Question:
I’m trying to remove my garden hose from the faucet on the side of my house, but it won’t budge. It’s rusted on I think, and I’m having a hard time getting a “grip” on it to twist it off. This brings me to my question. What is the best “Multi-Use” tool for jobs like this? Adjustable wrenches just don’t have the “grip”.
Adjustable Pliers will work, but Vice Grips permit you to “clamp” the hose. I’ve seen other such multi-purpose “tools” offered on TV from time to time, but I’m interested in getting a tool that is the most flexible, and durable, and versatile for these types of jobs. Is there a specific brand, or make, of a tool like this that I shouldn’t live without?
Answer:
There are several good multi-purpose tools for jobs like these. These are among our favorites:
Slipjoint pump pliers. Channel Lock and Knipex are good, affordable brands. The leverage they provide gives plenty ot torque, but the ‘crush power’ is limited by hard you can squeeze. That way, unlike vise-grips, you are unlikey to crush or shatter the hose end or the hose bib itself. Of course, soaking the thing in penetrating oil for an hour before you reap on it, will also help a lot.
Channel Locks are by far the most popular for these types of tasks. Alternatively, you can get two narrow or standard channel locks so they fit perfectly on the hose nuts and keep them with your box of extra hose fittings and adapters. One grabs the hose nut and the other grabs the sill cock to hold it in place.
If it is really stuck though and near-impossible to remove, a pipe wrench should do the trick.