Browsing the aisles of Home Depot, I came across the Crescent X6 Pass-Thru Adjustable Wrench Set (CPTAW8). At first, I really didn’t know what to think of this 3-in-1 socket-adjustable-pipe wrench combo, and honestly I’m still not sure I do.
The Crescent X6 wrench looks like an ordinary adjustable wrench at first, until you notice the jaws and that there is a reversible ratcheting mechanism where you normally see a hanging hole.
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Crescent isn’t the first company to make an adjustable wrench that has a reversible pipe jaw (Husky’s Reversa wrenches come to mind), neither are they the first to make a combination adjustable wrench-ratchet, but I can’t find another company that has combined all of these features into a single wrench.
The first thing that stuck me about the wrench was the pass-through ratcheting handle. Crescent also makes a 20pc pass-thru ratchet and socket set ($27 at Amazon, $38 at HD) that features the same design. It’s also worth mentioning that Gearwrench – which like Crescent is owned by Apex Tool Group – offers a full range of pass-thru sockets and accessories that the X6 wrench is probably compatible with.
Crescent claims these pass-thru sockets replace standard and deep well sockets, and that may be true for some uses.
The universal-style sockets fit a bunch of different fasteners, such as square, 6pt, 12pt, E-Torx, and spline. Crescent says they even work on partially rounded (damaged) 6pt fasteners. The sockets also combine standard and metric sizes into one, so you don’t need to carry around as many sockets.
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Crescent includes 10 sockets with the wrench: 3/8″ (10mm), 7/16″ (11mm), 15/32″ (12mm), 1/2″ (13mm), 9/16″ (14mm), 19/32″ (15mm), 5/8″ (16mm), 11/16″ (17mm), 23/32″ (18mm), and 3/4″ (19mm). Unfortunately this set lacks the same adapter that’s included in the 20pc set that can drive standard 3/8″ sockets.
If you really want to use the Crescent X6 wrench with standard square drive sockets, Gearwrench’s adapter (via Amazon) might fit, although there’s no guarantee. Craftsman’s Max Axess square adapter might also work, and if not you could return them to your local Sears store. Bit holders are also available, although
When used as an 8″ adjustable wrench, the jaws open wider than other 8″ adjustable wrenches. In fact, they’ll open so wide the jaw will fall out! That’s a feature, not a flaw, because it allows you to reverse the jaw to create an adjustable pipe wrench, although you’re going to be limited to using it on smaller diameter pipes.
Crescent coats the forged alloy steel wrench in a black phosphate finish for good corrosion resistance. The jaws are laser etched with a standard inch scale on one side and a metric scale on the other. And don’t throw away the packaging, as it can be used to neatly store the wrench and sockets.
Crescent lists the X6 Pass-Thru adjustable wrench set for $50, but you can pick it up at Home Depot for $30.
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The following video, with upbeat but fortunately not heavy metal background music, demonstrates the tool in each of its three functions.
First Thoughts
The first rule with a combo tool like this is to ask whether any of the functions get in the way of any of the others. In this case, does the socket wrench get in the way of the adjustable wrench or vise-versa? The ratchet is pretty much flush with the wrench handle, and isn’t much larger than the end of a regular adjustable wrench, and so I would guess it wouldn’t get in the way if you are using the tool as an adjustable wrench or pipe wrench.
What I’m a little more concerned about is the large adjustable wrench head being located right where you would want to grab the handle when using the ratchet function. That might affect how much leverage you could apply with the tool being used as a socket wrench. Also, the large head might make it hard to use this tool as a ratchet in tight spaces.
I also don’t like Crescent saying that their pass-thru system replaces standard and deep wells sockets; I think it’s a little misleading. This isn’t any different from how other brands market their X-in-1 universal and pass-thru drive tools, but that doesn’t change things. Sure, pass-thru sockets will work better than deep well sockets for some uses, such as to access fasteners on very long bolts or threaded rod, and they’ll work fine as standard sockets. But without an extension, which is not included with this set, you’re going to need a different tool for reaching recessed fasteners.
