Crescent vs Crestoloy Adjustable WrenchesTIPS 578 tubalcain

[@robertburns2415]

Very fascinating demonstration. The one advantage the crestaloy wrench has is a much thinner jaw allowing access to areas where the regular crescent wrench might not fit.

[@stevewilliams587]

Also being narrower .. more likely to round off the nut .. less material to deform

[@lynnjuul9843]

I live near the old cresent tool factory here in Jamestown and worked there over the years on many construction projects. Sadly enough the last job I worked on was to help remove all the hammer bases and send them south to the new plant. When working there I was given a complete set of adjustable wrenches some said cresent,rigid,pennys and was told at one time they made wrenches and pliers for 26 different customers including craftsman.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you, that is good to know

[@StanErvin-yo9vl]

​@@mrpete222you'll love this one Lyle. Way back in the 1980's the boys in the shop decided to do Stan a favor and take all his high quality adjustable wrenches. My list: Snap on 16" Snap on 12" Snap on 8" Blue Point 24" And the cutest little 4"Craftsman keychain version. Was in my pocket. In trade I got Horror Fright from the reject bin. One in particular was a ten or twelve inch made in Packistan real shiny and crooked not from being bent, but swayed right to left. The knurled wheel was actually made to turn the opposite direction. The laughs only lasted about fifteen minutes or so. Those wrenches got swapped around for years whenever a mechanic was having a hard day or a rush job. Somebody actually tried to use the Pakistan one. It bent and was presented in a shadow box to the plant Safety Coordinator upon his retirement a few years later.

[@tonymcdaniel9198]

"High end guys" ??? They don't get any higher than you. You're the man.

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

I agree but I think he's referring to those with more costly equipment to measure pulling pressure, etc.

[@roygunter3244]

I once worked at a place that furnished me the hand tools I used. They gave me a 12" adjustable wrench branded Klein Tools, Chicago, Ill. I was using it and the fixed jaw snapped off, I own both Crescent and Armstrong 12" adjustable wrenches and have never had one fail, round off a nut yes, fail no. I took the wrench back to the warehouse to trade it in and the tool man cut the blue plastic coating off and it had Taiwan branded right around the lanyard ring. By the way that was around 1985, if you see a Klein adjustable wrench they are best used for anything that doesn't involve mechanical fasteners.

[@justincolgrove8556]

Originly made in my home town. Still remember the sound of the stamping press's that made those and how they made the sidewalks around the plant shake. Sadly, they'er gone now. We also had Proto Tool that made some pretty massive looking and we'll made adjustable wrenches and many other tools as well.

[@trackjosh]

justin colgrove I work with a few guys that worked at and grew up near Armstrong Tool in Chicago, summer nights they would work with the doors open and the he sound of the stamping would be heard for a long ways away.

[@rickwidlund3512]

Born & raised in Jamestown as well. Miss the hammershop.

[@kentuckycowboy2]

Undramatic but very typical results of the yet very useful in their own right knuckle buster as we always called them over our lifetime. As for the cheaper versions I doubt a comparison while very interesting would be needed. They have never failed to fail for us and being used in their place at that. When I say in their place for these I mean somewhere where multi sizes of wrenches don't need to be carried or very large fasteners at low torque values. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and knowledge, adventures, time, and stories with us take care and keep safe.

[@BiddieTube]

at 2:50 I recently, about a year ago, bought a 24" adjustable Crescent wrench from McMaster. Got it in my hands now. Has Crescent - USA forged into it.

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

Enjoyed the test and learning about Crestoloy. That name "Harbour Freight" conjures up a sense of consumer extravaganza.

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

Yep and they did a first rate job of rounding off the nuts, can't get that from any lesser wrench.

[@ianbertenshaw4350]

I remember when the company i worked at many years ago purchased a big adjustable wrench ( we call them shifters here in Australia) to remove the nuts on hydraulic rams - i got to use it once as the jaws and handle bent on the first ram and i was only using my own body weight on it ! No prizes for guessing where it was made !

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@jsoda41]

I have a thin crescent adjustable wrench that’s probably over 40 years old and fits in there perfectly.

