42 Types of Wrenches + Guide for Choosing a Wrench

Types of Wrenches – More considerations than just size comparisons go into selecting the correct wrench for a project. Employ the proper kind of wrench to simplify your project. This post will teach you about the various types of wrenches and how to use them. 

On the Linquip website, among the many options available to you, you will find all the information you need to know about the Wrenches, as well as information regarding this marketplace. You can count on Linquip to provide you with as much general and reliable information about this topic, whether you’re a professional or a customer looking for a proper company. We recommend you review a list of all Wrenches Products available in Linquip. You can also be encouraged to visit Wrenches for Sale and find the most suitable device based on your applications and demands.

 

Various Types of Wrenches

Adjustable Wrench

Due to its adaptability, an adjustable wrench is the most popular and widely used wrench. Because of its movable crescent-shaped head, it is also known as a crescent wrench. It is also known as a “shifting spanner wrench” in British English. They have an adjustable open head in the form of a crescent with a screw installed that, when rotated, opens or closes the crest. The same functions of a fixed wrench can be carried out by an adjustable wrench, which eliminates the need to carry around a set of numerous sizes. Because it is thicker than fixed wrenches, it takes up more room. These wrenches may have been used by carpenters, mechanics, and plumbers.

 

Allen Wrench

To fit into the heads of screws and bolts with hexagonal holes and recesses at the end, Allen wrenches are typically T- or L-shaped hexagonal wrenches. Allen keys are another name for it in British English. When you order any kind of furniture online, you might receive this kind of key.

 

Box-Ended Wrench

The closed loops at the ends of the box-ended wrench are either higher or lower than the handle. In British English, it is also referred to as a “ring spanner.” For use, the open loop on the end of the wrenches fits on the nut or bolt head. It comes in different sizes and is either used with hexagonal or square-shaped nuts and bolts. Wrenches with box ends are typically sold in sets.

 

Open-Ended Wrench

Open-ended wrenches are the most commonly used wrenches and are included in all toolboxes because they can be used on difficult-to-reach nuts and bolts, and because of their open design, they can be joined to the heads of nuts or bolts either vertically or horizontally. In British English, it is also referred to as an “open-ended spanner.” These wrenches’ sole drawback is that they can round the edges of the bolt more than other available options.

 

Combination Wrench

Combination wrenches combine open-ended and box-ended construction, as suggested by their name. has a closed-loop end for hexagonal nuts and a U-shaped open end on one. In British English, it is sometimes referred to as a combination spanner. utilized frequently in complicated nuts where the open end is used to unscrew the nut and the closed loop is used to loosen the nut. Combination wrenches are sold in packages that contain many wrenches of various sizes.

 

Crowfoot Wrenches

The crescent head without a handle is the Crowfoot wrench. This is coupled with a socket extension and ratchet. Due to the limited area, this wrench can be fixed even in the most difficult locations. In order to handle bolts in more challenging locations on the machine frame without separating neighboring components, the Crowfoot wrench is frequently utilized.

 

Impact Wrench

These two categories are Impact wrenches come in two varieties: cordless impact wrenches and air impact wrenches, both of which operate using an air compressor. Airguns or air wrenches are other names for impact wrenches. These wrenches may have been visible at an auto repair business. As a result of these being able to unscrew bolts by applying a high torque, they are ideally suited for removing difficult nuts and bolts. They perform best for repeated tasks like mounting a car’s wheel and are not appropriate for precise bolts. It is not advised to use it for general use since over-torquing might harm the thread on nuts and bolts.

 

Lug Wrench

Due to its usage and construction, a lug wrench has several different names. Since they are used to tighten or loosen nuts on an automobile, they are known as wheel braces. Other names for this include X-shaped, which has four ends with four different-sized sockets, and L-shaped, which has two ends with two sockets of various sizes each. It also goes by the name “spider wrench.” By exerting pressure to loosen or tighten the nuts, longer lug wrenches provide higher torque. It is frequently referred to as a “tire spanner” in British English.

 

Oil Filter Wrench

Oil filter wrenches are often used in the auto industry to take out oil filters that are round.Depending on the brand of the automobile, it comes in four distinct varieties. Another option is a claw wrench, which functions similarly to adjustable wrenches and is also referred to as a chain wrench in British English. Both of these employ a loop to wrap around the filter casing.

