Reader Feedback
By Staff -- Plant Engineering, 6/1/2004
Pipe wrenchesThe "Solutions" page (April 2004) refers to the use of "pipe cheaters" on pipe wrenches and depicts a car jack being used to activate a pipe wrench. The manner in which the pipe wrench is depicted is not recommended and is potentially hazardous. We are concerned that the imprimatur of your magazine may lead your readers to believe that the depicted use is acceptable and safe. As the manufacturer of such products, we know that not to be true. A pipe wrench is a hand tool that is not designed to be used with other tools or devices that increase the applied force. We know from experience that this type of misuse can lead to serious injury.
Your magazine informs and educates its readers, and in this particular case, you have done them a disservice. Information on the proper use of pipe wrenches is available at Ridge Tool's web site, ridgid.com, in the Support Area under "Tool Tips & Techniques."
James Hamm, P.E., Staff Engineer, Development & Product Safety, Ridge Tool Co.
