Craftsman’s new folding ratcheting clench wrenches have adjustable jaws that can fit a wide range of fastener sizes. Form the looks of it, they auto-fit to any 6pt metric or inch hex fasteners, and potentially several other types as well.
The new Craftsman clench wrenches are available in a 2-piece set that includes 6-inch and 8-inch versions. Both tools feature folding handles, and it looks like the heads can be adjusted and locked in at several angles for easier fastener access. Spring-loaded jaws create a convenient ratcheting-action.
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Normally we’re skeptical of these types of tools, but this looks like an interesting design. I also like that the handles collapse to give the tools a compact footprint.
Check price or purchase via Sears
Like the new Crescent Double-X pliers that we also discussed today, the Craftsman ratcheting Clench Wrenches were featured in the Sears 2011 Holiday Tool Catalog.
jeff_williams
Does it have a belt clip? I’d love to carry it if it was like the Milwaukee fast-back clip.
Stuart
They don’t have clips, as I imagine that could potentially hinder their usage.
But there should be ways for you to attach a clip or mounting point if you really wanted to.
fred
We have a few sets of Weil Adjustamatic wrenches that were made in Japan in the late 1960’s or early ’70s – and sold back then through industrial and plumbing supply houses. I have one older wrench of a similar design – bearing the “Crescent” name that looks to be pre-WWII vintage. These are all similar to what you picture – but with spring-loaded “toothed” pipe-wrench type jaws and solid – not folding handles. Like all pipe wrenches they tend to have some inherent “grab” – and mark the pipe – so you would not use them on chrome or other plated pipe. Where they have an application is in hard to reach and see areas – where you can simply hook them onto the pipe or nipple without needing to fiddle adjusting a regular (Stillson Pattern) pipe wrench.
With smooth jaws on the pictured wrenches – they would appear to be aimed at similar situations for hex nuts and bolts. While the geometry – would seem to keep them tight in the torqueing direction – I’m not sure if they would have a tendency to round off the hex.
Robin
Looks like the Clench Wrenches that Sears sold in the mid to late ’90s. These wrenches look sleeker and the handles look beefier. Plus the wrench folds into the handle which is cool..
Sledgecrowbar
What kind of torque can the locking mechanism withstand? Unless it was the size of a multi-pliers, I’d be hesitant to trust a lockback with breaking a stubborn fastener loose.
KenZ
I assume they’ll work similar to the myark, which is one of the coolest demos around. I think with this kind of tool (e.g. the myark, which sadly never made it to production) it’ll do amazing things BUT you need some skill so that you don’t trash the nuts/bolts in the process.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3-EsetvqRg
Dan Richards
I’m surprised this isn’t Robo-Grip branded. Bob Vila sold a ton of those.
Alan Milner
The Robo Grips were pliers, not wrenches, which means that they were less maneuverable but more easily able to apply greater torque than an open ended wrench can.
rob
I will be interested to see a few reviews of these. When the showed up in the Craftsman catalog there wasn’t much info with them. I could see these being handy in my tool kit I have in my truck or boat. When space is tight I like the tools have can adjust or have many different uses.
Stuart
It will take a couple of days before I can review them. If you specific questions about the clench wrenches, I can try to answer them ahead of the review. A sample arrived last night, so I do have the tools in front of me at the moment.
Regarding the geometry, the jaw angles are about comparable to that of the old-school OneHander, and they are smooth/non-serrated. I’m not sure what kind of torque they can handle, but I’ll try to come up with a test. A cheater bar will probably break the mechanism.
Regarding the Myark, thanks for sharing the video. I’ve seen their fixed-jaw wrenches before, but never that adjustable one.
Dan Richards
I just remembered what these remind me of: a basin wrench.
KenZ
Yeah, the myark video is awesome, although it does indicate that some finesse/skill is required to use it well. However, I contacted the Myark guy about a year ago and he said he isn’t going to go into production. I literally begged him to make us a bunch, but he said the volume wasn’t high enough, and if they were popular, he’d just get ripped off by the chinese anyway (who do make a non-spring loaded version; just search alibaba). If the Myark were actually built (more functional appearing than this Craftsman thing) in titanium, I’d actually pay quite a bit for it, but I think those of us that would pay a premium for quality are few and far etween.
