Crescent wrenches or adjustable spanners

[skunkriv]

The wrench should always be oriented so the 3' cheater you are jumping on has some room to swing

Fixed jaw away. The reason why is easy to remember and see if you picture a loosely adjusted wrench. Each jaw is only making contact with the hex in one spot. With fixed jaw away the force is being exerted at the base of the movable jaw, exerting less leverage against the jaw (and its corresponding groove in the handle) than if the direction was reversed and the force is being exerted at the outer end of the movable jaw. The above also applies to metric crescent wrenches and fit-alls.

[welder19]

Fixed jaw away is proper but mostly it isn't that critical, unless your using a cheaper quality tool that is prone to break or spread when any amount of force is applied.

I can't believe someone payed $176 for that wrench on ebay, I payed less than that for my 24" Snap-on right from the dealer.

welder19

[Ice Czar]

Originally Posted by sstreckfuss

you just have to use it backwards to overcome clearance issues.

TANSTAAFL or utility entropy (the utility of adjustment offset by the tools inability to do useful work without constantly flipping it over )

I dislike Cresent wrenches, for that reason and the constant readjustment to avoid rounding a nut

[Phil Patrick]

1)Pick up crescent wrench.
2)Open scrap bin lid.
3)Deposit said wrench into scrap bin.
4)Take scrap bin to recycle yard, sell scrap.
5)Take money from scrap, go to reputable tool vendor.
6)Buy proper wrench for job.
7)Go home/shop, finish job.

I hate adjustable wrenches.

[Daryl]

I have only one adjustable wrench in my collection, it is a 24" model, and I rarely use it for anything other than prying when I can't find my prybar.
Phil is dead-on right.

[fat pete]

huh I didnt know that cresent wrench was a brand name i thought there were 3, crescent or open end (non adjustable), adjustable, and a box wrench...cool u learn something every day

[irnsrgn]

An adjustable wrench is a necessity now a days with all the Muttrick Junk on the Market.

The movable jaw is always away from you.

Take a good look at the weak area of the movable jaw on the left.

Now look at point "A" this is the load or stress point if its away from you.

Now look at point "B" this is the load or stress point if its toward you.

Simple COMMON SENSE should tell you which way puts more stress on the movable jaw.

[HWooldridge]

Adjustable spanner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wouldn't you know it, the Wiki says both -
1. Movable jaw leads the direction of force (I was overly verbose in my earlier note but this agrees with what I've always been told.)
2. Fixed jaw leads rotation (which is what I think Irnsrgn stated).

Sounds like nobody knows for sure. Buy a set of box ends and forget about it...

[irnsrgn]

know you know why so many adjustable jaws get broken, and some people get injured, lack of common sense.

[irnsrgn]

My standard plier pocket compliment for many years was, a pair of slipjoint pliers, a 6 inch crescent, a pair of small vicegrips(used to make my own before vicegrip came out with the small ones), and a straight bladed screwdriver. I even have a set of miniatures that I keep in a pocket when dressed up. 4 inch models.