Adjustable wrenches! I think I have a problem! 😬😬

I love adjustable wrenches as you can see. There are a ton out there, and these are the best ones I’ve found!

[@gs5480]

Bahco and Irega adjustables are made specifically for plumbers. Short handled for tight spaces and wider openings for plumbing fittings. Every plumbing merchant in NZ stocks them. The knipex pliers wrench is a nice well built tool but cannot replace the adjustable wrench in a plumbing context. Good vid mate.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

Yea man those wide jaw 8 inch ones are the best for plumbing. That’s why I keep that bahco in my plumbing kit. It’s perfect. Thanks man!

[@JohnThomas-lq5qp]

50 years ago while I was an apprentice was lucky enough to work with two great hard working brilliant Millwright mechanics. Neither one owned or ever used what they called nut rounders. Crescent or adjustable wrenches. Taught me to always use a 6 point quality socket or hard to find 6 point box wrenches to tighten nuts & bolts. They also never used Channelock AKA pump pliers to tighten nuts & bolts All of my nut rounders are in one of my 3 tool chest collecting dust. Used one of them since YK2. Yep as a hammer to give some thing a tap or two to free up a worn out bearing.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

They are definitely not good for small nuts and bolts working on cars. I use them to back hold sometimes, but like I said in the video, they aren’t meant to replace a wrench set. They are just good to have for general maintenance work. Especially plumbing work is when I use them the most.

[@ihavethedocuments2580]

A mechanic should never use a adjustable wrench for a fastener: the tool was not designed for hardened fasteners. They are more for plumbers on the professional level as we have fittings and vales with larger diameters were carrying around several large combination wrenches is not feasible. I use them all the time as a plumber, but never ever should they be used on a fastener of any kind. In mechanical plumbing, where flanged fittings, mega lug, baker or groove lock mechanical sprinkler (fire protection) fittings are used: combination wrenches and sockets should always be used to torque fasteners.These types of fittings will have torque specs like anything else, but in this field they are not as critical as Automotive is concerned unless you are dealing with special flanges made of plastics where (feel) is not adequate enough to insure installation was completed effectively. Have a nice day

[@richardrounce7138]

I'm going through an industrial millwright mechanic apprenticeship, and let me tell you, all of us use adjustables and water pump pliers. However, they have their place. Usually, quick work.

[@paintball130]

i'm a plumber by trade, i love the big beefy made in the USA wrenches but let me tell you... for plumbing specifically, nothing comes close to those bahco wide jaws. they are incredible

[@realworldtoolreviews]

Yea I definitely agree with you for plumbing. Those wide jaws on the 8 inch are so great.

[@mikesoutfishing]

People that say there is no need for an adjustable wrench have never had to break the bolts on a hot water supply line coming from a boiler plant and it is in a position where you can't get an impact in there. I work in many mech rooms that are each built different, with different bolt/nut sizes and pipe layouts in crazy angles. The only thing I use more is aluminum pipe wrenches and an impact.

[@jackof1]

I really like the shape of the jaws on the Bahco. I keep a 6 inch in my service bag and that little beak is just great for getting into tight spaces. And…pliers wrenches ARE NOT making adjustables obsolete! Nothing “backs off” worse than a pliers wrench if your at a weird angle and can’t easily manipulate your hand

[@AToolWithTools]

Pliers Wrenches have the "problem" and I'll use quotes here because it's entirely case dependent, but the "problem" of the angle. It's just like you said with the tight spots, that 15 degree or whatever angle on a crescent may still let you get in there while the high angle of pliers Wrenches won't.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

I totally agree. The pliers wrenches are really annoying to use in tight spaces. And yea man those Bahco ones really come in handy. Probably the best design out there.

[@rogerice3826]

@@realworldtoolreviews Bahco invented the modern style adjustable wrench.

[@shpendinesimi2954]

Bahco looks/feels the same as snap on at less than half the cost

[@rogerice3826]

@shpendi nesimi Snap-On owns Bahco and like their other brands they rebrand them with upgrades like, in the case of their adjustables, Flank drive plus, and labels them as Snap-On.

