Crescent Wrench or Channel Locks?

I am lacking a good bigger size wrench in my garage. I've paired it down to either a larger size crescent wrench or a set of two or three pairs of channel locks. What say yee GRM hive would get me the bigger bang for the buck?

What about a big monkey wrench? It was the only way to get out a stuck O2 sensor...

KyAllroad wrote: What about a big monkey wrench? It was the only way to get out a stuck O2 sensor...

+1, if you are going to use something that will destroy the fastener, anyway. Get an aluminum handled one, though, your toolbox drawer will thank you.

Aluminum pipe wrench, Ridgid .

Seriously, all of the above

I'm with The Aussie. All of these have different applications and aren't something i'd cross-shop.

Knipex Pliers wrench?

Two different tools for two different tasks. If you need a wrench, don't use a Channellock.

Giant "crescent style" adjustable wrench from HF. Very handy. Channel-locks are handy too, but not for things that need to come off with the big adjustable wrench. And with that, you can put it back together too because you won't destroy it taking it apart.

Buy everything mentioned in this thread.

^ This ^

Grizz wrote: Buy everything mentioned in this thread.

Add a chain wrench for good measure

Oh god yes.

And a strap wrench for when you don't want to scratch stuff.

knipex. Awesome.

I don't own a crescent wrench. I can't think of a reason to have one when I have every size wrench and the wrenches don't round off fasteners. YMMV.

at work I carry a Crescent Wrench at all times.. at home, I do not even have one in the toolbox

You need both, though I'd put channel locks at higher priority.

The best channel locks are the style with the square cutout in the jaw, like these. I like my harbor freight set(pictured). They grab nuts very well, great for household plumbing work too.

I'll second.third whatever a proper pipe wrench as well.

If you are going to buy giant channel locks you need to buy quality ones, otherwise you might as well use BBQ tongs.

The only tool I buy the "Kleenex" of are Channellock pliers.

^Lol^

That's pretty true.

I agree with everything said so far.

I own a lot of tools. I own every tool mentioned in this thread.

Since you didn't give the option of owning several, my suggestion is the channel locks because....

...I use my big adjustable once a year. (Mine is REALLY big, like 2' long). I use my channel locks multiple times per week, every week.

But they ARE different tools, with different capabilities (as others have noted).

They are all usefull, but when I need to pull a 2" nut off without making a mess, I most often use my absurdly big crescent wrench.

I will agree with everything listed. You need it all and several sizes of each.

What I grab depends on what I'm working one. Cars usually get big boy wrenches that fit properly. Tightening the legs on the dining room table, will probably get the Crescent wrench. Pulling the plastic plumbing on the bathroom sink, gets the Channel Locks every time. The rigid pipe on the well, gets the pipe wrench.

If you don't own a Crescent wrench, you are missing a important tool. Nothing is better for tweaking flat steel brackets, and other uses that have nothing to do with removing bolts and nuts. I've got them from 6" to 18", they are in the drawer labeled "Adjustable Nut Destroyers."

the only thing i use the BIG crescent wrench for is gm cooling fan to water pump nuts.

how big are you trying to go? i'd just upgrade my wrench drawer.

we're coming up to the holiday season... which means tools will be on sale... buy as many of them as you can: the real Crescent Wrench and Channel Lock brand tools come in variety packs for not too much money..

might as well get some real Vise Grips, too, but they aren't as good as they used to be since they started making them "elsewhere"...

I'm looking for a good all purpose wrench. I don't have a big wrench to yank stuff with in the garage with some force. I have plenty of Vise Grips and smaller wrenches. I have a pair of Knipex Alligator Pliers which are awesome. That Knipex Plierwrench looks awesome until I saw the price of one .