Most useful wrench

[RancherGuy]

It is my opinion that the air die grinder is about the best wrench for removing stubborn nuts ever made.

My solution is not always mechanical. I first try penetrant - most any major brand. It's best to apply as soon as you know you have a need. Minutes are good, but days are even better. One project was removing rusty hub bolts from a 1950 tractor. Applied some every day for 4 days. Impact wrench spun those off as though they were just installed. Another project was the internal nut on a hydraulic cylinder that had been sitting with open ports in mud and water for over 15 years. Wanted the rod for a project. Again, penetrant for 2 days. Impact took the nut off on first try.

 

[California]

Heat, to expand the nut as much as possible. Then penetrating oil, which will be drawn into any opening. Then time, then the impact wrench.

 

[therrien]

Patients and experience.

 

[Xfaxman]

Most useful wrench​

I use my 24 inch adjustable wrench more for bending and straightening metal, than wrenching.

Not mine, but it looks the same:

Well maybe mine is more nicked up and not as shiny

 

[jdmeth]

An auto body air saw works great for those small places die grinders can't reach.

 

[repete]

My solution is not always mechanical. I first try penetrant - most any major brand. It's best to apply as soon as you know you have a need. Minutes are good, but days are even better. One project was removing rusty hub bolts from a 1950 tractor. Applied some every day for 4 days. Impact wrench spun those off as though they were just installed. Another project was the internal nut on a hydraulic cylinder that had been sitting with open ports in mud and water for over 15 years. Wanted the rod for a project. Again, penetrant for 2 days. Impact took the nut off on first try.

If it were simply a nut I would agree but when you cannot get a hydraulic hose fitting loose you cannot use an impact wrench. I tried penetrating lube, propane torch to heat fitting, cheater bars on the wrench and backer wrench and finally said enough. Used the die grinder to cut the nut loose, split it and I was in business..

 

[LD1]

If it were simply a nut I would agree but when you cannot get a hydraulic hose fitting loose you cannot use an impact wrench. I tried penetrating lube, propane torch to heat fitting, cheater bars on the wrench and backer wrench and finally said enough. Used the die grinder to cut the nut loose, split it and I was in business..

Thats why I said it's good to get familiar with several methods of removing stubborn stuff. Because one method doesn't work in every case

 

[Xfaxman]

Most useful wrench​

I use my 24 inch adjustable wrench more for bending and straightening metal, than wrenching.

Not mine, but it looks the same:

Well maybe mine is more nicked up and not as shiny

I went to the shop and took pictures. Not as nicked up as expected, but definitely not as shiny

It is made by Williams

 

[Schrodinger]

Everyone should have one of these-
Be prepared for everything.

 

[Citydude]