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Tool Tips > Wrenches and Spanners

Dictionary Definitions:

Wrench - Any of various hand or power tools with fixed or adjustable jaws for gripping, turning, or twisting objects such as nuts, bolts, or pipes.

Spanner - A wrench having a hook, hole, or pin at the end for meshing with a related device on another object.

Choosing a Wrench

  1. Plumbing projects:
    • Pipe wrenches are ideal for gripping and turning threaded pipe. Stillson and Leader.
    • A basin wrench is designed to tighten or loosen fittings on sink traps and toilet connectors. Back Spanner Basin Wrench, Self Adjusting Basin Wrench.
    • Strap or Chain wrenches fit larger pipes and odd-shaped objects (used for removing oil filters).
    • A monkey wrench/spud wrench looks much like a pipe wrench but is designed for flat surface work, eg. square or rectangular material, or square-head bolts. The wrench has smooth, non-marring jaws.
  2. Adjustable Wrench - Used for turning nuts and bolts and small fittings. This tool fits many different sizes of nuts and bolts and eliminates the need to have a whole set of ring/box or open-end wrenches on hand.
  3. Combination Spanner (Open End and Ring End spanner) - The open-end is useful when you can only access a nut or bolt from one direction. The ring-end has a closer fit than the open-end type and allows for more torque. All of these wrenches come in imperial or metric sizes. You must use the correct size for the job or risk stripping the bolt head or nut - or smashing your knuckles.
  4. Try a ratchet handle, accessories and sockets for faster work with less effort.
  5. A torque wrench has a built-in torque indicator. This type of wrench shows how much torque is being applied. When tightening a series of fasteners on an engine block, for example, tighten all of the fasteners to the same degree with and sockets to prevent warping. Click and snap, Fixed length.

Tips on using wrenches

  1. Maintain your tools. Make sure that the teeth of a pipe wrench are clean and that the teeth are sharp. Worn or greasy jaws are more likely to slip.
  2. Check the pipe or fitting. Are they clean and oil-free? Slippage can cause you serious injury.
  3. Always keep your wrist straight when using a wrench.
  4. Be sure that the opening of the wrench is in full contact with the bolt or nut before you apply pressure.
  5. Pull, don't push, and use a slow, steady motion.
  6. Don't stick a piece of pipe on the end of the wrench to improve leverage.
  7. Protect yourself from losing your balance if the wrench slips or a bolt breaks. Stand on a solid surface with both feet planted firmly on the floor and don't lean into the work.
  8. Never use hand sockets with power or impact wrenches.
  9. Replace sockets showing cracks or wear.

Warnings:

Never use a wrench on moving machinery.

Do not use a wrench if the jaws have been strained or sprung. The wrench may slip under pressure.

Related Products:

Socket Accessories: