Upgrading hand tools

[Under the sink]

After not doing plumbing for alot of years my tools could probably do with an upgrade eg my bacho 10,12 inches open about as wide as a 6inch wide jaw now.
I see the armeg jaws for taps so probably going pick up them.
Also see knipex adjustable wrench that looked good.
Any tool ideas to make life easier and how you use it im interested in hearing them.

 

[apcdave]

knipex knipex knipex all the way

 

[Aquarius]

Yep, I’m a big knipex fan myself. The flat jaw one, that’s advertised as a wrench I have, and is very good. I also have the small knipex pump pliers and larger of them use them often. Still own footprints, for just in case. Had expensive and cheap screwdrivers, so pot luck with them.

 

[Keefy]

Haven't had to replace/renew plumbing tools in nearly 20 years. Each to their own but Rothenberger tools have been good to me.

 

[gmartine]

After not doing plumbing for alot of years my tools could probably do with an upgrade eg my bacho 10,12 inches open about as wide as a 6inch wide jaw now.

Unless they are damaged I can't believe they can't be made to open fully again or the jaws and mechanism replaced, spares are avaialble.

 

[WC1]

Disassemble clean and lube bahcos- I still use my dad's

View: https://youtu.be/h6iUYfRdD88

 

[Jim Goodenough]

Had a pr of Knipex 250 bilateral grips (flat/smooth jaws), wife bought them for me birthday couple of years ago, about £50. Left them on the job a few weeks ago never to be seen again 😵. They've recently launched a 300mm pair.

Also got a pr of Knipex Cobra 300mm they're brilliant, larger and smaller available.

If it was me I'd like to only buy Bahco, Knipex, REMS, Rigid, Teng, Wiha, Wera etc however there are other tools out there too.

 

[WC1]

There's a brand new set of knipex cobra 300mm behind a bath panel in north London which I think about every time I drive past the house.😭

 

[Jim Goodenough]

Also a pr of 7" Footprints under a bath in Snettisham which I grieve about regularly - I'd had them at least 30 yrs since my apprenticeship days 😭

 

[WC1]

I feel your pain. By the time I remembered where they were I'd bought new and it wasn't worth going back and pulling the panel off. Maybe one day I'll be called back and I'll get an opportunity to bring them home. Maybe, one day...

 

[Aquarius]

I hate leaving any tool I’m used to, even if it was cheap, because sometimes when you come to replace it, they’re no longer available.

 

[gmartine]

I was tidying up and old toolbox and found a pair of compression fitting spanners, you now the ones made out of press steel and oversized so you can get them easily on a nut. Trouble is I found they they also easily slip off if not perfectly square, anyone still use those, they might he more use if I spot weld them together and add some thickness?

 

[Aquarius]

anyone still use those,

If you’re on about conex spanner, then I have mine, no longer use it. My knipex and adjustables have taken root.

 

[Stu-B]

There's a brand new set of knipex cobra 300mm behind a bath panel in north London which I think about every time I drive past the house.😭

I have the same pair under a floor in Brighouse West Yorks, 🤪

 

[NewStart]

I don't think you can fault Bahco chrome plated adjustable spanners. They don't rust like others, I've got ones that have survived 5 years in industry.

I'd always buy Knipex grips too, Rothenberger just buy stuff in and stick their badge on it, I've found their quality variable as best.

 

[Jim Goodenough]

I'd always buy Knipex grips too, Rothenberger just buy stuff in and stick their badge on it, I've found their quality variable as best.

Agree, I noticed this with Rothenberger - be about 10 yrs ago. There's others out there doing the same e.g. DD & N.......

 

[lattin]

I find knipex very good. What are armeg jaws ?

 

[gmartine]

The Armeg jaws I think you mean are basically a fancy but comprehensive set of basin tap wrenches.

Someone, had me cobras and vicegrips the other day. That's the trouble, everybody else likes 'em too.

 

[Katy Bruce]

Knipex or Bahco 100% the way to go! This explains a lot about the Cobra range (one of their most popular). Knipex Cobra Water Pump Pliers Range Rundown - https://www.toolstop.co.uk/blog/buying-guide/knipex-cobra-water-pump-pliers-range-rundown

 

[WC1]

Bahco for adjustables. Knipex for pumps. Imo