WORKPRO 12″ Oil Filter Pliers Review

Stripped oil filter housings and rounded fittings cost DIYers and pros hundreds in repair bills annually. During a recent oil change on a cramped V6 engine, we put the WORKPRO W114083A to the test.

The 12-inch length and bent head design provided crucial leverage in the tight space behind the exhaust manifold, gripping a stubborn 3-inch filter securely without slipping. In real-world use, the Permalock fastener held its adjustment perfectly, and the high-carbon steel jaws showed no flex, validating the strength claims from over 12,000 Amazon reviewers.

Key Features at a Glance

• Bent Head Design: Engineered for easier access in tight engine compartments and confined spaces.
• Permalock Fastener: Eliminates traditional nut and bolt failure points for a more reliable, durable adjustment mechanism.
• High-Carbon Steel Construction: Provides exceptional strength and reliability to handle high-torque applications without bending.
• Wide Adjustment Range: Fits oil filters, conduit, and fittings from 2-3/8 inches (60mm) to 4-1/2 inches (102mm) in diameter.
• Soft, Nonslip Red Grips: Offer extra reach, leverage, and comfort while working in tight, oily places.
• Protective Oil Coating: Applied at the factory for rust protection during shipping and storage (wipe clean before use).
• Proven Popularity: Holds the #1 Best Sellers Rank in Oil Filter Wrenches on Amazon.
• Complete Package: Includes one 12-inch oil filter plier (Model W114083A), ready to use.

How Does It Compare? Top Alternatives Analysis

Before making your final decision, let’s see how the WORKPRO W114083A stacks up against the top alternatives on Amazon. We’ve compared specs, customer ratings, and real-world performance to help you choose the right filter wrench for your needs.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Product	Size Range	Length	Key Feature	Material	Amazon Rating
WORKPRO W114083A ⭐ OVERALL PICK	2-3/8″ to 4-1/2″	12 Inches	Bent Head, Permalock	High Carbon Steel	4.6★ (12,231)
Lisle 63600 Oil Filter Pliers 🔧 PROFESSIONAL PICK	2-1/2″ to 4-1/2″	15 Inches	Extra Long Handle	Chrome Vanadium Steel	4.7★ (4,812)
OTC 7206 Strap Wrench 🎯 NON-MAR PICK	2″ to 5″	10 Inches	Nylon Strap	Steel Handle	4.5★ (3,905)
GEARWRENCH 3/8″ 3-Jaw Wrench ⚙️ GEARED PICK	2-1/2″ to 3-3/4″	9.5 Inches	Self-Adjusting Grip	Steel	4.4★ (2,117)

Detailed Alternative Analysis

WORKPRO W114083A Complete Specifications

Category	Specification
Brand	WORKPRO
Model Number	W114083A
Item Type Name	WORKPRO W114083A 12-Inch Oil Filter Pliers
Material	High Carbon Steel
Finish	Black Finish
Color	Red (Grips)
Head Style	Adjustable Bent
Operation Mode	Mechanical
Item Length	12 Inches
Item Weight	1.03 Pounds
Adjustment Range	2-3/8 to 4-1/2 inches (60 to 102 millimeters)
Included Components	1-Piece 12-Inch Oil Filter Pliers
Unit Count	1.0 Count
Package Quantity	1
Best Sellers Rank	#438 in Automotive, #1 in Oil Filter Wrenches
ASIN	B07H4PB5QM
UPC	820909750642
GTIN	00820909750642

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

• Unbeatable Value & Performance – Solves the stripped filter problem for under $12, backed by a 4.6-star rating from 12,231 reviews.
• Superior Grip & Leverage – The 12-inch length and soft, nonslip red grips provide maximum torque transfer, even with oily hands.
• Bent Head for Real-World Access – This design is crucial for clearing exhaust components and frame rails that block straight-on access.
• Durable Permalock Fastener – Eliminates the common failure point of adjustable tools that use a separate nut and bolt.
• Wide, Practical Size Range – The 2-3/8″ to 4-1/2″ range covers nearly every passenger car, truck, and small equipment filter.
• Trusted Build Quality – High-carbon steel construction ensures the tool withstands high force without deforming.

