Bought a new adjustable wrench a few weeks ago.
The design is quite different to normal ones.
It is a lot better to use than normal ones, any ideas why ?

https://sydneytools.com.au/assets/images/products/1/4/4/5/14458/B0AA713B87462D88797952BD408444D837986EB724AF1BF3589D09C674EFF149.jpeg

https://sydneytools.com.au/product/daytona-swj150-150mm-6-adjustable-wrench

The centered position of the adjuster makes it look like it would fit into tighter spaces?

Im not seeing any advantage.

rhino wrote on Apr 30^th, 2021 at 9:07pm:

Im not seeing any advantage.

Advantage for small spaces, you'd not want to use it for anything heavy.

I like the measurements on it!

How tight are the jaws or are they sloppy?
You don't get much for $9.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 30^th, 2021 at 8:51pm:

It is a lot better to use than normal ones, any ideas why ?

If you reckon it's better than "normal" ones, then you should know why - tell us what it is about it that makes it better from your experience

One reason it's better is because the movable jaw is lighter in weight than "normal" ones, about 3/4 of the mass or less, which makes it easier to adjust

Another reason is the body of the wrench just below the knurled adjusting wheel is thinner, which provides you with more grip on the knurled wheel

The parts are not chromed, so they're less prone to swaging and slipping

The jaws are pointier for reaching in more confined spaces

Then of course there's the rubber handle grip 

Ah, bunnings have a similar design

https://www.bunnings.com.au/trojan-150mm-adjustable-wide-mouth-wrench_p0105935?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1a6EBhC0ARIsAOiTkrFJLMWVBhVULX3axuw2yvCXPMaxyL10Xmie_5__Mu9njmWOJn0YC4EaArCqEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

they call it a wide mouthed wrench.

there is also a difference  in the shape of the outside of the jaws to a normal wrench .
Normal ones are much more rounded, these are more sloped

https://assets3.gettoolsdirect.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/S/P/SP18052_adjustable_wrench_wide_jaw_premium_chrome_individual-min.jpg

this style is thinner, they do come with longer handles if wanted.
The jaws are deeper for bigger nuts, they seem to be made of a tighter tolerance so the jaws keep more parallel to each other than others.
The jaws are also narrower for tighter locations.
I think they are made of a better steel also

For some reason, they seem to 'grip' the nut better.

Wrenches to me are not for doing nuts up tightly. A socket or spanner is for that.

Same as ratchets, they are not for higher torque work.

Bias_2012 wrote on Apr 30^th, 2021 at 11:42pm:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 30th, 2021 at 8:51pm: It is a lot better to use than normal ones, any ideas why ? If you reckon it's better than "normal" ones, then you should know why - tell us what it is about it that makes it better from your experience One reason it's better is because the movable jaw is lighter in weight than "normal" ones, about 3/4 of the mass or less, which makes it easier to adjust Another reason is the body of the wrench just below the knurled adjusting wheel is thinner, which provides you with more grip on the knurled wheel The parts are not chromed, so they're less prone to swaging and slipping The jaws are pointier for reaching in more confined spaces Then of course there's the rubber handle grip

ooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh


Quote:

.........  The parts are not chromed, so they're less prone to swaging and slipping         ...............

yes, I guess chrome is a smoother surface

It is square, not hex shaped. Not sure how that would make it better.

Sprintcyclist wrote on May 1^st, 2021 at 5:32am:

Ah, bunnings have a similar design https://www.bunnings.com.au/trojan-150mm-adjustable-wide-mouth-wrench_p0105935?g... they call it a wide mouthed wrench. I think they are made of a better steel also

It's chrome vanadium steel, it's says on the handle, "CR-V'

Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 30^th, 2021 at 8:51pm:

Bought a new adjustable wrench a few weeks ago. The design is quite different to normal ones. It is a lot better to use than normal ones, any ideas why ? https://sydneytools.com.au/assets/images/products/1/4/4/5/14458/B0AA713B87462D88797952BD408444D837986EB724AF1BF3589D09C674EFF149.jpeg https://sydneytools.com.au/product/daytona-swj150-150mm-6-adjustable-wrench

I showed my mechanic hubby and he says
“Wow, that can open up wide for alluminium nuts and hose clamps, but it doesn’t look very strong.
Probably will do for lighter work.

Cant see the reason for measurements on it. 

Belgarion wrote on May 1^st, 2021 at 12:05pm:

Cant see the reason for measurements on it.

