La Bestia
resident tool whore
Ever had a nut that was just barely too big for your crescent wrench? Here's a quick how to for anyone that needs to know how to make your crescent open further.
Things you will need
Adjustable wrench to be modified
Flat head screw driver
Grinder
Your favorite penetrating oil is a nice touch as long as you will have it apart
The process:
Start with the wrench you want to modify, I lock it in a vise just so it's easier to work on. You will see on the adjustable end a small screw that goes through the thumbwheel. You will need to remove that screw.
Here you can see the screw
With the screw out you want to remove the thumbwheel (be careful there's a spring in there that you will want to keep) then the jaw will slide out.
Here's the parts you should have when disassembled.
Next put the jaw back in the vise upside down so the threaded part is up. Use your grinder to make another notch on the end. You can make the notch as wide as you want/need in order to be able to get on the troublesome nut. Don't go too wide here though, the wider you go the less metal will actually be holding the jaw which will weaken the jaw when you go to use the wrench.
I didn't need too much more so I made a fairly small notch that's almost the same width as the factory ones (the one I made is shiny.)
Once you're satisfied with it, reassemble in the reverse order. Spraying everything with lube or penetrating oil will help it go back together easier and it will function smoother once assembled.
Here's the result. My jaw initially opened just a pube under 1 5/8" and we had about 5,000 1 5/8" bolts we had to replace so I needed just enough to get on one of them, opens to 1 7/8" after.
Before: You can see the outside of the opening jaw is even with the edge of the wrench
After: The same edge goes a bit past the edge of the wrench
Things you will need
Adjustable wrench to be modified
Flat head screw driver
Grinder
Your favorite penetrating oil is a nice touch as long as you will have it apart
The process:
Start with the wrench you want to modify, I lock it in a vise just so it's easier to work on. You will see on the adjustable end a small screw that goes through the thumbwheel. You will need to remove that screw.
Here you can see the screw
With the screw out you want to remove the thumbwheel (be careful there's a spring in there that you will want to keep) then the jaw will slide out.
Here's the parts you should have when disassembled.
Next put the jaw back in the vise upside down so the threaded part is up. Use your grinder to make another notch on the end. You can make the notch as wide as you want/need in order to be able to get on the troublesome nut. Don't go too wide here though, the wider you go the less metal will actually be holding the jaw which will weaken the jaw when you go to use the wrench.
I didn't need too much more so I made a fairly small notch that's almost the same width as the factory ones (the one I made is shiny.)
Once you're satisfied with it, reassemble in the reverse order. Spraying everything with lube or penetrating oil will help it go back together easier and it will function smoother once assembled.
Here's the result. My jaw initially opened just a pube under 1 5/8" and we had about 5,000 1 5/8" bolts we had to replace so I needed just enough to get on one of them, opens to 1 7/8" after.
Before: You can see the outside of the opening jaw is even with the edge of the wrench
After: The same edge goes a bit past the edge of the wrench
Good Idea!
But good idea and nice write up. 