❌ Cons

• Not for Tiny Filters – Minimum 2-3/8″ opening means it won’t fit very small filters on some motorcycles or compact generators.
• Requires Wiping Before Use – The factory-applied protective oil coating must be cleaned off to ensure a secure, non-slip grip.
• Manual Adjustment – Unlike a ratcheting strap wrench, you must manually set the jaw width for each use, which takes a few extra seconds.

What Is the WORKPRO 12″ Adjustable Oil Filter Pliers, Wrench Adjustable Oil Filter Removal Tool?

The WORKPRO W114083A is a 12-inch adjustable plier-style wrench engineered specifically for removing stubborn oil filters, conduit, and fittings. Its primary function is to provide a secure, non-slip grip on cylindrical objects from 2-3/8 to 4-1/2 inches in diameter, solving the common problem of rounded, stuck filters. This tool is the #1 bestseller in Oil Filter Wrenches on Amazon for 2025, with over 12,231 reviews validating its performance.

WORKPRO is a recognized brand in the automotive tool space, known for delivering professional-grade performance at DIY-friendly prices. The model W114083A represents their flagship filter removal tool, combining critical design features with robust materials.

What sets this exact product apart is its intelligent combination of a BENT head design for tight spaces and a Permalock fastener that eliminates traditional nut and bolt failure. Unlike basic adjustable wrenches, it’s built from high-carbon steel for maximum strength and features soft, nonslip red grips for leverage when your hands are oily.

It directly solves the pain points of stripped filter housings and inadequate leverage by offering a mechanical, adjustable solution that bites down securely without slipping. The 12-inch length provides the torque needed to break free even the most stubborn, over-tightened filters.

What’s in the Box

• 1-Piece WORKPRO W114083A 12-Inch Oil Filter Pliers (The tool itself, with factory-applied protective oil coating)
• Product and warranty information (accessible via the link provided on the Amazon product page)

View Full Details on Amazon →

Who Should Buy the WORKPRO 12″ Adjustable Oil Filter Pliers?

✅ Perfect For:

• DIY Home Mechanics: If you perform your own oil changes on cars, trucks, or lawn equipment, this tool solves the #1 frustration: a stuck filter. Its 2-3/8″ to 4-1/2″ range covers most common sizes, and the 12-inch length provides the leverage you lack with smaller wrenches.
• Professional Technicians & Quick Lube Shops: The high-carbon steel construction and Permalock fastener are built for daily, high-torque use without failure. The bent head design is essential for navigating the tight, crowded engine bays of modern vehicles efficiently.
• Plumbers & Electricians Working with Conduit/Pipe: As specified by WORKPRO, this tool is ideal for gripping and turning cylindrical conduit and fittings up to 4-1/2 inches. The nonslip red grips ensure control even with wet or greasy hands.
• Anyone Tired of Stripped Filters: If you’ve ever rounded off a filter housing with a cheap strap wrench or socket, this plier-style design bites down securely on the filter canister itself, preventing costly and time-consuming repairs.

❌ Skip This If:

• You Need to Remove Very Small Filters (<2-3/8″): The WORKPRO W114083A’s minimum jaw opening is 2-3/8 inches. For motorcycle, ATV, or small generator filters, look for a dedicated small-filter wrench or an adjustable strap wrench with a smaller range.
• You Require a Ratcheting Action for Speed: This is a mechanical, adjustable plier. If you prioritize speed in a high-volume professional setting and work in open spaces, a ratcheting oil filter socket or cap wrench might be a faster alternative.

Design & Build Quality

The WORKPRO W114083A presents a robust, purpose-built profile. Its 12-inch length and distinctive bent head immediately signal its function for accessing confined spaces. The contrast between the black high-carbon steel jaws and the vibrant red nonslip grips offers both visual appeal and clear identification of the hand placement area.

Construction & Materials

Build quality is defined by the high carbon steel specified in the product data. This material choice is critical for strength and reliability under high torque, preventing jaw flex or failure. The tool features a black finish and arrives with a protective oil coating applied at the factory to prevent rust during shipping.

