My bestest wrenches

Hap_Hazzard

These are some wrenches I've collected over the years that have come in very handy when your basic Stillson wrench doesn't quite do the trick.

The first two are called "Rapid Grip" wrenches, from Ridge Tools. They are very handy for grabbing pipes you can barely reach with one hand. Once you latch on, you can use it like a ratchet. The drawback is that it's a little more prone to crushing pipes than a Stillson wrench.

The next wrench is a Ford wrench. These originally came with the roll-up tool kits that came with Ford Model Ts and Model As. This one is from a Model A because it has a square key at the end of the handle for the oil drain plug. Ford doesn't sell these anymore, but they turn up at flea markets now and then, and similar wrenches are still in production. I use this for unions, radiator valves and similar fittings where I need a large jaw capacity in a tight space. The jaws open wider than my biggest crescent wrench, yet the short handle and compact head allow me to use it where a big crescent wrench won't fit.

The next two are just small Stillson wrenches. Small, but mighty, they get the job done in tight spaces.

The last one is an offset Stillson wrench. Ever had one of those situations where you couldn't get a good grip on something and still move the handle? That's where you need one of these.

What are some of your special friends?

hot_rod

A few favorites, all time is the aluminum offset wrench. The pliers are plenty for gas pipe work up to 1", prevents over-tightening.

Never got the hang of the quick grip style.

Larry Weingarten

Hi, If I had to have just one favorite, it would be the Hoe wrench from 1922.

Yours, Larry

Hap_Hazzard

Oh, come on, Larry. That's not a real wrench. You just made that up.

Seriously though, it looks like it does basically the same thing as the Rapid Grip.

Wow. That is definitely an unusual wrench. Thanks for sharing!

STEVEusaPA

Nice collection.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I have see or owned all of those except for @Larry Weingarten Hoe wrench.

My favorite is a 14" Rigid offset like the one @Hap_Hazzard shows.

@hot_rod offset is a good choice when the pipe is close to a wall and can be used on most anything

The one not shown (I have a 2 1/2" one) is a Ridgid chain wrench.

I replace a 3" threaded pipe so close to the wall and the floor that no pipe wrench would work.

But I was able to get the chain from the chain wrench around it

Gordo

I am partial to the S-2 Ridgid compound wrench.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odLe_3fVpq0&t=

EBEBRATT-Ed

@Gordo

That valve just didn't want to give up!!!!

DZoro

Channellock nut buster, perfect for 1/2" & 3/4" gas pipe and such.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=channel+lock+nut+buster&id=0D1D357C16C52150BB79265FE8B134ABF9428149&FORM=IQFRBA
13" one is always in the bag, larger for the special occasions.
D

Hap_Hazzard

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

The one not shown (I have a 2 1/2" one) is a Ridgid chain wrench.

I have one of those too. Don't know why I forgot to mention it. Aren't they great?

Gordo

Then there is always the Swedish Thumb-Detecting Nut ***ker
Adjustable Wrench.

Sailah

While not really a wrench, 2 pliers I have found to work exceptional are Knipex Cobras and Adjustable Pliers Wrench, both 10" flavors.

Zman

Nice collection! I have had a really small rapid grip for years. I never knew what it was called but have found it very useful. I may have to get the 14" aluminum version. That Ford wrench looks great for those times when nothing else works.
I agree with @Sailah about the cobras. They are a great utility plier that won't mar up bolts and nuts.

Hap_Hazzard

What do those cobra pliers look like? I have a couple different kinds of curved jaw pliers. Are the cobra pliers similar to these?

The two on the left are made by Channellock. The ones on the right are from Crescent Tools.

Zman

They are thin, light and very ergo...


https://www.amazon.com/KNIPEX-Tools-00-20-US1/dp/B000X4KNTG/ref=asc_df_B000X4KNTG/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309811990469&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17556634010852340309&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028830&hvtargid=pla-444932302794&psc=1

nicholas bonham-carter

The Craftsman roller wrench is the most unusual in my collection—NBC

Hap_Hazzard

That's awesome. I like the monkey wrench too.

nicholas bonham-carter

But the Knipex is the most useful for undoing the nuts of the gaugeglass for cleaning the tube, which has become a more frequent chore-2 weeks, in spite of Steam-Master tablets.—NBC

JUGHNE

Nicholas, I got my first Knipex maybe 25 years ago (even before they became cool). There was a display at a wholesalers counter in Omaha with a stationary pipe mounted you could grip with these pliers.
I was sold, 2 old (older than you or I) plumbers there laughed at me saying I could have gotten a real pipe wrench for the $25 or so dollars spent.
Well I still do have real pipe wrenches, but those pliers are my first go for small piping. Great teeth, slim jaws and light weight to carry in a pocket.
I have the standard Channel Lock pliers but they seem like clubs by comparison with the straight jaws.

I do like your roller wrench, never have seen one before.
Just like that Ford wrench, a unique item.

As for your sight glass have you seen Gordo's sight glass blow down valve set up? A real time saver in your case.

Hap_Hazzard

Ford wrenches are very popular with aircraft mechanics. I got mine at a garage sale for about $10.

I usually just use a crescent wrench on my glass gauge. I wouldn't want to use anything with teeth on those brass nuts.