 

Pipe Wrench

The pipe wrench has a stronger, F-shaped form and is comparable to an adjustable wrench. Plumbers primarily use it on metal pipes and fittings. It has jaw-like or tooth-like features on its head that may readily grasp the fittings and pipelines. These pipes may get scratched by their teeth. By turning the wrench’s nut, the adjustable jaw may be fixed depending on the diameter of the pipe or the fitting.

 

Ratcheting Wrench

A ratcheting wrench is similar to a combination wrench, with the key distinction being that it contains a ratcheting device within one end that aids in adjusting the nut or bolt without removing the tool. This makes it simpler to operate in the small space. In British English, it is referred to as a “ratcheting handle.”

 

Socket Wrench

Without raising the wrench, the socket wrench employs a ratcheting mechanism to tighten or loosen any nut or bolt. Several sockets are available, depending on the size of the nuts and bolts. This wrench makes it simple to increase your speed because it doesn’t require any wrench adjustment. And if you encounter any obstacles while performing the loosening or tightening operation, you may reverse the direction to get some room and carry on working.

 

Torque Wrench

To control and apply a precise amount of torque to nuts or bolts, a torque wrench is utilized. It serves as the main tool in the car, mechanic, wheel-replacing, and mechanical support sectors. Because too much torque can harm the threads of nuts and bolts, each vehicle has a unique torque mechanism that must be adhered to. They come in a variety of forms, including manual and computerized. The automotive industry uses them the most frequently to tighten the lug nuts on the wheels.

 

Alligator Wrench

Allen wrenches have a form like the gaping mouth of an alligator, as their name indicates. The inner upper jaw of the cranium possesses teeth, whereas the lower jaw is toothless. Handling square-head nuts and bolts is the main application for an alligator wrench. Prior to the introduction of hexagonal nuts and bolts, square nuts and bolts were often utilized in the agricultural, automotive, and maintenance sectors.

 

Armorer’s Wrench

An armorer’s wrench is a specific kind of wrench with teeth to easily grab the nuts or bolts and a C-shaped aperture on the open side. As the name implies, armorer wrenches are often used to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts on firearms, rifles, or armorers. It has a hole in the handle, either square or circular, where the ratchet handle is attached. According to the gun or rifle, armorer wrenches are available in a variety of sizes and forms.

 

Basin Wrench

Basin Wrenches are wrenches designed for use in tight spaces beneath sinks, basins, and toilets. It features teeth on the jaw and on the skull that aid in improving grip. At the other end, it features a transverse handle. Due to its functions, this is also known as the faucet wrench.

 

Bionic Wrench

The piler’s spherical head and handle design are shared by the wrenches. These spherical heads make it easier to firmly grasp the bolt or nut head. It may be described as a movable box-ended wrench.

 

Bung Wrench

Bung wrenches are specialized tools created especially for removing drum caps. The head of the socket wrench features teeth that fit into the sockets of the cap. By removing the cap, it helps lower the drum’s pressure. The term “drum plug wrench” also applies to them. It comes in a variety of forms, and there is even a sparkly wrench that is designed specifically to open a combustible drum cap or plug.

 

Cone Wrench

Cone wrenches are designed to fit into tight spaces that are difficult for open-end wrenches to access. The heads of these wrenches are narrow and broad. These wrenches have a big head and low strength. They are mostly used for bicycles and to change the washing machine’s leveling feet. The majority of bicycle front hubs utilize 13 mm, whereas 15 mm wrenches are used on the back.

 

Die-Stock Holder Wrench

The foundation of tap and die sets is the die-stock holder wrench. Both male and female sets of dies are compatible with this. With the use of a screw to tighten them, this two-handed wrench helps to keep the dies in the middle. The nuts and bolts are given a thread by these wrenches. This is mostly used for threading operations. 

 

Dog-Bone Wrench

Dog-bone wrenches, as their name indicates, resemble dog bones in form. They are also known as dumb-bell wrenches. This wrench includes two box ends with sockets of various sizes. Although its capacity to set many nuts and bolts makes it helpful everywhere, it is typically used for bicycle maintenance and repair. It also goes by the name “dog bone spanner” in British English. Some dog wrenches include swivel heads for more flexible operation.

