What are split keys used for? Main types of wrenches: photo and description

Types of wrenches

Women could be forgiven for not knowing what a wrench looks like. Men will only grin at such a hint: they say, since childhood we have known what and how. However, upon closer examination of the issue, many will pull their hand to the back of their heads, because there are different types of wrenches. This category of tools actually has a lot of subcategories, and not everyone knows about their features.

First of all, a wrench is a tool with a wide range of uses, including in plumbing, which is used for screwing or unscrewing bolts, couplings or nuts in their various connections. To perform its function, it has a working head, the type and size of which varies depending on the area of ​​use, as well as a handle, which also acts as a lever.

Types of wrenches can be divided into two subtypes: compound and single (whole). The former have several parts that facilitate access to the part being screwed, increase its impact (for example, with an additional lever) or reduce the load on the worker. The second subtype, accordingly, is a whole object.

Types of wrenches

Another classification divides all wrenches into adjustable wrenches and those with a fixed head size. The latter include cap, end, horn and other described tools, the working part of which is monolithic and has dimensions determined by the manufacturer. They are usually indicated either in millimeters or inches.

An adjustable wrench (see photo) makes it possible to adjust the size of the head.

Now let’s take a closer look at what types of wrenches are most common.

open-end wrench

It has a U-shaped head and usually covers the bolt on three sides. The “horns” of the device (hence the name, by the way) are at an angle to the handle, which allows for better manipulation in small spaces. The disadvantage of such a tool is the small area of ​​interaction with the nut or bolt. The entire force does not fall entirely on the object being screwed, but only on those of its edges that are in contact with the tool. As a result, their surface can quickly wear off and threads can break, especially if the wrong size tool is taken.

Open-end wrenches are often produced in combination, that is, they have heads of different sizes on both sides of the handle. This saves space in your drawer. locksmith tools.

Box spanner

It has a solid head with an internal vertical thread and, during operation, “snaps” onto a nut or bolt. This design allows you to evenly distribute pressure on all sides of the object and not erase its corners. However, this type of wrench may not work everywhere, but only where there is direct access to the entire bolt. In other cases, a combined tool is used, which has one open-end head and the other a cap head.

Socket wrench

A type of cap. It has a curved handle, usually in the shape of the letter “G,” which allows, firstly, to reach difficult places, and secondly, it is a reinforced lever. The most famous representative is the automotive one, which is used to work with wheel fastenings.

Another type of spanner - tubular, composite. It's basically a piece of pipe that has a curved shape at one end. As a rule, this is a hexagon. The other end has a hole for inserting a handle. This device is used in very narrow spaces where it is not possible to swing even a little. The most common example of such a tool is a spark plug wrench photo.

Its feature, as already mentioned, is the ability to change the coverage width working area. And so this, one might say, is a type of horn instrument. It has a fairly large, weighty head, one horn of which is motionless, and the other can change position thanks to the movable carriage with which it is connected. An adjustable wrench photo is often used in everyday life, since it replaces a small set of conventional open-end or combination wrenches, but due to its massiveness and relative complexity of the device, it is not always convenient. Such a tool is not capable of holding the part as firmly as a conventional horn tool does, and moreover, the mechanism for moving the horn wears out over time, and the fixation force decreases even more.

Pipe wrench

It also belongs to the subtype of adjustable ones, but has a lever mechanism for reliable fixation of objects. Typically used to grip and secure pipes, e.g. plumbing work Oh.

In this article we would like to tell you in more detail about wrenches, their types, and also touch upon the scope of application of this tool.

It is the most popular hand tool and is necessary for almost every person in our life. Often you have to deal with various fasteners such as nuts, bolts, studs, etc. But in this case you need the appropriate tools.

Will be in the arsenal of masters for a long time and for a long time, this is due to the fact that at a low cost we get a reliable and, most importantly, convenient tool.

A set of such simple items will make your life much easier when assembling furniture, repairing a bicycle, car, and even plumbing. Now let’s try to understand the varieties of these unique instruments.

