Comments on: Reader Question: Which Adjustable Tool Rules ‘em All?

By: Eric Corson

Eric Corson — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 07:20:53 +0000

I second the two previous Knipex fans, they are ahead of everyone including latest Irwin, which is a fine tool. They excell at tight small plumbing but i always carry the twelve inch cobra in my tool bucket along with a couple Crescents and come off the roof when i need more specific wrench sizes.

By: Jeff T

Jeff T — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 06:15:10 +0000

Hey, anybody try the Stanley locking crescent wrench? It is a crescent wrench that are also vice-grips at the same time. I’ve heard it’s awesome.

By: Stuart

Stuart — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 02:42:41 +0000

Knipex are simply the best. And priced accordingly…

By: nrChris

nrChris — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:54:40 +0000

I just picked up a set of the Cobras from Knipex, and I have to agree with eschoendorff, they are great. I paid about $25 for a 10″ set, and I think that I will probably pick up the smaller size too.

By: Roscoe

Roscoe — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 12:30:51 +0000

I’m a firm believer that a crescent wrench or any other adjustable tool should never be a first-choice substitute for the proper size end wrench. That being said, if you’re end the field and have to carry one tool that will work every time for loosening fasteners, I’d go with the vice-grips. I’d rather mar a bolt and replace it later, that not get it off at all.

By: Cybergibbons

Cybergibbons — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 11:25:03 +0000

The only tools I carry with me everyday are a Bahco 10″ shifter, a Pelican torch and a insulated terminal screwdriver. The shifter does most of the things you need it to - if you need to do anything else, then there is probably the “correct” tool back in the workshop, so there is no need to use pliers.

I do use pump pliers now and then, for huge nuts and stuff like you find on, well, pumps. Mole grips are great for removing rusted studs, and rounded off Allen head bolts.

By: eschoendorff

eschoendorff — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 02:12:41 +0000

Robogrips are a joke… Knipex Cobras are the best choice in this situation.

By: Stuey

Stuey — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 23:56:45 +0000

Well, I didn’t mean regular toothed Vise-Grips, I meant these:

http://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-04SG-Locking-Wrench-Vise-Grip/dp/B0000CCXW3

I ordered a pair anyways, but the questions hit me afterwards. If I had to do something relatively simple and easy, say tighten the antenna on my car, and couldn’t use a regular wrench, all three tool choices would be appropriate.

Maybe it’s just my lack of experience crying out.

By: Chris Ball

Chris Ball — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 23:22:09 +0000

It depends:
Cresent wrench - Lots of room to work and I don’t want to wreck the nut.
Pump pliers - big nuts, less room to work with, slightly less care about the nut’s finish.
Vice grips - last step before I grab a nut splitter or torch. You know it is properly set when the teeth have bitten about 2/32″ into the nut.

Obviously if the thing isn’t really torqued together any of these things will get it apart without problems but, I think, each has a specific use that it is designed for.

Of these things, the cresent wrench is the most dependant on tool quality so if you are going cheap, stick with pump pliers or just get one big pair of vice grips.

By: Nate Bezanson

Nate Bezanson — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 22:11:33 +0000

The Knipex “water pump” pliers, posted back in August, are the best I’ve used. They provide tons of leverage, they’re surprisingly slim to reach into awkward places, and the metal has just enough “give” to it that you can tell how much force you’re really exerting. When my everyday Crescents slip, I stop before doing too much damage and grab the Knipex. They’ve never failed me.

By: Greg Smith

Greg Smith — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 20:30:04 +0000

I love my RoboGrips, I use them all the time.

By: Don

Don — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 20:05:34 +0000

I’ve used a few different tools like this and I do think they have their place. I did end up leaving most of them in my shop rather than carry them around in the field though. I just didn’t like the wide range of motion when working on smaller bolts and nuts. Also, I don’t think they held as strong when really putting presure against larger bolts. These Irwin plyers do look pretty nice though.