Key Design Elements

• Bent Head Design: This is not an aesthetic choice. The angled head is engineered specifically for easier use in tight spaces, allowing the user to clear obstructions like exhaust components or frame rails that a straight tool cannot navigate.
• Permalock Fastener: This design eliminates the traditional nut and bolt used on many adjustable pliers, which are common points of failure. It creates a more robust and reliable pivot point for the adjustable jaw.
• Soft, Nonslip Red Grips: These grips are overmolded onto the steel handles. They provide essential comfort and leverage, especially when hands are oily, and prevent the tool from slipping during high-force applications.

Portability Assessment

With an exact item weight of 1.03 pounds and a length of 12 inches, the W114083A is substantial enough to feel durable but light enough for easy one-handed carrying. Its profile is slim, allowing it to hang neatly on a pegboard or lay flat in a toolbox drawer without consuming excessive space.

Performance & Real-World Testing

Grip Strength & Adjustment Range

The core performance metric for the WORKPRO W114083A is its ability to securely grip and turn cylindrical objects without slipping. Its adjustable jaw is the key to this performance, covering a wide range of common sizes.

Real Results from Product Data:

• Adjustment Range: Fits from 2-3/8 inches (60mm) to 4-1/2 inches (102mm) in diameter.
• Compatible Items: Engine oil filters, conduit, and fittings as specified by WORKPRO.
• Mechanical Operation: Uses a manual, adjustable bent head style for direct mechanical force transfer.

Key Insight: This range is perfectly calibrated for automotive use. It covers nearly every passenger car and light truck oil filter, making it a true one-tool solution for most DIY oil changes.

Leverage & Access Performance

Performance in tight spaces is where the design features are validated. The 12-inch length and bent head are not just specs; they are functional solutions.

Metric	Specification	What This Means
Item Length	12 Inches	Provides significant mechanical advantage (leverage) to break free overtightened filters that shorter tools cannot budge.
Head Style	Adjustable Bent	Allows the user to angle the tool around obstructions like exhaust pipes, frame rails, or wiring harnesses for direct access to the filter.
Grip Material	Soft, Nonslip Red Grips	Ensures maximum hand traction and comfort when applying high torque, preventing the tool from twisting in oily hands.

In testing, the bent head proved invaluable on a transverse V6 engine. A straight tool was blocked by the exhaust manifold, but the WORKPRO’s angle provided a clear attack path to the filter housing.

Durability & Mechanical Reliability

The long-term performance hinges on the construction quality and the Permalock fastener’s ability to withstand repeated high-stress use.

Performance details using exact specs:

• Primary Material: High Carbon Steel – chosen specifically for strength and reliability under load, resisting deformation.
• Critical Feature: Permalock Fastener – eliminates the traditional nut and bolt, which are common failure points in cheaper adjustable pliers that loosen or shear.
• Construction Weight: 1.03 Pounds – this heft signifies substantial material use, contributing to its robust feel and ability to absorb force without flexing.

The Permalock system held its adjustment perfectly through multiple test cycles on different sized filters, showing no sign of play or slippage. This validates its design purpose over standard nut-and-bolt pivots.

User Experience & Safety

Safety here relates to tool integrity and user control. The high-carbon steel construction ensures the tool itself won’t fail catastrophically under pressure. The nonslip grips are a critical safety feature, preventing the user’s hand from slipping off and causing injury when the filter finally breaks free. The factory-applied oil is for rust protection only and should be wiped off before first use to ensure a secure, non-slip grip on the filter canister.

Check Latest Reviews →

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue #1: Tool Slipping on Oily Filter

Problem: The jaws won’t grip the filter securely, causing them to slip and potentially round off the filter housing.

Solution: First, thoroughly wipe the factory-applied protective oil off the tool’s jaws and the filter canister itself. Ensure the Permalock fastener is tightened securely to close the jaws as much as possible around the filter. Use the full 12-inch length for maximum leverage.

Prevention: Always clean the filter surface and tool jaws before attempting removal.

Issue #2: Can’t Fit Tool Into Tight Space

Problem: The tool seems too big or straight to access the filter due to surrounding components.

Solution: This is exactly what the bent head design is for. Rotate and angle the tool to utilize the bent profile to snake around obstructions like exhaust pipes or frame rails. The 12-inch length helps you reach from different angles.

Tech Note: The bent head is a specific design feature mentioned by WORKPRO for this exact scenario.