Essentially, an open-end wrench, also known as a wrench with open mouth- this is a handle with one (single-sided) or two (double-sided) working edges. The working part is a U-shaped horseshoe. The bottom line is that the fastener is securely fixed in the fork and using a lever, pressure is applied to unscrew or tighten the threaded connection. Work with fasteners occurs from the side. If you look closely at the axis of the working part, you can see that it is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The standard angle is 15 degrees, but there are models with other angles, for example, 75 degrees. The presence of an angle is not accidental; it allows you to fully work in tight conditions. The main advantage of such a key is its versatility. Although there are pitfalls here too - there are only 2 contact zones and they are located near the corners. If there is excessive pressure, for example, if a nut is stuck, the edges of the fastener may break and become deformed. But manufacturers are trying to correct this situation - they change the profile of the horns, shorten them, make convexities, change the notch, etc. Thus, their use has now become much more convenient, and modern products During operation, they allow you not to remove the nut from the jaw; you just need to pull it back.

It is a subtype of the open-end wrench. It is much thicker than ordinary carobs and has a special thickening that can be hit with a sledgehammer or hammer. Such wrenches are used with fasteners that are difficult to unscrew, for example, when a nut has boiled or rusted.

Today they are widespread. Its peculiarity is the presence of two types of working parts at once. On one side of the handle there is an open-end wrench, and on the other there is a ring socket of a similar size.

- this is the handle and clamping part, which covers the entire perimeter of the nut. It is more convenient to use and secures the fastener more reliably than the horn type. Ring wrenches have 12 edges or 6 (TORX type). The 12-point wrench is more common in use (rotated 30 degrees). But with a hexagonal profile, you don’t have to be afraid to use force. Due to the large contact patch, the likelihood of deformation of the corners is reduced to zero. There are 3 types: flat (the clamping part is in the same plane with the handle), bent (the angle between the handle and working part 15 degrees) and with a bend (has a knee). Among them, the most common is the curved key.

If it is not possible to work with the ring type of wrenches, there is a subtype of them -. Most popular when working with air and hydraulic hoses. If you have to work in tight spaces, a wrench with a curved handle (motor) in the shape of a crescent will help.

By the way, this is the same carob, only with adjustable distance between the horns has found application mainly in households.

It looks like a high head into which the head of a bolt or nut is inserted and smoothly turns into a handle. Have G- or T- figurative form with replaceable heads or cast mold to one size.

The tubular type is a tube with hexagonal ends. The tube itself has a hole for a rod or knob.

As the name suggests, they are intended exclusively for car spark plugs. The hexagon is on one side, and on the other there is a T-shaped handle on a flexible connecting element.

The advantage is the high speed of operation due to the absence of the need to throw the key and the small angle at which the key must be turned during operation. Ratchet mechanisms may differ in the number of teeth. In a 72 tooth mechanism, turning by 1 unit requires 5 degrees, turning by 40 means 9 degrees. The ratchet mechanism is the most vulnerable point and fails when overloaded, and given that the cost of such a wrench is quite high, it is not recommended to use it for power work.

If you need to accurately tighten the fasteners, as well as the work takes place in units associated with human life, where the responsibility is high, they are used to control the tightening force of the fasteners. With their help, you can accurately tighten bolts and nuts according to the recommendations of the product manufacturer. When the required force is achieved, the key clicks or the mechanism begins to slip.

The most popular among plumbers is the one, which has an adjustable position of the lower jaw, which always has notches. Its peculiarity is that it is convenient to work with various types pipes

When purchasing a wrench, pay attention to the measuring system. On Russian market metric tools predominate, but there are also inch tools, it all depends on the fasteners you have to work with. Well proven hand tools made of chrome vanadium steel. Before buying an open-end wrench, it is advisable to read reviews about manufacturers on the Internet, forums are especially preferable. Jonnesway are professional open-end wrenches that meet international quality standards, and have also been tested over the years by Russian craftsmen.

There are several types of wrenches. They are used to secure connections consisting of a nut or bolt. They are made from a chromium-vanadium alloy. To prevent the key from rusting, chrome plating is used. The invention of the first wrench belongs to Solimon Merrick, who patented it in 1835. There are different types of wrenches. In them a common person needs to Everyday life for a variety of purposes.

Keys are an integral part of the tool box

Having looked at the types of wrenches in the photo, you can understand that in addition to those models that are often found in our homes, there are a huge number of their varieties. They differ from each other not only in form, but also in the purpose of use.

