What Is a Pipe Wrench? Types and Selection Criteria
A pipe wrench is a hand tool with an adjustable toothed jaw for firmly gripping and turning round pipes and pipe fittings.
A pipe wrench is a hand tool with an adjustable toothed jaw for gripping and turning round pipes and pipe fittings such as nipples, sockets and elbows. The jaw teeth grip the pipe tighter as force is applied to the handle, so round parts without flat faces can be loosened and fitted. It is used to assemble threaded steel pipes in plumbing, heating, fire protection and gas installations.
Models in the catalog
| Model | Length | Weight | Material and finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| İzeltaş 1" (2201 10 0010) | 325 mm | 840 g | Chrome vanadium, electrostatically painted |
| İzeltaş 1 1/2" (2201 10 0015) | 430 mm | 1495 g | Chrome vanadium, electrostatically painted |
| İzeltaş 2" (2201 10 0020) | 585 mm | 2770 g | Chrome vanadium, electrostatically painted |
All three models are from the same İzeltaş pipe wrench range (85 in the product name).
Selection criteria
- Pipe size: The wrench's inch size shows the pipe size it can grip. Choose a model that grips the largest pipe you will work on; check the exact jaw opening in the datasheet.
- Length and force: A longer handle gives more torque. Large and seized joints need a long wrench; in tight spaces a short model is practical.
- Weight: The 2" model weighs 2.77 kg; working for long periods overhead or at height, the weight is tiring.
- Material: Chrome vanadium steel is hard and durable; wear-resistant teeth give a long life.
- Working with two wrenches: Holding the opposite part with a second pipe wrench while tightening stops the pipe and other joints from turning.
Common mistakes
- Extending the handle with a pipe: The wrench and jaw are overloaded, can break and cause injury; use a larger wrench if needed.
- Using it on chrome-plated or thin-walled parts: The teeth scratch the surface and crush thin pipe; use a smooth-jaw wrench on these parts.
- Fitting the wrench the wrong way round: The jaw must be fitted so that it tightens itself in the direction of force; a wrench fitted the wrong way slips.
Pipe wrenches at Welibaba
The Pipe Wrenches category has 3 active products from İzeltaş, all listed with prices: 1", 1 1/2" and 2" pipe wrenches. Other special wrenches are in the Special Wrenches category and explained in the special wrenches guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pipe wrench used for?
It grips and turns round pipes and pipe fittings with its toothed jaw, so parts without flat faces can be loosened and fitted.
What size of pipe wrench should I buy?
The size that grips the largest pipe you work on. For household installations 1" is enough for most jobs; larger installations need 1 1/2" or 2".
Can a pipe wrench be used to tighten nuts?
It is not recommended. The teeth damage the corners of the nut; use an open-end, ring or adjustable wrench on nuts and bolts.