Pipe Vise Micro 5 Wrench & Basin Wrench Socket / Facebook Ads Got Me #plumbing #maintenance #tools

Just picked up the Micro 5 and Basin Wrench Socket from Pipe Vise.

I have eyed the Micro 5 for awhile based on ads, and they finally got me with a sale.

I share in this video the cost, features, and my opinion to hopefully help you make the decision if these are a tool you need to add in your life. It might be just right for you... or maybe a tool not for you all together.

Hope it was useful & THANKS FOR WATCHING!

The following are links to products shown in the video. Links marked (Affiliate Link) are Amazon Affiliate Links for Items in the video. I participate in the Amazon Associates Program and make a small commission if you purchase using this link at no cost to you. Thank you for your Support!

If you would like a link for something else you see in the video... let me know and I will post it here as well.

#toolreview #knipex #pliers #wrench #plumbing

Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro and Why I Bought
00:52 Micro 5
07:39 Basin Wrench Socket
10:50 Final Thoughts

[debbiemoorin]

Hello there being a plumber for about 45 years now. It would come in handy for bolt or nuts that are not exactly hex shape. Something that might be rounded off. The small size makes it great for small spots. I myself would buy that tool, because after all plumbers make great money. Buy once cry once and have it forever. anyways another great video. Thank you for sharing.

[nicholasphillips]

FB ads led me to this video. I’m not even a plumber 😂

[AlbertFrederickLarun]

I'm glad some one purchased one of these pipevise wrenches. There are two that would be useful for 1 in. gas pipe--the amigo slim and the amigo slim L (or the XL).

I've purchased this style of wrench from a big-box manufacturer and it was not satisfactory. The jaw action was not smooth and that contributed to slippage when setting the teeth on pipe/tubing. The pipevise wrenches do not appear to suffer from these issues--quality tools.

My thoughts on the Pipevise wrenches is that they appear to offer unique features with the slim heads and decreased mass. The drawback is the capacity at the price when compared to similar options.

Reed makes this style of wrench too. The Reed vesions are heavier and offer greater capacity. They are also more expensive than pipevise! The Reed wrenches lack the pipevise enhancements, but then again Reed makes bombproof stuff--at a plumber's price.

Candidly, I would purchase the Ridgid wrenches with style of jaw first. They are the best value, even if they lack the pipevise enhancements. Sorry pipevise--I want you to succeed, but its like the analogy of selling vitamins versus selling painkillers.

The pipevise vises are very interesting. Again, for the right plumber or pipefitter I think these are a great option. I just don't see the mass market appeal at the price--as with the wrenches.

It's too bad because I like pipevise's innovations! They even offer a huge wrench with a 3 in capacity. I don't think that pipevise is being greedy with their pricing, I think that it's more likely that manufacturing costs are high for these tools and there is not a lot of margin on them--yet. If it was as simple as reducing the pricing, pipevise could run a two or four-week sale at 20-40% discount and watch the sales figures. Unfortunately, they probably can't do it without risking their investment in product.

At least pipevise continues to try. In the last year (I think), they have formed partnerships with Acme, Supco, et al. in attempt to sell through the channel/get greater exposure.

[leadballoon]

I like the idea of the micro 5 just being a multi pocket wrench

[mrtwitch]

Ive been eyeballing these tools. As a diesel mechanic, I do a lof of air lines and fittings. I could see this being useful for it. You are right though the price is a wee bit steep.

[gingebrien]

Great video. I wonder how much torque can you place on the micro 5. It is very expensive. The basin wrench was also extremely expensive and maybe more useful.

[richvolkjrful]

Fantastic video. Professionally done. NASA should hire you.

[rjskum]

Also rigid rapid grip has a tab on the back to help put on and take off the wrench from the pipe and or fitting

[shawnk]

Own a micro 5 and 10 but haven't used it much. I barely come across piping that small. I'd prefer the wera joker spanners for nut and bolt use due to its ability to half turn on corners and flats or like you said a 7.5" pair of knipex cobras will achieve far more with it's size availability.

[rjskum]

I’ve got their amigo pipe wrench. It’s ok. They are made in Taiwan. I’d say get the rigid rapid grips. They are USA made if that matters and pretty sure lifetime warranty.

[MelbourneAlan]

not sure about the first one. maybe for some situations but it would distroy any finished pipework. the second one looks great. its so small . the normal ones take up so much room and get tangled up in everything.

[wackyweyland]

I don't have any friends either, Morgan 😂😂

[three-phase]

I have a couple of quick adjustable wrench heads from Laser Tools that are similar to head part of the micro wrench, but they are 1/2" and 3/8" drive. Laser Tools in the UK are predominantly aimed at the auto industry. I have found them to be good as they don't rely on hand strength to tighten their grip like a traditional pipe wrench does. Find they have quite aggressive teeth that will mar some surfaces though.

[vinnie_baggadonuts]

Im a service manager at an auto shop. Gonna try this out whej i pitch in in the shop, mostly it will get use for oil changes

[Zhcwu]

I have been looking to buy pipe vise tools for a while, the price is too steep, someone recommend Japanese Top speed wrench, multiple sizes does the same thing but 1/3 the price I was sold and bought them, they are great

[Stefan_Kawalec]

Due to our specific European plumbing solutions there is no use for that Ridig tool. I'm a huge Ridgid (original one, not that TTI licenced shit) fan, but this basin wrench won't work in most of our applications - no matter how much I wanted to buy it. On the other hand, simple, reversible basin wrench is a thing that I do use very often and it saves me a ton of work. It's in the form of a multitool with many different interchangable sockets for installing taps/faucets.
I'd never use this Micro 5 wrench for anything than copper, plastic and galvanised pipes/fitings. For chromed (or similarly finished) parts I always use non-marring wrenches; Knipex 86 03 180 chrome plated pliers with plastic caps for chromed valves and faucets; the same Knipex without plastic caps for any other second fix stuff. If I have to use elastic supply lines (I prefer 10mm soft copper pipes instead - more work, but they're literally everlasting), I use slim jaw adjustable wrench.
But as it is with plumbing tools - we often buy not to use them, but to have them "just in case".

[davidmatke]

I'm just a DIY homeowner.

I don't see the Micro 5 being very useful, especially not for a professional plumber.

The basin wrench socket on the other hand looks very appealing to me. It's great that it's so compact and I think it would be much easier for me to turn a ratchet handle vs turning a traditional basin wrench. I really hate using a basin wrench.

[leadballoon]

I've been thinking about getting one

[davidmorris]

Kind of like that adjustable wrench. But might find a off brand to try first to see if it's worth it

[thatazianguy]

Have you use the ridgid rapidgrip pipe wrench, similar to these but bigger