For example, several wrenches, such as a fire hydrant wrench, are used for only one purpose. While others, say a combination or adjustable key, can be used for different purposes. The types of wrenches and their variety are designed to ensure comfort in their use not only by professionals, but also by ordinary citizens. The right tool will help you quickly complete the task.

Types of wrenches, sizes, descriptions, photos

Size is usually indicated by parameters such as the distance between the jaws. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was customary to determine the nominal size of a key in accordance with the parameters of the thread that it was supposed to use. Current practice uses a notation based on the distance between planes.

The size of a wrench is determined by the following parameters: jaw (distance between jaws), thread size (for the nut), handle length. The first parameter has the following range - from 3.2 mm to 155 mm; the second - from M1.6 to M110; the third - from 150 mm to 500 mm.

Single- and double-sided open-end wrenches

This type of key has open ends. These are U-shaped holes. They are often different sizes. These wrenches are useful when working on nuts and bolts that are difficult to access. They provide greater freedom in unscrewing them.

Double-sided spanners

This wrapped wrench has a closed loop at both ends. It is often designed for hexagonal shaped nuts or bolts. However, in certain cases it can be designed in square shape. The loops at both ends are different sizes. This type of wrench is used in cases where open models cannot complete the task.

Combination keys

A combination wrench, as the name suggests, is a combination of an open-end wrench and a socket model. It has a closed loop at one end and an open loop at the other. It can be used to loosen nuts and bolts and then quickly remove them using the open end. Combination wrenches are usually used to perform the combination described and hence both ends are the same size.

Adjustable or adjustable wrenches

This is a kind of wrench open type. They can only be used from one end. The hole size is not fixed. It can vary depending on the size of the nut or bolt. However, these types of wrenches are nearly impossible to use in hard-to-reach areas.

This is the most common type of adjustable wrench used today. An adjustable end wrench differs from a regular wrench in that the gripping surfaces of the jaws are offset, as a rule, by 15 degrees relative to the tool handle. The modern adjustable was invented by Johan Petter Johansson.

Let's now learn how to use the adjustable key model.

1. Identify the nut or bolt you want to tighten.
2. Open the rotary key by turning the screw. Check if you have opened it enough for the nut to fit well: if not, it needs to be opened more. Make sure it is open a little more than the size of the nut.
3. Slide the open part of the head onto the nut and hold it in place. Turn the mechanism screw so that it clamps the nut tightly.
4. Turn the wrench clockwise to tighten the fastener or counterclockwise to loosen it. Continue turning until the nut is tight or loose enough to remove.
5. Remove the wrench by loosening the mechanism screw.

End models

In the case of a socket wrench, it fits completely over the nut or bolt. When this type of tool is used, it does not need to be completely removed from the head of the nut or bolt after turning is completed. The handle can be removed and reinserted while the socket remains on top of the nut or bolt.

Impact wrench

There are a wide variety of types and sizes of wrenches. An "impact" wrench is a specialized thick, short, chunky tool with a block-end handle specifically designed for use with a hammer, allowing it to be given greater force. Typically used with large fasteners, especially nuts and pins that have index marks.

Impact wrenches withstand impact and high strength, which is designed to release large or stuck nuts and bolts. They are also useful if space does not allow the use of a large wrench.

Hex wrench

This key has a hexagonal end. These tools are used to loosen bolts with hexagonal sockets on the ends. The way they work is similar to the way a screwdriver works. To better understand the features of each model, you should study the types of wrenches, photos are required special attention. Illustrative material makes it easier to understand the features of each model.

There are two types of hex wrenches general forms: with L-shaped and T-shaped handles. L-shaped wrenches are made from hexagonal wire, while T-handles are the same hexagonal wire with a metal or plastic handle attached to the end. Types of wrenches and their names are presented in detail in our article. Many of their names come from the external shape of the instrument.

These hex keys have a head on the short arm and a hex ball head on the long arm. It offers a larger contact surface on the screw head. This reduces the likelihood of wear and rounding of corners in the screws. The ball on the long arm is designed so that the key can be easily inserted into the head, which allows you to turn it at the desired angle, this is indispensable in hard-to-reach places.

The round key shafts fit comfortably in the hand and help make operation as easy as possible.

