Pipe Wrench
A heavy toothed wrench that grips round pipe without slipping while you turn a fitting.
What is it?
The pipe wrench has serrated jaws that bite into round pipe so it does not slip while you torque a fitting. The longer the wrench, the more leverage it applies. It fits threaded pipe and is the standard for plumbing work.
What is it used for?
- Gripping and turning round pipe
- Breaking loose and tightening threaded pipe unions
- Working any notched, rounded surface
How to choose
Choose by the pipe diameter range you work on. A 14-inch pipe wrench is a good general-shop size. Look for solid steel jaws and a firm hinge.
Anatomy
Understanding the parts of a pipe wrench helps you use, maintain, and buy it with confidence.
- Jaws: the serrated gripping surfaces with adjustable opening
- Adjusting nut: the wheel that sets jaw opening
- Handle: the leverage arm that applies turning force
Materials & construction
Pipe wrenches are forged from high-carbon or chrome-molybdenum steel, with hardened serrated jaws that bite into metal pipe without deforming the teeth.
Safety & maintenance
- Keep the pipe wrench jaws clean so they bite instead of slip
- Pull, never push, a pipe wrench to control where force goes
- Check for worn or rounded jaw teeth and replace the wrench
- Do not use a pipe wrench as a hammer
Also known as
monkey wrench, stillson wrench