[@mrpete222]

👍

[@joemccarthywascorrect6240]

My favorite is a 6-inch Kraeuter adjustable. I have been using it since I was about 7 years old. That’s a long time ago...

[@billeoff5338]

52 years ago i worked as a rigger on the lock and dams in arkansas we carries 15 crescent we would have to file thump screw to make it go out to 2" where we could tighting she bolts

[@mrpete222]

👍👍

[@marksipes7919]

This was a positive demonstration for all involved although the square nut has lost its edge. Vice's will put up with anything to have center stage. I really enjoy ALL your videos, Mr. Peterson.

[@lathammarx1458]

Enjoy the testing even if its not laboratory conditions, Tubalcain. It seems from company history that the Crestoloy line of tools was introduced in the 1930.

[@swamprat69er]

You did prove one thing...If you want your nuts rounded use a crescent wrench.

[@tomlee7966]

in my opinion thats what they are good for rounding off heads!!! only use them as a last resrt unless its some small bolt and nut with a 5 inch or smaller crescent wrench

[@boreddude70]

I have a pair of "crescent wrenches" at my bench that get used almost every day. One is a genuine 10 inch Crestoloy wrench, but the other is a "Diamalloy" wrench from the Diamond Calk and Horseshoe Company of Duluth Minnesota. The two wrenches are completely identical in size, shape, and quality from what I can tell; the only actual difference between the two seems to be the text embossed on the handles. I used to think they were made in the same factory but I was told that was incorrect and Diamond Tool company made their own products.

[@mrpete222]

That’s what I was old, they have their own factory

[@ludditeneaderthal]

A suggestion to possibly allow destructive testing: sacrifice one of your larger tool steel blanks as the "fastener" mounted in the vise, as it would probably be harder than either set of jaws, but still allow the square bite advantage. That would eliminate the "smear factor", but of course would raise the hackles of your "inner cheapskate", lol

[@daveticehurst4191]

Super video, thank you. What's with the Hospital wrist band you are wearing. Hope it went well for you.

[@larrysmall3521]

I thought that was a night club wrist band saying he is not old enough to drink.

[@willemkossen]

In Europe, the 'premier' brand for these wrenches is Bahco. I have several of those and they are usefull, but a bit clunky and heavy compared to the correct size normal wrench.

[@Balkongodlaren]

Swedish BAHCO is the original, Crescent is a good quality overseas copy. Lovingly known as "mutterrundare" (nut rounder) in Swedish after it's main use, which is perfectly demonstrated in this video.

[@Highstranger951]

Maybe a piece of 1/2 flat bar in the vise would give better results?

[@dougankrum3328]

I'm close to your age, and remember after WW2, tools that were any sort of 'Alloy' sold quite well....especially 'Aircraft' alloy....My Dad was in the Army Corps of Engineers and also said the added 'Alloy' did help sell tools...

[@mrpete222]

Thanks

[@dannyl2598]

Thanks Mr Pete, I have one of the older beefier ones that has the black oxide finish.

[@SteveSummers]

The designers knew people would put pipes on them. They seen you coming 50 years ago😁. Thanks Lyle, I enjoyed the video.

[@mrpete222]

lol

[@MrSupro]

I Agree with other commenters. Adjustable wrenches are not for high torque applications. Just for general use.

[@clifffiftytwo]

Hard to tell but I'm wondering if the wrenches were damaged in some subtle way - did tthe angle of the moveable jaw to the gear rack open up? And what actually breaks when they're overtorqued? Back to the old videos for a re-watch!

[@clifffiftytwo]

Watched the old video and the wrench failed in the small sections at the corners of the opening for the screw.

[@carabela125]

I read somewhere that Lindbergh took a crescent wrench as his only tool on the solo Atlantic flight.

[@mrpete222]

That is interesting, never heard that

[@cuteswan]

I think it was a pretty cool demonstration, especially when a wisp of smoke came off the nut. I hope things are well.

