In the article titled “Comparison of Adjustable Wrench Performance from 15 Different Brands,” the video explores the performance of adjustable wrenches from various brands. The wrenches are subjected to tests to measure their resistance to self-adjusting, maximum torque capability, build quality under load, and failure load. The brands tested include Navagando, Pittsburgh, Kobalt, Tekton, Crescent, Craftsman, Vintage USA Craftsman, Irwin, Channel Lock, Reed Manufacturing Company, Klein Tools, Milwaukee, Gador, Bako, Hazard, and Wera Joker. The prices of these wrenches range from $5 to $21. The article also mentions the specific features and country of manufacture for each brand, providing comprehensive information for buyers looking to make an informed decision.
Comparison of Adjustable Wrench Performance from 15 Different Brands
This image is property of i.ytimg.com.
Introduction
Adjustable wrenches are versatile tools that are commonly used in various industries and professions. They are designed to provide adjustable jaw width, allowing users to grip different sizes of nuts and bolts. However, not all adjustable wrenches are created equal. The performance of these tools can vary greatly depending on the brand and quality. In this article, we will compare the performance of adjustable wrenches from 15 different brands and analyze their features, prices, and observations.
Testing Criteria
In order to evaluate the adjustable wrenches, we used four main testing criteria: resistance to self-adjusting, maximum torque before rounding a ¾ inch nut, build quality under load, and failure load. These criteria were chosen to assess the overall performance, durability, and strength of the wrenches.
Price Range
The tested adjustable wrenches varied in price, with a range from $5 to $21. The price of a wrench does not always indicate its quality or performance, but it is an important factor to consider when making a purchase decision.
Navagando Brand
The Navagando brand adjustable wrench, priced at $5, showed some slop and backed off when experiencing vibration. It had 1.63 millimeters of up and down slop and 0.053 millimeters of side-to-side travel. While it performed adequately for its price, it may not be suitable for heavy-duty applications.
This image is property of images.unsplash.com.
Pittsburgh Brand
The Pittsburgh brand, priced at $6, had even more up and down travel than the Navagando brand, with 2.1 millimeters of slop. The worm gear also seemed to grind quite a bit, which prevented it from backing off easily. Despite its affordable price, the Pittsburgh wrench may not perform well under heavy load or in professional settings.
Kobalt Brand
The Kobalt brand adjustable wrench, priced at $14, performed better than the Navagando and Pittsburgh brands. It had 1.85 millimeters of up and down slop and 0.3 millimeters of side-to-side slop. The Kobalt wrench showed less jaw movement compared to the previous brands, making it more reliable for various applications.
This image is property of images.unsplash.com.
Tekton Brand
The Tekton brand adjustable wrench, priced at $16, had the least amount of up and down jaw travel among the tested wrenches, with only 0.93 millimeters of slop. It also exhibited minimal side-to-side travel at 0.25 millimeters. The Tekton wrench opened up 0.65 millimeters, showcasing its precision and accuracy.
Crescent Brand
The Crescent brand adjustable wrench, also priced at $16, offered a wider handle for more torque and performed similarly to the Craftsman brand. It had 1.17 millimeters of up and down slop and 0.3 millimeters of side-to-side travel. The Crescent wrench achieved good results, indicating its suitability for various tasks.
This image is property of images.unsplash.com.
Craftsman Brand
The Craftsman brand, made in China, weighed the most at 508 grams among the tested brands. It had 1.11 millimeters of up and down slop and 0.18 millimeters of side-to-side travel. The Craftsman wrench performed similarly to the Crescent brand, with 1.16 millimeters of jaw movement.
Vintage USA Craftsman Wrench
The Vintage USA Craftsman wrench performed the best among the tested brands. It had only 0.35 millimeters of jaw movement, showcasing its exceptional precision and stability. This wrench outperformed the others in terms of build quality under load and maximum torque before rounding a ¾ inch nut.
