Dealing with nuts and bolts

[max6166]

I was doing some light plumbing work recently and was wondering how everyone deals with nuts and bolts.

It seems like some sort of portable adjustable spanner would be the ideal solution. I recall a recent thread where everyone was even design a pretty cool multitool based around one.

Although in practice, I had to admit that I have always had a tough time getting a good purchase with an adjustable spanner - but that could just be me.

I have seen some space age adjustable wrenches where the 6 sides of the hex of the wrench area tighten up with increased pressure. They look quite large though, and very unwieldy.

So what does everyone use for tackling nut and bolts? Any other tools and gadgets out there?

[jzmtl]

My 6 point socket set. If that doesn't work either a vise grip or pipe wrench, if still not then comes out the angle grinder. 

I never liked pliers or adjustable wrench, they never fit properly, always slip and kill the bolt/nut. Then again most of the nuts and bolts I deal with are rusted and even the difference between SAE and metric could mean bolt come off or get rounded off.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Most of my nut and blot issue's are bicycle related, so I either use dedicated tool's or one of these http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,4956.0.html , I wouldn't mind getting a Crunch at some point though

[max6166]

I find myself more often in the types of situation that jzmtl describes - dealing with larger stuck bolts where anything other than the right size wrench or socket winds up just stripping the head.

Everytime I try adjustable or locking pliers, they either slip or strip the head on me too. That's why I am not particularly interested in the Crunch.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

But my interst in the Crunch is just as a bike tool, for use when I'm miles away from my regular tool's

For everything else I just use spanner's and sockets like everyone ele does...just not when i'm 15 miles from home

[gafftapegreenia]

I use a real Crescent brand adjustable wrench. Works great for me, and being a quality tool the jaws don't deform, such as on a cheaper wrench.

[max6166]

But my interst in the Crunch is just as a bike tool, for use when I'm miles away from my regular tool's

I understand. 

Even on smaller nuts and bolts though, I imagine the Crunch would wear away many of the heads, no? I remember stripping all kinds of nuts on my bike with locking pliers when I was a kid.

I would have thought you'd be better off with one of those Topeak tools or something similar.

[max6166]

The problem I run into with adjustable wrenches and even open-ended wrenches is that the openings are basically square, which often slips and strips the head if it is stuck. At least when I use them.

A ring spanner or socket grabs much better because it grabs all the corners and not just two. Of course, they are less good at unscrewing something halfway down a length of pipe.

Another multi-wrench I saw was something like the little Wenger universal wrench on a bigger scale. Essentially, it was just a cascading series of narrower wrench openings, like little steps. It was much too heavy to carry around all day though, and at home, I'd much rather just have a set of regular wrenches.

[J-sews]

As a multitool junkie this is hard to admit, but nothing beats dedicated wrenches or sockets when it comes to dealing with nuts and bolts. However, like Mike says, dedicated tools aren't always available far from home. So which multi-purpose tool deals with them them best in an "emergency"?

I'd have to vote for the Crunch also.

[Benner]

After receiving a pocketwrench today, I am hoping that will cover me for most of my travelling nut and bolt tasks.

[max6166]

So would most people prefer a locking wrench like the Crunch over an adjustable wrench or other solution?

You'd have to carry the Crunch instead of your regular multitool, or along with it though.

[AndyTiedye]

If I'm at home, I go for the Snap-on socket wrenches.

On the bike, I usually have a limited number of sizes to worry about, and no motivation to lug around any extra.
Most everything on the mountain bike can be dealt with with the smaller one.   The recumbent is a bit more complicated.
the SAK on the left has a stepped wrench (behind the bottle opener) that will handle a number of nut sizes.
The detachable wrench does 10mm.  The handle of the chain tool does 5mm hex.   The pliers will also do if nothing else will.


The small one can be twinned with the Topeak Toolbar:


Elsewhere, I'm still working on it.

There is the CRKG Guppie:


Wenger has put a bitdriver on their NewRanger Touring 174,  and sockets can be adapted to that easily.

[Mike]

I agree with gafftapegreenia. Why not just toss in a 6" or 8" Crescent wrench along with your multitool? That way, if you have a bolt on one end and a nut on the other end, you'll be able to tighten or loosen it because you'll have a tool on both the bolt and nut ends. I have always felt a multi and crescent were good compliments of each other.

Mike

[max6166]

This thread certainly is offering a few good options.

Perhaps I have just been too cheap. My last 2 crescent wrenches slipped on stuck bolts and didn't really lock firmly in place. There was always a little play in the head. That's why I thought some people preferred locking wrenches. But maybe I just need to buy a better brand or model.

I want to look at some of the other tools listed, but maybe just a better quality locking or adjustable wrench is all that is really needed...

[Mike]

Locking wrenches have their place, but I use them as a last resort. As far an adjustable wrench, maybe SK, Mac, Snap-On, maybe even Craftsman would be a good places to start. Yeah, Crescent isn't really the best, just has name brand recognition. Like Kleenex is used to describe any facial or bathroom tissue. But yeah, I wouldn't over complicate things, just get a better adjustable wrench is all.

Mike

[jdailey4206966]

Well, that all depends. I have always carried a pocket knife with me, but just recently got back to carrying MTs, and never leave home without it. 2 years about my father in law got me a Maglite and a pair of vise grips and channel locks. He told me to never travel without at least a flashlight and some form of pliers.

Now If I am in the middle of nowhere and have nothing but a flashlight, channel locks and my Wave, than yes i would use it on a nut or bolt.