[@northernsupertramp7390]

I work as an industrial refrigeration engineer, adjustable wrenches are used in the trade every day. They are perfect for removing valve caps, opening and closing valves etc.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

Yea man I use them for stuff like that all the time too 👍

[@91Z50]

Adjustable wrenches are great tools when used in the right application. I have a vintage Craftsman Locking adjustable wrench from the 1960s.

[@rogerice3826]

The ones with the vice grip style locks are pretty cool. You can find a modern equivalent Duralast wrench at Autozone.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

Those are cool. I’ve seen them before. I’d like one. I love those old gimmicky Craftsman tools. Some of them work great

[@91Z50]

It looks like a standard adjustable wrench but you can lock it in position once you set it for the nut or bolt. It is not the vise grip locking style. You push the pin that the adjustment wheel is rotating on to lock the jaw in position. Clear as mud!

[@rogerice3826]

@JEFF CALLENDER Williams made them, like the APL- ? inches long superadjustables, gotta have one of them to go with your superwrenches from the same Era. They are pretty cool 😎. I would hold on to them.

[@91Z50]

So Williams made them for Sears Craftsman, thanks for the information

[@roadracerqx893]

I am all set to buy a Knipex/Icon cuz I hate my adjustable….loosens while wrenching and locks up while removing. But, maybe I just need a BETTER adjustable? 😅

[@thebackwoodsmechanic5029]

Sk, Proto,, Armstrong, Blackhawk, Diamond, Klein, Ampco, Channellock are top solid adjustables . Even the Japan made Craftsman & Klein aren't bad, vintage Crescent & Craftsman are both solid , of course Snap On/Bahco are great . Vintage is the way to go Unfortunately I hate a lot of mine stolen so I have to rebuild the collection

[@realworldtoolreviews]

There are so many awesome adjustable wrenches it’s hard not to keep collecting them. Some day I’m gonna get me a set of those chrome snap on ones. Man are they pricey though.

[@TylerSnyder305]

I really love the F style or " auto wrenches ", because they have a lot of capacity for their size. It's too bad they have largely gone out of favor. HJE currently has a NOS 15" diamond " auto wrench " for $50, if I needed a big one I'd definitely buy.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

Yea I’m a big fan of those ones as well. The wide capacity and the angle of those ones comes in handy for me every once in a while. Definitely worth having in the tool bag

[@Bob...-yt5fy]

When I became a lineman my dad gave me his old vintage craftsman 12 inch, I've kept that thing for 15 years and it's still great, hell I made a sheath for it so I can carry it everywhere

[@deltahawk1001]

If you want old school adjustable wrenches for brand new that are USA made look at Proto. They are made the same as they have been for years, and still in the USA. They are priced fairly well, a bit more expensive than Channellock, and they come with a few different finish options.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

I didn’t know they still made those. I figured they had moved all of that stuff to China and Taiwan

[@sleektoneofficial]

Ridgid makes nice adjustables. I got a ten and a 18”, also have a couple snap ons like the bacho you have theyre great. I got a 11” and a 15” diamond new old stock ford wrenches coming in.

[@Somemaysay]

Love them. I have several crescent and a few huskys which surprisingly hold up good. Great video brother

[@realworldtoolreviews]

I’ve always been impressed with the husky tools I’ve bought. Thanks!

[@cdss25]

Where are those screwdriver holders from on your wall control? I have the same unit and those look very handy. Thanks for your content as always!!

[@realworldtoolreviews]

The black screwdriver racks are made by wall control. You can get them on Amazon with all their other stuff. The silver ones are just your classic wire pegboard accessories that you can get anywhere. I found them at an estate sale on a pegboard. They sell those accessories cheap at hardware stores and Amazon. Thanks for watching bud!

[@Russell8021]

Also have a 15 inch Diamond marked the same way as your 8 inch.

[@jackof1]

They’re the best! I have an 18” and feel lucky to have it

[@realworldtoolreviews]

That’s awesome. I’d love to have a big diamond one. They are my favorite vintage wrenches for sure. Those things are solid.

[@williammaurer9450]

LOL, you got it bad. Love it.👍👍

[@realworldtoolreviews]

Yea I know 😂😂 Thanks!