Irwin Brand
The Irwin brand adjustable wrench performed slightly worse than the Craftsman brand, with 1.44 millimeters of jaw movement. While it fell short in terms of precision, it is still a reliable option for various tasks.
Channel Lock Brand
The Channel Lock brand adjustable wrench had a jaw capacity of 1 13/30 inches, providing a wider range of applications. It featured longer jaws for better grip and avoided slipping. The wrench also had thread knurl measurement scales for both SAE and metric measurements, allowing for easy adjustments. Overall, the Channel Lock wrench performed well with 0.88 millimeters of up and down slop and 0.6 millimeters of side-to-side travel.
Reed Manufacturing Company Brand
The Reed Manufacturing Company brand adjustable wrench had a large serrated knurl for easy adjustment. It offered a wider handle for more comfort and less hand fatigue. The wrench had a hex jaw design that allowed for a more secure fit. It performed similarly to the Channel Lock wrench, with 0.8 millimeters of up and down slop and 0.6 millimeters of side-to-side travel.
Klein Tools Brand
The Klein Tools brand adjustable wrench had contoured handles for comfort and precision machine jaws. It offered a high polished chrome finish, making it rust-resistant. The wrench had 1.16 millimeters of up and down slop and 0.1 millimeters of side-to-side travel. While it did not excel in terms of precision, it is still a reliable option for various applications.
Milwaukee Brand
The Milwaukee brand adjustable wrench had a laser-etched ruler and parallel jaws, ensuring accurate size adjustment and preventing slippage. It performed similarly to the Klein Tools brand, with 1.2 millimeters of up and down slop. The wrench provided good results in terms of build quality and resistance to self-adjusting.
Gador Brand
The Gador brand adjustable wrench had a striking face and included a metric scale, making it suitable for various tasks. It weighed 510 grams, indicating its durability and sturdiness. While it did not perform as well in terms of precision, the Gador wrench excelled in the load test, reaching 1334 pounds before breaking.
Bako Brand
The Bako brand adjustable wrench had an extra wide jaw opening and measurement scale on the head for ease of use. It weighed 643 grams, indicating its robustness and durability. The Bako wrench had good performance in the torque test and achieved 1.2 millimeters of jaw movement under load.
Hazard Brand
The Hazard brand adjustable wrench had a striking face and precision-milled contours for precise adjustments. It weighed 438 grams, indicating its strength and durability. The Hazard wrench performed similarly to the Bako wrench in the load test, with good results and high resistance before breaking.
Wera Joker Wrench
The Wera Joker wrench is an adjustable wrench that requires four wrenches for different sizes. It had a unique design and weighed 379 grams, indicating its lightweight and compact nature. While it may not be suitable for heavy-duty applications, it offers convenience and versatility for various tasks.
Torque Test Results
In the torque test, the Craftsman brand wrench performed the best, reaching 184.4 foot-pounds before the bolt broke. The Crescent, Tekton, Irwin, and Bako brands also performed well in the torque test, showcasing their strength and durability.
Jaw Gap under Load
In terms of the jaw gap under load, the Craftsman wrench had the smallest gap, closely followed by the Crescent and Bako brands. The Navigando, Pittsburgh, and Milwaukee brands had larger gaps between jaws under load, indicating their lower precision and stability under heavy load.
Load Test Results
In the load test, the Bako, Irwin, and Hazard brands performed the best, with the Bako wrench reaching 1334 pounds before breaking. These brands showed high resistance to failure and demonstrated their durability and reliability under extreme conditions.
Conclusion
When it comes to adjustable wrenches, it is important to consider various factors such as performance, build quality, and price. While there are affordable options available, they may not always offer the same level of precision and durability as higher-end brands. The Craftsman brand, particularly the Vintage USA Craftsman wrench, performed exceptionally well in terms of precision, strength, and build quality. However, brands like Crescent, Tekton, Irwin, Bako, and Hazard also provided reliable and high-performing options. Ultimately, the choice of an adjustable wrench should be based on the specific needs and requirements of the task at hand.
