How To Use A Pipe Wrench Like A Pro - Tips & Tricks

How to use a pipe wrench can be a very valuable skill. I work with them all the time and I still goof it up! Hopefully this trick will help you out, whether you're a pro or a first timer! Using the pipe wrench like a pro is easy! Go out and make it happen!

How to use a pipe wrench like a pro!

Some of my favorite stuff! I have done reviews on a lot of these items!
(TheDurbinCompound may receive commission for items)

Forestry Tools!
LogOX 3in1 Forestry Multitool
Husqvarna Combi Can
Stihl 2in1 Easy File Chainsaw Sharpener

Everyday Tools!
Milwaukee Rolling Toolbox 48-22-8426
Milwaukee Large Toolbox 48-22-8425
Milwaukee Toolbox 48-22-8424
Milwaukee Slim 11 Compartment Organizer 48-22-8431
Milwaukee Slim 5 Compartment Organizer 48-22-8436
Milwaukee M12 Compact Inflator 2475-20
Milwaukee M18 Oscillating Multitool 2626-20
Milwaukee Switchtank Backpack Sprayer

Work Pants!
Dickies Flex Work Pants (Best price is on Amazon)
Blaklader X1600 Pants

Boots!
Timberland Pro Gridworks 8” Boot
Timberland Pro Boondocks 6” Boot
Thorogood Moc Toe 8” Boots 814-3800

Electrician gear / Test Equipment!
Fluke 1AC Non-Contact Voltage Tester
Fluke T6-1000 Field Sense Meter
Fluke Ammeter and Multimeter Kit
Feildpiece Manometer SDNM-5
Fluke 62 Max Infrared Thermometer

Flashlights!
Streamlight Stylus Pro Pocket Light 100 Lumens
Surefire Stilletto Pocket Flashlight
Surefire Tactician Pocket Flashlight

Follow me on Instagram @ddurb

Thanks for watching! Stay tuned for more!

[stevescholfield]

Lefty and righty references only work when the wrench is at a certain position on the nut, bolt, pipe. If you're upside down under a vehicle, and have limited room for wrenches, it's best to think of the direction of a clock, since the clock always goes in the same direction.

Unless it's reverse threaded, clockwise always tightens, and counterclockwise always loosens.

[believer]

Thanks for the tip, I started at a new job and we have to use these wrenches, now I don't have to look like rookie.

[joeyager]

The 1st thing you learn when you buy a pipe wrench is that you need 2 pipe wrenches.

[mrgoodtimes]

I've found a 1/4" spacing between work piece and back of the hook gives the best bite. That's with a 24" and 36" wrench. Working in the oil patch pipe wrenches are used quite often.

[jonhindmarsh]

Very helpful. It’s always great to see a video like this before I go monkeying around with something.

[sneakattack]

This is pretty great and easy to remember! Trace the C, I'm going to use that moving forward for sure! Great video.

[Jackie_NewB]

Best explanation on YouTube! Helped me so much

[AhernMatthew]

Thanks just started a plumbing apprenticeship and its easy to get spun around

[krischilamootoo]

Keep both wrenches on the same side that you’re working so when you apply force with one your backup cancels it. Not just rotational force also the up/down force. ( basically like a scissors)

[dannypaul]

no more looking like a rookie here 👍 Thnks bro

[robh]

It's all about using the right tools. I tried to loosen an iron pipe to replace a fitting to a gas range using two channel wrenches - didn't work for two obvious reasons: (1) hand strength insufficient to maintain required grip and (2) insufficient LEVERAGE. Using two pipe wrenches with long handles solved the grip problem and provided the needed leverage to easily loosen the connection. (Yes, I turned off the gas supply first - LOL!)

[learningcoach]

great video its nice to have quick ways to remember how to set things up -"Trace the C " cool

[desertdog]

As a mechanic, I have always had a fear of pipe know, right? It’s just my personal phobia. Actually, honkin down with sufficient force to crack the plaster in an old house is the actual phobia. Thanks for the video. Well done!

[dori]

Awesome video! Thank you!!! It worked!!! 😁

[jaceevans]

Thanks! I'm trying to write a story and this has really helped

[timmorrow]

Bravo Zulu, good explanation on proper usage of this tool that either confuses, or intimidates people. Noticed your flags at the start, Semper Fi, did instructor duty during my career in Naval Aviation, lots of Marine students, got the ones with higher scores on the ASVAB than ground pounders :-)

[anonymousowl]

Dude. I hated pipe wrenches until I watched this video. I'm a race car mechanic btw.

[rich-qkdc]

How about properly spacing the wrenches for maximum leverage

[busybee]

Thank you for such a great explanation!! And thank you to all the commenters. I had a shower arm stuck in the wall and several videos gave me tons of tricks. All included using a pipe wrench and when none worked I concluded I was using it wrong (lack of grip.) Apparently, I had the wrench backwards & needed to place it close to the throat.

[ryanpaaz]

I’ve always not put the wrench all the way to the throat. Just a smidge back. When you put some ass behind it most pipe wrenches have some ‘give’ in the head assembly and should cinch up a bit tighter and you’ll have a leverage grip making the wrench bite in harder. As far as the holdback, unless you have a partner helping you, you want both opposing wrenches closer to a 90’ angle from each other as your arms will have a tough time getting leverage further out. If you need some more oomph, cheaters are pipes that slide over the handle of the wrenches and extend your hand hold further away from the fulcrum, just like a lever. That’s why you see a lot of pipe wrenches with a slight “kink” in them.