[@user-ki3dj9pu9y]

Glad to see another adjustable wrench snob 😂

[@nickshowsstuff435]

Picked up a hart 12” from Walmart made in Taiwan it opens up to 2” and my pair has very little play! I have a 8” bacho all chrome which is the nicest I own. So bacho does have all chrome under their own name but I don’t know if they offer it in a size other than 8”.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

I would like a chrome one some day!

[@nickshowsstuff435]

@@realworldtoolreviews I paid $28.71 for it so really it wasn’t that expensive I got it from abolox llc. 8” chrome wide mouth. They sell on Amazon and eBay they’re actually located in the same county as me so Iv bought a few tools from them always comes next day. He has them on sale right now for $28.11 little less than what I paid. If I could just get some of the larger wrenches for that price I’d be set but until then this hart is gunna do me well. Check them out next time you’re in the store I’m impressed for the money.

[@rogerice3826]

I'm not a big fan of the adjustable wrench even though I use them almost daily, and I can't say I remember all of them that I have. That said, I carry a Snap On 10" in my tool pouch It's one of their flank drive wrenchs with the teeth. I'm very impressed with how hard they bite. Sk, I think also sourced their adjustables from Western Forge like craftsman did. I like some of the Protos I have. I lucked into some vintage Bahcos for my big 18"+ wrenchs. Some that surprised me are Stanley's Max Steel, picked up a set when Wal-Mart had a clearance sale on all their Stanley products. Their tight and hold their adjustment well. Back in the mid 80s was working on a farm and the bailer broke, old farmer wanted me to fetch the wesket (Westscott said with a Maine accent) and I had no idea what he was talking about. Turns out everyone in the area called their adjustable wrenches westcotts, learned something new, and was introduced to the "S" handled adjustable wrench, which style has since become one of my favorites. They have fat jaws and short curved handles. It's remarkable how hard you can reef on them. An 8" Bemis & Call has become one of my all-time favorite tools. I also have collected a bunch of different sized Westcotts and even a couple of their pipe wrenches. Westcotts are worth looking out for. Have you all checked out Hand Tool Rescue reproduction adjustable wrenches?

[@realworldtoolreviews]

I have a westcott. I picked it up at a sale, but it is rusted beyond repair. The knurl is disintegrated. I’ve been looking for one in good shape ever since. Those wrenches are super cool!

[@gypsydildopunks7083]

I have a Utica collection. They are me favorite

[@pauljohnson2295]

I recommend cutting the rubber grip off the Code Blue wrench. It’s a lot better without it. I didn’t like that bulky handle much either.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

I might do it lol. I really don’t like it, but I keep thinking some day I might want one with a big grip for some reason.

[@Alkatraz415]

I love the Code Blue

[@Russell8021]

My Snap On 10 inch wide mouth is my favorite, mostly because what I paid for it and the Chrome is beautiful. Prior to buying the Snap On I carried the Milwaukee ones because they have so little play in the mechanism!

[@jackof1]

Those chrome Snap-Ons are a thing of beauty

[@realworldtoolreviews]

Man those chrome snap ons are amazing. I’ve seen them on the truck and come so close to spending $300 on a set of adjustable wrenches 😂😂

[@ihavethedocuments2580]

​@@realworldtoolreviews300!? 🤢🤮. I had kids to feed. Crescent and Diamond both USA did just fine for me.

[@ihavethedocuments2580]

I'd stack your Milwaukee's against anything out there now bruh

[@silverS70]

Keep an eye out for a Craftsman adjustables that were made in Japan, stamped BF. they are really nice too. There are some Craftsman BF adjustables from Japan which are really nice too. Beautiful chrome on them and tight tolerances like Diamonds.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

I’ve seen them before and passed on them because they say Japan. I’ll have to give them a second look!

[@TylerSnyder305]

@@realworldtoolreviews I think they might have been made by KTC who makes /owns koken. I know they made the Sears line of combo wrenches.