Because for these quality tools used stainless steel, there will be no problems with rust. If you notice it on the surface of the instrument, there can only be one reason. This occurs as a result of their active use to turn screws or bolts made of ordinary steel. Pressure inevitably leaves traces or particles of another type of metal on the stainless beak, and then corrosion occurs under the influence of oxygen.

Balloon keys

This is the type name socket wrench, used to loosen and tighten nuts on automobile wheels. In the United Kingdom and Australia it is commonly known as a wheel brace.

Wrenches can be L-shaped or X-shaped. The most common form is an L-shaped metal rod with a socket wrench on the curved end and an angled tip on the other end. The gripping bit is mainly designed to remove wheel caps, which can fix the wheel end nuts.

Gedore has gained enormous popularity in the tool market. It produces high-quality products that are actively used by motorists from all over the world. Appearance The first Gedore wrenches were enjoyed by car enthusiasts.

Another common type, sometimes called a key spider, is shaped like a cross with spaced sockets at each of the four ends.

Ideally, the nuts (or bolts) should be tightened with a torque tool. Wrenches are much cheaper. Installing a wheel with their help requires the use of greater force. Excessive force can make the nuts very difficult to remove. Additionally, uneven application of force between the various nuts and the tool can cause the brake rotor to warp if the vehicle is equipped with disc brakes.

For this reason, wheel wrenches should only be properly used to remove lug nuts and not to tighten them. In practice, this rule is often ignored for convenience, even by professional mechanics.

For an auto mechanic or just a person whose profession involves using huge amount tools, you can purchase cutlery in the form of wrenches. This fun gift is sure to make an impression.

– this is the main working tool of an equipment repairman, car mechanic, plumber and any other specialist in almost all areas of activity related to the repair and operation of machinery and equipment. Many types of wrenches are useful to have at home for minor home repairs, while others are more specialized. Let's consider the features of the main types of keys used in modern industry.

Open-end wrenches

Let's start with the most commonly used open-end wrenches or, according to GOST, open-end wrenches. Represent public key with a standard metric (usually) size between the jaws, shaped like horns. For ease of operation, the longitudinal axes of the head and handle are at an angle of 15°, but there are other options. The key is designated by the size of the distance between the jaws in mm. For example - 9,18, 22, etc. There are single- and double-sided open-end wrenches. In the first case, the key has one head and a handle. Double-sided ones have two heads at 2 ends of the handle and different, similar sizes in a row, for example - 22/24, 10/12, etc.

spanners

Box wrenches, also called ring wrenches. These types of wrenches, photos of which are presented below, do not have the main disadvantage of open-end wrenches - small contact zones. The head has contact with the entire nut, the wrench is smaller in size than a similar open-end wrench and, accordingly, it is more convenient to use and transport. The key profile can have 6 or 12 edges. The latter is more convenient due to a smaller rotation angle for work - 30° instead of 60° for a hexagonal one. Spanner can be flat, have a bent head (15°) or a bend.

Combination keys

Combination wrenches are usually produced in double-sided open-end and cap versions. These types of wrenches are among the most popular due to the fact that the user has the opportunity to use universal tool devoid of the shortcomings of each of them separately. There are other options for combination wrenches, for example, open-end-socket, but by default, open-end-socket is considered combined.

Adjustable wrenches

An adjustable wrench, or an open-end wrench with a variable distance between the jaws, has the ability to adjust the working size depending on the size of the nut. Convenient to use due to its versatility and the ability to not carry a whole set of open-end wrenches. But it also has some disadvantages, in particular relatively big size heads. More suitable for everyday use or for low-intensity professional activities.

Pipe wrenches

Pipe wrenches (gas, plumbing) are widely used for plumbing work, laying and repairing utility lines. main feature design is the adjustable movement of the lower jaw to the exact size of the part. Thanks to special notches, the pipe wrench can be used to work with round parts, such as pipes.

Balloon keys

Balloon wrenches are included in the kit of any car enthusiast and professional and are intended for changing wheels and other work. They are a socket wrench with an extended handle and a mounting blade at the end. The most popular are wheel wrenches with a cross-shaped handle, each end of which is equipped with a separate head.

Hex keys

Unlike all the above types, hex keys are designed for nuts with internal edges, for example confirmats (furniture screws). They are a steel hexagonal rod with a bend for convenient work. Sizes range from 1.5 to 24 mm, sold both individually and in sets.

