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I’m no longer jealous of your…

Old 10-12-22, 02:56 PM
  #1  
Classtime 
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I’m no longer jealous of your…

…4 inch adjustable wrench. Over the last few years, I’ve handled a few but they all were cheap, poorly forged, loose junk. This one is pretty nice and I highly recommend it.


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Old 10-12-22, 03:18 PM
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Needs a digital caliper-type read-out.

Does the other side have a metric scale?
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Old 10-12-22, 03:27 PM
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I will neither confirm nor deny hoarding curating a collection of 4" adjustable wrenches. Mostly quality brands such as (US made) Craftsman, Snap-On Blue Point, etc.

That being said, I'll typically carry a 6" in the bike toolbag, as a 4" usually is too small to handle common bicycle fasteners (such as saddle or axle nuts) or provides insufficient leverage. Many of my bikes have nutted hubs, and I'm often asked / tasked with helping others' bikes in time of need.

This one is the most interesting in the toolbox.
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Old 10-12-22, 03:56 PM
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Don't leave that lying around the Spoke.

Is one end left-handed and the other right-handed?
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Old 10-12-22, 03:56 PM
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I'm partial to the Knipex mini wrench pliers myself. Though I do wish they made one that would go as big as 32mm to tighten headsets.


Courtesy of the: Adventure Rider review

The XS version can be useful too:
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Old 10-12-22, 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by RCMoeur
I will neither confirm nor deny hoarding curating a collection of 4" adjustable wrenches. Mostly quality brands such as (US made) Craftsman, Snap-On Blue Point, etc.

That being said, I'll typically carry a 6" in the bike toolbag, as a 4" usually is too small to handle common bicycle fasteners (such as saddle or axle nuts) or provides insufficient leverage. Many of my bikes have nutted hubs, and I'm often asked / tasked with helping others' bikes in time of need.

This one is the most interesting in the toolbox.
Oh yea. The old Diamond Tool and Horseshoe double ended adjustable wrench.

One end is for metric and the other English. No that is not right.

One end is for tightening the other end is for loosening bolts and nuts. No that has been debunked. They work either way.

One end is for holding the bolt while the other end loosens the nut. No way, Jose.

There are two ends just in case one end breaks because you were using it as a hammer. NO.

One end is equivalent to a 4" and the other end is equivalent to a 6" adjustable wrench. Yea, that's it. The 4" end works good on brake and derailleur nuts while the 6" end works on axle and seat bolts. They are especially good for Sturmey Archer hubs.

These Diamond Tool wrenches seem to be better made than the newer ones that I see nowadays. That is just my opinion. I wouldn't mind having a double ender, but since they are getting valuable, that may be going beyond my usual budget for a tool to keep in the tool bag. And don't throw it at a car that almost killed you.

Are you jealous of this double ender @Classtime ? I might be.

Last edited by Velo Mule; 10-12-22 at 04:32 PM.
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Old 10-12-22, 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Polaris OBark
Needs a digital caliper-type read-out.

Does the other side have a metric scale?
Yes. Metric on the other side.
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Old 10-12-22, 05:53 PM
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My son brought this back from France for me several years ago. As you can see, it is well-used.
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Old 10-12-22, 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by JaccoW
I'm partial to the Knipex mini wrench pliers myself. Though I do wish they made one that would go as big as 32mm to tighten headsets.


Courtesy of the: Adventure Rider review

The XS version can be useful too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWRhASrMvp0

Those look like they would be great for installing or removing water supply tubes to/from the angle stops under the sink
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Old 10-12-22, 06:33 PM
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Originally Posted by JaccoW
I'm partial to the Knipex mini wrench pliers myself. Though I do wish they made one that would go as big as 32mm to tighten headsets.


Courtesy of the: Adventure Rider review

The XS version can be useful too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWRhASrMvp0
These are great. I worked at a shop that had a set of 3, including one large enough for a headset locknut.
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Old 10-12-22, 06:54 PM
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I have an ancient Billings 5" that was my grandfathers--it is significantly thinner than modern ones, and is just as useful. It just barely clears 16mm, I believe.