As equipped, with just the main tool and 10 sockets, the X6 wrench set is better described as a complement to a regular socket set, and not a replacement.
There’s also the “universal” dual-size sockets. Some users like them, some hate them. It’s not really the spline profile that’s the issue – although sometimes it is – but how inch and metric sizes are mashed together into a single socket.
A few years ago Stuart investigated how well a Kobalt dogbone-style wrench with universal sockets fit standard hex fasteners. Spoiler: there was a lot of slop. Manufacturers have tightening things up over the years, but you’re not going to get as precise a fit with a universal dual-size spline socket as you would with a standard 6pt socket. Disregarding the dual-size issue for a moment, it’s worth pointing out that a major selling point of spline sockets and wrenches is that they provide a better grip for partially rounded and damaged fasteners.
While this tool might replace an 8″ adjustable wrench, I don’t think it’s going to cut it as your only ratchet or pipe wrench. Still it might be a good tool to drop into a go bag or give to your kids when they get their first apartment.
Hang Fire
I can see this really appealing to a “Supe” (building superintendent) who has to carefully choose what goes in his toolbelt. Often the job is a very quick one, or so big the immediate duty is quickly shutting off power or water until you can get your big tool set and really tackle the job.
As Allen pointed out in the Kobalt wench-ratchet thread, one still needs something to hold the opposite end of a bolt/nut combination. For a Supe with a tool belt, that would be some Knipex Cobra’s or Channel-lock’s.
Spline sockets, love ’em or hate ’em… they do work on most anything, but can tear up the nut or bolt head. I guess they are a good choice for an ultra-portable tool kit, and if the job really gets to big, use it to shut things down until the big tools can be called in.
John
Fred said it! A ‘jack of all trades….’
It’s a tool designed and packaged….and priced to appeal to impulse buyers.
Around here the 2 adjustable wrenches are usually handing on the rack gathering dust or under the seat of the tractor respectively!
fred
I actually looked at these at HD yesterday and thought “another jack of all trades and master of none tool.”
James C
At the least it should be a decent adjustable wrench.
Jerry
Just my opinion, but whoever said that those spline drive sockets work on rounded heads sure has had a different experience than I have. The universal ones that are supposed to grab both inch and metric are even worse. I would not trade my 6 point sockets for any kind of spline drive, even if I do have to buy two sets.
The wrench itself is intriguing, for instances where you need to carry as few tools as possible to get the job done, but after scraping a bunch of skin off my knuckles, I refuse to spend one cent on spline drive sockets.
Rusty
I almost bought this set until I noticed that it was “universal” metric/sae. I’ve needed a pass through ratchet a couple of times and never got around to buying a set and this looked perfect to throw in my truck for odd jobs. But these universal sets are just garbage.
Jerry
I have a Craftsman pass through ratchet, with 6 point sockets in both standard and metric, and am very satisfied with them. If my existing sockets would work with this wrench, I might look into getting one, it would be convenient to have a second ratchet, so I wouldn’t have to swap sockets so much. It wouldn’t be a stand alone tool, so much as a supplement to what I have.
AngryDrumGuy
While I’m not a fan of pass thru sets that don’t offer a flex ratchet, my bigger concern with this set would be that the pipe wrench application has you pulling on the dynamic jaw and not the static one, which is the opposite of how adjustable wrenches are designed to prevent knuckle-busting and provide better clearance/leverage.
I agree with the post and most of the comments that this is a complimentary set, not a replacement.
Mizzourob
I have the nagging sense that this sounds a lot like a Craftsman Father’s day “innovation.” I’ll take a pass on this.
Yadda
I know it’s gadgety, kludgy and sort of weird looking, but I like it. I don’t need it. I have ratchets, sockets and adjustables of all sizes coming out of my ears, but I like it. If the price drops under $30 I will probably own one.
Yadda
From 2010 Toolguyd – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/adjustable-wrench-with-built-in-ratchet/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Yadda
There’s also this monstrosity on Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/9-Long-Adjustable-Wrench-Ratchet/dp/B00FEPXH6A
Stuart
Wow, I totally forgot about that one!
jesse
A bargain at $68.
logan
well, I actually bought this set about 2 weeks ago.