 

Drum Key

Tuning drums and other percussion instruments is mostly done with a drum key wrench. With a flat handle and a square-shaped socket, this may be inserted into the heads of nuts and bolts. Longer handle drum keys offer a greater torque capacity than shorter handle drum keys. Its form is a T.

 

Fan Clutch Wrench

The removal of fan clutches from automobiles requires the use of a fan clutch wrench. These wrenches feature a handle linked to a U-shaped head. They are included with the kit in a variety of sizes. A square aperture can also be seen on the other end of several of the wrenches. This facilitates removing the hex-shaped nuts and bolts. where the other end functions as a clutch-holding device.

 

Fire Hydrant Wrench

Specially designed fire hydrant wrenches are used with them. It is a specialized wrench with only one intended function. It has a pentagonal or five-sided head that is coupled to a long handle that generates the necessary amount of torque. The handle is an adjustable handle that makes performing the necessary operation simple. It is challenging to remove the hydrant’s nuts and bolts without this wrench. They are employed to unlock hydrant valves and hydrant caps.

 

Flare Nut Wrench

In plumbing, a flare nut wrench is used specifically to grasp the nuts on the tubes’ ends. It is comparable to open-ended wrenches in every way except for the fact that they have significantly broader holes. A flare nut wrench may grab the nuts or bolts in addition to fitting across the tubes. For easier gripping of the nuts and bolts, the opening head has teeth. While plumbing nuts and bolts are often softer and more prone to breakage when handled with an open-ended wrench, this improves contact with them.

 

Garbage Disposal Wrench

The trash and debris that jam the shredder plate are carefully removed with garbage disposal wrenches. It swivels its head and places itself over the shedder plate into the trash for quick disposal. It has an extended arm to prevent your hands from touching the trash. Trash disposal wrenches are specialized tools that are solely used for garbage disposal.

 

Hammer Wrench

The term “striking wrench” also applies to hammer wrenches. On one end, it has a box end or an open end, while on the other, the handle has a block end. To apply more force when using the hammer, smash the block at the end of the piece. Typically, it is small and thick. Typically, this is used to tighten big nuts and bolts by hand-screwing them and then applying the necessary torque to the nut by striking the wrench with a hammer. Similar to this, it is used to impart the necessary amount of force by hitting it with a hammer to release the resistant, damaged, or corroded nuts and bolts. Hammer wrenches are employed in a variety of mechanical tasks, including plumbing and electrical work. Slogging spanner and flogging spanner are additional names for it in British English.

 

Monkey Wrench

Unlike alligator wrenches, which have teeth on their jaws, monkey wrenches have rounded handles and are a more traditional style of adjustable wrench. For the purpose of adjusting the head to fit the size of the nut or bolt, an adjustable screw is fixed to the jaw.

 

Pedal Wrench

Pedal wrenches are a special category of wrench used exclusively for bicycle or boat pedals; they serve no other use. On the head, it often features a handle and either two or one U-shaped aperture.

 

Pliers Wrench

As pipes can be damaged by teeth, using wrenches with teeth may leave their mark on the pipes; plier wrenches are best suited for plumbing fittings and other materials that demand a firm grip. It features a smooth jaw that slides to change the opening of the jaws in accordance with the size of nuts, bolts, or fittings. The set of jaws is connected to the handle by a bolt that may slide. Because of how this instrument is employed, which is comparable to the piler, it got its name.

 

Plumbers Wrench

The main distinction between pliers and plumber’s wrenches is the jaw, which is made to provide a firm hold on hexagonal bolts, nuts, and fittings. Plumbing pipes and fittings are the best candidates for this type of work. According to the size of the pipes and fittings, the jaws may be changed.

 

Spanner Wrench

As they feature one or more pins or hooks that fit into the heads of nuts or bolts, they may be used to loosen or tighten those that have holes in the head of the nut or bolt. Its head is C-shaped and contains one or more hooks or pins.

 

Spark Plug Wrench

Use the spark plug wrench for tightening and loosening the plugs. It resembles a T and has sockets on both ends. These wrenches may be found at any bike repair shop or with those who do engine repairs and maintenance.

