The name wrench refers to a group of tools that fit different sizes and shapes of bolts and nuts. There are many different types of wrenches, including crescent, combination, straight-flush, and offset.
Wrenches are very useful tools that allow you to remove and install bolts and nuts quickly and efficiently. All wrench types have their own special spot in the average toolbox.
Having the right wrench for the job guarantees that you will not over-tighten or under-tighten the bolt or nut you are working with. This is very important as too much pressure can lead to failure of the product or system you are working on.
The name screwdriver refers to a group of tools that fit different sizes and shapes of screws. There are many different types of screwdrivers, including flathead, Philips, torx, and hexagon. Screwdrivers are also very useful tools that allow you to remove and install screws quickly and efficiently.
There are many different types of wrenches
There are box wrenches, crescent wrenches, tee wrenches, and many more. The most common wrench is the standard box wrench. These are represented by the average person’s understanding of the word “wrench.”
Many people have joked about the importance of the word “wrench” in sitcoms. There is even a website that tracks every instance of the word in TV shows and movies!
However, despite its common use, few people know the origin of the word wrench. Most believe it comes from the Old English wrangian, meaning to twist. This makes sense considering its basic function- to turn things.
Interestingly enough, the term wrench predates modern English by several hundred years. It comes from an old German dialect called Low German which is related to Dutch. This explains why it sounds similar to words like winch.
Straight wrenches
The most common type of wrench is the straight wrench. This can be referred to as a flat-head screwdriver. These are very common tools and most people will have them in their home tool kits.
Many businesses stock their workshops with these due to their universal compatibility with screws. You can find them at hardware stores or online vendors at a decent price.
The reason they are called wrenches is because they work like a crescent shaped wrench would on a nut. The straight edge of the flat head screws into the nut, just like a crescent shaped wrench would.
These are very useful for basic carpentry work like putting up bookshelves or mounting things onto the wall. They are very versatile tools that any carpenter or DIYer should have in their kit.
Combination wrenches
A combination wrench is exactly what it sounds like: a wrench that can adjust to fit a variety of sizes. Unlike fixed-size wrenches, which can only fit certain bolt sizes, combination wrenches have moving parts that allow them to adjust size.
Because of this, combination wrenches come in a range of sizes, similar to how a socket wrench set has a different size socket for every bolt. Because of the flexibility of the sizing with combination wrenches, they are very useful tools.
The problem with many people is that they do not know the correct way to use a combination wrench. Many people just stick any size onto any bolt and spin it until it comes off or goes on. This is not effective!
First off, make sure you have the right size on the right bolt- if you do not, then you will either struggle to get the nut or bolt off or back on, or you will break your tool(s) due to too much force.
Socket wrenches
A socket wrench is a pain to use, but can be very useful. Socket wrenches have a round hole into which you place a square or hexagon-shaped nut.
You then turn a lever that forces the socket down onto the nut, tightening it. The difficulty comes in deciding how to align the socket with the nut so that it fits properly and you can turn the lever.
The best way to use a socket wrench is to first put it on the nut, then turn the wrench until it feels tight, and then check if it is aligned correctly. If it is not, just re-adjust the socket and try again!
The problem with socket wrenches is that they can break the teeth on the sockets or loosen the nuts if you are not careful.
Torque wrenches
A torque wrench is a type of wrench that locks into place when a certain amount of torque or turning force is reached. This prevents over-tightening or under-tightening an object.
Torque wrenches come in pin-index and digital styles. Pin-index models have a scale where the pin must line up with a marked point to indicate how much torque has been reached.
Digital models use a sensor to measure the torque and display it on a screen. Both of these types have advantages and disadvantages, so it comes down to personal preference which is better.
Both of these types of torque wrenches are very useful in automotive work as well as household plumbing jobs. By having tools that accurately measure how much force is being applied, you are decreasing the risk of leaking pipes or broken parts.
Pipe wrenches
A pipe wrench is a type of wrench that works in the same way as a standard adjustable wrench, but it is designed to grip onto pipes instead of flat surfaces.
Like adjustable wrenches, pipe wrenches come in a range of sizes to fit various sized pipes. They also have adjustable jaws that can be adjusted to fit various sizes of pipes.
Like adjustable wrenches, pipe wrenches can be categorized by their jaw size. Smallest to largest, these categories are junior, intermediate, senior, and extra-large or jumbo.
The size of the pipe determines the size of the wrench you need. For example, you would need a larger junior wrench to grip a smaller diameter pipe. Similarly, you would need a larger senior wrench to grip a thicker diameter pipe.
Crow’s feet wrenches
Crow’s feet wrenches are named after the shape of the opening in the wrench. These wrenches are U-shaped, with a point at the bottom of the U where you would put it into a socket.
These wrenches are very specific as they only fit sockets that have a U-shaped opening. Because of this, it is important to have a quality crow’s foot wrench so that you do not damage the socket or wrench trying to use them together.
The name “crow’s foot” comes from the shape of the opening in the wrench, which resembles a bird’s foot. Many people refer to these sockets as “Italian sockets” due to their origin, but all countries produce these types of sockets.
These wrenches are important for car specialists to have, but any technician should have some in their toolkit due to their specificity.
Eight-point sockets
If you have to remove a very tight bolt or nut, an eight-point socket will make your life exponentially easier. These sockets have eight sides instead of six, which allows you to fit the socket over the nut or bolt more easily.
Because there are more edges, you can position the socket more accurately on the nut or bolt. Once you have it in place, a special feature of these sockets allows you to turn them using just the rounded top surface. This gives you more surface to work with when trying to turn the bolt or nut.
Unfortunately, these are quite expensive and cost a few dollars more than a standard socket set. If you are on a budget, it is probably not worth investing in an eight-point socket set.
