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Which to buy: for plastic pipe and fittings, the RIDGID 31355 strap wrench with its plastic-pipe strap; for chrome or other polished pipe, the RIDGID 31350 strap wrench. Both have 11-3/4 in. handles and are rated for 2 in. pipe. RIDGID lists the 31350 strap as 24 in. in its table but 17 in. in its product title, so check the package. Neither fits every space; measure your clearance. We have not tested them.
Quick answer: Pick by the surface first. Use a strap wrench on chrome, polished or plastic pipe you must not mark; use a chain wrench on pipe where marks do not matter and you want ratchet-like turning in a tight spot. Then pick a size by rated pipe capacity, the nominal size the wrench can correctly tighten.
RIDGID’s strap wrenches are rated for 2 in. pipe (11-3/4 in. handles) or 5 in. pipe (18 in. handles), and two have straps made for plastic pipe. Its chain wrenches are rated from 2 in. (light-duty C-12) to 4-1/2 in. (C-36), so in this lineup the chain wrench is not the larger-pipe tool. For diameters well past a strap wrench’s capacity, RIDGID points to a chain tong, which is a separate tool. This page covers turning plumbing pipe and fittings; other household uses of strap wrenches are outside its scope.
Sizes, capacities and warranty terms come from RIDGID’s strap wrench, chain wrench and Full Lifetime Warranty pages, read in a browser on October 10, 2026, and from Klein Tools’ Grip-It strap wrench pages, read the same day. We have not tested these wrenches. The three buy links below are the exact RIDGID 31350 and 31355 strap wrenches and C-36 (31330) chain wrench whose Amazon offers were checked on October 10, 2026 as new, sold by Amazon.com and in stock, each showing a low-stock message (Only 9 left, Only 5 left and Only 4 left); offers change, so check that the listing names the catalog number. Other models on this page are not linked.
Strap, chain or pipe wrench?
- Chrome, plated or polished pipe: strap wrench. RIDGID says its strap wrenches are best for any polished pipe and use a woven nylon strap treated with powdered rosin.
- Plastic pipe and fittings: a strap wrench with RIDGID’s plastic-pipe strap (31355 or 31370). RIDGID notes that the polyurethane-coated “P” straps protect plastic but can slip on other materials. For how tight to make threaded PVC, see PVC threaded fittings.
- Tight spots: RIDGID says the low-profile strap works where chain wrenches or large pipe wrenches cannot swing fully, and calls its light-duty C-12 chain wrench ideal for close quarters.
- Steel pipe where marks do not matter: an ordinary pipe wrench; see our pipe wrench guide.
RIDGID strap wrenches
On a phone this table scrolls sideways; the catalog number stays in view. Swipe the table, or tab to it and use the left and right arrow keys.
| Catalog | Handle and strap | Rated pipe / actual OD |
|---|---|---|
| 31335 | 11-3/4 in.; 17 x 1/2 in. heavy-duty strap | 2 in. / 3-1/2 in. |
| 31340 | 11-3/4 in. aluminum; 17 x 1-1/8 in. | 2 in. / 3-1/2 in. |
| 31350 | 11-3/4 in. aluminum; 24 x 1-1/8 in. | 2 in. / 5-1/2 in. |
| 31345 | 11-3/4 in. aluminum; 30 x 1-1/8 in. | 2 in. / 5-1/2 in. |
| 31355 (plastic) | 11-3/4 in. aluminum; 17 x 1-1/16 in. plastic-pipe strap | 2 in. / 3-1/2 in. |
| 31360 | 18 in. aluminum; 29-1/4 x 1-3/4 in. | 5 in. / 7 in. |
| 31365 | 18 in. aluminum; 48 x 1-3/4 in. | 5 in. / 12 in. |
| 31370 (plastic) | 18 in. aluminum; 29-1/4 x 1-3/4 in. plastic-pipe strap | 5 in. / 5-1/2 in. |
RIDGID defines rated pipe capacity as the nominal size the wrench can correctly tighten, and actual OD capacity as what the strap can wrap. It warns that wrapping beyond the recommended pipe size can put more torque on the handle than it is designed for, so buy by rated pipe size, not by how far the strap reaches. RIDGID says all handles are under 2-1/8 lb and the strap is easy to replace, and its ordering table gives a replacement strap number for each model.
