Milwaukee 18" Aluminum
Best AluminumFriendsWithTools.io earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. We do not test these tools ourselves — all claims are sourced from manufacturer specifications, retailer listings, and aggregated user reviews, each linked inline. Prices and ratings were verified on April 2026 and may have changed.
Summary
4.6 stars across 1,200+ reviews. Service plumbers switching from steel to aluminum choose this one. The overbite jaw design grips aggressively. At 3.2 lbs it is noticeably lighter than the Ridgid 18. Some users report the adjustment knob loosening under heavy use.
$50-$70 Home Depot, Amazon as of April 2026
Key Specifications
| jawCapacity | 2-1/2" pipe |
| length | 18" |
| weight | 3.2 lbs |
| material | Aluminum body, steel jaws |
| handleType | Overbite jaw design |
Pros
- 40% lighter than steel at 3.2 lbs.
- Overbite jaw provides aggressive grip.
- Same jaw capacity as the Ridgid 18.
- Comfortable for overhead and extended use.
- Clean, modern design.
Cons
- $50-$70 is more than steel equivalents.
- Adjustment knob can loosen over time.
- Aluminum body is softer, so it will deform before steel under extreme force.
- Newer product, less long-term durability data than Ridgid.