The closest thing to heaven on earth is the right tool for the job. Using an inch hex wrench instead of a metric,a ratchet instead of a crescent wrench, pliers when what you really need is a crescent wrench, WD-40 instead of chain lube. All these "compromises" can make life hell.

Along these lines, Crescent recently introduced a model of their famous adjustable wrenches that has a vice-grip like locking fixture so that when you get it adjusted to the size you need, you can lock it so it won't loosen up as adjustable wrenches can. In effect, it makes the adjustable wrench an open end wrench. Unfortunately they only make it in the 10 inch size and it costs 25-30 bucks. I would be willing to pay the price, but I would really want a 6" one to keep in my seat bag. I wouldn't carry a 10", and at home I have ratchets and open/box end combos, SAE and metric, so I seldon have to resort to an adjustable.

Fubar5, watch your language! Don't use the "WD" word around me! Untill recently, their label said that it did all kinds of wonderful things, but one thing they did not claim to do was lubricate! They have since added this word, but I don't think they changed their product any.
A friend of mine used to call WD-40 the locksmiths best friend. A lock would get stiff, and people would squirt it with a little WD, and it would (temporarily) work smoothly. But, after a short time, the acitve ingredients (alcohols) would evaporate, and the lock would then totally fail, and my friend got to sell a new lockset!
For displacing moisture or stopping a squeak, it works fine, but I personally would not count on it for real lubrication!
Just my humble opinion...and of course, I could be wrong!

In defense of the offending product, they don't specify how long after application it will comtinue to lubricate. Selective truth, I think it's called.

Well, WD-40(oops) is more of a solvent then a lube. IT works really well for cleaning a chain, taking of grips, and getting rusty parts moving. But as for keeping something lubricated and protecting it, WD-40(dang, I said it again) is not the tool for the job.

Rainman, there are pliers called vice grips, you may know what I am speaking of, one can adjust the tension so that they clamp securely on the whatever. They are great, because it is easier to get a good tight grip on something, and you don't have to worry about the vice-grips slipping off. I was using some regular pliers to hold on to a small blot on the Univega I am using, and the pliers slipped off and smashed my fingers in between the handles...

You're exactly right Nebill. I've been telling people that for years. My Dad was on the Mo. State Highway Patrol, (retired now). Many years ago they used WD-40 on their service revolvers. Many of the office personnel don't fire their service revolvers except to qualify once a year. The WD-40 had dried up and slowed down the mechanisms so much some of them wouldn't even fire. Needless to say they don't use it anymore!

Yeah, Fubar, vise grips are great. I have a couple of pair. But they are not good to use as a wrench unless you are really desperate. The teeth can chew up a nut or hex head screw/bolt.

Further to my mention of the locking adjustable wrench, turns out the actual brand is Stanley, Crescent's parent. I just discovered a sorta similar thing and ordered on. Proto tools makes adjustable wrenches that look just like regular Crescent wrenches. However, one model line has click stop adjustment that holds the jaws at a particular opening width. According to the description, when you put more pressure, the jaws are actually locked more tightly in place, minimizing the chance of slipping. This model comes in the usual sizes 4", 6", 8", 10", etc.. The description also says the jaws are thinner so it may even be a substitute for a pedal wrench in a pinch. I just ordered a 6" on sale for $10.49 from MSC Industrial Supply. I will report back later.

I know, I know. That is one of the things that the right tool for the job solves.
Sounds like a great tool. I can't wait for you follow up, if it sounds good I may go get one.

I heard that displacing moisture was the original intent of WD-40. It was the inventors 40th attempt at creating a Water Displacement formula.

Servus!

And that, my friends, is ALL that WD-40 is good for, water displacement.

I use it on my armor after every time I fight and it keeps my stuff from rusting into oblivion, but would slit my wrists and us my own blood before spraying it on any part of my drivetrain.

A mekanik pal of mine said that the stuff is really good for putting on grips, although I must admit I havent tried.

The greatest problem with WD40 is that it attracts humidity. The alcohols in the substance are responsible for that. Use it as a lubricant, and you'll soon find that it promotes rust.

That said, it makes a wonderful degreaser. I wax my chains, and WD40 will cut through the wax buildup quickly and easily. Likewise, it will take grime and tar off of a frame or drivetrain, remove road tar from your automobile, possibly even degrease your cookware and limber up your arthritic joints.

