I came across these new Husky Reversa adjustable wrenches the other day at my local Home Depot. These wrenches feature a double-sided jaw that, when reversed, turn the ordinary-looking wrenches into pipe wrenches. The set includes 8-inch and 10-inch sizes, and are priced at $15.
Not only are the jaws reversible, but the wrenches also feature Husky’s Double-Speed adjustment mechanism, which I tested and liked when the technology debuted last year.
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I was curious to see how well the wrenches worked, so I bought a set to test out.
Husky Reversa in Ordinary Adjustable Wrench Mode
Both Reversa wrenches adjust smoothly and quickly. Aside from the Double-Speed jaw width adjustment gearing, these are your average unremarkable adjustable wrenches.
Two things I did not quite like about these wrenches are how large and heavy they are, compared to other 8-inch and 10-inch adjustable wrenches.
Reversing the Removable Jaws
As you open the wrench’s jaws, there will be a point where the lower jaw hits a ball detent embedded in the wrench. Keep turning the adjustment wheel and the lower jaw will push past that detent until the detent pops into a groove on the lower jaw. Keep turning the adjustment wheel and the lower jaw will disengage from the wrench.
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The ball detent is a soft-stop that is intended as a signal that you’re nearing the maximum opening width. On the smaller wrench, the ball detent was more pronounced, but on the larger wrench, it was barely protruding from the wrench.
In practice, on the smaller wrench, the extra-proud ball detent gives a false signal well before the maximum opening width was reached. On the larger wrench, the near-flush ball detent doesn’t give any signal. All this means is that you have to keep an eye on the jaw opening width while adjusting the wrench.
After the lower jaw is removed, it is relatively quick and easy to reinstall and reengage it to the wrench body.
Husky Reversa in Pipe Wrench Mode
As a pipe wrench, the Reversa design worked reasonably well to grip the 1-1/2″ black pipe I had on hand to test it on, but not as well as adjustable pipe wrenches that have grooved jaws on both sides. Leverage might also be an issue, as 8-inch and 10-inch are fairly short sizes.
Comparison to Other Adjustable Wrenches
As mentioned, these wrenches are large, and they are heavy.
On the left is the 8-inch Husky Adjusta wrench opened to where the jaw hits the first ball detent. It can actually open up another 1/2″ or so.
On the right is a Channellock 8-inch WideAzz adjustable wrench ($25 via Amazon). The Channellock wrench is my go-to adjustable wrench, and also one of widest-opening ones I use.
Here’s a side view of the two wrenches on-edge.
Compared to other adjustable wrenches, the size of the Husky Reversa wrenches stands out even more. These are not wrenches I would want to carry around all day in a tool bag or tool belt pouch, but the extra weight wouldn’t be noticeable in a stationary tool box.
Conclusion
For $15, I’m not too disappointed with these adjustable wrenches. They adjust quickly and offer 2-in-1 functionality. But since I use short adjustable wrenches more often than short pipe wrenches, the disadvantages of the wrenches’ added size and weight outweigh the advantages of their added 2-in-1 versatility.
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
jesse
Bahco has had these for a long time, and no doubt many other companies as well.
Michael Quinlan
True, but buying 8″ and 10″ Bahco wrenches will set you back about 3 times as much.
Stan
But the Bacho wrenches aren’t made in China though. But also Bacho makes high quality products as well.
KL
Wow they,d have to be large; 1.5″ pipe is 1.906 OD. That’s a pretty large spread for most “lower end” ie $15 adjustable wrenches
Stuart
The wrench can handle up to 1-1/2″ pipe with 1.90″ nominal width, but that’s pushing its limit. I think that performance would be best with 1-1/4″ (1.66″ nom) pipes or smaller.
Edward Curth
hi Paul What was the model number of that set ? Could you send it to me? Your link is no longer valid [redacted]@yahoo.com I’ll give you fifteen bucks for the set maybe 20, I loved it and lost my short one used it all the time at work. Thanks Ed
Stuart
I’m sorry, I have since donated the wrenches.
Kevin
I was just on the Channellock website. They have 6, 8, 10 and 12 inch versions. My curiosity brought me here to check for a review. Happy New Year.
Noah
Thanks for the review. Saw them in the store and was so tempted. Still am.
Jerry
I’m thinking these would be more for the ‘occasional’ do it yourselfer, who would rather have tools that do more than one task, rather than dedicated tools for each use.
Jordan
That’s what I’m thinking too. These may also be useful for smaller tool bags where weight is a factor.
The jaws don’t look like they’d rock much or at all so, you might not get the full benefits of a true pipe wrench. Either way, I’m interested. I’ll check them out next time I’m at Home Depot.
Phil
Hmm. One of these might do nicely in my carry-around-tool-bag-of-unlimited-possibilities, aka my traveling tool kit currently at 60 pounds. I can toss out an existing adjustable and not split any more seams. I can think of times where I needed a small pipe wrench.
Matthew Sumner
I have a similar design Bahco, and also another vintage brand of similar design. Never really used them much. If I were given the above set as a gift they would probably go in the tool bag in my truck. Would be good to have as a just in case tool because of the multiple uses. Not something I would go out and buy.
Brian14
Interesting concept – was not aware that adjustables like this existed.
Dustin Miller
I was given one of these wrenches as a gift and absolutely love it but I am searching for another one and can’t find it anywhere. Do you have a part number or somewhere I can buy them?