, the mechanism is still smooth and firm and the jaws are still in mint condition after 40 years of abuse. I now have one in every size including the 24″. When ever I have to use any other brand I start to get frustrated as soon as I pick it up.