Many of you may use the terms ratchet and spanners interchangeably. However, both hand tools are not the same. Spanners are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Every spanner works differently and is used for a different purpose. If you are a beginner in this field and want to know different types of spanners along with their uses, then keep reading this blog. Let’s dive right in:
What are Spanners Used for?
Wrenches are hand tools used to offer a grip for loosening or tightening fasteners, such as nuts and bolts. Many people get confused between wrench and spanner. Both are the same, Americans refer to this type of tool as a wrench. On the other hand, British people call it a spanner.
Wrenches can be made of different types of materials. To protect against corrosion, this type of wrench is made of carbon steel/chrome vanadium steel. Most commonly, wrenches are used in plumbing to repair leaky pipes.
Uses of Different Types of Spanners
Every spanner has different uses. Different wrench hand tools types are written below:
- Open End Spanners
As the name implies, an open-end spanner is open and used to loosen or tighten the nut or bolt’s head. It is also called a single-end spanner. The jaw gap defines their size. Therefore, you need to buy a wrench after considering the size of the nut or bolt.
- Double-Ended Spanners Hand Tools
As the name suggests, both ends of the wrench are opened to grab the nuts and bolts. This type of wrench offers flexibility to turn and engage with different nuts and bolts. The best thing about this wrench is that it can be used in confined spaces.
- Ring Spanners
Their one or both ends look like rings that are used to grip bolts and nuts to tighten or loosen them. These rings are constructed upwards and downwards to each other at their ends. Teeth are constructed inside these rings for hexagonal heads so bolts and nuts can be gripped with ease.
- Socket Hand Tools Spanner
They come in small and large sizes. With this type of spanner, you need a tommy bar, ratchet Tommy, and universal Tommy. Nuts and bolts in straight, slanting, or narrow spaces can be loosened or tightened with a socket spanner.
- Adjustable Spanner
These are a special type of wrench tool. They are also called screw wrenches. Its jaws can be narrowed and expanded to tighten or loosen the nut or bolt. You can use it when no other spanner fits well for better operational performance.
Things to Consider When Buying a Spanner Set
There is a wide range of spanner tools available on the market. By now, you have a clear idea of how important wrenches are for your workshop or DIY projects. However, make sure these hand tools are of good quality. There are various things that you need to keep in your mind while buying wrenches. It is obvious that size matters a lot when you buy a spanner, but apart from this, you need to consider various things.
- Length
The length matters a lot because it can help you determine how much pressure you need to apply to the fastener. A longer spanner tool can create a great torque, which is a turning force. And, it is better for stiffer or larger nuts.
- Spanner Profile
The connection between the nut and the spanner depends on the spanner profile. The spanner profile makes more contact with the nut. For instance, a ring spanner has fewer chances of slipping.
- Head Thickness and Wideness
The robustness of the spanners hand tools depends on the head thickness and wideness of the head. Thick shafts and heads offer more strength to the wrench and offer better contact with the nut. It simply means the nuts can be easily turned and the risk of them getting damaged during the operation can be decreased.
- Material
If you want your wrench lasts for a lifetime, then it is important to check the material of the tool. Therefore, make sure the hand tool you are buying for your workshop or DIY projects is of high quality.
Conclusion
To sum up, it can be said that a wrench or spanner has different types and can be used for various purposes. If you are interested in buying high-quality hand tools spanners, you can contact Ajay Industries, where you will get numerous types of wrenches.
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