3 MISTAKES We Make Using Pipe Wrenches & Channel Locks

We've all used channel locks and probably pipe wrenches too, but too many of us are making simple mistakes! #diy #plumbing #oops

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[mrhalfstep]

Our Maintenance crew once got some instruction from a safety engineer about the safe use of handtools. We were told that, when using tongue and groove piers, we should always adjust the handles such that we have the minimal spread between them that still gets a grip on the fastener. To use them with the grips spread too far apart, as you did when demonstrating them, can cause damage to the tendons and ligaments in the palm. He also recommended that, when forced to PUSH on an open end wrench, pipe wrench, or adjustable Cresent-style wrench, it is best to do it with an open palm. If the wrench slips or the fastener suddenly breaks free you are less likely to bust your knuckles if you aren't wrapping your fingers around the wrench's handle. It is also preferred to PULL on a wrench when possible because the bicep will be doing the work and your whole body won't go flying backwards if the wrench slips, for instance. Shoving on a wrench sort of requires leaning your whole body weight into it and you can tumble forward if the wrench slips. These aren't hard and fast "rules" for using the tools, just the things that we were asked to keep in mind when we worked.

[btd]

Very informative, but the same applies to the Crescent wrench, (adjustable wrench) that you used in the beginning. You put the force against the movable jaw in the wrong direction, and you should be pulling towards the movable jaw.

[monicamccann]

Great Video with history of the tool inventor for the pipe wrench! Dig this video!!!

[seantivenan]

looking at the comments it's actually 5 mistakes "we" make 😂😂 it's refreshing to see that when someone points out something that you could have improved on you're able to thank them, you deserve praise for your humility ! so many you tubers lack that !!

[opethforlife]

The most perfect video on this topic. I can't thank you enough for this informative video.

[tombrickhouse-growthmatrix]

As I watched, I was thinking, "This is nothing I don't already know"' until you got to the part about the 3 points of contact and pipe wrench release trick. Never too old to learn.

[cynthiacarlisle]

Thank you so much for this video - I couldn’t remove the hoses from my washing machine - watched your video and - what a difference!- easily loosened just like you said! The 3 point contact was especially helpful!!!

[JCWren]

I would argue that the slip joint pliers should have been opened one more slot :) They should be adjusted so that the handles are as close to parallel as possible.

[jeffostroff]

Glad to see you added the section about the 3 point contact. Because that has always been my rule of thumb, though 3 points form a square.

[JP_TaVeryMuch]

Thank you Nils.
I _knew_ there was a reason for the wobble but as I'd inherited from Grandpa, I just thought that it was relaxing into its old age.
Now I'll have to dig it out and go round the house looking for excuses to use it!

Many thanks from over yonder in London.

[DYIIdeas]

looking at the comments it's actually 5 mistakes "we" make it's refreshing to see that when someone points out something that you could have improved on you're able to thank them, you deserve praise for your humility ! so many you tubers lack that !!

[julietphillips]

Thanks for this. These tools are so different than woodworking tools but if you love tools, it comes in handy to know the basics on how to properly use them in the many home diy maintenance situations.

[jnb]

Thank you for the video. I knew about the first and second mistake, and about the hidden mistake you made at 1:16 (and by the way, even standard non adjustable wrenches have a good and bad direction of rotation; the angle in the wrench must be "wrapping" when applying force, just as with adjustable wrenches)
But I never knew about the 3 points contacts in pipe wrench or channel lock. Thank you so much for this explanation 🙂😉

[berthongo]

I realize that the nut you were loosening was only hand-tight. Been there. Done that. Being picky but I was taught that the moveable jaw needs to be pointed in the direction of rotation. This puts the force against the fixed jaw while the adjustable jaw keeps the wrench on the flats. Using it the other way puts all the force on the the moveable jaw and may damage it. I was also taught to only use an adjustable wrench when a proper sized wrench was not available. Adjustables have a tendency to slip off and damage the flats as well as the users knuckles. Many years ago, I was on my first job and the old timer I was with gave me an adjustable and told me to remove a filter from it's canister. I looked at the wrenches sitting there and her told me to use the adjustable. Later, he told me that he did that to see if I used the adjustable correctly. I had and he had passed that along to my new boss.

[qapla]

Good information about these two tools. I see many people use the slip joint pliers backwards and not have 3 points of contact with both of these tools. BTW - It should be noted that, while using the adjustable wrench on the fitting, you used them backwards ... another common mistake many people make. They should also be used in the same direction of handle pull to jaws as the pipe wrench to keep the force of use from opening the jaws.

[Mark_R]

Haha got me Nils! It was driving me nuts watching you loosen and tighten the pipe until you showed #3 😂

[lawrencerayborn]

Good job on the video. The adjustable wrench you used is designed with directional use also.
You used the wrench backwards when you loosened the nut. You have maximum turning and force applied when turning.

[paulsmith]

I have 5 pipe wrenches. None of them purchased. Two are antique monsters to me. A 20" and a 24". Both received as part payment for jobs i did. Two are Rigid aluminum that i found in a cardboard box at the landfill, brand new. The 5th is an 60 year old Japanese 6 inch that comes in very handy. I inherited that one from my Dad.😊

[martinschulz]

Good video. We all hate adjustable wrenches, but we all have therm and we all use them when we know we shouldn't. I worked in a mill once where they actually took them away and outlawed them.. (Too many rounded nuts) I didn't know about using the pivot slop in the pipe wrench. Been using them all my life.

[riderboulevard]

Thanks LRN2DIY. I never had anyone to teach me any of this growing up! And I learned today from you!