[@mrpete222]

lol

[@dennismccall9237]

I would like to see the US patent the off set had to be designed to allow more access to the fastenet.My auto shop teacher back in the dark ages said never use an adjustable wrenche.I spent 20 years working on nuclear submarines I worked on a boat where the engineering officer would inspect your tool bag and kick you off if you had an adjustable wrench because of fastener damage.I worked at Chevron Chemical where almost everything was done with a adjustable whench,Channel Loc pliers,6 in 1 screwdriverd,and hammer.

[@mrpete222]

What a contradiction, LOL

[@materialsguy2002]

Holy Toledo! Is that the "Honest Weight", why yes it is! Thanks for the video.

[@matttradie1341]

Supposedly, and im sure someone knows, but i believe the bahco wrenches (shifters in australia) are guaranteed to be just as strong with the force put on the moveable jaw as the fixed. Not so with other brands.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks

[@AJR2208]

HI Lyle, thanks for the demonstrations. Here in Australia we commonly call them a Shifter (pronounced Shif-Ta). It's funny how a big, heavy wrench makes you unconsciously think it must be better.

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@johnq.public5911]

A little critique here; Who taught you to use a Crescent wrench BACKWARDS. This enables the wear-out of the wrench MUCH FASTER. Turn the wrench over where the pressure is applied to the inner most part of the movable jaw. My Dad taught me how to correctly apply the wrench - - I got "DUTCHED OUT when I tried to use the wrench the way you did.

[@jenniferwhite6089]

wow my great-great-grandfather said that too he 106 years old still worked with his tools did show me the right and the wrong way with tools lol

[@greasydot]

He did a video on the never ending argument on the way to use this wrench. The same argument can be said on how to use pump pliers.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you for pointing that out to him

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@greasydot]

@@mrpete222 you are most welcome sir.

[@d.pierce.6820]

I actively seek out the old "Jamestown, NY" marked wrenches-I think they are superior to anything made since. I may find them rusty, but a little wire wheeling, and they are good as new.

[@mrpete222]

There are millions of those old wrenches still around. Often at auctions, they sell them by the boxful had a very low price.

[@jrkorman]

Have one big, old Crescent 12" in addition to several much newer models. Had to repair the threads for the pin. That metal is harder than a witches heart!! My nice, smaller adjustables are a set of 4 to 10 inch J. P. Danielson.

[@davidkroth]

To my eye the jaws on those wrenches have opened up a bit. Especially the older wrench.

[@garybrenner6236]

I agree, close those jaws together and see if they remain in line.

[@scrappy93]

@@garybrenner6236 they're old and he's not making a new tool review. He even saws one is ready to be scrapped .

[@AWDJRforYouTube]

Yep, great video Mr Pete. I too wake up some days a little angry, and have to "break something" A good stress reliever, and Jack La Lanne isometric workout. Also, the cheap wrenches would have broke big time. Those old USA alloy guys would take Hercules to break them!

[@mrpete222]

Jack finally died at the age of 175

[@AWDJRforYouTube]

@@mrpete222 I think he died at age 95 on his 175th chin up...as you would say "I digress" 😍

[@handyhippie6548]

that is what happens to me. i've never broken a crescent wrench, and i have both new and old, but the jaws spring open and slip off of bolts regularly. the only problem i have is the adjuster wheel seizing on it's axle pin, and i have stripped out the threads on the pin trying to free them.

[@mabmachine]

Never been a huge fan of Cresent myself. My favorite adjustable wrenches are those stamped by Western Forge like those previously sold by NAPA/Allen etc.

[@4GSR]

J H Williams "SUPERJUSTABLE" wrenches rules!!! 👍😃😎 Have them in every size from 4" up to 18". The 18" has seen lots of work in the oilfields of South Texas back in the early 1960's. Belong to my grand dad. All of these old brand "Crescent" wrenches are good brands for all of our need! Ken

[@mrpete222]

I have several of them, they are of the highest quality

[@chrischapel9165]

Mr Cliff Miller asks if the wrenches were damaged in a subtle way...I concur, I believe I noticed one of the wrenches jaws appeared to be rolled upon its edge...

[@arthurowen3]

You are obviously not a layman. You were a professional teacher.