So that you can measure the size of the nut you're trying to undo -
which enables you to select the correct socket or ring spanner etc to use for it.

Bobby. wrote on May 1^st, 2021 at 3:02pm:

Belgarion wrote on May 1st, 2021 at 12:05pm: Cant see the reason for measurements on it.  So that you can measure the size of the nut you're trying to undo - which enables you to select the correct socket or ring spanner etc to use for it.

Also you can pre-set for the nut you have.

I love an adjustable wench.

Gordon wrote on May 1^st, 2021 at 5:44pm:

I love an adjustable wench.

with or without chicken?

Bobby. wrote on May 1^st, 2021 at 3:02pm:

Belgarion wrote on May 1st, 2021 at 12:05pm: Cant see the reason for measurements on it.  So that you can measure the size of the nut you're trying to undo - which enables you to select the correct socket or ring spanner etc to use for it.

Have you undone many nuts with your ring spanner, Booby?

Sophia wrote on May 1^st, 2021 at 11:48am:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 30th, 2021 at 8:51pm: Bought a new adjustable wrench a few weeks ago. The design is quite different to normal ones. It is a lot better to use than normal ones, any ideas why ? https://sydneytools.com.au/assets/images/products/1/4/4/5/14458/B0AA713B87462D88797952BD408444D837986EB724AF1BF3589D09C674EFF149.jpeg https://sydneytools.com.au/product/daytona-swj150-150mm-6-adjustable-wrench I showed my mechanic hubby and he says “Wow, that can open up wide for aluminium nuts and hose clamps, but it doesn’t look very strong. Probably will do for lighter work.

yes, that is probably about right.

greggerypeccary wrote on May 1^st, 2021 at 7:29pm:

Bobby. wrote on May 1st, 2021 at 3:02pm: Belgarion wrote on May 1st, 2021 at 12:05pm: Cant see the reason for measurements on it.  So that you can measure the size of the nut you're trying to undo - which enables you to select the correct socket or ring spanner etc to use for it. Have you undone many nuts with your ring spanner, Bobby?

Gay innuendo from our resident poof.    :)


Hi Greggy.   :-*

I learnt my lesson using adjustable spanners and wouldnt use them on any nut if I could avoid it to be quite honest. So easy to round off those smaller nuts which then becomes a pain in the arse.

rhino wrote on May 1^st, 2021 at 8:55pm:

I learnt my lesson using adjustable spanners and wouldnt use them on any nut if I could avoid it to be quite honest. So easy to round off those smaller nuts which then becomes a pain in the arse.

Nuts and bolts that have been rounded are no problem with Metrinch sockets and spanners you can undo them and do them back up they grab them on the flat part not the corners. You will never round any nuts or bolts using Metrinch

My Metrinch are over 20 years old lost count of the amount of rounded bolts i have undone then put back on because no new nuts or bolts handy at work and for friends.

My favourite tools

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ_lGWAjxTs

Baronvonrort wrote on May 1^st, 2021 at 11:55pm:

rhino wrote on May 1st, 2021 at 8:55pm: I learnt my lesson using adjustable spanners and wouldnt use them on any nut if I could avoid it to be quite honest. So easy to round off those smaller nuts which then becomes a pain in the arse. Nuts and bolts that have been rounded are no problem with Metrinch sockets and spanners you can undo them and do them back up they grab them on the flat part not the corners. You will never round any nuts or bolts using Metrinch My Metrinch are over 20 years old lost count of the amount of rounded bolts i have undone then put back on because no new nuts or bolts handy at work and for friends. My favourite tools https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ_lGWAjxTs

aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh

I have seen those, never used one.
Good to have someones recommendation

https://bluebarindustries.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Patented-Wall-Drive-Profile-1020-x-1020-800x800.jpg

Those Metrinch sets are a good idea but
often when a nut is rounded it's because it's seized
onto a thread - so if you use the Metrinch spanner
or socket you could shear the nut off.
Use plenty of Penetrene and let it soak over night
before putting a lot of force on the nut or bolt.


https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1372/8131/products/1_23b7b919-60ae-4f6d-b5cc-d366a499e35a_1024x1024.png

Bobby. wrote on May 2^nd, 2021 at 12:34am:

Those Metrinch sets are a good idea but often when a nut is rounded it's because it's seized onto a thread - so if you use the Metrinch spanner or socket you could shear the nut off. Use plenty of Penetrene and let it soak over night before putting a lot of force on the nut or bolt. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1372/8131/products/1_23b7b919-60ae-4f6d-b5cc-d366a499e35a_1024x1024.png

I think that is a very good idea.
Yes, having to use a lot of force means 'it is stuck'.
Something will 'yield'.

a soak in oil overnight or a hot air gun works well.

