In the 15th century, there were references to wrenches and uses that required them, such as pipe clamps and suits of armor.
There are different types of wrenches and spanners available in the market today.
Although it isn’t necessary to own all of them, a significant number of them are essential so that you can always find the right tool for the job.
When used to grip and prevent the turning of rotational fasteners like nuts and bolts, a wrench, sometimes termed a spanner, is a basic hand tool.
Below is a list of the different types of wrenches.
1. Open-end Wrenches
These are one of the simplest types of one-piece wrenches. It features two ends of different sizes for the types of bolts that are hard to reach.
These two U-shaped ends can be used with various bolts in metric or imperial measurements, generally of different sizes.
As they are angle orientated, they may easily suit the target both perpendicularly and horizontally. Sometimes, this wonderful tool is the sole answer for loosening or tightening a bolt.
There’s another open-end wrench type with only one U-shaped jaw of a specified width.
Open-end wrenches are low in weight and are suitable for carrying out small operations. They’re available in numerous sizes and are frequently bought in sets or kits of every size.
2. Torque Wrenches
To avoid overtightening, this socket wrench has been engineered to produce a precise amount of torque.
This amount may be adjusted, and there are a variety of options to choose from (including manual, digital, and other variations).
When it comes to automotive repairs, such as tightening lug nuts, it’s the most frequent tool to use. In terms of speed, torque sticks may be better, but they’re not as precise.
Torque wrenches can also be used to tighten nuts and bolts on bicycles, farming equipment, and other items when the manufacturer specifies a precise torque requirement.
3. Tension Wrench
In lockpicking, a tension wrench is one of those different types of wrenches you’ve seen but never heard of, and it may be found in a wide variety of designs.
While the pick is operating, tension is applied with the help of these tools, which might be stiff or flexible.
Since the tension wrench remains stationary while the other tool is moved, you may have puzzled about how someone managed to pick a lock without using both.
4. Crescent Wrenches
Another name for this type of wrench is “adjustable wrench.” Since they’re more convenient to use and don’t require a separate tool for each size bolt, they’re quite popular.
Since they’re so versatile, they may be found in almost every garage. They have a spiral screw that moves the jaw. Several tasks would normally need regular wrenches being used.
However, crescent wrenches are one of the different types of wrenches that is thicker and can handle several of them.
Considering this reason, it has become the most often used wrench in the modern world. Due to their adaptability, they’re employed for a wide range of repairs and completions.
It was designed specifically for usage in small places. That being stated, they should be handled with caution since excessive force will flatten the bolt’s surface.
5. Dog Bone Wrench
Both ends of the dog bone wrench have a different socket size on each side. The bone-shaped look of this wrench, which is frequently referred to as the dumbbell wrench, has given it its name.
Despite their ability to squeeze in tight areas, they are solely used for bike maintenance. To allow for more flexibility, certain dog bone wrenches have swivel heads.
6. Allen Wrenches
Knowing that Allen wrenches are a specific type of key wrench, it should be easy for you to deduce its design.
Hexagonal sockets with uneven arms make up this type of wrench. Their head is designed to drive screws into the target fittings.
It is also known as a hex key or Allen key because of its shape. They are usually supplied in sets that include all of the sizes and head shapes that you may require.
Allen wrenches, like other types of wrenches, are used in constructing a wide range of household appliances and electrical devices.
In addition, the six-edged bolts on this tool are used to repair bicycles. It’s just an L-shaped rod that you can keep just about anywhere you like.
7. Ratchet Wrenches
To turn nuts and bolts, a ratchet wrench does not need a wrench to be lifted out of its socket.
A lever or mechanism in the end sections allows the end to ratchet or turn the fastener in one direction but not the other when a wrench handle is returned.
A ratchet wrench allows you to tighten or loosen a nut or bolt without having to remove the wrench from the nut or bolt.
8. Fixed Wrenches
Fixed wrenches are available in a wide range of sizes and are easy to get. The wrench has a closed loop on one side and an open loop on the other end.
Even though they have a simple shape, they are used to fasten extremely tough bolts. Screws with square and hexagonal square shapes can be driven with a closed loop.
They remove most of the frustration of the wrench slipping off the bolt head and can hold a wider range of bolt head designs more securely.
The design of fixed wrenches is known for its efficiency. It’s also possible for them to unlock those tough bolts that you’ve been unable to open.
Small and light, fixed wrenches are ideal for squeezing into tiny spaces. Combination wrenches are another name for these types of wrenches.
9. Crowfoot Wrench
Rather than being cylindrical like socket heads, they appear more like open-end or box-end wrenches. They use the same drive sizes as socket wrenches.
When measuring the torque required to turn or loosen a fastener or using a standard socket wrench is not an option, these tools come in handy.
Open-end and box-end wrenches are more expensive; thus, many people choose the smaller, less expensive crowfoot wrenches in place of those bigger, more expensive tools. Due to their size and weight, they are also useful in other situations.
10. Box Ended Wrenches
Unlike the previous different types of wrenches, this one is more closely connected. Wrenches with box ends have a flat shaft with loops closed on both ends.
Consequently, the bolts may be tightened or loosened with more ease. It is possible to slip the loops over a variety of bolts because of their different shapes.
Often, the ends of the handle are elevated or angled, making them stronger and easy to use. The box-ended wrench has the benefit of not rounding the edges of the nuts it operates on. Wrenches like this are perfect for every toolbox.
11. Oil Filter Wrench
Oil filter wrenches, a common automotive tool, come in four different forms and frequently need to be matched to the brand of a vehicle.
Filter cases are wrapped around the filter by chains and metal straps, while a claw wrench is used to tighten or loosen the filter’s threaded end.
Finally, socket-style filter wrenches resemble a cup with the sides cut away. They are used to tighten and loosen filters. When used in combination with a ratchet handle, they attach to the bottom of a filter cap.
12. Pipe Wrenches
They are referred to as such because they are designed to operate with pipe fittings. Since they’re built for metal pipe assembly and disassembly, plumbers are the primary users of these tools.
A pipe wrench can slide on and off a pipe fitting. Compared to other different types of wrenches used for everyday tasks, these wrenches are heavier and more robust.
An adjustable wrench and a pipe wrench are both types of wrenches. However, they are more prone to scrape the pipe’s surface, which isn’t a big deal at all.
The jaws of a pipe wrench are toothed and may move upwards and downwards in an F-shape. Despite the rough handling, this instrument is essential to every homeowner’s toolkit.
13. Bionic Adjustable Wrench
Loggerhead tools’ bionic adjustable wrench is one of the best different types of wrenches. Squeezing it like pliers makes the box-end jaw compress to suit up to sixteen different nut and bolt sizes.
The fastener will fit exactly, and your nuts and bolts will not be damaged or stripped as a result of using this tool.
Despite its tiny size, this wrench is perfect for loosening or tightening fasteners that are visible, as long as you have enough area to grasp, squeeze, and turn the wrench with both hands.
14. Spoke Wrench
These tiny wrenches are designed for the maintenance of wire wheel spokes. It features a slot on one end that goes around a spoke and a drive head on the other end that goes around the nipple.
Without needing to remove it, this wrench may be turned a full circle. Bike shops are the best place to find this tool.
A small open-ended wrench may resemble some of the varieties, while others may appear more like a curved, flat piece of metal.