[@AlbiesProductsOnline]

Do the test with open ended and ring spanners between old and newer types you have in your stash

[@craigsudman4556]

So the video was interesting and illustrates why a "Crescent" wrench is used mostly for rounding over those pesky sharp corners on nuts and bolts. Other than pounding or squeezing the sides of the wrench closed, what is a good way to restore the functionality of a sloppy "Crescent" wrench. Nice work Lyle, thumbs up.

[@miken3260]

It used to be you could get new jaws and screws for those wrenchs, I have a few of them, but not sure of brand they fit.

[@mrpete222]

Every hardware store had an assortment of repair parts

[@CapeCodCNC]

Can you do a test on METRIC adjustables and see if they are stronger? ;-)

[@mauserwaffen982]

Hahaha!

[@AJR2208]

Cheeky bugger :)

[@matttradie1341]

Lol i think they were cast wrong at the factory. They weighed in grams, not ounces like the imperial ones.....

[@arjanvanraaij8440]

funny, Bahco the inventor of the adjustable spanner makes today a millimeter scale on there adjustable spanner. facom also.

[@Siskiyous6]

Adjustable end wrenches are the most time saving device ever devised.

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@mrfingers4737]

They have also wrecked more nuts and bolts than anything else.

[@joescarborough1]

The Crestoloy name was first used for the alloy AND the finished hand tools 27 Sep 1930. trademark application for both filed 20 Oct 1930, and Trademarks ® issued 2 June 1931 for the hand tools, 23 Jun 1931 for the alloy when the company was under the leadership of Karl Peterson. USPTO Reg. No. 0283646 for the hand tools, 0284271 for the alloy. Cheers, -- Joe

[@mrpete222]

Thanks

[@sthenzel]

I wonder if they made a few prototypes with the new alloy but in the old shape.

[@coffeefish]

Only for light torque applications.

[@davescreations7793]

Another great video Mr Pete thanks for all you do

[@mrpete222]

Thanks

[@tlbelknap]

I'm glad the wrenches didn't break.

[@Garth2011]

Nice Toledo scale ! Looked it up and $595...wow.

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@clydedecker765]

My Dad's name for these was "Knucklebusters" He never used the word "Crescent" because he never used one that he didn't end up with a badly scraped knuckle... They are a bit difficult to keep the jaws from slipping.

[@ericcorse]

I found the history interesting and didn't ever even think about the difference.

[@mrpete222]

You are the only want to comment on the historical part. Which Is what the video is actually about

[@ericcorse]

@@mrpete222 I am primarily a hand tool guy.

[@randyb3347]

I inherited some Matco wrenches. Did Matco make quality stuff or is it chinesium?

[@mrpete222]

I thought it was supposed to be quality?

[@bendavanza]

Gotta ask! What was the arm band from? A festival or auction? Inquiring minds gotta know.

[@flhusa1]

diamond horseshoe diamalloy. try to get the extra wide opening ones. the rolls royce of adjustable wrenches .

[@wmpaulminder5995]

Try a new channllock adjustables from the farm & fleet. New alloy less weight? Really different feel.

[@mrpete222]

👍

[@karlbraun9564]

I was taking some diesel courses and, our instructor hated crescent wrenches. If he caught you using one, he would weld the jaws shut.

[@mrpete222]

lol

[@Rusty_ok]

Interesting video. Thanks for posting. You have over 100 adjustable wrenches? No wonder none of us can find any of these on the used market, you have them all.

[@jenniferwhite6089]

lol

[@ThomasPartida]

Great video.

[@douglaspierce316]

does china now makes chescent brand? crestoloy has smaller handle to get smaller pipe on

[@stxrynn]

Looks like the jaws deformed or spung a bit after the first go round. Those sounds they make when they slip make my knuckles ache. Some one called those an all 16th wrench. We used to call them the --------- socket wrench. Not very flattering but accurate nonetheless.

[@MaturePatriot]

We referred to them as the All Purpose Metric wrench, back in the early 1970's, at the body shop. We were working on SUBARUs at the time.

