Types Of Wrenches

One of the most often used tools, a wrench forms an inseparable part of any mechanic’s shop and construction job site. The basic purpose of a wrench is to hold and turn all types of threaded parts, usually rotary fasteners, such as nuts, bolts, studs, and pipes, or prevent them from turning. Good quality wrenches are made from steel alloy to prevent excessive torque from stripping or damaging the bolt. While the Americans refer to this multipurpose tool as a wrench, the British call it a spanner. Due to their extensive usage, wrenches are designed in different types, each used for a different purpose. Depending upon the size of the fastener, you must pick a wrench that fits the fastener; else a bigger wrench can damage the outside of the nut. Read further to check out the different kinds of wrenches used in the field of mechanics.

 

 

A box-end wrench, also known as a closed wrench, is a one-piece tool that consists of an enclosed opening allowing the user to hold the faces of the bolts or nuts. The recess is a six-point or twelve-point opening that opens nuts and bolts with a hexagonal shape.

 

An open-end wrench is a one-piece tool with a U-shaped opening on both ends. It is generally double-ended with both the ends having a different-sized opening. Most openings are balanced from the shank portion of the wrench by 15 degrees, thereby allowing greater movement in enclosed areas.

 

A combination wrench is a double-ended tool that is sued for performing specific tasks. While one end is a box-end wrench, the other is like an open-end wrench. However, both the ends are designed to fit bolts of the same size.

 

An adjustable wrench is a flexible tool with a movable jaw allowing one to use it on different sizes of fastener heads. The only disadvantage of an adjustable wrench is its less stability than a fixed-sized wrench, as it can easily hurt you or damage the fastener. Hence, an adjustable wrench should only be used when a wrench of an appropriate size is not available.

 

A socket wrench resembles a hollow cylinder that sits on one end of the nut or bolt, allowing you to remove it easily and safely than other wrenches. It may or may not include a handle. In such a case, it is known as a socket and is used with various other drive tools, such as a ratchet handle, a tee bar, knuckle bar, to use it as wrench. You can find socket wrenches in standard and extended depths, making fasteners easily removable.

 

An Allen wrench is an L-shaped tool used on fasteners with a hexagonal hole in their heads. Due to its L-shape, this wrench can only be used to turn nuts and bolts with a hexagonal recess to easily receive the wrench shape.

 

Similar to a monkey wrench in design and appearance, a pipe wrench has self-tightening properties and hardened, serrated jaws that automatically fit onto a soft iron pipe and pipe fittings. Introduced and patented by Walworth Stillson, the pipe wrench is also referred to as a Stillson wrench.