Pipe Wrench: Buy One
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A 14-inch pipe wrench costs $15-25 and lasts a lifetime. You need it every time you deal with threaded pipe connections, which happens more often than you think as a homeowner.
The Numbers
Why Borrow
- If you are doing one plumbing repair and will never touch pipes again, ask a neighbor
- For a single use, a large adjustable wrench sometimes works (but not always)
Why Buy
- It costs $15-25. The math on borrowing vs buying does not even apply at this price.
- Threaded pipe connections on water heaters, gas lines, shower heads, and supply lines all need a pipe wrench
- The jaw design grips round pipe in a way adjustable wrenches cannot. An adjustable wrench slips on pipe.
- Buy two: a 14" for most jobs and a 10" for tight spaces. Total investment under $40.
- Cast iron construction. No electronics, no batteries, no moving parts to break. Lasts decades.
Check Before You Buy
Someone in your neighborhood probably owns a pipe wrench and uses it a few times a year. Borrowing saves money, saves garage space, and keeps tools in use instead of collecting dust.
See How FriendsWithTools WorksCommon Questions
What size pipe wrench do I need?
A 14-inch pipe wrench handles most residential plumbing (up to about 1.5" pipe). Get a 10-inch for tight spaces under sinks. An 18-inch gives more leverage for stuck fittings on larger pipe. If you are buying one, get the 14-inch. If you are buying two, add the 10-inch.
Pipe wrench vs adjustable wrench for plumbing?
A pipe wrench has serrated jaws that grip round pipe as you turn. The harder you pull, the tighter it grips. An adjustable wrench is for hex fittings (nuts and bolts) and slips on round pipe. For threaded pipe, use a pipe wrench. For compression fittings and hex nuts, use an adjustable wrench. Both belong in a plumbing kit.