[Leatherman123]

When I don't have real tools handy, I like my LM Crunch!

[max6166]

I agree with gafftapegreenia. Why not just toss in a 6" or 8" Crescent wrench along with your multitool? That way, if you have a bolt on one end and a nut on the other end, you'll be able to tighten or loosen it because you'll have a tool on both the bolt and nut ends. I have always felt a multi and crescent were good compliments of each other.
Mike

For my regular toolbag, I think I will look into just getting a nicer wrench of some sort. But I was also wondering if there was anything a little more portable that I could throw in my edc bag.

But the Guppie and those Topeak tools that Andy posted are really cool. Shame their isn't a Guppie Sr. which could handle 1 inch. That would be perfect. There are definitely lots of neat options for 1/2 inch and under though...

[Mike]

How about an adjustable locking wrench? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00973567000P

Adjustable Muscle Wrench? http://www.amazon.com/Alltrade-070002-Position-Muscle-Wrench/dp/B000FK6YZK

Mike

[ringzero]

Locking wrenches have their place, but I use them as a last resort. As far an adjustable wrench, maybe SK, Mac, Snap-On, maybe even Craftsman would be a good places to start. Yeah, Crescent isn't really the best, just has name brand recognition. Like Kleenex is used to describe any facial or bathroom tissue. But yeah, I wouldn't over complicate things, just get a better adjustable wrench is all.

Bought a 6" adjustable Task Force brand wrench at Lowes for some ridiculously low price - IIRC around 3 bucks.

Got it with the intention of having a beater wrench just for removing and installing lawnmower blades.  When I say beater wrench, I mean that literally.

Routine use:
-wedge mower blade with 2"x4"
-adjust wrench to fit main nut on shaft
-beat wrench handle with hammer to free nut up
-remove nut with wrench
-change blade
-install nut with wrench
-beat wrench handle with hammer to tighten nut down

I've done this procedure many times over the several years I've had that wrench, and both nut and wrench are still in fine shape.  That Task Force wrench came with pretty decent fit and finish, and I must say it's held up well.
 
.

[max6166]

Wow! That looks perfect for regular use. I will definitely check that one out. Thanks! 

It looks like it is the best of both wrenches. It won't scratch and strip heads, and it won't slip either.

I have been coming across all kinds of neat wrenches. There is even a SkeleWrench:

[max6166]

Everytime I think I have read all the reviews on this site, I discover another one:

Loggerhead ImmiX-10

[Leatherman123]

I've got a tool like that, minus the blades. It was made by Craftsman too..

[WhichDawg]

After receiving a pocketwrench today, I am hoping that will cover me for most of my travelling nut and bolt tasks.

congrats boss!
how are you liking it? you know I've had mine for over 10 years and never tried to use it for nuts and bolts!
I just use my dedicated adjustable wrenches/spanners. you know we want pictures mister!

[gafftapegreenia]

As a entertainment lighting tech, there are several common sized bolts I deal with on a daily basis. Four such bolts are found on nearly every modern lighting fixture. A recent edition to my keychain was this little guy:


It fits the three bolts on a c-clamp, which is used to hang the light from a pipe:



It also fits the bolt that holds the yoke to the fixture. At around 2.5", its the smallest wrench I can carry and still do my job.

Another wrench entertainment technicians favor is the Lightspeed Wrench:
http://roadietools.com/lightspeed.html

[J-sews]

As a entertainment lighting tech, there are several common sized bolts I deal with on a daily basis. Four such bolts are found on nearly every modern lighting fixture. A recent edition to my keychain was this little guy:
(Image removed from quote.)

........It also fits the bolt that holds the yoke to the fixture. At around 2.5", its the smallest wrench I can carry and still do my job.

Whoa, that thing looks like it was machined from solid billet. You don't see that very often these days.

[gafftapegreenia]

And that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to specialized lighting wrenches, there is also

The mongo wrench

http://www.thelightsource.com/products/22/view

and the clamp stick wrench



http://roadietools.com/clampstik.html

Aluminum and steel, both are machined from solid metal.

[J-sews]

And that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to specialized lighting wrenches, there is also

The mongo wrench
(Image removed from quote.)
http://www.thelightsource.com/products/22/view

Good gracious that Mongo is beautiful.   (As are most things machined from solid)

[Benner]

After receiving a pocketwrench today, I am hoping that will cover me for most of my travelling nut and bolt tasks.

congrats boss!
how are you liking it? you know I've had mine for over 10 years and never tried to use it for nuts and bolts!
I just use my dedicated adjustable wrenches/spanners. you know we want pictures mister!

I really like it.  It is one nicely made piece of kit. 

Photo's will of course follow.

[max6166]

Went scouting for wrenches today, and found a few interesting ones:

Gator Grip ETC-200MO Universal Socket

It's a great idea but I have my doubts as to how well it works, as well as how long it will last.

Then I found the IDL ViperGrip

I played with them a bit. They are small and light, and seemed fairly sturdy. But some of the parts seemed a little too intricate and finicky. I would really need to try one out to judge it.

And lastly, I found these Irwin Lock Pliers

These are basically vise grips but with jaws that are not supposed to strip the heads of hex nuts. Looks good but I think I would rather go with the Stanley locking adjustable wrench mentioned earlier (That is what I was actually looking for).

I also looked at a number of adjustable wrenches, including a set of Channel Locks. All of them had about as much play in the lower jaws as my current wrench. Mind you, none of them were really high end. They were mainly Canadian Tire brands and Craftsman. The Channel Locks went for about $25.