I haven't much use for a basin wrench because it's a tool that I seldom needed. That said, I do own one because there are some plumbing chores that simply can't be completed without this specific chore tool.
What and Why a Basin Wrench
The basic use of a basin wrench it to get to hard to reach nuts that hold a kitchen or bathroom faucets in place. I suppose the name "basin" was given because the faucets are being attached to a basin and it's the basin that creates the hard to reach and see problem. With a basin wrench your nuts can't hide. You can grab them and give them a twist or two until they are properly seated and adjusted and all is just fine. The fact is, once I'm done with this chore I feel good.
It's a feeling of accomplishment I get because the nuts are usually in hard to see and hard to reach narrow spaces where a regular wrench or pliers simply cannot reach, grab and turn. This specially designed tool is a must even if not used much.
A basin wrench is a simple tool that has a long shaft. On one end of the shaft is a jaw with serrated teeth that are designed to hold and turn a nut. The jaw expands to accommodate different sized nuts that hold a sink in place. It's a rivet that the jaw pivots on. I would venture a guess that that is the weakest part of the tool however, I have never had a problem with any basin wrench I have ever used. The jaw is also spring loaded so once a grip is made the wrench stays on the nut without having to use a second hand to hold it in place. The jaw also can make a 180 degree flip to either tighten or loosen a nut.
On the bottom of the handle is an opening where a bar (that comes with the wrench) can be placed offering a handle with which to use leverage when trying to tighten a nut that is on a horizontal plane when the wrench is in a vertical position to it.
Basin Wrench 101
When I initially went shopping for a basin wrench I bypassed the Ridgid brand as too expensive and much more professional model than I need.
I was looking for a basic basin wrench. I found a less expensive brand by the name Brass Craft. It suits my needs well.
This basin wrench has a shaft of ten inches long. They do come in greater lengths but that was just fine for under the bathroom sink adjustments I needed to make.
Over the years I have used a basin wrench to install faucets with no problem. This time it wasn't the larger nuts on the bottom of the faucet I had to reach. It was the water supply compression nuts that were out of reach and this basin wrench worked perfectly for that job.
I was able to see the nuts that happened to be large plastic wing type nuts that were simply too tight for me to tighten or loosen. Though they are designed for finger tightening, they lost that ability in time. I didn't have enough power in my finger tips to turn it. This basin wrench reached in, grabbed the nut and I gave a twist. Job done!
I have had this inexpensive basin wrench for about two years. The Brass Craft brand offers a lifetime warranty. I'm not sure whose but I do know that I shouldn't have any problem with the Home Depot that I purchased the tool from.
The chrome look finish remains shiny and the black head looks as good as it did on day one. Again, I don't use the tool often so I can't say there is any kind of wear showing. This tool came in a plastic case with a snap top to it. Directions for use are printed in four different languages with drawing to show the "How To" of the wrench. It's all a weekend warrior should need for this basic chore completed with a basin wrench.
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