Wiha has quietly launched new adjustable wrenches that are – if you look closely – labeled as being made in Spain.
According to Amazon, they started carrying these wrenches over the summer. I only noticed them now because Amazon has the 3pc set on sale for around $70.
Wiha adjustable wrenches are available in a range of sizes, from 8″ up to 12″. They have SAE markings on one face, and metric on the other.
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If you’re thinking that these wrenches look familiar – you’re right.
The new Wiha adjustable wrenches look nearly identical to Channellock’s made-in-Spain adjustable wrenches, which are widely presumed to be made by Irega.
Wiha’s prices aren’t bad, but unless they offer something different, I see no reason to buy them over Channellock’s lower prices.
For example, Amazon has the Wiha 10″ wrench for $29.98 at the time of this posting, and Channellock’s is priced at $25.09. Plus, Channellock has different surface finish options, and their WideAzz wrenches with cushion-grip Code Blue handles.
The Channellock chrome finish 10″ wrench is $22.63.
I think it’s good for Wiha to put their name on more tools, but in this case I don’t see why anyone should buy what look to be the same exact tools for higher prices. Hopefully Wiha’s prices come down a bit.
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blocky
It could be just the photo, but the teeth that engage the turn screw look more pronounced on the Wiha wrenches – they might be sturdier; they might have more play in the jaw.
My WideAzz wrench is pretty snug, which is my preference.
Another one to consider are Lobtex wrenches, from Japan, which hold their spans incredibly well.
Randy
If you really care about holding a span, try the clickstop wrenches. There are teeth on the adjusty thingy so it never slips, even if you brush it against something while elbow deep in muck.
Koko The Talking Ape
Or just get some Knipex pliers-wrenches. They actually squeeze the nut, with tremendous force. They also release instantly, so you can get a kind of ratcheting action. The don’t slip or lose their adjustment. Just superior.
Koko The Talking Ape
Oops, other people already said this. I should’ve expected that!
BigTimeTommy
Lobster adjustable wrenches are great 👍
fred
Lobtex also make some oddball pliers like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/-/he/KT250/dp/B002UBMO8I
ITCD
That’s not just a Lobtex thing, a bunch of the pliers companies over there seem to be fans of making pump pliers that are more of a multi-tool. A screwdriver tip on the bottom is an incredibly common one.
You wanna see some more interesting Lobtex stuff though, the UU4150 has quite the jaw pattern. Or UU4150NA, same thing but now with screw removal tips too.
eess
If it fits , i tend to reach for my vise grip sometimes to help break loose a nut, especially if I have limited visibility.
I think locking adjustable wrenches exist but i don’t have any experience with them.
Steve
The Channelock WideAzz wrenches are nice. I have the 6″ one I believe and I wouldn’t be without it…
James
Yeah I like it too! Although this community convinced me to try pliers wrenches and I’ve barely touched an adjustable since…
Doresoom
Same here. Once I tried the Knipex pliers wrench, I don’t think I’ve used a regular adjustable wrench since.
MM
It’s been largely the same for me. The only times I use adjustable wrenches now are extremes: either my tiny 3″ Bahcos for things like nuts on panel switches or jacks, or a massive 30″ Blue-Point, usually in conjunction with a cheater pipe, for very large nuts that exceed my selection of combination wrenches or for bending plate.
fred
Once in a blue moon I’ll grab one of my thin jaw adjustable wrenches:
https://www.amazon.com/Engineer-TWM-07-Adjustable-Monkey-Wrench/dp/B000TGHOCW/
Jared
There’s a 3″ adjustable? I’m going to need one of those…
fred
I see a listing for a 2.5 inch long adjustable wrench:
https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/gindo-bussan/B01ET100B4.html
But I don’t any expectations that it is anything but a toy
MM
@Jared
I don’t know if they are still made, I inherited mine from my father who must have gotten them back in the 1960’s or early 1970’s. I’m actually not sure where they are at the moment, if I remember and come across them I’ll post their part number if they are marked.
Jared
@MM Thanks! It would probably be more of a novelty for me, but I’d love to have one in that size. Not having much luck on google, so good chance it was discontinued.
I might have to go with those questionable-looking 2.5″ versions fred pointed out!
MM
@Jared
I found them! First off, it turns out I was wrong about the size, they are actually closer to 4″ long though they certainly feel smaller in the hand. The markings are as follows on each side:
V-STEEL 4″ BAHCO 0669 SWEDEN
BAHCO SWEDEN 139
The number “139” is in small font near the hole in the handle. The adjusting screw is left-hand threaded. According to http://www.melbys.net/bahco/Gen_four.htm the 0669’s were made from 1969 to 1983. That’s a perfect match for the timeframe when my father would have acquired them. The photos and the description match as well, these have a very slim handle that is narrow near the jaws and gets a little wider towards the end with the hanging hole. That thin/slim handle is probably why these feel smaller than they actually measure.
I have another pair of interesting vintage Bahco adjustable wrenches but it is extremely rare that I use either. One is the is a Bicycle specific model that has a tire spoon at the end of the handle instead of a hanging hole. The other has an adjustable wrench on one end and an “Alligator” type universal wrench on the other.
Jared
Nice! Thank you. I’ll check that out.
fred
I have Williams adjustable wrenches dating from the 1950’s. Some have their somewhat effective locking button – like my APL-10 , ABL-10 and APL-12. I don’t believe they are still made. My Williams AP-4 is non-locking and 4 inch. They all suffer from being a bit sloppy in adjustment finesse. Bahco adjustables have the reputation of being better – but I have no firsthand experience.
Koko The Talking Ape
I could actually use those thin-jaw wrenches that fred mentioned. We get lots of used tools, and sometimes removing the blade requres a special thin wrench, which inevitably has been lost somewhere. I wish Knipex would make a pliers-wrench version. I guess I could grind down a regular pair, but it would take forever and probably bugger up a nice tool as well.
James
@Jared my mini pair I picked up at Rona. There’s one amazing Rona for tools in Montreal (the kind of place where they know the part numbers for power tools without looking them up) and I’m pretty sure that’s where I grabbed them. I think they’re closer to 4” than 3” – will try to come back with that info tomorrow.
Adam
I think the best made adjustable wrenches I have tried are Milwaukee. I often find myself having to loosen them after tightening something.
I used the 8″ wide to tighten a hitch ball to within a 1/4 turn of completion, and never backed off on its own.
I have at least 4 sets of just the 8″ wide, between vehicles, house & garage.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-8-in-Wide-Jaw-Adjustable-Wrench-48-22-7508/207103155
Mach 1 Graham
The Bahco 8069 4″ adjustable wrench. I have carried one in my pocket for 20 years. Amazon or eBay around 20 bucks. Never lets a guy down!
Brandon
I’ve used the channellock ones for years as a boilermaker and now as a mobile welder. I use the heck out of the 10″ 12″ and 15″. I agree there doesn’t seem to be any reason to pay more for the same design.
JP Michaels
I don’t see any point of buying an adjustable wrench in my books the propper fitting wrench is the best option. These ones are not as useful in tighter spaces.
Adam
While I do grab on occasion as the first wrench, I find it more often coming into use when you need a 2nd wrench of the same size to tighten or loosen something.
Howard D Meier
I’m not a gearhead, just an old retired toolmaker. My diamond set served me well for 50 some years. A few years ago I picked up an 8 inch adjustable wrench at harbor freight to lock down bolts on loading presses to my bench. Very little slop in nice parallel jaws. Never really used on tight bolts, I have sockets and wrenches for that