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Which spanner suits the most for my application? Well, many wrenches are there and selecting the most-suited tool for your use may be a challenge for a newcomer. So, in this article; we give you top tips and advice on wrench types and the applications. Remember, using the wrong spanner may result in damaged fastener heads; hence your work will be doubled. As an engineer or a technician, you can't afford to get fasteners damaged and waste extra time on recorrection. Let's get started!

Well, don't get confused as we use the term Wrench here; they both refer to the same products. A quick tip: Wrenches is the term used in North America. Turning a tight nut by exerting a greater force is the action of a spanner. For example, we can't unfix a fixed nut with our fingers or hand as exerting the necessary force isn't possible. As humans, we have restrictions on how much power we can exert on a tight nut. Anyway, experts in the industrial world came up with the Spanner many centuries ago. The UK is the known country of origin of this versatile tool. Drop forged steel is the most-used metal for manufacturing this pretty useful day-to-day tool. Also, a chrome coating preserves the tool from corrosion and day-to-day decay under environmental conditions such as water and air. Ordinary steel readily gets corroded even when get exposed to air; hence not suitable for tools and equipment manufacturing.

Fixed and adjustable - we can categorize wrenches according to this. For example, some spanner manufacturers produce their products as a set that comes with more than one fixed-head tools. Or, you can buy an adjustable tool where you can change the head size according to the head size of the nut. Both are reliable options, but you can save space in your toolbox by having a few adjustable wrenches. Anyway, some engineers and technicians prefer a toolset than buying a changeable tool. The choice is yours according to what you consider as the best choice, but both do the same job for you.

OK, let's get to know the components of a Spanner now! The handle, jaw (fixed or adjustable,) and worn screw are the principal components of a wrench today. A fixed spanner doesn't come with a worm screw as nothing is there to adjust. The handle is the place that you hold the tool when exerting a greater force on the nut. Anyway, the handle does more than that. It is the part that amplifies the power you apply on the fastener when tightening or loosening. We know you know that equation - force multiply by distance is the total force. So, greater the handle length, more the force on the nut. Anyway, you can't increase the spanner handle length as you wish. Remember, the higher the power, the more the possibility that the fastener can get damaged or fail. A damaged nut is a nightmare to remove.

Basic wrench types

Ratchet type, fixed-head, adjustable-heads, box spanners, pipe wrench, and strap wrenches are the widely-used products in commercial and industrial worlds today. Well, even homeowners will benefit from buying a toolset for DIY applications. When discussing different wrench types, we should highlight the importance of the size too. For example, choosing the wrong-sized spanner can damage the fastener and double the work for you. Well, we can categorize the products as open-end and closed-end products as well. A ratchet spanner is an example of a closed-end product. A better grip is a top advantage of using a ratchet wrench for your application. Anyway, you should focus on the size as well when shopping for a ratchet wrench (it is a fixed product; you can't change the head size.) A ratchet spanner comes with two ends, and both the ends can be used for different size nuts. At a glance, the price of ratchet products are high, but you get two tools for the price of one here. So, you can save money in the long run.

Box Spanner

Another versatile wrench type to use for removing and tightening spark plugs. Well, you can use this product to remove nuts too. This product is a steel tube that comes with two ends shaped like fastener heads to remove and tighten. A small metal bar is there to insert through a hole, and it acts as the handle to exert a greater force. Anyway, when compared to wrenches that come with handles; box spanners cannot exert a higher force on tight fasteners, and which is why its top application is removing spark plugs. You can buy this product individually or as a set that comes with many pieces.

Pipe wrench

A pretty robust tool when compared to other spanner types, and as the name suggests; removing pipes is the primary application of it. The tool comes with a long handle to produce a greater force as removing pipes require a lot of it. The adjustable head of the tool comes with threads for a better grip. Stillson Wrench is another name given to this versatile and useful tool.

Socket Set

A set of tools that can replace the traditional spanner or wrenches. The smaller piece size makes it suitable for users who give priority to convenience and have other tools to fit in the toolbox. Most socket sets come in a box; hence you can place all of it in your toolbox easily.

OK, we would like to give you some information on the spanner manufactures as well here. As mentioned most wrenches are made of metals for strength and versatility. A metal that can withstand environmental conditions such as moisture and dust would be the best choice so. Which means you should buy your product from a reputable manufacturer or a supplier in your city. Anyway, wrenches are not expensive products when compared to what they do for you. But, using a cheap spanner can result in unwanted damages and time wastes in the long run. Australia is a country where a top priority is given to quality. So, you can find a top-class supplier without wasting time. Just make use of the Internet and find a reliable supplier in your city. Or, you can visit the nearest hardware shop or the house improvement store.

A quick tip: buying a spanner set will save you more money than buying them individually. If you are an engineer or a technician; you will benefit from having a wrench set on your side as you will work with nuts and fasteners of different sizes and types. Contact us for more information on this versatile product!