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904 Oil and Gas Well Inspection
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Hand Tools

Pipe Wrenches

Inspect all pipe wrenches for damage to the wrench body. Pipe wrenches may have been struck on the back of the head causing cracks or deformation.

Pipe Wrench
pipe wrench

The wrench jaws should move freely when the adjustment knob is turned. The jaw hook and heel teeth should be sharp and even.

The retainer pin for the heel should be installed properly as supplied by the manufacturer.

Steel handled wrenches should not show excessive damage or bending to the handle. Aluminum handled wrenches should not have signs of bending or deep gouges from a cheater pipe. This weakens the wrench and may cause it to fail under load.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-2. Why should workers not use aluminum-handled wrenches that are bent or have gouges?