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Comment by mauvehaus | Hacker News Reader

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 proper wrench for it. The couple of Crescent wrenches I keep are for emergencies and plumbing (because I don't have combo wrenches that big and do it infrequently), nothing more.

Vise-grips? Another tool that I find is more apt to round something than grip it properly. If I'm reaching for them, I figure I'm already so dicked that I'm unlikely to make it worse. Once in a while they get me out of an otherwise unavoidable trip to the hardware store.

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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 there’s just enough room for a bolt head/nut to spin around, so it’s almost like having a ratchet, too. Only downsides are price and they are not super low profile so you need a bit of room to turn in.

Knipex Pliers-Wrenches are the absolute BEST.

> Only downsides are price and they are not super low profile so you need a bit of room to turn in.

Pricey, but buy quality and cry once.

As for low profile, I actually find them nearly as thin as a typical crescent in terms of the handle; while the head may be same or thinner.

I recommend buying more than one size

https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump...

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.

The mini version isn't bulky:

https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump...

A thing of beauty

I've got the XS which is even smaller, and has the distinction of being the only wrench I carry with me on MTB/hiking trips, basically an EDC item in the pouch of my backpack:

https://www.knipex-tools.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-wate...

The mini has still got the pushbutton and dual locking tabs, the XS is more compact, much lighter, and is slightly more complicated to use, but can be used one-handed.

It's fixed a number of problems with skis, bikes, and tents that you might not expect of its size, it will do properly maintained axle nuts and other large fasteners (it prefers 12mm and less, where most wrenches suck, but can do up to 18mm or 3/4"). I carry the 10" pliers wrench in my work tool bag for working on hydraulics, pneumatics, and it's definitely one of my favorite tools, unlike the accursed worm-gear Crescent wrenches...

Nice EDC item. I sometimes use the mini one-handed too, but that requires all fingers and must look awkward.

I love the form factor of this guy. But is it honestly used for anything except smoking joints?

Yes, it's quite useful around the house. Anything that isn't cranked on tight or corroded typically is fine. This is my go-to for most chores involving a wrench.

The XS is useful even as a small tool in a carry-on. I've busted mine (and it's Cobra XS equivalent which is probably more useful on a job site) out in a datacenter, etc. to get a small job done. You can more or less crank on them with as much strength as you can and they won't break or slip.

I bought it as a laugh when I found one 50% off and ended up purchasing a dozen or so as Christmas gifts for my ops staff that year. Fits in the watch pocket of your jeans comfortably, so it's handy to just have on you all day especially if going up and down ladders.

It won't replace a full toolset for a serious job - but as a "just in case" pair for little quick jobs they are unexpectedly useful.

I then ended up with a collection of around 20 various Knipex tools over the years since they simply are so much better than anything else I've found. Their precision nippers are the bees knees for terminating cat5/6 into patch panels, for example.

Definitely pick up a "baby wrench" if you have an excuse to!

> You can more or less crank on them with as much strength as you can and they won't break or slip.

This seems to be more or less a theme for knipex tools. I know I've put my full weight on a knipex combination plier before to cut something that I probably shouldn't be cutting with it.

Worked fine, no damage to the pliers.

You must be talking about the xs version:

https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump...

love it

I have 4 of these Knipex adjustable pliers. I do like them but find that getting them set just right for the task at hand is a bit fiddly. Seems like I am always setting it one setting too loose or too tight.

The Knipex product that I love is their automatic wire stripper.

> getting them set just right for the task at hand is a bit fiddly

I know what you mean, but if I use the bolt that I want to loosen or tighten as a stopper, and then latch into the next bigger position, I think I never miss the right setting.

A+ plus plus. A valuable part of my toolkit, would buy again.

Seconded. I have one and a lot of other Knipex tools, the Cobra adjustable pliers being the most loved one. My oldest got handed down from my Dad and is 40 years old, love the W-Germany imprint:-)

My very limited experience with Knipex has me wanting to buy their stuff in the future.

I just bought two of their Cobra channel lock / water pump pliers, an electrician's plier and wire cutters. I decided at 59 I am tired of using rubbish tools - even for DIY duties. I got the trigger from here https://youtu.be/wcs2elc0LsU?t=538

I’ve a set of Wera Joker adjustable wrenches, and for anything they can’t handle a couple of Kniper. Between them I don’t have much need for anything else.

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 bending tasks that the traditional adjustables cannot do.

Edit: For vise grip type tools, Grip-On is the best value/quality. They have a slightly different release mechanism than the Vise-Grip branded tools that improves the ergonomics of the tool significantly. They are (or were last time I checked) relabeled by some high end tool brands like Snap-on. For the most part, I consider them an inherently destructive but sometimes necessary tool that will mess up a fastener. However there are a wide variety of jaw styles (and removable covers) available that can mitigate this, depending on the task.

I second the recommendation for Bahco. I bought one of their adjustable wrenches on the basis that it would last, and I have no regrets: it's an incredibly well made tool.

For other options, there is a youtube video comparing different adjustable wrenches for strength (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyOd05PUix4). The Bahco did indeed do well, although it was not the very best the tested.

