Archive for the ‘Hand Tools’ Category
Keeping A Pipe Wrench Around For Good Measure
There are many water pipes that run across the entire property on the family cattle ranch. This can be a bit of a problem when a pipe leaks or bursts and we can’t get a plumber out to help us in a timely fashion.
It’s times like these when keeping a pipe wrench in the shop can save us a whole lot of money which a plumber would have charged us to come all the way out in the country especially on weekend when these sorts of things tend to happen for some strange reason. We also save a lot of water from running as we wait for a plumber as well. I think it’s safe to say that the pipe wrench has more than paid for itself tenfold since we bought it a few years back.
Irwin Vice Grips Have It Held Down
When it comes to multi-function tools in the workshop, having a pair of pliers that doubles as a hand-held vice is invaluable for any craftsman looking to increase the efficiency of space as well as avoid buying more hand tools than necessary.
The perfect tool for this type of usage is a pair of Vice Grips by Irwin tools. Vice Grips work much like an adjustable wrench that locks into place one the appropriate size is set. But unlike an adjustable wrench, the Vice grips give a firm hold on the object you’re working on. The Vice Grips wrench also doubles as a mini vice or clamp that is perfect for those time when both hands are need while holding a small object in place. I can’t count how many times this little trick has worked for me when I didn’t have a a vice around or when the shop vice is just too much for the job.
Never Get Caught Without Your Pipe Wrench
In Texas, the weather usually stays pretty mild in the winter but when the mercury drops, the plumbing isn’t really set up for a deep freeze and there are usually problems. We recently encountered quite a deep freeze that froze the water in pipes that were way down in the ground. This caused the water to expand when it froze and pushed out a section of the PVC pipe and caused quite a leak when the temperature thawed it a bit.
It’s a good thing I always keep a pipe wrench handy for just such incidents. I purchased some replacement pipe and some twist-on couplers that need to be tightened with hand tools such as a pipe wrench. I just adjusted the pipe wrench to a size that fit the new coupler and once it all the pieces were in place, used it to tighten everything up so there were no more leaks.
Irwin Vice Grip Pliers Are Great In A Pinch
Working out on the cattle ranch, one has to get innovative a lot of the time in order to do what needs to be done. This can mean using everyday hand tools for some pretty unusual purposes.
One of the things I like to do in a pinch is use my Irwin Vice Grip pliers as a pair of clamps when I have nothing else. A good example of this is when my heat lamp stand broke off of the cone where the bulb sits, I reattached it using my Irwin Vice Grip pliers. I just adjusted the face to the size opening I needed, then clamped the light in place. Since it’s temporary fixture for warming up the chicken coop in a deep freeze, I’ll be sure to get the Vice Grips back in the tool box soon enough.
When shopping for pipe wrenches, there are a few things to know that will help you decide which pipe wrench is for you.
The first thing to consider is the material. Pipe wrenches are hand tools that are usually manufactured by using either steel or aluminum. Aluminum pipe wrenches are much lighter than steel, but tend to be a bit more pricey. If you don’t mind the weight though, steel pipe wrenches will do the job just fine.
The next and final thing to consider is the size of pipe wrench you are looking for. Pipe wrenches range from about 10 inches all the way up to 48 inches which will let you take on just about any size pipe job.
Vice Grips Give You A Grip On the Workshop
After years of using hand tools in the workshop, I have come to the conclusion that Vice Grips are among some of my favorites. What makes Vice Grips so unique is the adjustable locking feature on the handle. This is the reason Vice Grips are also called locking pliers; they can be adjusted, and when fit to the right size, locked into place with a lever on the handle.
Vice Grips are especially useful when you need a free hand or even two when also needing a grip on what you’re working on. I’ve found them to be an essential part of my shop and recommend them to anyone serious about their workspace.
Channellock Tools Get the Job Done
When it comes to hand tools, I don’t mess around. I only keep top quality tools in my toolbox because when a job needs to get done, I can’t use hand tools that I don’t trust.
This is why I keep a set of Channellock tools in my toolbox. Channellock hand tools are some of the most high quality hand tools around. I especially like their slip joint pliers because the handles are solid, and won’t come off even on a job that requires an extra amount of elbow grease. Channellock tools have never let me down in the past, and I recommend them to anyone who is serious about their hand tools.
A Vice Grip Wrench Is Well Adjusted Around the House
When it comes to buying things that have to be assembled when you get home, I am the all time champion of the world. Something that I don’t like to do however, is fumble with a whole bunch hand tools while I’m putting something together.
This is why I like to keep a Vice Grip wrench around the house. There’s no need to go running for a wrench set when when the Vice Grip wrench is around. Because the face adjusts to fit nearly any standard size nut or bolt, it’s good many things require different size wrenches to be assembled. My favorite feature of the Vice Grip wrench is the comfort grip handle. I can really give things a good tightening and my hand is left in tact for the next job.
Slip Joint Pliers Are A Tool Box Essential
When I’m out on the ranch, there’s always a little of this and a little of that to do. I never know what kind of job I’m going to be fixing until I get there, so keeping the right kind of hand tools around is must.
This is why I always carry around a pair of slip joint pliers in my tool box. Slip joint pliers, also called tongue and groove pliers have an adjustable face making them the right tool for most jobs requiring a pair of pliers. Slip joint pliers also have a long handle for extra tight clamping power. I also find using slip joint pliers to be very useful hand tools specifically for use on water pumps. Keep a pair of these in your toolbox and you’ll find little need for any other pliers.
Crescent Wrench: The Household Wrench
In my house, clutter is something that we all try to avoid. Because everyone lives within the same space, their things can often pile up. And when it comes to hand tools, the same thing tends to happen if you have too many tools than you really need.
This is why we keep a crescent wrench (also known as an adjustable wrench) as our all-around household wrench. Because the face of the crescent wrench adjusts to fit any size nut or bolt, we don’t need to keep entire sets of wrenches around to have something else around to lose or trip over.