[@AToolWithTools]

Unfortunately these days I think there's 2 choices left if you want US-made and brand new. Proto is one, and SK is confirmed as making their biiiig ones up in Williamsport but they might be knocking out the smaller ones somewhere else now but need to see more before I know for sure. I myself have been checking out Japanese ones. Still a bunch of companies making them (they tend to call them monkey wrenches over there), Lobster, Top (who has the Hypermonkey Zero, which has a special knurl screw that eliminates backlash they say) and Engineer, I think there may be a brand or two I'm missing also. There's some other brands that I haven't dug into enough to confirm that they're actually made in Japan rather than just being a Japanese company getting them from Taiwan or China. But they have some clever updates like that Zero wrench, or I think it's Lobster (aka Lobtex) who makes stubby ones that have super wide jaws for their size like the Channellock Wideazz or even wider, and a lot of them tend to do a skeleton grip where they trim down on the excess metal and make them lighter in the hand. They're also still making those old school wrenches over there! MCC and I think Lobster for sure, maybe others. They call them motor wrenches. A look around the Amazon Japan global storefront one can find a lot of this stuff, usually with free international shipping to boot. Edit: Just did some testing but I don't really have the glorious spread of brands like you lol. But for just basic wrench without weird contraptions and features, comparing a Husky to a Lobtex, Lobtex wins easily. The Husky has about 1mm slop at about every position and is loose in all 3 axes, the spring on the worm gear is there but feels loose, and it doesn't use buttressed threads. Loosened pretty badly after each spin of a 3/4” head bolt that has some resistance but can spin freely continuously. The Lobtex has buttressed threads, a strong spring, and about 0.3mm play. After the same 3 turns on the bolt, I still had to wiggle it to get it back on and off the bolt, it held position very well, and is noticeably lighter than the Husky even for being about the same size.

[@erik34]

Great info, thank you

[@rogerice3826]

What about Klein, Rigid, Ideal, and Stanley? I know not all their adjustables are USA made but if you look for their higher end ones or come across some new old stock.

[@AToolWithTools]

@@rogerice3826 Kleins are also Spain. Irega has deals with a lot of companies to make wrenches for them and go Irega's credit they do make good ones. Not only listed made in Spain but another tell is the worm gear, they use 4 instead of the classic 3 spirals around. Ridgid has been Spain ever since Western Forge closed down. Lots of outdated photos or listings still out there and people getting irate in the reviews sections that it isn't made in USA anymore. Ideal... You may have a hit with that one, they do appear as far as I can tell to still be US-made. Stanley only has a few products with the Stanley name MIUSA. Tape measures, folding sawhorses, utility knives, a few other things. They haven't had a Stanley branded adjustable in quite some time, however they do own Proto and Proto does make them in USA. My focus here is just people currently making them as in someone is waking up tomorrow morning, heading down to the shop, and putting round stock under a forging die to make adjustables, here in America. There's still some NOS stuff of various brands floating around if one digs around enough I suppose.

[@rogerice3826]

@Keen Scents How about some obscure brands like Reed, Ampco, and Proferred then? I'm pretty sure the big 24"+ Stanley's and Kleins Ironworkers and scaffold wrenches are still US made. Look through your industrial supply catalogs, granted some may be NOS. I haven't been paying close attention to adjustables as I have not purchased any besides Snap Ons latest and greatest in the last ten or so years.

[@AToolWithTools]

@@rogerice3826 No go on Proferred, that's all Taiwan according to their own website. Klein spud wrenches you got one there, and Ampco indeed, though when a regular old maintenance guy is thinking adjustable they aren't thinking spud wrenches or ones that cost a boatload because they're made of special alloys to not spark lol but technically you're right, they're adjustable and they're MIUSA so there's a couple more. Can't find any info on the Stanley 24".

[@Bryan-df7kc]

I tried to go a couple days at work without and adjustable wrench and went in with the Knipex pliers wrenches…big mistake. Never again. 😅

[@realworldtoolreviews]

I know the feeling 😂

[@zanderesp4295]

I'm looking for a wrench that doesn't loosen up after every turn, which do you recommend?

[@realworldtoolreviews]

The Milwaukee adjustable wrenches don’t loosen up when you use them. It’s pretty amazing. I would get those.

[@zanderesp4295]

@@realworldtoolreviews thanks I look into those next time I go to HD. Someone else also recommends Bahco , do you have any experience with those?

