There are several types of wrenches. They are used to fasten connections consisting of a nut or bolt. They are made from a chromium-vanadium alloy. Chrome plating is used to prevent rusting of the key. The invention of the first wrench belongs to Solymon Merrick, who patented it in 1835. There are different types of wrenches. The average person needs them in everyday life for a variety of purposes.
Keys are an integral part of the toolbox
Looking at the types of wrenches in the photo, you can understand that in addition to those models that are often found in our homes, there are still a lot of varieties of them. They differ from each other not only in form, but also in the purpose of use.
For example, multiple wrenches, such as a fire hydrant wrench, are only used for one purpose. While others, say a combination wrench or an adjustable wrench, can be used for a variety of purposes. 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, descriptions, photos
Size is usually indicated by parameters such as the distance between the jaws. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was customary to determine the nominal size of a key in accordance with the parameters of the thread that it 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: mouth (distance between jaws), thread size (for nuts), 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 - from 150 mm to 500 mm.
Open-end wrenches one- and two-sided
This type of key has open ends. These are U-shaped holes. Often they are different sizes. These wrenches are useful when working with nuts and bolts that are difficult to access. They provide more freedom in unscrewing them.
Ring wrenches double-ended
This wrapped wrench has a closed loop at both ends. It is often designed for hexagonal nuts or bolts. However, in certain cases, it can be designed in a square shape. The loops at both ends are different sizes. This type of wrench is used when open models cannot complete the task.
Combination Keys
A combination key, as the name suggests, is a combinationopen end wrench with box model. It has a closed circuit at one end and an open circuit at the other. It can be used to loosen nuts and bolts and then quickly remove them with the open end. Combination wrenches are usually used to perform the described combination and hence both ends are the same size.
Adjustable or adjustable wrenches
This is a type of open wrench. They can only be used from one end. The hole size is not fixed. It can be varied 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 a conventional wrench in that the gripping surfaces of the jaws are offset, as a rule, by 15 degrees relative to the tool handle. The modern adjustable socket wrench was invented by Johan Petter Johansson.
Let's now learn how to use the adjustable key model.
- Determine 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's open a little more than the size of the nut.
- Slide the exposed 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 clockwisearrow to tighten the fastener, or counterclockwise to loosen it. Continue turning until the nut is tight or loose enough to be removed.
- Remove the wrench by loosening the mechanism screw.
Next, we will study in more detail the types of wrenches that have not yet been considered and their names.
End models
In the case of a socket wrench, it fits completely over 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 the turn is complete. The handle can be removed and re-inserted 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 blocky end handle specially designed for use with a hammer, allowing it to be given more power. Usually used with large fasteners, especially nut and pin, which have index marks.
Impact wrenches withstand impact and high force, which is designed to release large or stuck nuts and bolts. They will also come in handy if space does not allow the use of a large wrench.
Hex wrench
This key has a hexagonal end. These tools are used to loosen boltswith hexagonal grooves at the ends. The way they work is similar to the way a screwdriver works. For a better understanding of the features of each model, you should study the types of wrenches, photos require special attention. Illustrative material makes it easier to understand the features of each model.
Hex wrenches come in two general shapes: L-handled and T-handled. L-shaped wrenches are made from hex wire, while T-handles are the same hex 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 are derived from the outer shape of the instrument.
These hex wrenches have a socket on the short arm and a hex ball head on the long arm. It offers a large contact surface on the screw head. This reduces the chance of wear and corner rounding in the screws. The ball on the long arm is designed so that the key can be easily inserted into the head, which allows you to turn it at the desired angle, this is indispensable in hard-to-reach places.
Round key shafts fit comfortably in the hand and help make operation as easy as possible.
Because stainless steel is used for these quality tools, rust will not be an issue. If you noticed it on the surface of the tool, there can be only one reason. This occurs as a result of their active use in order to turn screws or bolts made of ordinary steel. Pressure inevitably leaves tracesor particles of another type of metal on a stainless beak, and then under the influence of oxygen it corrodes.
Balance keys
This is the name of a type of socket wrench used to loosen and tighten nuts on car wheels. In the United Kingdom and Australia it is commonly known as the wheel brace.
Wrenches can be L-shaped or X-shaped. The most common shape is an L-shaped metal rod with a socket wrench on the bent end and a slanted tip on the other end. The gripping tip is mainly for removing wheel caps, which can fix the wheel tip nuts.
Gedore has gained immense popularity in the tool market. It manufactures high-quality products, which are actively used by motorists from all over the world. The look of the first Gedore wrenches was a hit with car enthusiasts.
Another common type, sometimes called a key spider, is made in the form of a cross with spaced sockets at each of the four ends.
Nuts (or bolts) should ideally be tightened with a torque tool. Wrenches are much cheaper. Installing a wheel with them requires more force. Excessive force can make the nuts very difficult to remove. In addition, uneven application of force between the various nuts and the tool may cause the brake rotor to deform if the vehicle is equipped with disc brakes.
For this reason balloon wrenches should only be used properly for removing lug nuts and not for tightening 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 the use of a huge number of tools, you can buy cutlery in the form of wrenches. This fun gift is sure to impress.
