Ridgid Pipe Wrench

[thiggy]

I have several Ridgid pipe wrenches which had belonged to my father.  Most of them are red, but the two smallest (6" and 8") are black.  I have noticed that current Ridgid wrenches in these smaller sizes are also red.  Is there any significance to the black ones that I have?  Does that indicate that they may be older?  Along these same lines, the knurled adjustment knob on the 8" wrench cracked and split.  Does anyone have an unneeded knob that you could part with for a reasonable price?  Thanks, Stan

[lbgradwell]

Does that indicate that they may be older?

It does. The colour change occurred ~1949...

[Lostmind]

I have several Ridgid pipe wrenches which had belonged to my father.  Most of them are red, but the two smallest (6" and 8") are black.  I have noticed that current Ridgid wrenches in these smaller sizes are also red.  Is there any significance to the black ones that I have?  Does that indicate that they may be older?  Along these same lines, the knurled adjustment knob on the 8" wrench cracked and split.  Does anyone have an unneeded knob that you could part with for a reasonable price?  Thanks, Stan

I think that Rigid will replace that knob , no charge. Contact them.

[Chillylulu]

I have bought and used literally thousands of Rigid wrench parts to go on the hundreds of wrenches.  In fire protection we use mostly 8" and 24" wrenches on the pipes we install.  We carry a 10" in our pouch.  A 14" steel wrench is used on the Rigid 300 power machines for use in making on fittings to pipe we threaded.

The jaws, heels, pins, and nuts are expendable and wear out. The handle is the only part that you need turn in under warranty - so save nuts and heels when returning for warranty. The jobbers give you a complete new wrench.

Because your nut is split, I think you have a good chance that they would replace it for free.

The red wrenches are bulged at the end, as are some of the black ones.  The bulge hangs the wrench from a Rigid Tri-vise in the slot. It is much easier to hang that way rather than trying to put the hole over a pin.

[Aunt Phil]

I have bought and used literally thousands of Rigid wrench parts to go on the hundreds of wrenches.  In fire protection we use mostly 8" and 24" wrenches on the pipes we install.  We carry a 10" in our pouch.  A 14" steel wrench is used on the Rigid 300 power machines for use in making on fittings to pipe we threaded.

The jaws, heels, pins, and nuts are expendable and wear out. The handle is the only part that you need turn in under warranty - so save nuts and heels when returning for warranty. The jobbers give you a complete new wrench.

Because your nut is split, I think you have a good chance that they would replace it for free.

The red wrenches are bulged at the end, as are some of the black ones.  The bulge hangs the wrench from a Rigid Tri-vise in the slot. It is much easier to hang that way rather than trying to put the hole over a pin.

Tell the truth Chili.
That knob is an armored sighting system that causes the wrench to land ¼" behind the steel toe of your boot when some helper hangs the wrench on the vise his way.

[Chillylulu]

Maybe, but I wouldnt know until I take the boot off and find the bloody sock. By then it would be to late to yell at the Cub.  They are kind of like a good dog,  you can only yell at them right after they mess up. Too late and you are just a jerk that confuses them.

Last time I was designing a system at an oil refinery I was given a special dispensation by the safety officer and was not required to wear steel toed boots. She said steel toed boots were more life threatening on my feet than off. Go figure.

Chilly