Checked buy links: RIDGID 31350 strap wrench (2 in. rated) on Amazon · RIDGID 31355 plastic-pipe strap wrench (2 in. rated) on Amazon. The 31350’s strap length is one of the title-versus-table conflicts above, so check the package.
RIDGID’s strap and chain wrench pages both list a Full Lifetime Warranty. RIDGID’s warranty page says it covers defects in workmanship and material for the tool’s lifetime, that failures due to misuse, abuse or normal wear and tear are not covered, and that pipe wrenches and other hand tools should be returned to the place of purchase for warranty service. It also says the warranty excludes RIDGID licensed goods, which have their own terms.
Klein Grip-It strap wrenches
On a phone this table scrolls sideways; the catalog number stays in view. Swipe the table, or tab to it and use the left and right arrow keys.
| Catalog | Handle and strap | Outside-diameter capacity |
|---|---|---|
| S6HB | 6 in.; 21-1/4 x 0.63 in. | 1-1/2 to 4 in. |
| S12HB | 12 in. die-cast aluminum; 22-1/4 x 1 in. | 1-1/2 to 5 in. |
| S18HB | 18 in.; 34-1/4 x 1-3/4 in. | 3 to 10 in. |
Klein describes the Grip-It as a urethane-covered, high-strength belt on a lightweight I-beam handle with a cam action, made to resist scratching, damaging or deforming polished pipe and fittings, plastic pipe and fittings, and PVC conduit, and it says not to extend the handle length. Klein lists an outside-diameter range, while RIDGID’s main rating is the nominal pipe size the wrench can correctly tighten, so the two tables do not compare one-to-one; for pipe, measure the outside diameter before choosing a Klein size.
RIDGID chain wrenches
On a phone this table scrolls sideways; the model stays in view. Swipe the table, or tab to it and use the left and right arrow keys.
| Model (catalog) | Rated pipe / actual OD | Chain length, weight |
|---|---|---|
| C-12 light duty (31310) | 2 in. / 4 in. | 15-3/4 in., 1-3/4 lb |
| C-14 heavy duty (31315) | 2 in. / 5 in. | 18-1/2 in., 2-3/4 lb |
| C-18 heavy duty (31320) | 2-1/2 in. / 5 in. | 20-1/4 in., 6 lb |
| C-24 heavy duty (31325) | 3 in. / 5 in. | 20-1/4 in., 8-1/4 lb |
| C-36 heavy duty (31330) | 4-1/2 in. / 7-1/2 in. | 29 in., 15-3/4 lb |
Checked buy link: RIDGID C-36 heavy-duty chain wrench (31330, 4-1/2 in. rated) on Amazon. The C-12 and other chain wrenches are not linked.
The C-36 is the biggest wrench in this table: rated for 4-1/2 in. pipe, with a 29 in. chain, and it weighs 15-3/4 lb against the C-12’s 1-3/4 lb. It is for larger pipe, not the light close-quarters job RIDGID describes for the C-12. We link it because it is the chain wrench whose Amazon offer we could confirm, not because it suits most jobs; buy it only if your pipe needs that capacity.
RIDGID says the double jaw gives fast, ratchet-like action in either direction. The light-duty C-12 has a one-piece forged handle and jaw; the heavy-duty models have replaceable alloy steel jaws. For diameters substantially larger than a strap wrench’s capacity, RIDGID’s strap wrench FAQ says you would typically use a chain tong, a separate tool from these chain wrenches.
When to skip one
- Skip a chain wrench on chrome or plastic; use a strap wrench.
- Skip the plastic-pipe straps (31355, 31370) for metal; RIDGID says coated straps can slip on other materials.
- For under-sink and fixture work, choose by the outside diameter you must wrap, the wrench’s rated pipe size and the room you have to swing the handle. The 11-3/4 in. models are RIDGID’s smallest and are rated for 2 in. pipe; we would start there in a tight cabinet, but that is our preference, not a RIDGID fit rule, so measure the clearance.
Sources
- RIDGID strap wrenches (ridgid.com) (features, ordering table, FAQ), read October 10, 2026 in a browser.
- RIDGID chain wrenches (ridgid.com) (features, ordering table), read October 10, 2026 in a browser.
- Klein Tools S6HB (kleintools.com), S12HB (kleintools.com) and S18HB (kleintools.com) Grip-It strap wrench pages, read October 10, 2026.
- RIDGID Full Lifetime Warranty (ridgid.com), read October 10, 2026 in a browser.
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