Thread: Adjustable wrench - a good one! (Wanted)

SG, I have several std Sidchromes and Kingcrafts that don't give any grief.

Yeah I've found the most sloppiness occurs in the cheaper variety
I try not to use them, use the proper spanner instead (yeah I know can't always do this)

BAHCO would be my first choice, I have a couple including a 600mm one. Never give me any trouble. Sidchrome would be my second choice. A proper sized spanner is usually the best bet though.
Cheers

I grabbed myself one of them thar Crescent rapid wrenches a few months ago...

They're really good if you don't want to use it as a wrench. I found that it would practically never grab the nut properly no matter how tightly I tried to do it up. It would constantly slip for apparently no reason. And when I could get it to work properly I couldn't do anything up tight (and vice versa). It only uses two small points of contact with the nut whereas an adjustable wrench gives you a grip on pretty much 3/4 of the nut. Plus it's quite high so unless you've got a lot of space behind it, it limits where you can use it. It was very troublesome to use when fixing a ride on mower as I couldn't get it in to the bolts due to either the height or width of the head.

I was really disappointed as it looked like a fantastic tool. It's probably only good for doing up self tappers on whitegoods.

In the end I had to throw it out because I got something jammed in the jaws (I've given it a little tap in with a hammer so it sat deeper in the jaws) and nothing was going to make them release it. AFAIC it was no loss.



I'll chuck a vote in for some Siddies as well.

In Germany adjustable wrenched were banned in professional industry. I think the proper sized wrench is best. But agree that a quality wrench will be better. Some other brands to consider might be powerbuilt or repco branded stuff

Have to agree with Enfield Guy about Bahco. They are good shifters, even ones I have picked up at car boot sales that don't look the best still seem to perform well.

Bahco or Snapon

Thanks fellas.
Mine are Fuller and No Name brand and worrrrrnnnnn, so looooossseee.
I know that the correct sized spanner is the most appropriate alternative but I don't want to carry a full set of spanners or sockets with me in the tool chest - just something for the odd nuts that I meet. (should take it to school!)
Anyway your responses are valued. I'll have look to see who sells Bahco, Snap-on, Kingchrome and Sidchrome and pick one up.
Many thanks indeed
SG

SG, I have a slider, all right for light duties . . . useless for getting a tight nut off with a persuader due to slider requiring thumb pressure. I have Sidchrome 200mm (8") to 375mm (15") and they handle most tasks. I also have a Ridgid Pipe wrench (450mm/18") for recalcitrants

Some good advise already, but I'll throw in my 2-bobs worth anyway.

Bahco have always been the benchmark in shifters, they are well made with tight fitting jaws and worm-wheel, but I usually grab a newer style sidchrome when I need one ( I would have 15 - 20 shifters all up). Some of them include-
Bahco- very good
Sidchrome - very good
Cresant- good/very good
Irega- good
FHP- good/very good
Rothenburger- good/very good
JBS- good
Lobster- good
Stanley- poor
And a few others of variable quality.

I dont own a Snap-on shifter, but I have used a few ( rich tool junky apprentices) they are probably the RollsRoyce of shifters, but too expensive for such a tool in my book.

If I was in the market for a new one in the 6 - 12" range I would probably buy a Sidchrome, if they were still as good as the last one I bought 5 or 6 years ago.
If I was after a bigger one I would probably look at the JBS, because they are cheaper, and good value for money.

It all comes down to just how much you want to spend.

Forgot to mention why I dont usually grab for a Bahco when I need a shifter. They are opposite to most other shifters when adjusting.
When you have it in your hand and need to make small adjustments you have to remember to turn the wormwheel in the opposite direction to what you are used to.
If you only use Bahco's it's probably not a problem, but I find it a bit annoying, so I grab a different brand most of the time.

I have a variety of shifters from 2" to 18" various brands.
Like you SG I have 2 out of all of them that ARPIA put it down it self adjusts pick it up same thing. I used to tighten the lock screw on one which gave me trouble.

I prefer sockets, spanners they don't round heads off so much

what about one of these SG http://www.hzat.com.cn/en/product.asp?page=0&CateID=308

Originally Posted by Ironwood

If you only use Bahco's it's probably not a problem, but I find it a bit annoying, so I grab a different brand most of the time.

I have a similar problem when I borrow my mates Saab, I keep turning on the wipers when I try to indicate

Picked up a nice 8" Bacho at the markets thismorning for $10 tight as a fish's .....