Wide jaw wrenches

[Greenfrog]

Ridgid make a hex jaw pipe wrench and a monkey wrench (kind of like the old style monkey wrenches). Im interested in purchasing such instead of using regular pipe wrench that chews up the surface. Which one? Anyone used them? Suggestions? Ye$, I know the co$t!

 

[M-MAN]

I wouldn't bother with either. The monkey wrench works for square nuts but isn't worth a flip for anything else. They went obsolete as soon as the Cresent wrench was invented and that was a lifetime ago.

 

[Janicholson]

The value is in how they work. Both designs tighten as force is applied, so even the monkey style is far less likely to round a hex. The advantage is moderated by the bulk and clumsy nature of that flex gripping design. I like them as an optional solution. Probably not a first out of the box, but maybe really needed upon occasion. I think a chain wrench can provide similar confident force application with less bulk and slight additional attachment effort. Jim

 

[Brian G. NY]

I never was a fan of the old time "monkey wrench" but I'm sure they served their purpose in their time and mechanics were happy to have them back then.
I call the Rigid and Trimo wrenches "high class" monkey wrenches. I'm sure a few real plumbers use the "half a hex" Rigids on hex pipe fittings like unions and such. In my experience, however, most just use their trusty Rigid pipe wrenches.
My first Trimo is the big one which I inherited from my Dad. He used it almost exclusively for bending steel. You can see it has been well (maybe unwell) used and I use it often for the same purpose. I have used the Rigids as well when piping up wells and such.....makes a neater job if anybody ever takes the time to notice. I have quite a collection of these wrenches which I have acquired at garage sales and flea markets over many years. You should see my collection of Rigid pipe wrenches. LOL

 

[Red Dave]

We had wrenches like your top pic where I worked. We called them union wrenches.
They worked great tightening a union and didn't booger it up like the teeth on a pipe wrench could.

 

[funky_g00]

I keep looking for a hex wrench to add to my collection but I have not found one in my price range yet. In my opinion you can not go wrong with the good old monkey wrench. If you get a good/new one they do not slip any worse than a crescent wrench, plus they make a way better hammer! I use a monkey wrench probably an average of one day a week if not more. I use pipe wrenches and vise grips as a last resort because I also do not like the serrated jaws/chewed fastener effect/look. My .02

 

[quefan]

We use the hook style at work for flush valves on toilets and urinals, no marring of the chrome.
I also ground the jaws thin on one that we keep for disassmbly of Honeywell rad control valves in tight quarters.


Hard to go wrong with any tool from Rigid.
Q.

 

[Brian G. NY]

(quoted from post at 21:33:15 07/20/21)

Hard to go wrong with any tool from Rigid Q.

I'll second that!

 

[greenmech]

I would get the hex style first, very handy tool. Ron MN

 

[Greenfrog]

Yes, I know. I heard a guy call a crescent wrench, which is a brand name, a fits-all. Adjustable wrench is really the term.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Buy both, the man who dies with the most tools is a WINNER because you can't take your money with you. Enjoy your tools while you are alive.

 

[ldj]

I call then all sixteenths

 

[clevepreach]

(quoted from post at 05:43:58 07/21/21) Yes, I know. I heard a guy call a crescent wrench, which is a brand name, a fits-all. Adjustable wrench is really the term.

We called Adjustable wrenches "Kentucky Knuckle Busters" or "Arkansas Speed Handles." Of course, since I'm from Mississippi I'm sure that folks from Kentucky and Arkansas had some tools that utilized "Mississippi" in the name.

 

[SVcummins]

Mexican speed wrench