The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Crescent wrench repair kit

Thought I'd share this for any of you who like me use their wrenches from time to time as hammers and lose the pin that holds the gear in place. I was just looking around and found the kits on Amazon. There is a kit for the 15 and 18 inch wrench if you search for it. The link is for the 15".

http://www.amazon.com/Crescent-AC11...automotive&qid=1277675621&sr=8-1

Here you go Hankdogg.
Cheaper in the long run.

Your right T'mater it is cheaper, but it is even further away from what I am working on at the moment than my toolbox to go to HF. Plus, think I could snap one of those handles with two smacks! Nice kindling at a good price.

I wonder if they have any for my metric crescent wrench,... It's a 200mm.

#657884 - 06-27-2010 07:40 PM Re: Crescent wrench repair kit [Re: Hankdogg]
Freq2002
Shop Shark Registered: 12-20-2006
Posts: 1156
Loc: Whidbey Island, WA

I wonder if they have any for my metric crescent wrench,... It's a 200mm



Where can I get one of those metric crescent wrenches?

turn your standard one over, many of them are metric on the other side....

Kind of like the difference between right and left handed pliers?

I was tuning my VW one day and using this wrench to turn the engine over. Dad comes out, and being a smartie, asks if it's a metric wrench. I give him that eat it look, then glance at the wrench and see the 200mm on it. So, I said why yes, as a matter of fact it IS a metric crescent wrench & showed him. Dont think he'd noticed that before either.
Fun times.

Thanks Grigg....I also need some metric hammers mine are all in ounces and pounds.

Gotta' remember to post the link for blinker fluid for the Advance Design truck.

Good one Grigg

Hey I thought when you turned it over it was a Left handed crescent wrench! What happens if ya need a right handed metric??

Check Harbor Freight for one of theirs.....directions will be in Chinese

My My My a 5 piece ballpeen hammer set for $5.97,must be very high quality.

Alright guys, had to share, got the kit installed and guess what? It is universal, works on metric and American.

I still have my old Whitworth Crescent wrench. I used to work on Jowett Jupiters when I was a kid.

[u]Here's a genuine METRIC only adjustable wrench[/u]

Grigg

I don't care buy tools with the vice grip name on them any more. They are the people who wiped out the entire village of De Witt NE by moving the plant to China. http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe40s/machines_12.html I have quite a few adjustable open ends that are metric size, that is in length, because I brought them along from Europe. As far as left handed, they make them with left handed threads on the adjustment. I was born left handed, but was forced to write right handed in school. I use both hands. The left handed adjustment seems more natural when I have the tool in my left hand.

I recently found some Swedish adjustable wrenches in my collection, was surprised to find that they are indeed left handed, in that the adjustment screw works opposite to what we're used to.
One is a BAHCO which I understand Snap-On owns and offers some branded as Snap-On for their best adjustables. From what others say BAHCO still makes perhaps the very best adjustable wrenches and have been at it longer than anyone else.

Here's my adjustable wrench saga:

For about the last 12 years I've had a 6" adjustable in my side pocket, everyday all day. In that time I've come to really appreciate and depend on a good one, and have worn out 2 in the process.
Which right now leaves me ready for a third, and I'm having a hard time finding one I like.

My first was an old (but NOS) black Crescent, which was really nice.
Then about the time It was worn out and I was afraid of losing my favorite wrench I switched to a new black Blue-Point made in Spain that very closely replicated the old Crescent in every way.

Now the new Crescents are good, but not as nice and slim and well made as the old ones.
The new Blue-Point with the same part number has been changed and is a little clunky.
I've got one of each and don't care for either as much as my old ones.

In my search for a replacement over the past few weeks I've tried a new chrome Snap-On. It is high quality, but just doesn't feel right, a little short and slippery and not so well balanced.
Then someone told me that Proto has some good tight adjustables, so I picked up a new one on ebay last week. It's OK, but is exactly identical in every single way to the new Crescents, other then the stamping/logo, Crescent did make them for Proto. This one the jaws did not line up very well side to side, but a few careful minutes on the belt sander have it looking and feeling better than new. I've seen a different style Proto in pictures (not made by Crescent) but haven't found one to try.

Currently I'm ready to try a Martin Tools (formerly Fairmont Tools) model A6T. They look nice, Martin makes excellent tools (I have several others by them), and I've heard good things about the adjustables.
Also willing to try a new Klein model 508-6 Folks say they are extra tight, hold the adjustment well, and possibly made in Japan?

And finally I'm considering a departure from what I'm accustomed to, [u]a Knipex plier Wrench model 8603-150[/u] . I've seen them on the truck but haven't used any yet.

Whatever I finally find that I like I think I'll buy a case so I can avoid this problem in the years to come.
Who would have thought finding a nice adjustable wrench could be so hard?

Grigg

Bahco is a well known brand in Europe. It is owned by SNAEurope which is owned by Snapon. I was in a tool store in Germany about a month ago that looked like a Snapon truck only 10 times bigger. A person could go crazy over there buying everything he could use. However, I asked one of the older clerks where the tools were made, he told me that unless they are specifically stamped made in Germany or made in Switzerland etc., he said the manufacturers no longer disclose where they are made.

Grigg, let us know about the Knipex adjustable if you go that way. Just bought 3 pairs of their pliers & cutters and they are well made and I like the fit.

Hank

I'll let you know what I find.
I too have a few sets of their other pliers; great stuff!
Not sure if the "plier wrench" will be suitable for me everyday, but I'm sure they are a good tool and worth having around.