Of course, that's not all existing species keys. When choosing a type, take into account the specifics of the work being performed, the requirements for the dimensions of the tool and the size of the gripping head. And be sure to pay attention to the measurement system - inch or metric, especially when choosing an imported tool.

There are several types of wrenches. They are used to tightly fasten connections that include a bolt and a nut. They are created from an alloy of chromium and vanadium. To prevent the key from rusting, chrome plating is used.

The first key was created by Solimon Merrico, who patented it back in 1835. There are many varieties of keys, all of them are very necessary for a person for construction and repair work in everyday life.

Wrench assignments

If you carefully look at the types of devices in the photo, you can understand that in addition to the models found in our homes, there are many more variations. They differ from each other not only in form, but also in purpose of use..

For example, a fire hydrant wrench is used for only one purpose. While the rest, say, combined or adjustable tools, can be used for various areas.

Such a variety of devices is necessary to ensure comfort in work not only professional specialists, but also in the lives of ordinary citizens.

A properly created tool helps to quickly complete the repair task assigned to a person.

Types of keys

Size is usually indicated by parameters such as the distance between the jaws. In the 19th century and early 20th, the nominal size of a tool was most often determined by following the general parameters of the thread it created. IN modern practice There are notations based on the total distance between two planes.

Dimensions should be considered based on indicators such as the jaw (the distance from one jaw to the other), the thread (nut) parameter, and the length of the handle. The next parameter carries a distance from 3.2 mm to 155 mm, the second from M1.6 to M 110; and the third - from 150 millimeters to 500.

Single- and double-sided open-end wrenches

These keys have open ends.. Their opening is U-shaped. Most often they vary in size. These products should be used when working with nuts and bolts that are very difficult to access. They give a lot of space when unscrewing.

Double-sided spanners

The device of the wrapped type has a closed circuit at both ends. The product is most often used for hexagonal nuts or bolts. But in some cases it can be created in the shape of a square. The loops at both ends are equal in size. Products of this type are used in cases where open models cannot perform the task assigned to them.

Combination keys

Combination instruments, as their name suggests, are presented in the form of a combination of a spanner model and an open-end wrench. They have a closed loop at one end and an open loop at the other. The wrench can be used to loosen bolts and nuts and then quickly removes them using the open end.

Combined types of keys are most often used to perform combinations, as a result of which both rings acquire the same diameter.

Adjustable and adjustable wrenches

Such products are presented in an open type. They are used only at one end. The overall size of the hole was not recorded. It may vary depending on the bolt or nut. But these types of wrenches are almost impossible to use in hard-to-reach areas.

This type of adjustable wrench is the most commonly used today. The adjustable end device differs from the usual one in that the gripping surfaces of the jaws in it are shifted 15 degrees to the side relative to the handle of the device. The modern adjustable socket wrench was created by Johan Peter Johansson.

Now you need to consider how to use the adjustable product:

1. Decide on the nut or bolt you want to secure.
2. Open the rotary key while turning the screw. Check whether you have opened it well so that the nut can fit completely into it: if not, it should be opened more. Make sure it is open a little more than the size of the nut or bolt itself.
3. Slide the free part of the tool head onto the nut and hold it in place. Turn the screw mechanism so that it can squeeze the nut tightly.
4. Turn the device clockwise to tighten the screw more tightly, or counterclockwise to loosen it significantly. Continue turning until the nut is tight or loose enough to remove.
5. Release the device and loosen the mechanism screw.

End models

It is customary to place the end device completely on the bolt or nut. When this type of wrench is used, it does not need to be completely removed from the head of the nut or bolt after turning. The handles can be removed and reinserted while the socket remains above the bolt.

Adjustable device, main disadvantages:

1. The relatively large size can become a significant obstacle when working in hard-to-reach places.
2. The play of the movable jaw does not allow the nut to be tightly compressed; ultimately, with a small force, the wrench smooths out the corners of the nut and breaks off, at which time a person can receive significant injury.
3. Over time, the movable jaw mechanism wears out greatly, leading to severe backlash.
4. The low strength index prevents the creation of large and torque.
5. The need to adjust the position of the movable jaw.

There is only one advantage - the ability to change the distance between the jaws. But even this advantage can be negated with a socket wrench with replaceable or bicycle heads.

