There are several types of wrenches. They are used to fasten joints consisting of a nut or bolt. They are made from an alloy of chromium-vanadium. To prevent rusting of the key, chromium plating is used. The invention of the first wrench belongs to Solimon Merrick, who patented it in 1835. Types of wrenches are different. In them, an ordinary person needs everyday life for a variety of purposes.
Wrenches - an integral part of the tool box
Looking at the types of wrenches in the photo, you can understand that in addition to the models that are often found in our homes, there are still a lot of varieties of them. They differ among themselves not only in form, but also in purpose of use.
For example, several wrenches, such as a fire hydrant wrench, are used for one purpose only. While others, say a combination or adjustable key, can be used for a variety of purposes. The types of wrenches and their variety are designed to provide comfort in their use not only by professionals, but also by ordinary citizens. The right tool will help you quickly complete the task.
Types of wrenches, sizes, description, photo
Size is usually indicated by parameters such as the distance between the jaws. In the XIX and early XX centuries, it was customary to determine the nominal size of the key in accordance with the parameters of the thread that he was supposed to use. Modern practice uses a notation based on the distance between planes.
The size of the wrench is determined by the following parameters: pharynx (distance between the jaws), thread size (for the nut), handle length. The first parameter has the following range - from 3.2 mm to 155 mm; the second - from M1.6 to M110; the third is from 150 mm to 500 mm.
Single and double-sided open-end wrenches
This type of key has open ends. These are U-shaped holes. Often they are of different sizes. These wrenches are useful when working with nuts and bolts that are difficult to access. They provide greater freedom in unscrewing them.
Double-ended spanner wrenches
This wrapped wrench at both ends has a closed loop. It is often designed for hexagonal nuts or bolts. However, in certain cases, it can be designed in a square shape. The hinges at both ends are of different sizes. This type of wrench is used when open models cannot complete the task.
Combination keys
The combination key, as the name implies, is a combination of an open-end wrench with a ring model. It has a closed loop at one end, and the other is open. It can be used to loosen nuts and bolts and then quickly remove them with the open end. Combination keys are usually used to perform the described combination, and therefore both ends are the same size.
Adjustable or adjustable wrenches
This is an open type wrench. They can only be used at one end. The hole size is not fixed. It can vary depending on the size of the nut or bolt. However, these types of wrenches are almost impossible to use in hard-to-reach areas.
This is the most common type of adjustable wrench in use today. An adjustable end wrench differs from an ordinary wrench in that the gripping surfaces of the jaws are offset, as a rule, by 15 degrees relative to the handle of the tool. A modern adjustable socket wrench was invented by Johan Petter Johansson.
Let's now learn how to use an adjustable key model.
- Identify the nut or bolt you want to tighten.
- Open the rotary key by turning the screw. Check if you have opened it enough so that the nut can fit well: if not, you need to open it more. Make sure it is open slightly larger than the size of the nut.
- Slide the open part of the head onto the nut and hold it in place. Turn the screw of the mechanism so that it tightly clamps the nut.
- Turn the key clockwise to tighten the mount, or counterclockwise to loosen it. Continue turning until the nut is tight or loose enough so that it can be removed.
- Remove the wrench by loosening the mechanism screw.
Next, we will examine in more detail the types of wrenches not yet considered and their names.
End models
In the case of a socket wrench, it is completely put on the nut or bolt. When this type of tool is used, it does not need to be completely removed from the head of the nut or bolt after completion of the turn. The handle can be removed and reinserted while the socket remains on top of the nut or bolt.
Impact Wrench
Types and sizes of wrenches are very diverse. An “impact” wrench is a specialized thick, short, stocky tool with a block end of a handle specially designed for use with a hammer, which allows it to be given great strength. It is usually used with large fasteners, especially with a nut and a pin, which have index marks.
Impact wrenches withstand impact and high strength, which is designed to release large or stuck nuts and bolts. They will be useful even if the space does not allow the use of a large wrench.
Hex wrench
This key has a hexagonal end. These tools are used to loosen bolts with hexagonal recesses at the ends. The way they work is similar to the way the screwdriver works. To better understand the characteristics of each model, you should study the types of wrenches, photos require special attention. Illustrative material makes it easier to learn the features of each model.
Hex wrenches come in two general shapes: with L-shaped and T-shaped handles. L-shaped wrenches are made of hexagonal wire, while T-shaped handles are the same hexagonal wire with a metal or plastic handle attached to the end. Types of wrenches and their names are presented in detail in our article. Many of their names came from the external form of the instrument.
These hex keys have a head on a short shoulder and a hexagonal ball head on a long shoulder. It offers a large contact surface on the screw head. This reduces the chance of wear and rounding of the corners in the screws. The ball on the long shoulder is designed so that the key can be easily inserted into the head, which allows you to rotate it at the right angle, this is indispensable in hard-to-reach places.
Round shafts of keys fit comfortably in your hand and help make the job as easy as possible.
Since stainless steel is used for these quality tools, there will be no problem with rust. If you notice it on the surface of the instrument, there can only be one reason. This occurs as a result of their active use in order to turn screws or bolts of ordinary steel. Pressure inevitably leaves traces or particles of another type of metal on the stainless beak, and then under the influence of oxygen its corrosion occurs.
Wrenches
This is the name of the type of socket wrench used to loosen and tighten the nuts on automobile wheels. In the United Kingdom and Australia, it is commonly known as wheel brace.
Wrenches can be L-shaped or X-shaped. The most common form is an L-shaped metal rod with a socket wrench at the curved end and an angled tip at the other end. The gripping tip is mainly designed to remove the wheel caps that can fix the wheel tip nuts.
In the tool market, Gedore has gained immense popularity. She makes quality products that are actively used by motorists from around the world. The appearance of the first Gedore wrenches appealed to motorists.
Another common type, sometimes called a spider key, is made in the form of a cross with spaced nests at each of the four ends.
Ideally, the nuts (or bolts) should be tightened with a torque tool. Wrenches are much cheaper. Installing a wheel with them requires the use of more force. Excessive force can make nuts very difficult to remove. In addition, the uneven use of force between different nuts and tools can lead to deformation of the brake rotor if the car is equipped with disc brakes.
For this reason, cylinder wrenches should only be used correctly to remove nuts with lugs, and not to tighten them. In practice, this rule is often ignored for convenience even by professional mechanics.
For a car mechanic or just a person whose profession involves using a huge number of tools, you can purchase cutlery in the form of wrenches. This funny gift is sure to impress.