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RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

mechanomy.com

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Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#71

Post by mauvehaus »

prova_modena wrote: post #68
mauvehaus wrote: post #27

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…

The best quality traditional style adjustable wrenches I am aware of are made by Bahco. They are made with tighter tolerances than typical Home Depot grade stuff, which reduces slipping and damage caused by jaw movement. https://www.bahco.com/int_en/products/wrenches/adjustable-wr... However, I prefer the Knipex pliers wrenches mentioned by other commenters. They are also useful for many other gripping, pressing and…

Whoa. I only knew of Bahco as a maker of saws and assorted woodworking tools. You just opened my eyes to the range of things they make. I'm going to have to get one of those if I don't go the Knipex route. Thank you!

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#72

Post by mauvehaus »

gorbypark wrote: post #61
mauvehaus wrote: post #27

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…

I've heard a lot of recommendations for Knipex. I might yet break down and buy one of those even if it is a little bulky.

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#74

Post by xorcist »

mauvehaus wrote: post #71
prova_modena wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The best quality traditional style adjustable wrenches I am aware of are made by Bahco. They are made with tighter tolerances than typical Home Depot grade stuff, which reduces slipping and damage caused by jaw movement. https://www.bahco.com/int_en/products/wrenches/adjustable-wr... However, I prefer the Knipex pliers wrenches mentioned by other commenters. They are also useful for many other gripping, pressing and…

Whoa. I only knew of Bahco as a maker of saws and assorted woodworking tools. You just opened my eyes to the range of things they make. I'm going to have to get one of those if I don't go the Knipex route. Thank you!

They not only make adjustable wrenches, they literally invented them (at least their modern form):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustable_spanner

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#75

Post by twblalock »

mauvehaus wrote: post #27

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…

Adjustable wrenches exist for situations where you don't have the proper size on hand. They are not intended to be used for everything. But when you need one, few other tools will suffice.

A lot of people don't know that there is a correct direction to turn these wrenches (and Channel Locks, and pipe wrenches). Older Crescent models had an arrow engraved on the handle to show this. You turn the wrench with the smaller jaw leading into the turn. This helps prevent slipping by putting pressure on the mechanism, which makes it harder for the adjusting screw to move.

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#76

Post by constantcrying »

Wera is even selling self adjusting wrenches, which tighten themselves when you turn them. The big drawback is that the adjustment range is quite small.

All adjustable wrenches have the inevitable problem that they are easier to break then their solid counterparts and have some flex in their construction.

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#77

Post by D13Fd »

Eduardo3rd wrote: post #49
not_the_fda wrote: post #16

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…

Some people are into creating things, and other people are into tools. As the saying goes, it's a poor craftsperson that blames their tools. But I also think it's a poor craftsperson who tries to improve by improving their tools.

I see it a lot with photography. Some talented photographers pull incredible images out of older digital cameras and lenses, and don't bother to get new cameras/lenses because the reality is that a new camera wouldn't make their images much better.

Other photographers lack that kind of creative skill but still spend their time buying better and better gear, talking about gear online, and taking pictures of test charts—all without improving their skill.

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#78

Post by TacticalCoder »

mauvehaus wrote: post #27

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…

> I haven't yet run across an adjustable wrench that was worth a shit. Even old (notionally decent?) Crescent ones.

I hate them with a passion and have no much need as I've got pretty much tools of every sizes but... I like plier wrenches.

I've got many plier wrenches and even the cheap ones do nearly every single job I can think of better than an adjustable wrench.

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#79

Post by PaulDavisThe1st »

legitster wrote: post #69
PaulDavisThe1st wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "And having an overbuilt tool collecting dust is just as much a waste as throwing one away occasionally." Is it?

Nice tools are nice because they use more resources. A Milwaukee drill is physically heavier than a Ryobi of the same size - purely because of all of the upgraded components to make it more durable/longer-lasting. But if you are only touching 5% of the expected lifespan of your tool, no need to have one that's over-engineered.

Well, you are ignoring several things:

1. is the milwaukee doubly-engineered compared to the ryobi? because if you end up with 2 ryobis, that's twice the material/energy input of the one milwaukee

2. you seem to be ignoring the possibility that the milwaukee is "so" over-engineered that you pass it on to someone else, greatly extending its effective lifetime.

Re: RapidSlide Adjustable Wrench

#80

Post by PaulDavisThe1st »

creato wrote: post #63
creaturemachine wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, because a good amount of the cost of that pro level tool is R&D and support for its use by pros. By using it once and shelving it you've paid for more engineering than you need. Case in point, when I needed to drill two holes in concrete block I opted for the cheapest $20 aliexpress carbide hole saw I could find rather than the professional diamond tipped version costing hundreds. In the unlikely event that I'll…

I think this thread is conflating wasted money with wasted materials. Buying a nice tool once and underutilizing it wastes money. Buying cheap tools multiple times wastes materials.

and energy. and creates waste.
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