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RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

mechanomy.com

131–140 of 142 posts

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#131

I haven't yet run across an adjustable wrench that was worth a shit. Even old (notionally decent?) Crescent ones. The jaws invariably splay when you apply force, even if you're using them correctly. I've come to the conclusion that it's just intrinsic to having a moving jaw that moves easily enough to be useful. At this point, if I expect to need the wrench ever again (or need to reuse the fastener), I'll just buy a…

Knipex makes some decent adjustable wrenches (not crescent style, though). Their Pliers Wrench line has an adjustment mechanism like a channel lock plier, but then has a jaw that’s on a cam mechanism to keep the two jaws parallel. One direction they’re just as good as a crescent wrench, but in the other direction it “self tightens” and you can really reef on it. The cam mechanism allows you to loosen your grip and th…

Knipex Pliers-Wrenches are the absolute BEST.

> Only downsides are price and they are not super low profile so you need a bit of room to turn in.

Pricey, but buy quality and cry once.

As for low profile, I actually find them nearly as thin as a typical crescent in terms of the handle; while the head may be same or thinner.

I recommend buying more than one size

https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump...

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#132

I haven't yet run across an adjustable wrench that was worth a shit. Even old (notionally decent?) Crescent ones. The jaws invariably splay when you apply force, even if you're using them correctly. I've come to the conclusion that it's just intrinsic to having a moving jaw that moves easily enough to be useful. At this point, if I expect to need the wrench ever again (or need to reuse the fastener), I'll just buy a…

ChannelLock makes good ones with tight tolerances, smooth adjustment and accurate measurements in metric and standard (one on each side). I often use them as a first attempt and if I need more torque I check the size they are set to when grabbing the correct combo wrench or socket.

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#133
There was actually a revisiting of an earlier design in this space recently:

https://www.metmo.co.uk/products/metmo-grip

I funded on Kickstarter (to get one for myself), and then again on Indiegogo (to get one as a graduation gift for my son) --- it's an amazingly nice tool, and once broken in, incredibly smooth.

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#134

I haven't yet run across an adjustable wrench that was worth a shit. Even old (notionally decent?) Crescent ones. The jaws invariably splay when you apply force, even if you're using them correctly. I've come to the conclusion that it's just intrinsic to having a moving jaw that moves easily enough to be useful. At this point, if I expect to need the wrench ever again (or need to reuse the fastener), I'll just buy a…

Every tool has a place.

For something like common nuts and bolts - like you might find on a bike - I want one tool to do it all - similar to https://www.amazon.com.au/9-32mm-Adjustable-Spanner-Universa...

Or https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump...

One tool that'd be ok for a variety - but not infinite - of sizes to regular human torque levels.

But I wouldn't use it for plumbing.

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Adjustable wrenches exist for situations where you don't have the proper size on hand. I would say convenience and use case are just as important. A crescent wrench is non marring unlike alligator jaws or vise grips. It's also perfectly fine for low torque applications. It isn't for torquing lug nuts. I have a wonderful wrench and socket set in standard and metric measures. It's in a nice case on a shelf in my gara…

Any 5/16" wrench for loosening. For tightening, ideally the appropriate torque wrench for the particular connector (material & grade) should be used. https://www.centricrf.com/torque-wrenches/sma-torque-wrenche... Or other stores. RF connectors should be torqued to a specified torque listed on their data sheet. Improper torque can cause damage. Usually for equipment using SMA connectors this isn't a big deal (just re…

This was a $5 WiFi antenna I bought off Amazon for an ESP32-WROOM-32UE bolted through an enclosure, I'll stick with my crescent wrenches.

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#136

I haven't yet run across an adjustable wrench that was worth a shit. Even old (notionally decent?) Crescent ones. The jaws invariably splay when you apply force, even if you're using them correctly. I've come to the conclusion that it's just intrinsic to having a moving jaw that moves easily enough to be useful. At this point, if I expect to need the wrench ever again (or need to reuse the fastener), I'll just buy a…

Yeah, nothing beats having a full set of high quality combination wrenches.. For the often used sizes, I also keep ratchet versions because they're convenient.. But wrenches alone is no good, you need a good socket set too, lots of places you just can't go without.

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I strongly disagree. Cheap tools are a pain to use, and break when you need them most, and perpetuate throw away culture. If a good tool is too expensive to own find a rental or buy used, otherwise buy high quality. High quality is a joy to work with and will serve you a long time.

High quality tools are absolutely a joy! I love the high end tools that I get to use in my professional life as a mechanical engineer. (less frequently now that I am a manager, but you never get tired of using a well designed Festool, Bosch, or Wera product) However,I don't need the same level of quality in the things I have at home. I've built, repaired, and otherwise tinkered away on countless projects over the yea…

I'd say it depends on the use case.

For example I own a cheap non branded wire stripper (an upgrade to using a knife) instead of the high quality 150€ self adjusting Knipex equivalent (which "only" makes life easier and saves time).

But with safety features I wouldn't budge (eg. saw and grinding tools). For example Bosch blue has anti kickback in certain angle grinders which detects jamming discs and stops the motor.

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#138
post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I love the form factor of this guy. But is it honestly used for anything except smoking joints?

Yes, it's quite useful around the house. Anything that isn't cranked on tight or corroded typically is fine. This is my go-to for most chores involving a wrench. The XS is useful even as a small tool in a carry-on. I've busted mine (and it's Cobra XS equivalent which is probably more useful on a job site) out in a datacenter, etc. to get a small job done. You can more or less crank on them with as much strength as yo…

> You can more or less crank on them with as much strength as you can and they won't break or slip.

This seems to be more or less a theme for knipex tools. I know I've put my full weight on a knipex combination plier before to cut something that I probably shouldn't be cutting with it.

Worked fine, no damage to the pliers.

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was wonder what these were so had a look. Found: in Australia we call them multigrips and I've got a few!

Nope - totally different. Those are known as Channel Locks over here. Watch a video of the knippex pliers in action - they are not the same at all!

there are many knipex pliers which is why the other poster is confused. I presume the ones you refer to are the "pliers wrench" that someone had linked to above:

https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump...

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#140

Knippex "Pliers" are still far superior to this. They blew my mind when I first used them. I dont use normal wrenches at all anymore - the knippex just grip stuff so much more perfectly and with less chance of rounding and you can "ratchet" around the bolt even though they are open ended.

I was wonder what these were so had a look. Found: in Australia we call them multigrips and I've got a few!

they mean these: https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump...
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