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Selecting the Right Wrench for the Job


by DoItYourself Staff

Wrenches Safety Tips

 

  • Applying excessive torque will strip or damage threads, so quality wrenches are designed to keep leverage and intended load in safe balance.
  • Users should not put extension handles or “cheaters” on wrench handles to increase leverage. Instead, the proper size wrench should be used.
  • When possible, a wrench should be pulled, not pushed. Also be sure to brace your stance in case of sudden release or slippage of the fastener.
  • Never place sockets designed for a hand tool on a power tool or impact wrench.
  • When breaking loose frozen fasteners, always use a box wrench with a striking face or a heavy-duty socket wrench and a sledge hammer of the appropriate size.
  • Always make sure the wrench is completely seated on the nut or bolt being fastened—never tilt the wrench at an angle.
  • When using an adjustable wrench, pull so that the force is on the fixed side of the jaw.
  • Never use a torque wrench as a conventional wrench.

    •  

    Open-end Wrench

     

  • Provides gripping power on two sides of the head with another side open so the wrench can be placed on a nut, which might not be accessible to a closed or box wrench.
  • Has different size openings on each end and should fit the nut exactly to prevent mutilating the nut edges.
  • Some models, called gear wrenches, have ratcheting capabilities.
  • Other varieties, called flare nut wrenches, are flared to fit hex fittings and flare nuts.
  • Generally available in sets.

    •  

    Box (Box-End) Wrench





     

  • Has enclosed head and provides more leverage by completely enclosing the nut.
  • Some are offset to provide knuckle room and clearance over obstructions.
  • Ranges in size from 4" to 16" long and is available with either 6- or 12-point rings.
  • Some models have ratcheting capabilities.

    •  

    Combination Wrench





     

  • Has a box and an open end on opposite sides of the same wrench. Both ends are usually the same size.
  • Used for working on machinery and is the most popular of all fixed-end wrench styles.
  • Also available is a reversible ratcheting combination wrench that allows the user to quickly tighten nuts and bolts without lifting the wrench off and repositioning it after each rotation

    •  

    Adjustable Wrench








     

  • Comes in two styles: locking and non-locking.
  • Non-locking styles feature an adjustable end opening with little provision made for slippage.
  • The locking style also has an adjustable head, but uses a locking mechanism to secure jaws in desired position, eliminating the need for constant readjustment. When properly adjusted to a nut or bolt, it will not slip.

    •  

    Pipe (Stillson) Wrench







     

  • Screws pipes into elbows or other threaded devices.
  • Jaws actually bite into the surface to hold it for turning.
  • They should never be used on plated pipe installations because they will badly mar the finish.

    •  

    Socket (Hinge Handle) Wrench






     

  • Combines an offset handle with a male drive piece that has a spring-loaded bearing to lock on various size sockets. They can be used at almost any angle since handles may be attached to the head by a jointed hinge device.
  • The most common type is the detachable socket wrench, with square drive for hand use. Common square drive sizes are 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2", and these are normally used in conjunction with a ratchet wrench.
  • Sockets are available with 6-, 8- and 12-point gripping ends, in a full range of inch and metric sizes.

    •  

    Hex-Key Wrench







     

  • Hex-key wrenches are short, L-shaped tools designed to turn bolts or screws with hexagonal heads.
  • They generally come in sets of different sized wrenches

    •  

    Ratchet (Socket) Wrench







     

  • Available in a variety of handle shapes and lengths and used with sockets to make turning nuts and bolts easier than with a conventional wrench.
  • Available in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive sizes and are used with socket wrenches.
  • Available with a round or teardrop-shaped head and contains a reversing mechanism to facilitate tightening or loosening a fastener.
  • Popular accessories include flex handles, speeder handles, T-handles, extensions of various lengths and universal joints to work on fasteners in hard-to-reach locations.

    •  

    Locking Wrench








     

  • Through a locking action, jaws can be locked in a holding position with pressure up to 1 ton.
  • Can also be used as hand vises, holding clamps, pipe wrenches and hand vise pliers.
  • Available with both curved and straight jaws

    •  

    Torque Wrench






     

  • Designed to permit an operator to determine applied torque on bolts, nuts and other fasteners.
  • Torque value (generally measured in foot pounds) is set to a micrometer scale on the handle or preset by an adjusting screw in the handle.
  • Typically has square drives to use standard detachable 3/8” and 3/4” sockets.
  • Available with audible signal (clicking sound) or visual display.
  • Many torque wrenches are available with dual scales for conventional and metric measurements.

    •  

    Chain Wrench









     

  • A Pipe wrench used for tightening and loosening odd-shaped objects, such as pipes and square objects.
  • Has an adjustable chain that wraps around the object, with ends that connect teeth of chain to engage and turn the object.
  • Some models feature a locking mechanism with ratcheting action for turning in either direction.

    •  


     

    Courtesy of NRHA.org
    Related Links
  • How to Use a Box End Wrench
  • How to Use an Electric Impact Wrench
  • Standard Socket Wrench vs. Deep Socket Wrench
  • 4 Best Uses for an Adjustable Wrench
  • 4 Tips for Sizing an Impact Wrench

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