 

Spoke Wrench

The bicycle’s spokes are maintained with a spoke wrench. These may be located in any bicycle maintenance business. They are really small and feature holes on one end that may be used to effortlessly tighten or loosen the spokes. The opposite end’s drive head allows it to fit around the nip nut. This wrench’s small size allows for full rotation without removing it.

 

Spud Wrench

An open-ended adjustable or standard wrench with a spike on the other end is referred to as a “spud wrench” and is used to align the holes in pipes and bolts. The plumber’s wrench has rendered it obsolete nowadays, yet it sometimes pops up in specific toolboxes.

 

Strap Wrench

The handle of a strap wrench has a strap, leather strap, or chain connected that automatically tightens. used to hold things that are smooth and cylindrical and difficult to hold with a conventional wrench, such as an oil filter. The sole distinction between this and the pipe wrench is that the pipe wrench has an adjustable head, but the strap wrench has a chain or strap. This is totally based on friction between an object being manipulated and a strap or chain. It is typically used for greasy and oily items. Wider pipes used in deep wells and borewells require larger chain wrenches, sometimes known as “bull tongs.”

 

Stubby Wrench

A stubby wrench is a combination wrench that is shorter and has one open end and one end with a loop, so it may fit in small spaces. A hinge in the handle of some more recent versions enables either end to be bent for improved usage.

 

Tap Wrench

Drive-in square taps are turned with tap wrenches. Either it is T-shaped or it has two handles with a socket in the center of each handle. This particular wrench is designed just for use with taps. Any plumber may give you this tool.

 

Tension Wrench

You may have seen someone using these wrenches when they were lock picking, which is the practice of opening a lock without a key by fumbling with the lock’s parts. You may have also seen individuals unlocking locks without keys in photos or online series. While picking locks, these wrenches are used to provide tension. Torque wrenches are another name for them.

 

Torx Key

Hex keys and torque key wrenches are related. The main distinction is that they fit into star-shaped nuts, whereas hex keys fit into heads with a hexagonal shape. They are also included with the wrench kit and Swiss Army knife.

 

Dental Key

Dentists utilize a dental key specifically designed for tooth extractions.

 

Chunk Key

The chunk may be made looser or tighter with this. In other terms, it may be said that a “chunk” is a particular kind of fastener that is employed to retain spherical items.

 

Choosing a Wrench

Consider the numerous jobs that you normally manage, either at home or at work, before investing in a new wrench for the workshop. Depending on the precise task you need to do, choose the appropriate wrench. Use a typical DIY tool, such as a crescent wrench, open-ended wrench, or box-ended wrench, if you are tightening common nuts and bolts.

You could require an oil filter wrench, a fan clutch wrench, or a torque wrench to complete automobile repairs. While more specialist wrenches, like basin wrenches or pedal wrenches, are truly only necessary for certain operations, ratcheting and socket wrenches can aid in loosening or tightening fasteners in difficult-to-reach places. After you are aware of the task, make sure the wrench is the right size for the fasteners you will be using; otherwise, you risk spending money on something that won’t be useful.

 

FAQs about Types of Wrenches

What is the most common type of wrench?

The most typical wrench seen in household tool boxes is an open-ended wrench, which has the same crescent shape as an adjustable crescent wrench but is available in set sizes. Several double-sided open-ended wrenches have a different size wrench on each side and are double-sided.

What is a 4 sided wrench called?

Another frequent variety, also referred to as a “spider wrench,” is shaped like a cross and has four ends with different-sized sockets. Alternative names include spanner, cross, brace, and four-way wheel wrench.

What are the 7 categories of hand tools?

Hand tools can be divided into the following categories, according to the American Industrial Hygiene Association: wrenches, pliers, cutters, striking tools, screwdrivers, struck or hammered tools, vises, clamps, snips, saws, drills, and knives.

 

Conclusion

You may acquire all the details you want about the Wrenches and details about this market on the Linquip website, one of the numerous possibilities available to you. Whether you’re a professional or a client seeking for a reputable business, you can rely on Linquip to give you as much basic and trustworthy information on this subject. We advise you to look through the whole range of Wrenches Experts and take advice from our professionals. If you need any services required for your product, you can count on Linquip and visit Wrenches Services.

 

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