Also... I've a sport motorbike, a Yamaha R6. I must lube the chain every 500mi or so, and upon doing this, I end up lubing the rest of the planet for days afterward. The rear wheel and bodywork become speckled with tenacious chain lube. WD40 gets it right off, and won't harm the paint. In fact, I've taken to wiping down the rear wheel and swingarm with WD BEFORE I lube the chain, to ease future cleanup.

DO NOT clean your tires with WD40! On a similar note, you do know better than to shine your tires with Armorall? You could get a firsthand lesson in elementary physics... friction, inertia, and the amazing abrasiveness of tarmac.

Don't clean your rims with WD-40 either, especially if you are riding in the next day or so. If you do, when you use your brakes all that will happen is,"Screeeeeeeeech.....BOOM!!!! SPLAT!!! CRACK!!!TINKLE TINKLE!!!" and then the sound of ambulances,"WEE-ooo WEE-ooo".

One legitimate use of WD40 is to flush out the grime from a screw-on style freewheel. You can then drizzle clean oil into it.

Follow-up on the Proto and Stanley wrenches.

I am not particularly impressed with the Proto wrench with "Click Stop" the clicks are so fine it just feels like the adjusting screw is a littl gritty. Not enough resistance to really hold it in a particular position. Once you put pressure on, it does hold reasonably well. However, what I was looking for was a sturdy click mechanism that would hold it in a fairly fixed position, without tightening or loosening from an inadvertent touch. I find that more often than loosening inadvertently, an adjustable wrench will tighten slightly, clamping itself in place and requiring considerable finger pressure to loosen the grip. This is a pain when you have to engage and disengage repeatedly. Unfortunately, the Proto just does not seem to me to be a significant improvement over a plain old Crescent or Rigid or Craftsman adjustable wrench. And the jaws are actually THICKER that a standard adjustable rather than thinner as described. They taper slightly in thickness, but the narrower tips are still very thick.
VERDICT - Not worth the money.

The Stanley locking adjustable looks like a better bet. I ordered one of those for my Dad for Father's Day. He loves tools, especially gadget tools. It has a SERIOUS, vice grip type locking mechanism that looks more promising. What I envision is something that you can lock at an opening that just slips easily onto a hex nut, bolt or screw, like the fit of an open end wrench. The Stanley looks like it should work that way though the head was enclosed in that heavy plastic packaging that you have to destroy to open so I wasn't able to try it. It only comes in a 10" size and it is massive. Definitely not a seat bag item. If you need a larger size adjustable wrench for times when nothing else will do, this might be handy in your tool box. But at the price it is probably a better thing to get (or give) as a gift than buy for yourself. And, as always, box ends and sockets are best, with open ends next. I like combination wrenches to I have both handy.
OVERALL VERDICT - For your seat bag, stick with a plain old 6" adjustable for times when the multitool might not get the job done.
Raymond

I have read in one magazine articles about using aerosol product defletes the ozone layer, how true is this? And with that information I sparingly use a can of WD 40 to clean the bike chain....

They used to use freon to pressurize the contents of aerosol cans, which 'they' say depletes the ozone. Now, they use propane and butane. Ever wonder why they say not to get the can hot or throw it in the fire!? I use a pump bottle whenever I have the choice.

Oscar,
Simple Green degreaser does a better job on chains, comes in a pump bottle, and is environmentally friendly. And it smells nice, too.
Raymond

I'll have to try simple green. I had a really tough time degreasing my chain the other day with....WD-40....

I bought a "Rechargable Aerosol Spray Can" from Harbor Freight (https://www.harborfreight.com). You pump it up with a hand pump, or any air source, and it works great with Simple Green. Also good with just air in it for cleaning dust out of the pc. It was driving me nuts paying $6.95 for a can of air.

Fubar, I think if you try Simple Green, or one of the citrus degreasers, you will not go back to petroleum based solvents. I bought a bottle of Park's chain cleaning solvent when I bought my chain cleaner. Used it once as a trial and immediately switched to Simple Green to finish up and try to clean up after the solvent. Nasty smelling, oily stuff. Simple Green is basically a very powerful soap. Rinses right off. I had a pump bottle and recently bought a gallon jug to refill the pump.

MWMW, I will have to check out that rechargable spray can. Sounds very interesting.

Regards,
Raymond

mwmw,

That is slicker than dirt! I like the idea of using it versus 10 zillion cans of compressed air, or those horrible vacuum cleaner air deals, for computer use. cool idea! You never know what you will find on BFC!