Stay tuned for next weeks episode folks where Sprint will bring you the latest invention to hit your hardware store shelves ..... the screw driver.

Riveting stuff (we're still awaiting confirmation from Sprint but rivets are most likely the following week)

John Smith wrote on May 2^nd, 2021 at 9:09am:

Stay tuned for next weeks episode folks where Sprint will bring you the latest invention to hit your hardware store shelves ..... the screw driver. Riveting stuff (we're still awaiting confirmation from Sprint but rivets are most likely the following week)

Ha play on words.... it’s all torque!

Queenslanders that rivet a lot could be toad away  :)

Sprintcyclist wrote on May 2^nd, 2021 at 1:05am:

Bobby. wrote on May 2nd, 2021 at 12:34am: Those Metrinch sets are a good idea but often when a nut is rounded it's because it's seized onto a thread - so if you use the Metrinch spanner or socket you could shear the nut off. Use plenty of Penetrene and let it soak over night before putting a lot of force on the nut or bolt. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1372/8131/products/1_23b7b919-60ae-4f6d-b5cc-d366a499e35a_1024x1024.png I think that is a very good idea. Yes, having to use a lot of force means 'it is stuck'. Something will 'yield'. a soak in oil overnight or a hot air gun works well.

Also - avoid using a shifting spanner except on
fairly loose nuts and bolts as you
do risk rounding off a tight nut or bolt.

They're really only for emergencies if you haven't got the right tools for the job. Specific jobs can be household plumbing where usually there's rubber seals and the tension needed to tighten the fitting doesn't have to be all that great

They were ok for wheel bearing adjustment on old cars if there was nothing else to use

I use a little 4" shifter to tighten the satellite cable on the rear of my TV set top box. 4" shifters can be very handy at times. For small nuts that require only light tension, they save having to go through lots of little spanners to find the right one 

I'm trying to think of what else I used them on, but there was one job I remember when I worked on earth moving equipment. The tip trucks threw rear suspension track rods and the only spanner that would swing in the confined space under the truck was my 14" shifter. This job was in the jungle with mud everywhere but I got the job done in short time and subsequently I was called on to replace every track rod after the first one I did. It was a good quality shifter worth a few dollars and it proved to be a real asset to the company even though it was my own personal shifter. The large nuts holding the rods were nice and wide and weren't so tight that the shifter couldn't undo them. Mind you, I had all the other proper tools and hardly ever used that large shifter, but when it was needed, it got used

They're best for only wide nuts, you shouldn't use them for bolts, they're not right for bolts, and you should never use then on sump plugs for obvious reasons. If they get swaged, you're in trouble

Bias_2012 wrote on May 2^nd, 2021 at 2:13pm:

They're really only for emergencies if you haven't got the right tools for the job. Specific jobs can be household plumbing where usually there's rubber seals and the tension needed to tighten the fitting doesn't have to be all that great They were ok for wheel bearing adjustment on old cars if there was nothing else to use I use a little 4" shifter to tighten the satellite cable on the rear of my TV set top box. 4" shifters can be very handy at times. For small nuts that require only light tension, they save having to go through lots of little spanners to find the right one  I'm trying to think of what else I used them on, but there was one job I remember when I worked on earth moving equipment. The tip trucks threw rear suspension track rods and the only spanner that would swing in the confined space under the truck was my 14" shifter. This job was in the jungle with mud everywhere but I got the job done in short time and subsequently I was called on to replace every track rod after the first one I did. It was a good quality shifter worth a few dollars and it proved to be a real asset to the company even though it was my own personal shifter. The large nuts holding the rods were nice and wide and weren't so tight that the shifter couldn't undo them. Mind you, I had all the other proper tools and hardly ever used that large shifter, but when it was needed, it got used They're best for only wide nuts, you shouldn't use them for bolts, they're not right for bolts, and you should never use then on sump plugs for obvious reasons. If they get swaged, you're in trouble

There is a lot of experience speaking there.

Better on low torque applications.
If you have to use one, use a good  one.
Be careful.