Impact wrench

The types and sizes of products can be completely different. The impact type is a special thick, short and stocky device with a block end handle that is specifically designed to work with a hammer, which helps give it more force in the work.

It is most often used with large fasteners, a special nut and a font that have indication marks.

Impact wrenches are very durable and can withstand the high force required to release large stuck bolts and nuts. They will also help when free space does not allow the use of a large device.

Hex tool

This device has a hexagonal end. The tools are used to unscrew a bolt with a hexagonal recess at the end. The method of doing this is similar to the method of working with a screwdriver. In order to better understand the principle of operation of such products, it is worth studying the types of wrenches, especially you need to pay close attention to photographs of the products.

Illustrative information helps to learn in more detail about the features of any model.

Hexagonal devices can be of two shapes: with L-shaped and T-shaped handles. L-shaped wrenches are created from hexagonal wire, while T-shaped wrenches are considered the same hexagonal wire with a metal or plastic handle attached to a specific end.

The types of keys and their names can also be studied at a hardware store.. Most of the names of the devices come from their appearance.

Such hexagonal products have a head on a short arm and a hexagonal ball head on a longer arm. They enclose a large contact surface on the head of the screw. This reduces the possibility of excessive wear or rounding of corners in the screw.

The ball on the long arm is needed so that the key can be easily inserted into the head, which will help turn it at a certain angle, this is very important for use in hard-to-reach places.

The round key shafts fit well in the hand and help make work as simple as possible.

Since stainless steel is used for such high-quality products, there will definitely not be any problems with rust. If you notice it on the surface of the device, then there can only be one reason. This occurs due to the active use of the device in order to turn screws or bolts of excess steel. The pressure leaves traces or components of another metal on the stainless steel beak and in this case corrosion develops under the influence of oxygen.

Balloon instruments

This type of device is used to loosen and tighten nuts on car wheels. In the United Kingdom and Austria it is widely used as a wheel brace.

Wrenches of this format may have an L-shaped metal rod with an end product on a curved tip and a knee on the other. The gripping tip is used to remove the caps from the wheels, which are secured with tip hooks.

On the market construction tools The Gedore company is especially popular. She creates quality products, which are actively used by motorists from all over the world. The appearance of the first Gedore kits will definitely appeal to every car enthusiast.

Another common species, sometimes called the key spider, is presented as a cross with spaced nests at each of the four ends.

It is best if the bolts (or nuts) are tightened using a torque tool. Such devices are much cheaper. Installing wheels when using them requires more force. Excessive force can make the nut very difficult to remove. In addition, uneven distribution of force between the nuts and the device itself can lead to deformation of the brake rotor if the car has disc brakes.

For this reason, balloon tools are best used only for removing nuts from the tip, and not for tightening them. In practice, this rule is very often not observed even by professional mechanics themselves.

For every auto mechanic or common man, whose profession is inextricably linked with the use large quantity tools, you can buy cutlery in the form of wrenches. They will definitely like such an unusual gift.

Tubular model

1. The tubular device is represented by a tube, at the ends of which there are hexagons; special holes are made in the tube for a knob (a rod that plays the role of a lever). The size of the hex on the end of one key will vary significantly. Such simple products Sometimes equipment and some machines, including cars, are completed.
2. In some cases, the manufacturer bends the pipe to create an L-shaped tubular device. They have the same hexagon indicator at the end of one key, and the functionality of the positions is just like that of L-shaped socket devices.
3. A type of tubular device is considered to be a spark plug (for automobile spark plugs); it has a hexagon on one side.

There may be protruding parts in the pipe cavity threaded connections, for example, strongly protruding parts of a candle.

Products equipped with a ratchet

Saddle and end products can be modified together with a ratchet mechanism (in other words, combined with a ratchet). The main advantage of such a ratchet wrench is that it does not need to be re-thrown. Another important advantage- this is the small angle at which the wrench is turned to screw and unscrew the nut.

Ratchet mechanisms differ significantly from each other, for example, in the number of teeth; if the mechanism has 72 teeth, then 5 degrees are enough to rotate, if there are 50 teeth, then 9 degrees, and so on. The formula for calculation is the angle of 360 degrees divided by the number of teeth. This is very important when doing work in very cramped conditions.

The main disadvantage of the device is the ratchet, which is considered its weak point, as it can easily break under load.