[@stxrynn]

My buddy's dad was a Cornwall dealer, and a Marine vet from the Pacific theater. He said the first Kawasaki he saw motoring along was driven by a IJA courier.... They shot him off it.... Short 25 years later, and WE were driving them!!!

[@kenny5174]

I liked it anyway!

[@gazza116]

if you want to round something off use a shifting spanner .

[@stanervin6108]

I think that if you turned the wrench over to facilitate the most pressure being applied to the rack edge of the movable jaw, slippage will be reduced considerably. Due mainly to the fact that the farther from the pivot point (rack of the 'adjustable' jaw) the more likely flexure of the assembly will occur. To demonstrate the reality of this please, if you will bear with me, try the following proof of concept: Using a short length of rope (for the sake of clarity, let's use twenty inches) with a suitable weight (again, for the sake of clarity, a five pound exercise dumbbell) tied to one end of the rope and a loop large enough to slip over a one inch nominal piece of schedule 40 pvc eight feet long. Holding one end of the pvc with arm extended palm up at shoulder height, have a helper hang the weight from the pipe at a point very close to your hand. Feel the pressure at the pivot point (your shoulder)? Now have the helper hang the same weight at a point close to the other end of the pipe (farthest from your grip) and see if you can even hold the pipe level. Feel the increased pressure (pain) at the pivot point (your shoulder)? Same goes with the 'movable' jaw of the adjustable wrench. Even though made of stronger material (steel), the pressure on the pivot point (rack) still exists and subsequently increases the farther along the fulcrum that the weight (or force or pressure) is applied. Just as there was flexure or 'sagging' of the PVC, so will there also be flexure in the movable jaw. Was that clear as mud, Lyle? Didn't intend to be so long winded at first, just got on a roll. Read less

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@Linusgump]

What always bothers me about people using adjustable wrenches is, as you did in the video, they put it on the work going the wrong way. If you look at how the force is applied to the nut or bolt from the wrench, you will see that the corner of the nut low in the fixed jaw and the corner high in the movable jaw is where the torque is applied. This creates along lever, the length of the moving jaw, to force open the jaws or to allow the springiness of the metal in the wrench to stretch around the work and slip. If you turn the wrench over so the corner low in the movable jaw and the corner high in the fixed jaw receive the torque, you have less of a lever action against the moving jaw and it won’t slip as easily. Low in the jaw means closer to the handle, high in the jaw means farthest from the handle.

[@Bargle5]

I've got one of the large frame Crescents that marked Crestaloy on one side. Hunh? Much thicker than the Channelock brand I also have. Have I got a 'super' Crescent? ;-)

[@-Viceroy-]

Nutlathe - AKA adjustable jawed hammer. Commonly mistaken as a tool for loosening tight nuts

[@mrpete222]

Yes lol

[@orbsphere-]

Doesn't seem set-up between tools was consistent. Jaws weren't closed and Chromaloy generally handle was raised in the air so tool wanted to stay on nut but Crescent handle was horiz. allowing tool to slip off easily rounding nut. Don't get how a square nut sits better in the jaws. Hex nut sat in deeper in jaws and more supported on 2 additional sides.

[@flineman]

I didn't read all the comments prior to mine. However I think the older wrench wasn't nealy as good a hammer as the crestoloy. We all know that is what they were really designed as.

[@FrancisoDoncona]

Hospital I’d wrist band, what happened?

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Good test. You need to eat more. Thanks for sharing the results.

[@mrpete222]

Did your snowmelt yet

[@RRINTHESHOP]

@@mrpete222 Oh no 2ft on the ground, they say rain is coming tonight and for the next few days, should all melt away. I hope all is well with you and the family. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@sarto7bellys]

"It's hard to find a square nut any more" there's loads of 'em in my neighbourhood ........

[@dannywilsher4165]

Sadly most neighborhoods are full of them.

[@austinwhiteside8486]

Sold side by side at one point. The regular crescent was made from carbon steel and the crestoloy was made from alloy steel.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks

[@funbricknj]

New torque standards the hell with foot-pounds just tighten till the nut rounds over

[@mrpete222]

lol

[@roverinosnarkman7240]

lol you think AVE is a ‘high end guy’? I’m sure he will be thrilled to hear that!