I googled "craftsman roller wrench" and found a few examples online. About half of them had a slight bend in the handle, just before the adjusting mechanism. Dollars to donuts somebody used a cheater pipe on them.

retiredguy

Where can I buy a couple of @Gordo's cheaters? I looked for them in every catalog and even in the Ridgid catalog but nobody sells them.

Hap_Hazzard

retiredguy said:

Where can I buy a couple of @Gordo's cheaters? I looked for them in every catalog and even in the Ridgid catalog but nobody sells them.

Just google "s-2 ridgid compound wrench." I was able to find several places that say they sell them, but I don't know if they actually have them in stock, and I don't think you're going to like the prices.

I had to look it up because I couldn't see it clearly enough in the video to understand how it works, but it's a fascinating little tool. It's like a combination chain wrench and Stillson wrench. The number 2 indicates the size, so there's an S-2, S-4, S-6 and an S-8, maybe more, but I don't think any of us could afford to buy the whole set.

Larry Weingarten

Hi, If you search “ridgid compound wrench “ on eBay, you’ll see some fun stuff. In the meantime, here’s a another fun wrench.

Yours, Larry

Hap_Hazzard

You have some cool stuff there, Larry.

Larry Weingarten

Well, we all know tools are fun! I’m particular interested in automatic pipe wrenches. I’ve found that looking through books on tools is a good way to learn what to look for. Here are a couple of good books. Addall.com is the place for books.

Yours, Larry

EBEBRATT-Ed

@retiredguy
a couple of pieces of electrical emt ......thinwall conduit.

It's light weight (a lot lighter than schedule 40) and hard to bend. I use 1 1/2". You egg shape the end slightly with a hammer to fit a 24" Ridgid pipe wrench and it will fit smaller wrenches ok

rick in Alaska

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

@retiredguy
a couple of pieces of electrical emt ......thinwall conduit.

It's light weight (a lot lighter than schedule 40) and hard to bend. I use 1 1/2". You egg shape the end slightly with a hammer to fit a 24" Ridgid pipe wrench and it will fit smaller wrenches ok

I have a 10" ridgid with a piece of copper pipe hammered over the handle that extends it about another 8" or so. Half of the handle finally broke after 20 years of use, and I haven't got around to fixing it, but I still use that wrench every day. It is small enough to get into tight areas, and light enough to be able to use. I put that one together in 1988, and have put in a lot of pipe with it over the years.
Rick

Hap_Hazzard

I'm considering adding this to my collection, but something tells me it won't be quite as useful as it's cracked up to be.

Any thoughts?

rick in Alaska

Looks like it could be an interesting wrench in that it has a handle that you can change the position on. I wonder how tough it is though?
Rick

Hap_Hazzard

Yeah, I wonder about that too, but it says there's a lifetime guarantee, but getting a replacement might be problematic.

Jamie Hall

I think the one of mine which is oddest is a really nice rail joint track wrench... don't have a picture of it, but it's basically a 2 inch hex box wrench on one end, with a six foot pry bar on it... Don't know why I have it.

Hap_Hazzard

Does it look someting like this?

Jamie Hall

Very much

Larry Weingarten

Hi @Hap_Hazzard , About the wrench you show a few posts up, if you look at the second wrench @hot_rod showed, it's actually a self adjusting, ratcheting wrench. Here's one on Ebay! https://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyang-Power-Jaws-12-Inch-Ratcheting-Adjustable-Angle-Pipe-Wrench/153729147695?hash=item23caf8a32f:g:dPQAAOSw0Axd0gUa

Yours, Larry

BobC

A few years back I decided to replace the anode rod in my gas hot water heater and I knew it wasn't going to be easy because they tighten them with a vengeance at the factory. I had a friend holding the tank and used a 24" breaker bar with a 2-1/8" impact six point socket on it. On top of that I added a 3 foot steel vacuum cleaner extension and that got me nowhere.

I added a second 3 ft extension to the first and after some sweat got it to move, I also moved my 220 pound friend and that full 40 gallon tank. I put some teflon pipe joint compound on the new rod and put the tank back in the right position before pouring the drinks.

It would have been easier if I had an impact wrench but I was not going to buy one just for something that has to be done every 4-5 years. I was surprised how rigid those vacuum cleaner extension wands are. It's also really easy to snap them together for more leverage.

Bob

Hap_Hazzard

Hap_Hazzard said:

Does it look someting like this?

Jamie Hall said:

Very much

I've seen these described as "spud wrenches" for some reason. It's nothing like what we would call a spud wrench. The name you used describes exactly what it's for.

Larry Weingarten

Hi @BobC and @Hap_Hazzard , Since you mentioned anode fun, here is a torque multiplier. It has a 1/2" input, 3/4" output, planetary gearing inside and is good for 600 foot pounds. I used to crack ribs before finding this tool.

Yours, Larry

Hap_Hazzard

You have the best toys!

Intplm.

@Gordo. That vid. you posted above. Thanks for sharing.
I haven't used a compound wrench in years. And when I did, it was for large diameter pipe. Three and four inch. And, I was much younger.
I have pipe wrenches from six inches to the big four footer and all the sizes in between.
That got me thinking. It's time to get a compound wrench.
I no longer want to use the big wrenches. Let the young guys do that. But the compound wrench will do me and my work some good.
Thanks for the reminder.

B_Sloane

other than my 3' and 4' compound wrenches
this is all i need

B_Sloane

forgot !!
my other favorite wrenches are a grinder, and a cape chisel