[@realworldtoolreviews]

@@zanderesp4295 Yea, the Bahco ones are awesome a little more pricey, but they are fantastic. I have an 8 inch on that I use in my plumbing bag all the time. They are nice because they open wider than most adjustable wrenches

[@nathankostelecky419]

Awesome video! I love mine made in Spain

[@realworldtoolreviews]

They make some damn good adjustable wrenches over there in Spain!

[@qzetu]

The pliers wrench from knipex is ok in certain situations but does not do what and adjustable wrench can in tight spots. People who round off boots are doing exactly what you said, using them to replace wrenches. Adjustable wrenches are a plumbers tool in my opinion. I own a 8 inch bahco and it's a very nice tool but the jaws tend to slip a lot because it's a new tool. It's actually kind of annoying but I like that it has a new crisp feel on a bolt and the jaws open up wider than most. I come to the conclusion that I don't really like the older beefier adjustable wrenches. They are too fat for what I do but that's just me.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

Yea the new designs like the Bahco are more useful for sure, but I still like using the old school kind. I agree with you though. The Bahco 8 inch wide jaw is awesome for plumbing.

[@30smsuperstrat]

For all the praise Milwaukee gets, I have a hard time supporting a company owned in China. It's bad enough when some manufacturing gets done there, but when all the profit goes there no thank you.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

Yea, I mostly agree with that. If you watch a lot of my videos, you know I’m a big made in the USA fan. However, as far as Chinese adjustable wrenches go those ones are great. A good tool is a good tool. I hate that the profit goes to Chinese workers too though.

[@bruhbruh2099]

@@realworldtoolreviews literal racism

[@JustinAndCars]

@@bruhbruh2099national self interest, we treat the same white peopke across the pond the same way. Rather buy from your neighbor

[@NE-locksmith]

I honestly could care less. If it works well so fuck?

[@JustinAndCars]

@@NE-locksmith from a user standpoint- I agree 100% -but from a different POV depends on what holds more value to you That’s all

[@michaelbenussi7064]

I have the Milwaukee I think they’re good

[@realworldtoolreviews]

Yea they are awesome

[@branned]

Vintage USA is the best $$ at estate sales. Japanese Lobster brand is amazing.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

I’ve heard a lot of good things about the lobster ones. I’ll have to check those out some day!

[@branned]

@@realworldtoolreviews The vintage USA ones are way stronger and twice as thick, The Lobster ones are thin and have a coated handle. I got the three-piece set and I like them.

[@chDawg0]

I cut mines on channel lock

[@realworldtoolreviews]

I did too. Now I love it!

[@camryuser]

Adjustible wrenches for me is the nostalgia factor is too high. My dad had a 'Crescent' brand adjustable wrench. I grew up using it.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

I love the old crescent brand ones!

[@man_at_the_end_of_time]

I use my 24" inch adjustable wrench on a regular basis and now I have a new one with the tapered handle for a cheater ;-)

[@realworldtoolreviews]

I need to get me a 24! A good one is pricey though!

[@man_at_the_end_of_time]

@@realworldtoolreviews Occasionally, Harbor Freight has the tapered form.

[@LynnJynh9315]

Why not just stick the locking button onto a crescent wrench?

[@realworldtoolreviews]

Like the locking button on knipex pliers and stuff?

[@LynnJynh9315]

@@realworldtoolreviews Yes. I don't design tools... but it seems the proper evolution.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

@@LynnJynh9315 I have thought about that before too. That should be the next Knipex tool. Knipex adjustable wrenches. They could put teeth on some too. That would be cool like flank drive

[@ALGH2101]

Diamond almost a close ur moms diamond

[@dewaltman4582]

U do.

[@realworldtoolreviews]

I know 😂

[@dewaltman4582]

@@realworldtoolreviews I do as well.

[@CorvetteTrev]

That bahco wide 12" = 2⅜ , I don't think you can beat that. I'd love their 87 which is a 24" long - it's like $350

[@prestigemechanical3600]

Snap On or Bahco

[@realworldtoolreviews]

I want some of them chrome snap on ones some day