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

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.

> Adjustable wrenches exist for situations where you don't have the proper size on hand.

I would say convenience and use case are just as important. A crescent wrench is non marring unlike alligator jaws or vise grips. It's also perfectly fine for low torque applications. It isn't for torquing lug nuts.

I have a wonderful wrench and socket set in standard and metric measures. It's in a nice case on a shelf in my garage. My crescent wrenches are hanging 5 feet away on a pegboard.

I needed to loosen an RP-SMA connector the other day. What size is that nut? Do I want to break out my wrenches and fiddle? Nope, the nut is only just beyond finger tight so two crescent wrenches and 5 seconds to get it off.

Any 5/16" wrench for loosening. For tightening, ideally the appropriate torque wrench for the particular connector (material & grade) should be used.

https://www.centricrf.com/torque-wrenches/sma-torque-wrenche...

Or other stores. RF connectors should be torqued to a specified torque listed on their data sheet. Improper torque can cause damage. Usually for equipment using SMA connectors this isn't a big deal (just replace the connector, they're cheap and the torque wrenches are expensive), but for the really high frequency stuff like 1.85mm connectors the connector itself is $70-300 so spending $100-400 on a torque wrench is reasonable.

This was a $5 WiFi antenna I bought off Amazon for an ESP32-WROOM-32UE bolted through an enclosure, I'll stick with my crescent wrenches.

Knipex Pliers Wrench is what you're looking for. They end up squeezing hard, unlike a crescent wrench, and do not round off fasteners as easily.

> haven't yet run across an adjustable wrench that was worth a shit.

I found some truly excellent ones at hardware stores in Japan. For some reason they don't sell them elsewhere.

One of my treasured possessions is an adjustable wrench my father picked up while stationed in Japan. I'd give a lot to have an equivalent in a smaller size -- even the Spanish made Irega I bought a while back isn't the same standard.

Adjustable wrenches have their uses, but applying the most torque possible is not one of them. If you're limited to buying one type of wrench and you're dealing with small fasteners, you're better off with a set of combination wrenches. If I were starting over I'd look at the now-common ratcheting ones, but I haven't had a chance to try them.

For larger hex things, and for square things, adjustable wrenches work fine. They're much nicer on (hex) pipe fittings than pipe wrenches.

I find the "adjustable" moniker doesn't really create the best expectation of how to use them though, implying that you choose the right setting to do the job and then it behaves like a fixed wrench. Rather on every use, I back the jaws off slightly with the thumb screw, put on the piece, then tighten up while it's on the piece. The more torque I need to apply, the more deliberate I am about making sure the jaws are snug before doing so.

Vise grips are for when you would otherwise use pliers, and want them to latch.

Every tool has a place.

For something like common nuts and bolts - like you might find on a bike - I want one tool to do it all - similar to https://www.amazon.com.au/9-32mm-Adjustable-Spanner-Universa...

Or https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump...

One tool that'd be ok for a variety - but not infinite - of sizes to regular human torque levels.

But I wouldn't use it for plumbing.

30 minutes, just used my vise-grips to grab and turn a plastic&felt chair leg end that was stuck on the bottom of the leg. Perfect tool when you need to grab it, pull it and don't care if it is damaged in the process.

Here is an adjustable wrench that's pretty good:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072LWP3Y3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b...

Honestly I love this thing. It is precisely manufactured, turns smoothly, and grips well. I use it mostly for sink and plumbing repairs around the house, but I've also used it on bikes and other things. It's really nice for that because the small size means it fits in places that would otherwise be hard to manage.

Amazon is heavily promoting a tool that (as near as I can figure out) is a combination adjustable wrench and vise-grips, thus offering you two options for destroying fastener heads in one convenient tool.

Vice-grip do make some less-bad versions specifically for not spinning/rounding off nuts, like this one: https://www.mcmaster.com/vise-grips/locking-pliers-for-round...

I (and apparently many others) came here to knipex plier wrenches. The have a spring-loaded indent that keeps the adjustment where you need it, tighten on the fastener in one direction, and open enough to act as a ratchet in the other direction. In certain cases they are actually less likely to round off a fastener than a non-adjustable wrench. This[1] video gives a good overview.

[1]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGb4WF4e8YQ

> 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.

I feel like every crescent wrench I have tried wrecks fasteners. A good set of combo wrenches are so much nicer to work with.

Yeah, nothing beats having a full set of high quality combination wrenches.. For the often used sizes, I also keep ratchet versions because they're convenient.. But wrenches alone is no good, you need a good socket set too, lots of places you just can't go without.

ChannelLock makes good ones with tight tolerances, smooth adjustment and accurate measurements in metric and standard (one on each side). I often use them as a first attempt and if I need more torque I check the size they are set to when grabbing the correct combo wrench or socket.

How about a combo of the two, the locking crescent wrench? https://youtu.be/WNTC91TKcMg

knipex makes a good one. And they’re the exception that proves the rule.

https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump...

I wonder if you could have one with a device like a rock climbing cam that tightens the more force you put on it.

Water-pump pliers are adjustable and don't suffer from splay.

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