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I made a few minor mistakes in the process
I agree with this observation, however, when applying heavy torque, it's best to put the stress on the large fixed jaw.
I made a few minor mistakes in the process
I have seen it mentioned in several books, adjustable wrenches should be always turned towards the movable jaw, as shown in the video. The reasoning is the the movable jaw will be pushed down towards the body of the tool, thus giving it more support. To go the opposite way would lift the jaw away, introducing play and putting more force on weaker areas of the tool.My crescent wrenches range in size from 2" up to 15"
I would argue that the video in post #3 has it backwards. The weakest jaw is the movable jaw. Rotating the wrench as he shows puts pressure from the point of the nut at the outside of the movable jaw where the leverage creates the most stress on the jaw, the worm. mechanism. Rotating in the opposite direction put the pressure point on the movable jaw much closer to the body of the wrench with less stress.
With that piece of circumstantial evidence, I would expect the the wrenches are meant to be used in either direction.
I have two of these wrenches , bought them cheap and both do exactly what you described, very frustrating. but I hardly use them anyway.'ll be trying to tighten or loosen a nut or fitting in an awkward spot, adjust the wrench with the nut/fitting deep inside the jaws, and then be unable to slip the wrench off.