If you want "high end" now, Irega is the wrench to shop for. They only make one thing...and they make it well, as the saying goes.
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Old 10-12-22, 07:04 PM
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Many years ago, I had a 4" Crescent brand adjustable wrench. It was as handy as pocket on a shirt and I carried it everywhere. One day I left it at a swimming area at a lake and hated losing it. A couple of years ago, I ordered a new one on Amazon that was supposed to be made in the USA, but sadly it wasn't. Not near the quality of the old one that would easily have been 40 years old today. But still handy as pockets on a shirt.
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Old 10-12-22, 07:04 PM
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I do bring a little Craftsman 4" adjustable "crescent" wrench with me when riding my vintage bikes. Perfect for adjusting the brake pad, tightening the derailleur cable, etc.

On my utility/touring bike, I still carry a Cool Tool. This has a proper 6" adjustable wrench with thinned jaws that are said to be able to adjust hub cones. It also has sockets to tighten crank bolts, a chain tool, and the usual allen wrenches/keys. It is a bit hefty, but will handle many problems. It also has a headset wrench attachment, in case that sort of thing keeps you up at night.





... but the little 4" adjustable handles most of the usual issues...

Steve in Peoria
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Old 10-12-22, 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by wschruba
I have an ancient Billings 5" that was my grandfathers--it is significantly thinner than modern ones, and is just as useful. It just barely clears 16mm, I believe.

If you want "high end" now, Irega is the wrench to shop for. They only make one thing...and they make it well, as the saying goes.
I read somewhere that Irega is the maker of the Channel Lock in post #1
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Old 10-12-22, 10:25 PM
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some of my small stuff, love the needle nose vise grips

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Old 10-12-22, 11:14 PM
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I'll respectfully go against the grain and say no thanks. It's not like there are numerous sizes that are a necessity and we know why the adjustable wrench hasn't made all other single size wrenches obsolete.
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Old 10-13-22, 02:34 AM
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I have two different sizes of Craftsman adjustable wrenches in my bike tool box near my bike stand 4” and 6” . I don’t use them often as my combination wrench set but when I need them they are handy. When I was building engines it was the same thing , seldom used but always appreciated when needed.
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Old 10-13-22, 05:49 AM
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Back for one of the cheapo build contests, I went for a 15-mile shakedown ride on my creation. It had a nutted rear axle so I brought along a 4.5” vintage adjustable wrench that I had bought for 25 cents at a used tool store (seemed like it fit the theme). Well, I had a problem with the chain, so I stopped to change the position of the rear wheel. When I went to adjust that wrench, the barrel part spun right out, landing somewhere in the grass, as did the adjustable jaw. Never did find them and had to ditch the bike and take a ride-share home.
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Old 10-13-22, 06:33 AM
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I recently purchased Knipex pliers after being on a ride this past summer and someone used one for a repair. I was like; "whoa, what is that?" I also like my Robo Grips that I purchased at Sears many years ago. Not sure if they are still made.
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Old 10-13-22, 06:45 AM
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On my new Rando Bike, the saddle rail clamp needs a 13mm as does the seat post clamp. And the early 1A stem requires a 12mm along with a 7mm hex. So, with my new adjustable, the MT-1, a CT-5, and the 7mm hex (a heavy effer), I think I’m covered on long rides away from home. For my shake down rides, I carried some combination wrenches but I’m lightening up for the brevets.
On my first EroicaCA, coming down Cypress, I stopped to help a guy who was riding a borrowed bike that had a loose Vanquer 999 cable clamp. My MT-1 couldn’t do it alone and we had to wait for another rider with a second wrench. I think I’m prepared now.
btw, the made in Spain channel lock opens up to 15mm.
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Old 10-13-22, 08:22 AM
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The 12" Knipex pliers wrench is AMAZING for removing fixed bottom bracket cups. Try it once, you'll never touch your HCW-4 again.
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Old 10-13-22, 10:58 AM
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Do the larger Knipex wrenches lock or is it just the force of the squeeze that gives you leverage.
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Old 10-13-22, 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by jdawginsc
Do the larger Knipex wrenches lock or is it just the force of the squeeze that gives you leverage.
Just the squeeze.

But I have to say, it is mighty sufficient! I've been surprised.
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Old 10-13-22, 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by jdawginsc
Do the larger Knipex wrenches lock or is it just the force of the squeeze that gives you leverage.
They don't lock. Or at least not the wrench pliers like this one. They have a 1:4 or 1:10 force increase if I recall correctly. But as soon as you put any pressure on it it will clamp down.
Looking up videos of people using them helps to understand how they work.
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Old 10-13-22, 11:08 AM
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Pricey, but they look pretty useful.
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