[@83gt17]

Saskatchewan socket set.

[@mrpete222]

lol

[@379insk]

@@mrpete222 I am a Saskatchewan farmer so i know that to be fact!

[@bcbloc02]

Surprised you didn't have some flat stock you could try it out on.

[@mrpete222]

I am a rounder Brian

[@johnbergeron3486]

Thank you

[@MaturePatriot]

Many a nut or bolt cap has been rounded over by a "Crescent" wrench. Crescent wrenches should not be used where a lot of torque is required. As far as the video goes, as Bobby Burns once wrote: The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, Gang aft agley, An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain, For promis'd joy! (The best laid schemes of Mice and Men oft go awry, And leave us nothing but grief and pain, For promised joy!) We loved the video anyway. We got to see you, old friend.

[@mrpete222]

I like Bobby

[@moshegalimidi2302]

THANKS

[@KyleHamar]

Vanadium steel. I found a December 20, 1937 advertisement that claims "Crestoloy wrenches... are 30% thinner and 200% stronger... made from Vanadium Steel". V o l. 1 0 1 -N o . 25, STEEL, Cleveland OH

[@mrpete222]

Thank you, I did not realize that Aloy was that old

[@pyrobrewer]

Cheers

[@dogwalker666]

These things always round nuts the mechanic I worked with said if you have anything other than a BAHCO throw it out he was right.

[@generalralph6291]

Why don’t they make adjustable box end wrenches? That would really solve problems.

[@MaturePatriot]

They do, or did. Look up The Adjust-A-Box Wrench.

[@mrpete222]

Yes, I had one, and they are pretty worthless. I wish I still had it so I could do a video on it and ruin it

[@enriquerodriguez7540]

Minute 8:13 smoke for the friction?

[@Daledavispratt]

I have some of both types, and I do find the slimmer crestoloy wrenches nicer to use. I just glanced up at my tool board over my bench where I have wrenches of similar sizes hanging on the same nails and sure enough, the crestoloy wrenches are at the front of the stack showing me which ones I preferred. I never took note of that until you posted this video. Thanks, Mr. Pete! :-)

[@pauldavidson6321]

Those crestoloy wrenches are great .you can get them on to narrow hex fittings in tight spaces and really put some torque on them without the jaws springing open ,they last forever unless some illbred bastard steals it

[@elcheapo5302]

That's the "built-in torque limiting feature".

[@samdavis5079]

@@Drottninggatan2017 doesn't debur as much as moves around the corner

[@stevoreno45]

Crestoloy shmestoloy! Those things will just give you trouble! But that's a very good demonstration of why a young tech needs to invest in a set of good quality wrenches. Thanks Mr. Pete!

[@nuvey7939]

I'd argue that all adjustable wrenches in this style are "Crescent Wrenches," Mr. Pete. While it started as a name brand, it has since become an adjective, which in marketing is the gold standard. Such as "Levi's." It's trademarked by Levi Strauss, and could be argued that it only applies to their line of products, but people use it to replace the word 'denim.' I'm sure Crescent Tools is proud that no matter who made the wrench, people use their name to describe it, and while it was great 50yrs ago, now in the modern age, if someone says, "I need a better crescent wrench" they type it into google and Crescent Tools is the top site listed, giving them first chance for adverting.

[@joemccarthywascorrect6240]

Why were you weighing them in grams? They are clearly SAE adjustable wrenches!

[@Conservator.]

That Crescent 15” isn’t a tool it’s a weapon!

[@jodydoakes8754]

Your tests pretty much duplicate every time I use an adjustable wrench.

[@ericcorse]

I follow the Howard Corse (RIP) axiom of don't use a knuckle buster.

[@iFixJunk]

👍

[@dennisschoessow3246]

Mr Pete, When yo get a chance punch up this KZbin site: "wow things" and watch "aluminum casting a vehicle gear using sand mold" I think you will like it. Thanks

[@mrpete222]

I have seen it, it’s great

[@ClipperDays]

The jaws were definitely sprung on both wrenches.

[@okeanakidd5118]

he did say they was both worn out ?????