Filter wrench recommendations

[S854]

Anyone recommend a jack-of-all-trades filter wrench?

I have an old Craftsman strap wrench I use primarily for my Duramax fuel filter (that filter is still a challenge)… a socket-style, 3/8” drive (which I used on a Ford I no longer own)…

I’ve done the old drive-a-screwdriver-through-with-a-hammer trick (messy, but it worked)… along with giant channel locks, tapping the rolled filter edge with a chisel and even good ole “grab it and twist til the veins bulge in you neck”… I wanna make my life easier…

Getting ready to do the initial, 50 hour service on the Kioti and have read the horror stories regarding getting the painted-on filters loose…

So, got a filter wrench you just couldn’t live without?

 

[Eagle1]

Filter Pliers are first on my list
Amazon.com : oil filter pliers

then I go to

Lisle 63250 Wide Range Filter Wrench​

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-63250-Range-Filter-Wrench/dp/B0002SR4PY?th=1

 

[ruffdog]

Some threads.....

Oil filter wrench

Good big oil filter wrench?

 

[JJT]

I must have 20 filter wrenches. My all time favorite is a pair of wide mouth vise grips, they work every time.

 

[Rustyiron]

I've got a whole drawer in a toolbox full of O/F wrench stuff necessary for various vehicles and available space that I've had over the years. Tractors generally have easy access and big channel locks on a good o/f pliers should suit your needs.

 

[scootr]

One I use mostly has a a half circle of spring steel with a hook. And the other half is a bike chain. It's always the right size. Never slips. And small enough to get in tight places.
Did a quick search & couldn't find it but I saw a few full chain wrenches that should work on whatever you have.

 

[sea2summit]

How has Project Farm not done a filter wrench video...

 

[ericm979]

I have a bunch. I prefer the type that engage with the flats on the end of the filter, but those have to be specific to every filter. For my Branson hydraulic filters I use the steel strap type. It was tough the first time with the painted on filter.

I don't like to destroy the filter in the process of getting it off like with driving a screwdriver through it or using big locking pliers. If that fails it leaves me with an inoperable machine and a filter that's even harder to remove.

 

[dodge man]

I also I have a socket one that uses a 3/8 drive ratchet. It’s reversible so it fits two sizes. For the others I also have the ones like Eagle1 posted above.

 

[KennyG]

I also like the 2 jaw adjustable wrenches that are 3/8 drive. I have two sizes which gives me a range to fit almost any filter.

 

[newbury]

How has Project Farm not done a filter wrench video...

Too many variables on access. I've had a car that I had to fight to get a 3-jaw on and needed a socket extension even then.
My overall best was a '79 VW Diesel Rabbit. I could access, take off and replace, both the drain plug and the filter while on 1 knee in front of the car. And the darn thing routinely turned in 50MPG around town.

 

[Ddh1961]

When I did my initial hyd filter change on my LS none of my filter wrenches would get the old filter off. Three different strap wrenches, two different end cap wrenches didn’t work, nothing. Went to my local Harbor Freight and got their locking oil filter wrench (Vise Grip style) for about $10 and it worked like a champ. It’s my go to filter wrench now for everything.

 

[nyone]

Filter Pliers are first on my list
Amazon.com : oil filter pliers

then I go to

Lisle 63250 Wide Range Filter Wrench​

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-63250-Range-Filter-Wrench/dp/B0002SR4PY?th=1

I second a set of filter pliers. I have owned a set for almost 20yrs. If they cant make the swing I have a seatbelt style that uses 3/8 or 1/2in drive.

 

[RustyA]

Two different sizes metal strap wrench, one nylon adjustable strap wrench, one spring loaded three finger 3/8 drive end wrench for small ATV/boat filters, one plews filter pliers for larger hydraulic filters, also works great on RV septic hoses.

 

[Williy]

I use these from Harbor Freight they work great!! $10.95

willy

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I like many others have a big tool box drawer full of filter wrenches and have found that I have a need for every one of them, I prefer the end filter style that you use with a 3/8 ratchet but with tractors, skid steers multiple trucks and other family member vehicles my tool box drawer full of filter wrenches of every kind has always payed off.

 

[5030]

Me, I'll stick with my long flat blade screwdriver and a hammer. Never met any filter I could not remove yet.

 

[S854]

In my OP, I naively hoped there was some new “magic bullet” wrench available… I’ve been changing my own oil for almost 50 years… shoulda known better…

Looks like I’ll be adding a few new tools to my collection… not a bad thing…

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I probably have more filter wrenches than will fit in a milk crate. Still use every one of them at times. I even used one last week to open a gallon jar of dill pickles. I had that jar clamped between my legs and used both hands trying to break the seal. I literally wore myself out on that jar of pickles. Man I wanted a dill pickle. Finally I stopped, went to the shop and got a few filter wrenches, top came right off. I ended up using a three jaw filter wrench. It has a gear in the middle and three knurled fingers that close when the gear is turned. They are knurled just like the handle on a genuine imported taiwanese ratchet. But, out of a full backpack full of wrenches, it grabbed the smooth jar lid. So it has a special place in my heart now, because I got my dill pickle fix that day. It must be awful to be a crackhead.

But it shows you that a wide selection is not a bad thing. I had the wrenches in a backpack because I took them to fix a tractor 20 miles out of town, dead in a pasture. They change fuel filters when the tractor quits, that's their indicator of a dirty filter. They live by the standard, "the tractor will let you know when it needs something".

 

[S854]

... "the tractor will let you know when it needs something"...

Cool... I'll just "drive it" til it quits... or not...

OTOH... I'm not much into dill pickles... However, show me a jar of bread-n-butter pickles and I'm yours...