John Kinsey
I was able to play around with these a few weeks back at Sears. I am a mechanic, so naturally innovative tools interest me. I like the idea of the self adjust and the folding of the tool. One thing I did notice is the locking mechanism, which is a button, can be inadvertantly pushed to the unlock position if you’re not careful, I think finesse is key. I’m not sure if it would fare well in tight places, but I may buy a set and give it a whirl in my day to day goings on. The price isn’t that bad, so even if it didn’t really work out it wouldn’t be that great of a loss.
jesse
Clench Wrench video on YT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9vrriWeNXc
JML
The original Clench wrenches were a waste. They left their mark on nuts – literally.
Paul
I have a set of these from the late 1990’s and use them frequently. I was going to buy a set of newer ones for my #3 tool box but now see that they’re MADE IN CHINA! I will not buy these wrenches from Sears, only used ones MADE IN USA from an eBay or Amazon seller! That’s where most of my Craftsman tools are coming from these days. Sears…. Shame in you!!
Show Sears you mean business and skip buying Chinese made Craftsman tools from their stores! There are over 8,000 Craftsman items posted on eBay daily with more than 1/2 Made In USA. If it doesn’t show USA on the tool or packaging, don’t bid on it!
Paul
I also meant to comment….. If you’re in the market for Chinese made tools, go to Harbor Freight! They carry the same “lifetime” warranty and really aren’t bad in quality. I refuse to put Chinese made Craftsman tools in my USA Craftsman tool boxes! The new tool boxes are made in Mexico! Give that some thought while you’re at it!
Additional…. some of the Craftsman tools are also coming from Taiwan! Skip those too!
Sears doesn’t respond to my emails concerning the China issue. They don’t care and don’t want to talk about it. If you’ll notice, Sears is selling a lot of their remaining USA made tools at a steep discount. Why? So when it runs out, you’ll have no choice but yo buy Chinese Craftsman or buy old stock and used tools on eBay.
FYI…. the escalating shift to Chinese made tools at Sears happened on Obama’s watch!
Johan
Unfortunately the quality of hand tools is steadily getting worse. And it is really the purchasers fault. We buy the cheaper versions and models and that ends it for the US and European tool companies because they cannot produce quality tools and compete with poor quality Eastern products. The saddest part is that young craftsmen and women will never know the joy and pride of owning real quality hand tools – the kind that were left to you by your father after his father left them to him. Today is use, break, replace. Again – it is the purchasers fault. Simply put – don’t but junk when you buy tools.
Denis
Hi
I read KenZ comment about the Myark wrench, which is my design and the name I created also I called my 11 year old son Myark.
KenZ misunderstood about rip-offs as its not the Chinese I am worried about its past rip-offs from the USA, New Zealand and Australia knock offs as I have had no problems in China except when a French guy visited me in China then doubled crossed me in a business deal and started to manufacture my ideas in Taiwan which was short lived after I exposed him big time as a low life knock off.
I then redesigned the Myark wench and have since placed it on hold but eventually will start to manufacturing in the near future as I am developing and manufacturing other smaller multi tools for kick starter projects this moment and have some exciting Gr5 titanium and CPM S35VN multi tools for ongoing kick starter campaigns this year.
I live in China and love every moment as its a designers heaven because of the affordability to develop ideas and the respect and kindness is outstanding
Stuart
After watching the video again (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3-EsetvqRg), all I can say is *wow*.
Murray
Is there anywhere I can purchase your original Mark products? I’m not into the cheap impersonators. I have a set of spanners which u first made. I would like to purchase your newer wrench that enables a chain to be used with it as well.
Have searched extensively to see where I could purchase these products but can’t find any info on them .
Thanks Murray
scotty
hope you can manufacture the myark wrench and like you say, its not necessarily the chinese who knock off the copies but the western companies who make fake copies and have them manufactured in china. Please keep the quality and features like were shown in the video and like the swiss army knife and the leatherman tools , you will soon earn a reputation for quality and function and the price will not deter the true buyer of superb tools. Word of mouth and reviews on line soon spread the word on excellent products! Wish you well and hope to see the tool on the market in the near future,perhaps sell it direct? Those tv advertising channels are highly suspect and get terrible reviews.