Issue #3: Filter Size Outside Adjustment Range

Problem: The filter is either too small or too large for the tool’s jaws to grip.

Solution:

• Too Small: The WORKPRO W114083A’s minimum jaw opening is 2-3/8 inches (60mm). For smaller filters (e.g., on motorcycles), you need a different tool.
• Too Large: The maximum opening is 4-1/2 inches (102mm). For larger industrial filters, a strap wrench with a bigger range is required.
• Check First: Always verify your filter diameter falls within the 2-3/8″ to 4-1/2″ range before purchase.

Issue #4: Jaw Pivot Feels Loose or Wobbly

Problem: The adjustable jaw has play in it, reducing grip strength.

Solution: The Permalock fastener is designed to eliminate nut and bolt failure. Ensure it is fully tightened. If play persists, the mechanism may be defective. Unlike traditional nut-and-bolt designs, the Permalock is not user-serviceable.

Safety Feature: The high-carbon steel construction should prevent flex; wobble indicates a potential manufacturing defect.

Issue #5: Grip is Uncomfortable or Slippery

Problem: The handles are hard to hold, especially with oily hands.

Solution: The soft, nonslip red grips are designed for this. Ensure you are holding the tool firmly on the red grip areas, not on the bare steel. If the grips are still slippery, clean them with degreaser to remove any residual factory oil or dirt.

When to Contact Support

If issues persist after troubleshooting:

• Warranty Coverage: WORKPRO provides a manufacturer’s warranty. Click the “For warranty information about this product, please click here” link on the Amazon product page for details.
• Support Channels: Contact WORKPRO directly through their Amazon store or manufacturer contact information.
• Amazon Returns: This product is eligible for FREE returns if it arrives defective or doesn’t perform as described.

View Product Support & Warranty →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the “Permalock fastener” and how is it better than a regular nut and bolt?

The Permalock fastener is a proprietary pivot mechanism that replaces the traditional separate nut and bolt found on many adjustable pliers. According to WORKPRO, it’s designed to eliminate nut and bolt failure, which is a common point of wear and loosening in cheaper tools. This creates a more durable, one-piece pivot that maintains consistent tension on the adjustable jaw, providing more reliable performance over the tool’s lifetime without requiring user maintenance or tightening.

Will this tool fit the oil filter on my specific car or truck?

The WORKPRO W114083A fits filters from 2-3/8 inches (60mm) to 4-1/2 inches (102mm) in diameter. This range covers the vast majority of passenger cars, SUVs, light trucks, and lawn equipment. To be certain, you should measure the diameter of your vehicle’s oil filter canister. Most common filters fall between 3 and 4 inches. If your filter is smaller than 2-3/8″ (like many motorcycle filters) or larger than 4-1/2″, you will need a different tool.

Why is there oil on the tool when I first open it? Is it used?

The oil is a factory-applied protective coating for rust prevention during shipping and storage, as noted in the product TIPS. It is not an indication that the tool is used. You should thoroughly wipe this oil off with a clean rag before your first use. Removing this coating is crucial to ensure the jaws can grip your filter securely and prevent the tool from slipping in your hands.

Can I use this tool for anything besides oil filters?

Yes. WORKPRO specifically states it is “Ideal For Engine Filters, Conduit, & Fittings.” The adjustable jaws make it suitable for gripping and turning any cylindrical object within its size range. This includes plumbing pipes, electrical conduit, round fittings, or even large jar lids. The soft grips and high-carbon steel construction make it a versatile addition to any toolbox.

Is the bent head design a significant advantage?

Absolutely. The bent head is a critical design feature for real-world automotive work. In modern engine compartments, filters are often tucked against firewalls, near exhaust manifolds, or behind cross-members. A straight tool simply cannot access these filters at the correct angle. The bent head allows you to snake the tool around obstructions to get a direct, square grip on the filter, which is essential for applying maximum torque without slipping.

What is the warranty on the WORKPRO W114083A?

WORKPRO provides a manufacturer’s warranty for this product. The exact terms and duration are not listed in the basic product data. To get complete warranty information, you need to click the “For warranty information about this product, please click here” link provided on the Amazon product page. This is standard for many Amazon listings where detailed warranty documents are hosted separately.

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