Grigg

Last week I sent an email to Martin Tool asking if I could order a 6" adjustable wrench model A6T, and relaying some of my adjustable story.

Yesterday I had a box waiting with a new wrench to try, and the day before got a new Martin tool catalog.
First impression is it's nice and should be just fine.
Second impression is it could be just a little snugger side to side, and the belt grinding on the faces could be done with a harder backing so it's flat and crisp and not slightly rounded.
But in comparison to the other wrenches I have and have tried this one is a great choice, better finished than some and as snug/loose as most. It is made in the USA.

I'll try it for a few weeks before reporting my final review back to Martin, and I expect I'll order a box of 6 for the future.

Still want to try a Klein, and find out where they are made.

Friday I'll get a Knipex 6" plier wrench from the snap-on truck, but don't expect them to replace my 6" adjustable.

Grigg

Thanks for the update Grigg. Keep us posted on your review.

Hank

I've just compared the new Martin 6" adjustable to my collection of other new and old 6" adjustable wrenches, about a dozen of them.. If interested I'll take some pictures of new and old 6" adjustables?

The Martin is a very nice wrench!
My initial lack of enthusiasm was apparently because I was expecting a "perfect" tool, an unrealistic expectation..
In comparison to my favorite old Crescent and Blue-Point the Martin is as snug or better.
In fact the Martin is just as snug as a brand new shiny chrome $45 Snap-on 6" adjustable.

That said it could be a tad snugger, and the ground finish on the faces could be crisper, not serious problems, but I'll forward my thoughts on to Martin for what it's worth.

At $12-$15 each they are a great value for a US made tool that should be dependable and long lasting; I'll be ordering a case of them.

Grigg

Check online at DIYNetwork.com, check in the "cool tools" section, they did a segment on Klein tools.

I always associated Martin with body tools and pulleys. Through the years we had Martin wagon jobbers to stop by off and on, but they never seemed to compete with Snap On, etc. For one reason, they didn't offer credit and they just didn't have the brand identification. I think the time is right for them to become a player in the independent mechanic market. Snap On and their competitors have become so outlandishly priced and people are getting completely fed up with Chinese junk. I think that more tools such as Martin and Wright will be seen in the hands of independent mechanics and small shops.

Thanks Grig, I'll have to give them a look see based on what you found. At that price, you can't beat it. Well you can and the blasted pin will fall out which started this whole thread to begin with. Funny thing is my nine year old son found the pin a couple of days ago while sweeping up around some equipment after I ordered and put a replacement one in.

Crenwelge, haven't used the Wrignt brand product, you had good experience with their tools?

Hank

I've been looking for a good Ford wrench, or monkey wrench, watever they're actually called,... I've used them a few times in the Navy workin on planes, and I found them pretty handy when you had a good one. We had an older one that was rock solid, great for odd sized fittings and much wider capacity than a similar length crescent. Bummer is any of the newer ones are wobbly pieces or chrome plated junk, and I'd really like to be able to put it in my hand before I buy one, so that leaves ePay out of the picture. Does anyone make a decent monkey anymore?

Thanks, found a video about pliers, and that was interesting.
Looking in the pictures online of the adjustables they say made in the USA.
Have one on order and will see what they are all about later this week.

On another note, I've got a 6" Knipex Plier Wrench in my pocket now, it's definitely a great and well made tool, better in many cases than a crescent, and sometimes less helpful because it's a little more bulky.
I'm sure I'll keep it and use it often, but expect I'll go back to a 6" crescent type for everyday carry.

Grigg

Hank, I was first introduced to Wright tools in the 50's because Kelly AFB used them and a lot of them walked off base and were peddled at the drag strip. I buy them on eBay now. They are just as good as Snapon and lots cheaper. According to their website, they are still are made in USA. http://www.wrighttool.com/

Martin still makes a monkey wrench. Look on page 37 of their catalog. http://www.martinsprocket.com/2001/secJa.pdf#J34

Finally have all the wrenches in, the Kelin got here yesterday.
Here's a picture of both old and new ones
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2600021010080251109HKYRSg

Here's a picture of my two previous (favorite) ones, and the two finalist in the search for a suitable 6" adjustable
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2137830040080251109jlFCnt

The Klein is not as nice as folks led me to believe, but it is a good one.
It very closely resembles the old Crescent I really like.

Comparing the Klein and the Martin the Klein is only better in that it has crisp and clean ground faces on it.
The Martin is ever so slightly tighter both side to side and in and out than the Klein, although the Klein feels tighter because the spring is stiffer it's actually not any better..
The Martin is a smoother better finished forging, and is a little fatter head profile.
The Martin opens to a whole inch, the Kelin only 7/8".

Grigg

Grigg, Like the looks of that Martin myself. Thank again for the review.

I have a couple of old cresent wrenches,alias knuckle busters in my tool collection.They make wonderful dust collectors.Not good for anything else.They seem to be a decent tool to keep in that kitchen junk drawer.

Dale, the big ones make good hammers for me at least.

Hey Hankdogg,that is a good suggestion.

The discussion recently got into Bahco. I have brought some of their tools along from Germany and they were made in Germany. According to their website, they invented the adjustable open end wrench in 1892. http://www.bahco-werkzeuge.de/ The name for it literally translates to rolling fork wrench. I bought some Bahco screw drivers just the other day on eBay and expected them to be made in Germany, but turns out they are made in Spain. I guess since Snapon bought them, they have stuff made where labor is cheap.