Bahco or Monument (wrenches, spanners and stiltons)

[MorrG]

Hi, just wondering what wrenches, spanners and stiltons you guys use and would recommend?

I've brought Stanley and Draper tools from Amazon and I was very disappointed in the quality of those items. I have a Monument adjustable wrench which is awesome but is there better out there?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Rigid for Stils

Monuments for old style cutters (handle and wheel)

But it depends what your looking for and don't buy cheap

 

[moonlight]

It does depend on which tool you want as some of the other brands do a better tool for the same job.

 

[Best]

Draper actually do a massive range of tools and have DIYers cheap tools and more professional tools. Knipex (German) for example go under the Draper name.
For me, -
Bahco for adjustables,
Footprints for grips, 7" , 9" , 12" sizes (both the bolt type & the wheel adjust type, which I now prefer)
Record Stilsons old British made (all that I ever had)
Teng for combination spanners (high quality mechanics spanners)
Also got a Lucas Eliott set of grips/pump pliers very similar to Rothenberger.
Knipex parallel flat jaw adjustable - (excellent for parallel grip, but expensive)

 

[MorrG]

Shaun, Rigid should be the best for what they charge! I suppose they'll last you a lifetime (if they don't get nicked) but a bit too expensive for me.

Moonlight, I was enquiring about spanners, wrenches and stiltons as I'm curious what you use and what experiences you've had with certain brands.

Best, thanks for the detailed response! I will take a look into some of your recommendations.

I like these Monument wrenches...

Monument 3143 3143Z Wide Jaw Adjustable Wrench Monument 3143 3143Z Wide Jaw Adjustable Wrench: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

 

[Best]

The Monument wide jaw is okay, but it doesn't feel as good in the hand and the metal bit with a hole in it on the end of handle is uncomfortable. Other than that I suppose it is good valve if you buy it a lot cheaper than equivalent Bahco.
But you can buy Bahco wide jaw 8" nickel plated for £20, which I own.

 

[moonlight]

Shaun, Rigid should be the best for what they charge! I suppose they'll last you a lifetime (if they don't get nicked) but a bit too expensive for me.

Moonlight, I was enquiring about spanners, wrenches and stiltons as I'm curious what you use and what experiences you've had with certain brands.

Best, thanks for the detailed response! I will take a look into some of your recommendations.

I like these Monument wrenches...

Monument 3143 3143Z Wide Jaw Adjustable Wrench Monument 3143 3143Z Wide Jaw Adjustable Wrench: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

I use Bacho adjustable spanners, the wide jaw, the thin jaw and the standard. Rothernberger pump pliers and a pair of knipex pump pliers.Knipex screwdrivers, wirecutters, strippers, long nose pliers and pliers. Kopex wheeel cutters. I could go on. That's only some of my tools in my tool box and non that are in my tap box. I tend to go for the best I can afford. It's not as though you are buying them everyday. But I am a bit tool mad. That's enough boring you all. Sorry

 

[Jay The Plumber]

bahco for adjustables
rigid or record for stilsons
but instead of using adjustables all the time I use knipex (or nerrad) bilateral wreches wherever possible

 

[wiggers]

I use both bahco and monument but spanners don't feel as sturdy and as the wide as the irega wide jaw spanner
as it's really handy for in lofts changing ballvalves as is wider than the bahco

 

[king of pipes]

Bahco adjustable spanners , record stillsons, channel lock grips

 

[anhbrown]

Bahco adjustable and knipex pliers I've lost so much skin off my knuckles over the years only buy the best now. Only thing is if your going to misplace a tool it'll be one of them never a cheapie they hang around for years had a customer call me once saying they'd found a pair of grips 10 mile round trip for some pound shop specials that weren't even mine!

 

[Matt0029]

Bacho, been plumbing 10 years and still got the same bacho spanners I started with. The same can't be said for the quality of rhothenberg grips these days sadly.

 

[Best]

Bacho, been plumbing 10 years and still got the same bacho spanners I started with. The same can't be said for the quality of rhothenberg grips these days sadly.

I have a Bahco adjustable spanner that is probably about 30 years old now. Has been used constantly and still like new.

 

[tafgas]

bahco wide jaws adjustable spanner always been the best imo, trouble is had 4 lost 4. Have tried other wide jaw spanners but nothing comes upto the bahco standard until I bought one from toolstation for £12 (product no.43498). Grip is a little slim but with a few wraps of self amalgamating tape feels more comfortable.

 

[Last Plumber]

Bahco adjustables
Record Stilsons

 

[gmartine]

I guess this is why they last...

 

[king of pipes]

Sweet i use em myself good post bud. Cheers kop

 

[marvoni]

.......I like these Monument wrenches...

Monument 3143 3143Z Wide Jaw Adjustable Wrench Monument 3143 3143Z Wide Jaw Adjustable Wrench: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Those wide jaw monument adjustable spanners are damn handy. I bought one of the smaller ones and it fits nuts that you normally need a spanner that's three times the length. They're also much thinner than normal adjustable jaws and they taper down to a few millimeters at the tips so you really can get them places you'd otherwise have no chance of getting an adjustable.

 

[sammathias]

Bacho adjustables, knipex grips,wera screwdrivers and spanners! Bacho pipeslices i find decent...mixed reviews but cant stand the kopex ones which just spiral the pipe.

 

[Dkdc71]

Do ridgid still do the lifetime guarantee on their stilsons ?had two robbed on me and one lad liked the look of my ridgid spud wrench apprentice left it behind thought it was safe went back the next day and it had gone and the Bas***d on the job was gone as well

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Yes against breakage / snapping

 

[peter0504030201]

Rothenberger Rogrip Wide Opening Water Pump Pliers 10" (87296)

Bahco 9031 Ergo Wide Jaw Adjustable Wrench 8" (38428)


Am-Tech 2-in-1 Stubby Wrench with Two Tone Grip


Monument 2030b Olive Removing Tool 15mm



Rothenberger 52010 "ROCUT 50 0-50" Plastic Pipe Shears - Black/Silver/Red


Hilmor GLM Glm Minor Tube Bender

these are some of my prefered tools for plumbing

 

[Jim Goodenough]

I've a Nerrad Stubby adjustable amongst my range of spanners - brillant tool especially for tight spaces.

 

[Jim Goodenough]

What do you reckon are the best spanners / wrenches for pump valve unions.

Replacing pumps is where you could definitely do with a 3rd hand - that's if you ain't got an apprentice

 

[Best]

What do you reckon are the best spanners / wrenches for pump valve unions.

Replacing pumps is where you could definitely do with a 3rd hand - that's if you ain't got an apprentice

Monument pump spanner is very good.
So much leverage, you have to be careful not to overdo tightening.
It is a very long spanner though and can be ***bersome in tight spots.