Crescent wrench proper use

[LWJ]

I like Fred’s answer. “Hammer Function.” Genius.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

My Crescent wrenches have always doubled as micrometers.
Some of them are older than I am as they were my dad's.

Now there's an idea! I always thought my Chinese combination micrometer/welding clamp was a great tool, but adding in the adjustable wrench function would make it a tool you could sell on YouTube.

I have 3 work areas spread out over the property and keep at least an 8" or 10" adjustable in each one, plus one in my tractor tool box and one in my golf cart tool box. I have some hanging on the wall in my main shop. I have so many duplicates because an employee was stealing my tools. I replaced them, then found the originals (long story). I still have the 10" genuine Crescent wrench my dad kept in the tool box of his John Deere 520.

The blue 2" wrench is not much more than a toy. I've had the 4" Crescent brand with the yellow handle for 50 years. The 6" is a new Crescent brand made in Spain (OK quality). The rest are old non-Crescent but good Made in USA wrenches.



On the subject on proper use of tools, it's never too late to learn. I've been using screwdrivers for decades, but I remember a tutorial Zeke gave here on proper use of a flat blade screwdriver and thought, "Damn. I didn't know that!"

[Quinlan]

That’s a great set of nut rounders ya got there!

[Norm K]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

I hope I am using the hammer function correctly

This!

One thing he didn't clarify in the video, though, is whether this is an issue with metric versions too, or SAE only.

_

[Jeff Hail]

Adjustable Metric Spanners are handy.

[pwd72s]

Project Farm did a test...interesting results. 20 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyOd05PUix4&ab_channel=ProjectFarm

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hail

Adjustable Metric Spanners are handy.

Yeah. I threw away all my adjustable imperial ones. It got too confusing having the two systems.

[cstreit]

I'd like to see a stress analysis of this. Wouldn't the top and bottom be receiving equal force if the jaws are tight?

[zakthor]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I also saw a person loading a paint roller by dipping it into a can of paint.

What an imbecile. Everyone knows to splash the paint on the wall from the can and then roller it even.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hail

Adjustable Metric Spanners are handy.

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Yeah. I threw away all my adjustable imperial ones. It got too confusing having the two systems.

Don't be silly guys, I have both!

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by cstreit

I'd like to see a stress analysis of this. Wouldn't the top and bottom be receiving equal force if the jaws are tight?

I think so, but the the lower jaw has less mass and is not as strong. The work doesn't care.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by cstreit

I'd like to see a stress analysis of this. Wouldn't the top and bottom be receiving equal force if the jaws are tight?

I don’t think so. Rotating the wrench towards the movable jaw creates a moment at the tip of the jaw. Rotating away from the movable jaw creates a moment at the base of the jaw. The moment arm from the tip of the jaw to the pin that the adjuster barrel rotates is longer than the moment arm from the base of the jaw. The extra bending force against the pin is more likely to bend the pin and mess up your wrench.

[A930Rocket]

I can’t remember which way I was using the crescent wrench, but after putting a lot of force on it, the adjustable part popped off. It was a good brand-name crescent wrench also. I should’ve been using a socket though.

[cstreit]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I don’t think so. Rotating the wrench towards the movable jaw creates a moment at the tip of the jaw. Rotating away from the movable jaw creates a moment at the base of the jaw. The moment arm from the tip of the jaw to the pin that the adjuster barrel rotates is longer than the moment arm from the base of the jaw. The extra bending force against the pin is more likely to bend the pin and mess up your wrench.

I see what you're saying. You want the moment of force further out on the stronger "top" portion. ...but wouldn't this mean you should do it backwards?

This guy suggested the first direction, but I would think the second is better?

[jyl]

Originally Posted by cstreit

I see what you're saying. You want the moment of force further out on the stronger "top" portion. ...but wouldn't this mean you should do it backwards?

This guy suggested the first direction, but I would think the second is better?

That’s what I initially thought (that counterclockwise is better). But adjustable wrenches don’t fail by the adjustable jaw tearing off, they fail by the adjustment mechanism (worm gear, teeth) getting damaged. Counterclockwise tends to force the adjustable jaw to slide, which means the force is being applied to the adjustment mechanism. Clockwise adds a rotation force to the adjustable jaw, which is resisted by the sliding parts, thus distributing the force between the adjustment mechanism and the siding parts.

That’s my theory anyway - explained it in more detail above. Whether it’s true - someone should take a couple cheap wrenches and abuse them to see.

[herr_oberst]

The wrench grips and turns the edges of the fastener, not the sides.

[911_Dude]

Ridiculous. If the tool cant handle going either way its a junk tool. Ive used a adjustable wrench my entire life for various things and never have given the direction of rotation a thought. Also, never had an adjustable wrench break or bend. To me this falls into the category of debating the orientation of the Porsche crest on the wheel hub.

Coincidently, I just recently bought a Knipex gear drive adjustable. Great tool. The old Cresant screw type will see little use now.



.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by jyl

That’s what I initially thought (that counterclockwise is better). But adjustable wrenches don’t fail by the adjustable jaw tearing off, they fail by the adjustment mechanism (worm gear, teeth) getting damaged. Counterclockwise tends to force the adjustable jaw to slide, which means the force is being applied to the adjustment mechanism. Clockwise adds a rotation force to the adjustable jaw, which is resisted by the sliding parts, thus distributing the force between the adjustment mechanism and the siding parts.

That’s my theory anyway - explained it in more detail above. Whether it’s true - someone should take a couple cheap wrenches and abuse them to see.

Way I see it as well. The weakest point of the wrench is the worm gear/teeth...

[CurtEgerer]

Do we really need a 5-minute tutorial on using an adjustable wrench When using adjustable tools of any kind, quality/precision is particularly important. Pay the extra $$, get the best adjustable wrench (most are horrible), and you'll be able to use it backwards, forwards, upside down or as a small hammer in a pinch.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I also saw a person loading a paint roller by dipping it into a can of paint.

Hah. I represent that comment so please retract at once, sir!
Put in a kitchen ceiling light a few weeks ago but the paint needed touch up. Half empty old 5gal bucket of Glidden ceiling white using a drill and long mixer cage to pulverize it first. A 2ft extension handle screwed on and worked from floor. Roll it gently across the surface of the bucket paint and shake it out inside. The drips happen when the roller gets fill up inside and at the edges. Roll edges a bit harder first inside the line and go over it again.
Didn't even use a drop cloth but covered the stove with cardboard. Only a few small drips. YeahI live dangerously.


Turning a crescent 'the right way' forces the adjustable jaw into the frame. Brown arrows.
(I mostly use them for holding a valve still or larger nuts which can't be chewed up)