I decided to see if Channellock has done anything new recently, and what I saw surprised me – new adjustable wrenches!
It seems that Channellock has launched a new line of lightweight extra slim jaw WideAzz adjustable wrenches.
That’s a lot of keywords, let’s break it down.
Extra slim jaw – thinner jaws for easier access of tight clearance fasteners.
WideAzz – wide-opening jaws.
Lightweight – this is what’s new, where Channellock (or their OEM partner) carved a large narrow hole through the center of the handle.
Shown above is the Channellock 808SWLG, which is the 8-inch version. Channellock says that the lightweight design means the wrench is “up to 30% lighter than a standard wrench with similar capacity.”
As for the extra slim jaw part, they’re “up to 46% thinner than a standard wrench of the same size.”
The 8-inch adjustable wrench has a max opening capacity of 1.18″.
There is a catch. Channellock says that this wrench is for “precision use only” as it has a max torque rating of 400 in-lbs.
Let’s say the center of the fastener you’re turning is 7.5″ from the end of the handle. By my math, 400 in-lbs would be achieved with around 53 pounds of force to the end of the handle. That’s still plenty.
But I guess it is something to keep in mind. Thin jaws plus lightweight skeletonized handle? Don’t even think about hammering the end of it, or using a cheater bar. Or if you do, don’t be surprised if you damage the tool.
The 12″ wrench also has a 400 in-lb rating, and so it might be inherent to the thinner jaw width and not the handles. Although, I don’t see similar warnings for the regular WideAzz slim jaw adjustable wrenches.
Still, there are a lot of tasks where thinner jaws are beneficial or even necessary, and the lighter handle should help reduce fatigue a bit. Bring out a different tool for heavy duty tasks.
One more thing to keep in mind is that you don’t get the same opening width as with Channellock’s other adjustable wrenches.
8-inch slim, lightweight, WideAzz (808SWLG): 1.18″ max opening width
8-inch slim, WideAzz (8SWCB): 1.54″ max opening width
8-inch WideAzz (8WCB): 1.54″ max opening width
It’s great to have more choices. Get these if you want thin jaws and less weight.
How much weight do you save, exactly?
808SWLG (slim, lightweight 8″): 0.51 lbs
8SWCB (slim 8″): 0.73 lbs
8WCB (8″): 0.76 lbs
Hmm. That’s actually quite a bit of weight savings. From the comparison image, it looks like some of the weight savings comes from the jaws. The dipped grip vs Code Blue cushion grip probably helps as well.
Channellock says these new wrenches “are made in Spain to the same demanding specifications as its USA-made tools.” In my experience, their [Irega-made] adjustable wrenches are top-notch. They’re priced at a slight premium (~$35 for the 8-inch), but they also deliver premium performance and feel. For an adjustable wrench.
These are a little more specialized, but as again, it’s good to have options.
Here are all of the sizes via the stocking retailers I found, along with launch pricing.
- 6-inch (806SWLG, $29.95) at Home Depot | at Acme Tools
- 8-inch (808SWLG, $34.95) at Home Depot | at Acme Tools (same as linked above)
- 10-inch (810SWLG, $44.95) at Acme Tools
- 12-inch (812SWLG, $56.95) at Home Depot | at Acme Tools
Other Skeletonized Adjustable Wrenches
My first take on the Channellock wrenches were that they were “holey.” But then my mind shifted to “skeletonized.” I’m not sure what the correct terminology is, but I do know I’ve seen and used this style before, although maybe not thin, wide, and light.
If you want something at a lower price point, the Lobtex Hybrid Money X adjustable wrenches are decent.
There’s also Top, and I’m sure others.
This Fujiya wrench has multiple box end cutouts. I guess that means it’s holier? Holeyer?
They have others – this one, also with an ~8 inch length, seems designed to be as light as possible.
There is no shortage of options for those who want to shop around, but that doesn’t make Channellock’s adjustable wrench expansion any less welcome.