I had been thinking about getting a pass-thru socket set for a while but hadnt made the move. The Wrench itself is quite solid. sturdy and has a big mouth for its size. So at the very least you have a pretty good adjustable wrench.
My line of work wont ever require the pipe wrench function so I doubt ill ever use it, id probably reach for some chanel locks instead.
The pass-thru sockets have served me well so far. I have only tried about 4-5 diffent sizes (all SAE) but the havent rounded anything off and fit really well. The fact that they are designed for metric sizes and squares gives me slight concern but seeing as metric is rare in my field Im not sweating it.
Overall, im satisfied with it so far and it has eleminated some space in my bag.
Michael
Another case of making a tool and then trying to convince you that you need it
GTX
After seeing this blog, I ran to home depot, because I was told of european brands (bahco I believe) that have a similar reversible jaw. But when I actually looked at the tool at the store, the teeth did not look robust at all. In fact they already looked somewhat rounded off. It kind of depended on the package I picked up.
Didn’t look like the quality was there, I was pretty disappointed.
Will
I bought this set to throw in my trunk in case I’m somewhere away from my tools and happen to need some sockets or an adjustable wrench in a pinch. I didn’t really check for quality at the store, but upon further examination the socket rims are not consistent in their thickness (as if the forging process is inaccurate). The teeth don’t look very sturdy either.
I won’t worry at all if any of this breaks or gets lost. It’s just a cheaply-made tool.
Joey
Yeah no thanks. Spline sockets are pretty much useless, not to mention metric/sae mash-ups hardly work. The only thing they do well, is stripping fasteners.
Pete
Stuart!
What happened to this tool (i posted the link)? I have one thats missing some sockets but it is so awesome! I cant find another one in SAE though!
http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Tool-30101-Drive-Socketstick/dp/B00006IIO2/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt
stan Davala
Just what I need, another set of non-universal sockets that will get used maybe twice a year.
Kimber Janney
I’ve had a set of GearWrench pass throughs for a few years, they have been my go to sockets.
I noticed on an Amazon Review an Apex Tool rep commented that the Gear Wrench and Crescent are compatible.
C. Nicoloff
I have a similar pass through set from Crescent. I was also upset about the lack of an extension, but the extensions and adapters made for Craftsman’s Max Axess pass through sets work perfectly with the Crescent ratchet. Gearwrench pieces also work. The only ones that don’t seem to fit are the sockets and adapters made for Lowe’s or Harbor Freight.
I work where I have to walk all over the place while carrying a tool bag. I can’t carry two ratchets and four sets of sockets, so these pass through sets are a reasonable compromise. My set has separate metric and SAE sockets though.
Anyway, a three inch extension will set you back about five bucks at Sears. It won’t be phosphate black, alas, but it will get the job done. Sears also sells an adapter for hooking on to regular sockets, if you find you need one. Cheers!
Pete
I saw this at homedepot for $20 yesterday and almost bought it for a ultra light tool bag but after looking at it I determined that I didn’t have a way to store the sockets. Other than in the plastic holder that it comes in, it’s really the only way to store them in order with them being easily accessible. Sure I could loop some paracord thru each socket and attach it to a carabeiner and clip it on but it doesn’t seem to be reasonable… If anyone has any other ideas let me know because I really like the idea of it.
John
I bought this set about a year and half ago just to see and I’m a elevator mechanic and I can say this much I use it everyday and it’s works I’ve put it to the test I actually tried to break it and can’t. I made a cheater bar for it to get more torque and haven’t had any problems also I thought the combination sockets would be a problem and they work fine I don’t really use the pipe wrench feature too much only on some escalator step pins but it works good for that.I also bought some craftsman Max axxess extensions ,adapters and sockets they made it even more useful definitely a well made tool.
Darryle Johnson
Best tool ever for the oilfield comes in hand for all small jobs on the rig will never buy another type